Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in North Lake Tahoe

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in North Lake Tahoe? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Christy Hill

4.9

4.9 (2262)

$50 and over

Californian

Tahoe City

About the restaurant

A memorable dining experience awaits you as you enter the Christy Hill Restaurant in the center of Tahoe City. The restaurant sits on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe on an elevated embankment offering diners a panoramic vista. The intimate setting offers guests a view that is only upstaged by the cuisine, wine and service. Spectacular sunsets that can be seen from every table is just one of the many reasons that Christy Hill was voted "Most Romantic Restaurant" and "North Lake Tahoe's Iconic Restaurants with World-Class Views" by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Executive Chef, Luis Vallin, focuses on sustainability and innovation, supporting local merchants and farmers. The thoughtful and playful menu pays homage to the tradition of Christy Hill while continuing to uplift and propel the cuisine and restaurant into exciting new territory.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Outstanding. Far and away the best meal we’ve had in a long time. Christy Hill was recommended to us by a top chef who worked in area restaurants for 13 years — and he was right. Beautiful setting, lovely presentation, and absolutely delicious. Toques off to the Christy Hill chef and staff!

Le Bistro Tahoe

4.7

4.7 (747)

$50 and over

French American

Incline Village

About the restaurant

Fine dining, craft cocktails,excellent wine list in a cozy back street location with patio dining. Incline Village Lake Tahoe. Perfect for date night or special occasions.
Soup of the day,Lobster Bisque, Oysters, Foie Gras, Gnocchi, Escargot, Ratatouille, Filet Mignon, Lamb , Duck , Chicken, Fresh Fish, Pork, Veal.
A la carte menu
Thank You

Top review

brianVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food and service. We’d recommend it to anyone.

Gar Woods Grill and Pier Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (4758)

$31 to $50

Californian

Carnelian Bay

About the restaurant

For 36 years Gar Woods Grill and Pier has been the premier waterfront dining destination in North Lake Tahoe. Floor-to-ceiling windows, large deck and balconies provide breath-taking views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras. Gar Woods Grill and Pier is an upscale casual restaurant that accommodates groups of 160 just as easily as groups of two. Our Chef has created a menu highlighting California cuisine, hand cut steaks and fresh Pacific seafood, served in a fun-in-the-sun atmosphere. The wine list is a collection of best-known California vintners featuring more than a dozen wines by the glass. Enjoy the waterfront deck while sipping on Gar Woods world famous Wet Woody®. With nearly four million sold, you will be in good company! Or thaw out with a Warm Woody or a Heavenly Bottom. Lake Tahoe sunsets are our specialty.
Service dogs/bunnies/parrots welcome- with appropriate credentials under the ADA.

Top review

AnaV

Dined 3 days ago

Love Garwoods. Have been visiting for many years! First time was in 1996

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Popular dish

Shrimp & Lobster Bisque

Popular dish

Lobster Deviled Eggs

Big Water Grille

4.5

4.5 (1288)

$31 to $50

Californian

Incline Village

About the restaurant

Nestled in the mountains of the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, the Big Water Grille has spectacular panoramic lake views that are among the best around. Our Chefs are impressing diners with his fresh/seasonal menu. Join us for a martini in the lounge, a glass of wine on the deck or a fine dining experience in the dining room. Choose from our craft cocktails or extensive wine list from around the world.

Top review

Jeff

Dined 1 day ago

Service and food was outstanding. All guests enjoyed the experience.

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Popular dish

Schat's Flourless Chocolate Torte

Granlibakken Tahoe - Cedar House Pub

4.5

4.5 (179)

$30 and under

American

Tahoe City

About the restaurant

Cedar House Pub is located within the beautiful Granlibakken Tahoe resort and is open to guests and anyone looking for a great meal. It is known for its gastro pub menu prepared by an award-winning culinary team. Indoor and seasonal outdoor seating available or surprise your family with a delectable to-go dinner. We offer many dining options for those with specialized dietary needs, family-style meals, and choices for little humans’ distinguished pallets.

A great atmosphere awaits you in Cedar House Pub, featuring a warm wood fire in the winter months, a well stocked bar, and large windows looking out into Granlibakken's quiet, private valley which is surrounded by fir trees and pines.

Our Cedar House Deck is open seasonally. Breakfast buffet served daily in GranHall.

Top review

Charlie

Dined on Feb 19, 2025

Prefect way to wrap up a day of skiing and snow play!

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Experience

☘️ St Patrick's Special ☘️

The Lodge Restaurant & Pub

4.4

4.4 (1448)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Truckee

About the restaurant

The Lodge Restaurant & Pub is an award-winning neighborhood bistro with plenty of outdoor seating and spectacular views. They offer a hand-picked wine selection and craft cocktail menu as well as serve local and organic meat and produce. Order dinner, drinks and desserts the whole family is sure to enjoy.

Top review

MollyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

The mushroom ‘scallops’ was one of the best dishes I have had in a long time. I haven’t been back to the lodge in over a year but they have a new, more Interesting menu and I plan to be back to try all of the other menu items soon. The problem is that I will want the delicious mushroom dish again. If you haven’t been there in a while, it is definitely worth the trip to give it another try.

PlumpJack Cafe Olympic Valley

4.3

4.3 (692)

$50 and over

American

Olympic Valley / Squaw Valley

About the restaurant

PlumpJack Cafe is widely regarded as Lake Tahoe's premier dining destination. Fine dining and exceptional wines are in our heritage, and we'd love to share our passion with you on your next visit. We offer a complete and unique menu that is sure to satisfy you after a long day in the mountains.
PlumpJack Cafe & Bar hours of operation are Thursday-Monday from 4-9pm. The Bar will be open at 4:00pm for drinks & cocktails, followed by our full dinner menu from 5-9pm. Please note that we may be closed on select dates for special events. Please call 530.583.1578 or check plumpjackcafe.com for the most up to date hours.

Top review

AlexVIP

Dined on Feb 22, 2025

Although PlumpJack is expensive, we always have a great time here. My steak was especially good. Highly recommended.

The Sawyer at Schaffer's Mill Club

4.3

4.3 (717)

$31 to $50

American

Truckee

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of the Pinyon Pine-Juniper woodland area of the Sierra Nevada’s, elevated at 5,817 feet in the town of Truckee, resides The Sawyer at Schaffer’s Mill. With food true to the land and served by real Truckee people, The Sawyer is the perfect name for the final, most awaited addition to Schaffer’s Mill

The Sawyer is centered around an amazing indoor and outdoor bar with views of Lookout Mountain and the golf course. The restaurant features a locally crafted all-day menu with selections of shareable, freshly-prepared salads, generous sandwiches, and delicious entrees.

Top review

BennettVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Overall great dining experience. Chill servers, food was great.

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Popular dish

KING SALMON

Popular dish

OUR FAMOUS BUTTER CAKE

Fumo

4.3

4.3 (196)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Incline Village

About the restaurant

Casual American Fusion restaurant with a cozy cabin feel, patio seating, and bar seats.
Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with a diverse craft cocktail list.

Top review

Vicki

Dined 3 days ago

The food was delicious. The service was great. We enjoyed it and will definitely go back.

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Popular dish

Crab Cakes

Experience

Fumo Outdoor Igloo Dining

Sunnyside

4.2

4.2 (1678)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Tahoe City

About the restaurant

We will be hosting a wedding on Sunday, January 14, 2024 and will be accepting walk-ins only at our Mountainside Bar. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you!

Welcome! We are open for lakeside dining. Visit our website for the latest Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge updates!

This iconic lakeside lodge and restaurant is the ideal Tahoe getaway. With a charming lakeside hotel, fantastic food and a panoramic lake view, it is nothing short of a magical mountain experience. It’s everything you hoped Tahoe would be and more, from the mouthwatering cuisine to the largest seasonal lakeside deck in all of Tahoe. With community farmer’s markets, a lakeside bike path and some of the best ski resorts in California, life on the lake never gets boring. There’s always something fun and exciting for the entire family at Sunnyside.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on Feb 18, 2025

A beautiful place to eat out in Tahoe. We try to come here whenever we’re in town. It’s a fun and friendly restaurant.

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Explore Diners' Choice best of North Lake Tahoe