Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Tahoe / Reno Area

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Tahoe / Reno Area? 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!

Smoke Door - Lake Tahoe Saryo

4.9

4.9 (179)

$50 and over

Japanese

Kings Beach

About the restaurant

Smoke Door Lake Tahoe Saryo is a Japanese-inspired restaurant using primitive wildfire cooking methods highlighting seasonal ingredients from Japan and the Tahoe region.

Our Executive Chef, Tyler Burges, hails from notable restaurants such as Michael Mina, Angler, and the esteemed Saison and is driven by seasonality and innovation.
Nestled in the breathtaking surroundings of Lake Tahoe, it offers an unforgettable dining experience with views of the open kitchen and wood-burning hearth.

Please note, we are unable to accommodate vegans or celiacs within our restaurant. If you have any specific dietary restrictions, allergies, or aversions please contact us via email at info@smokedoorsaryo.com

**We are unable to accommodate any children under the age of 10 within our restaurant.**

Top review

Jeff

Dined 4 days ago

Definitely not your typical Tahoe meal, this place delivers beautifully prepared and presented food with a modern Asian flair. The 6-course tasting menu delivers plenty of food. The wine list is quite varied, and the somm is super knowledgeable and has opinions. Yes! The service and the ambiance are totally Tahoe - Relaxed, attentive, friendly and fun. We’ll be back.

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Experience

A La Carte Bar Menu

Wolfdale's Cuisine Unique

4.8

4.8 (1410)

$31 to $50

Californian

Tahoe City

About the restaurant

North Lake Tahoe’s premiere restaurant and popular bar is celebrating 41 years of exceptional service. As a family-run business, Wolfdale’s provides lakeview dining with a warm ambiance, and uses 'Cuisine Unique' to describe the fresh and simple aesthetic of each dish. Since opening in 1978, Chef Douglas Dale has developed a fusion style of California and Asian influences that is present throughout the menu. Wolfdale's accommodates gluten-free and vegan guests.

Top review

Eleanor

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent place to dine whether there's 2 or 10 people. Wolfdale's is very accommodating & delicious.

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Popular dish

Red Thai Seafood Stew

Popular dish

Braised Lamb Shank

The Twisted Fork

4.8

4.8 (1459)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Reno

About the restaurant

At the Twisted Fork we take the traditional and give it a "twist". Eclectic dishes composed with unmatched creativity and flavor served in a casual setting. Fun and funky wines, beers and cocktails are the perfect complement to our Chef’s unique talents. Click on our website link to see the menu. We are a big place but we fill up fast, reserve today and we will save you a seat!

Notating a booth or patio seating for your reservation is a request and can not be guaranteed. We will do our absolute best to accommodate. Our seating of parties are solely based on availability.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent dining experience as always! The food was wonderful and the service was fantastic. Lots of new menu items as well.

Washoe Public House

4.7

4.7 (621)

$30 and under

American

Reno

About the restaurant

Washoe Public House features fresh, seasonal, local and hand crafted food. We offer only the best ingredients prepared from scratch every day. Our goal is to provide you with the highest quality service and experience in a casual and fun atmosphere. People of all ages are welcome and we have patio seating so you can bring your furry friend.

Top review

Linda

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

The best mac’n’cheese in Reno. The decor is simple and relaxing. Service is always good. We love the creativity in menu items.

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Boathouse on the Pier

4.6

4.6 (90)

$30 and under

American

South Shore

About the restaurant

Boathouse on the Pier is celebrated as one of the finest South Lake Tahoe restaurants, offering a dining experience extending over the lake. Savor gourmet meals paired with unparalleled views of the clear blue waters.

Our menu features fresh, local ingredients and a selection of fine wines and cocktails. Enjoy not just a meal but experience a moment to remember, perfectly capturing one of the most beautiful sunsets from our restaurant. Dine with your dog on our picnic tables right on the Pier.

Top review

Bonnie

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Food is absolutely delicious! We like to eat here every time we come to Tahoe . They never disappoint!!

Bistro 7

4.6

4.6 (1066)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Reno

About the restaurant

Modern American fare with something for every palate served in a sleek, hip space with a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Innovative cocktails, stellar wine list, fresh, seasonal delicious food. Open for lunch, happy hour and dinner.

Top review

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

It was Christmas Eve, and the place was packed, so my expectations weren’t high. On top of that, we were about 45 minutes early due to an unexpectedly brief church service. Teresa, the manager, went out of her way to seat us despite our designated table being occupied. Service got off to a slow start due to the rush, but Sarah picked up the ball and service was great. Food, as always was outstanding - steak frites was a preparation I’d not had before, and my wife’s salmon and my daughter’s ono were both excellent. Overall, a great experience.

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Popular dish

Steak Frites

The Loft - Tahoe

4.6

4.6 (688)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Stateline

About the restaurant

The Loft Live Theatre-Lounge-Dining located in the vibrant Heavenly Village of South Lake Tahoe, California. We are an American Tapas/Small Plates restaurant featuring a sampling of unique dishes from around the world. All of our offerings are made in house, using the freshest high quality ingredients. Our Chef/Owner is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and also a Certified Sommelier. Join us daily for great food, outstanding wines and the best craft cocktails in town.

Top review

EUGENE

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Like the small portion/plates concept to be shared; most dishes are our favorite, but couple ones are not, more personal taste though; most favorites are cervich, breads, scallops, and calamari Overall should be 4.5.

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4.6

4.6 (452)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Reno

About the restaurant

Smith and River- An Honest American Bistro

Join us for an exceptional riverfront dining experience, located in the heart of downtown Reno, at our newly remodeled location, Smith and River. Dine on the patio and enjoy the river views with a specialty cocktail, or inside in our open bar seating area, booth seating for a more private dining experience, or our large party dining options. Book our Chefs Table for a special dining experience. Our food is always fresh, thoughtfully sourced and always creative. Our service is attentive and caring. Chef Colin Smith of Roundabout Catering, and Kirstyn Smith our General Manager does not disappoint.

Top review

Lynn

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

We enjoyed our dinner immensely. We had braised beef shank, flat iron steak, fresh catch which was stuffed sole and truffle fries, Parker house rolls & Brussel sprouts for sides. The brussel sprouts may be best I’ve ever had. Service was great and prices good for upscale dining.

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Stella at Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe

4.3

4.3 (388)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Truckee

About the restaurant

Fresh. Vibrant. Innovative.
From the moment you walk in, you will sense the warmth and energy of our open kitchen and garden patios. With a conceptual nod to California farming and sustainability, our dishes are soulful, yet simple and locally sourced. We aim for our premium ingredients and creative fusions to leave you relaxed and refreshed.

Please call for large parties, events or buyouts.

Top review

kimVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Wow! Great great food, service Loved the corn bread!!!! Please give us the recipe

JWB Prime Steak and Seafood - Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe

3.7

3.7 (48)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

South Shore

About the restaurant

JWB Prime Steak and Seafood delights both resort guests and locals with a laid-back luxe dining experience. Offering a contemporary menu of prime steaks, fresh seafood, and a raw bar, all paired with world-class wines and hand-crafted cocktails. Named after James "Jimmy" William Buffett himself, you’ll find impeccable service and refined spaces perfectly suited for intimate dinners or small group gatherings.

Top review

Rani

Dined today

With the early dinner plan we needed to do, we their first and only table of the night. The host was friendly and the bartender was great. My husband had a drink whilst waiting for me to arrive. Our server however, was the opposite of that. She doesn't look like she wants to be there. She was compliant but curt. She took our order, dropped our food and would rather be chatting with the other worker and does side work than check in with us. She didn't even deliver our drink order, the bartender did. I had to ask for black pepper for my french onion soup(delicious) to the bartender. When the main course arrived, I said to her, wow that looks great but I'm so full, and should've not ordered the soup. She responded, Just eat slowly.. and then was so annoyed when I asked for black pepper for my dish. Anyways. great food, great host and bartender, poor service. For a steakhouse, a better level of service was expected and it was definitely lacking. what a shame.

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