Lake Tahoe isn't all about the views, cue up a growing culinary scene for locals and visitors

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – South Lake Tahoe’s newest gem is a culinary scene with dozens of new restaurants and locals’ favorites that appeal to an eclectic collection of tastes sure to please any discerning gourmet. While a single style of cuisine is not representative as Tahoe, the variety of food, the people to meet, the locations, and the experiences are what make it memorable.

ICONIC LAKE VIEWS AND MILESTONES

Camp Richardson Resort, celebrating 100 years, recently opened The Grove Restaurant, a nod to its rich past and original name, Copeland’s Grove Resort, (formerly the Beacon Bar & Grill). Menu highlights include a miso salmon; fried chicken and ricotta beignets and coleslaw, spicy agave, and powdered sugar; a bison BBQ bacon burger. Signature cocktail choices range from a barrel-aged Whistle Pig Maple Old Fashioned; The Kokanee made with Hendrick’s gin, house made cucumber cordial, soda, with lime garnish; and, of course, The Rum Runner.

This summer Harveys Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino is observing 80 years and showcasing two celebrity chef restaurants: Lisa Vanderpump’s Wolf by Vanderpump which opened in April, and Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen that just opened an expansion with 56 additional seats, new bar, and new entry due to overwhelming popularity. As guests enter Wolf, a magical realm unfolds, transporting diners to a surreal setting, similar to outside under trees – a scene filled with twinkle lights, straight from a romantic fantasy movie. Popular items include goat cheese balls, smoked bourbon boneless bites, Wolf signature double smash burger, paired with creative drinks like Vanderpump Frosé, Sheep's Clothing, Pumptini, or Peter Rabbit an Herb Garden Margarita.

The remodeled Brooks' Bar & Deck at Edgewood Tahoe overlooking the golf course and Lake Tahoe features additional bar seating, all new lighting fixtures, tables, chairs, countertops and more. Outdoor seating/lakeviews with firepits for cooler evenings are always popular. New entrees include pan-seared salmon, spiced BBQ meatloaf and slow-roasted 10oz chicken breast along with favorites like Mahi Mahi fish tacos, fish & chips, sandwiches/burgers, ‘on the green’ salads and full bar with beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails.

Locally owned, Elements Eatery & Bar opened in May and serves Mexican-American fusion with chilaquiles, avocado toast, and sourdough pancakes for breakfast, and tacos, burgers, pastor reuben, enchiladas and Mexican hot dog (bacon-wrapped with grilled onions and home-made special sauce) for lunch and dinner. Chef Gabriela Chavez has put her years of experience and passion for food into the menu and most sauces are made in-house. Must-try items include their cold-pressed juices (add alcohol if desired) --which originated as a juice stand at the local Farmer’s Market in nearby Meyers–and the fried chicken sandwich. Also, try morning yoga on the outdoor lawn or sip cocktails and dance to a live DJ under the lights in the evening overlooking the lake.

Maggie’s, at Desolation Hotel highlights a slow braised short rib with crispy polenta cake, broccolini, short rib jus, and micro greens as well as a grilled octopus with quick pickled cucumber frisee salad, lemon cilantro oil, grilled lemon wedge, micro sorrel. Clara’s Got Kick is the most popular cocktail - a spicy combination of reposado tequila, honeydew & jalapeno housemade sweet & sour fresh jalapeno or Thierrys lemon & berries featuring Meyer Lemon and lemon infused vodka, like an adults strawberry lemonade. Fun fact: all of their cocktails are named after employee pets.

COFFEE/COCKTAILS

Jump start the morning with several options including coffee/pastry shops includes Drink Coffee Do Stuff, Three Pines and TV Donuts. Drink Coffee Do Stuff opened its South Lake Tahoe location (flagship is in Incline) in 2022 with a cafe that feels like a cozy home and is walking distance from the Heavenly Village. Three Pines is located on Harrison Ave. near the middle of town by Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach, breakfast menu includes fair trade coffee, pastries both savory and sweet, empanadas, and hearty/healthy waffles, with an assortment of board games and modern vibe. TV Donuts located at the “Y” near Raleys opened a second location TV Donuts Stateline, adjacent to Maya’s Mexican Grill across from the Heavenly Village offering favorites like maple bacon, fruit loops, smores, plus classics along with boba teas and mochi.

At the Heavenly Village, explore a sandwich shop during the day but at night find the secret entrance to enter a classy, intimate Speakeasy with high-end craft cocktails for the perfect way to kick off the evening. All within walking distance of the Speakeasy, visitors can explore an array of breweries including South of North, Libation Lodge (South Lake Brewing Company second location) wine/cocktails and an impressive menu at the Loft Theatre as well as margs/topical drinks at the recently opened Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe.

The Cocktail Corner, located at the south end of town within the Crossings at Tahoe Valley has absorbed the Bistro at the Corner to provide more seating to serve brunch, lunch and dinner with chicken & waffles, strawberry french toast, chilaquiles, oysters, sliders, burgers, and salads.

FUEL YOUR ADVENTURES

Tahoe has an array of delicious burger spots with creative concoctions to load up before or after seeking outdoor thrills. Locally owned, Tahoe Bros Burgers, located near Whiskey Dicks, opened in late-May offering charbroiled burgers with a twist that will resemble those of Izzy Burger Spa (two individuals who previously ran Izzy’s before it closed in Fall 2023 have partnered with the owner). BBQ chicken, all-beef hot dogs, and wings come with an extensive list of customized fries, onion rings, and pretzel bites. Other popular spots include Cali Burger (classic bacon burger and adult milkshakes are a must), Fox ’n Hound (featured on Man vs. Food – spoiler alert, he lost), McP’s Taphouse (beef chuck patty with corned beef, yes please), Burger Me (Bison, Elk, Beef, Turkey and Vegie), and MacDuff’s (bacon, blue cheese – yum, and so many good beers on tap) to name a few.

Chicken in a Barrel moved their location to the middle of town next to Whole Foods and still offers mouthwatering BBQ-Hawaiian fusion chicken, ribs, pulled pork, Po’ Boy BBQ with all the sides.

Carb load with Primo’s handmade pasta dishes, traditional red sauces, brick oven pizzas at their original location just past Tahoe Keys Blvd. or try their new second location, the former Lake House off of Hwy 89 near the “Y” (intersection of Hwy 89 and Hwy 50). Primos offers a late-night menu at the bar from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. with bruschetta topped with crab, avocado; burrata with strawberry, honeycomb, watercress sponge and saba; mussels, and patty melt. Bruschetta Fine Italian Cuisine located on lower Kingsbury Grade recently opened boasting SF-based restaurant chops with traditional Italian cooking and rabbit pappardelle, veal parmesan, pan-seared salmon, and Macrcronchelli with Pomodoro sauce and homemade ricotta cheese, and a 20-layer lasagna. Other top Italian dining spots include: Cafe Fiore for intimate high-end dining with eight tables and outdoor tables during warmer months; Gastromaniac homemade pasta & pizza along with cheese boards, salads and sweets; Scusa with upscale atmosphere and traditional entrees shrimp scampi, ravioli and eggplant parmesan.

For more information, events, promotions, packages, and weather conditions explore Visit Lake Tahoe: www.VisitLakeTahoe.com.