While spending two months in South Lake Tahoe, we certainly did our fair share of restaurant and bar hopping. Some places lived up to the hype, some surprised us with how delicious their cuisine was, and some left us feeling very ehh and wishing we had gone elsewhere. Here’s our list of places to try and avoid if you’re in South Lake Tahoe.

Yummerz — Our top places to eat around South Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe AleWorX

If I’m being honest, I don’t care for the name of this restaurant. BUT that’s the only thing I dislike. Everything else — from the food to the drinks to the atmosphere — is A++. There are locations on the Nevada and California side of South Lake Tahoe, so you can pick which spot you’d like to try. AleworX in Nevada is situated next to the casinos on the main strip of town, is open until Midnight, and after 9 PM, turns into a party scene with live music and beer pong. The California location is in a shopping plaza, has ample indoor and outdoor seating, and a small stage for live music. Between the two locations, the California one is more family-friendly, while the Nevada location is more ideal for young adults and couples.

The drink menu at AleWorX is extensive, with typical Lake Tahoe prices ranging from $6 for beers to $18 for cocktails. While pricey, every cocktail we’ve had here — from the mule to the Bloody Mary — was delicious.

The crème de la crème — and the main reason we kept coming back for more — was the pizza. The menu includes a variety of fresh, brick-oven pies, all of which are mouthwatering. We typically got the plain cheese pizza and each time it was cooked to perfection. So if you’re feigning for high-quality pizza in South Lake Tahoe, AleWorX is the spot to visit.

Lake Tahoe AleWorX Recap

• Best pizza in South Lake Tahoe
• California location is order-at-the-counter style, Nevada location is more of a bar that’s typically open until midnight
• Excellent cocktails and a large draft beer list
• California location has a parking area, Nevada location does not as it’s on the main street next to the casinos

Tahoe Bagel

Being from the East Coast (where we know how to make a good bagel) our bagel standards are pretty high. But Tahoe Bagel — and the hardworking group running the place — is crushing the West Coast bagel game.

There are two Tahoe Bagel locations around Lake Tahoe — one on Kingsbury Grade in Nevada and one on Al Tahoe Boulevard in California. Since we were staying in Kingsbury, we frequented the Nevada location.

The shop offers a variety of bagels (including plain, everything, egg, egg everything, sesame seed, cinnamon raisin, blueberry, garlic, and onion) that you can top with various cream cheese spreads or create sandwiches from. The store also sells specialty coffees (including chai, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and lattes) as well as juices and teas. Prices aren’t terrible — about $9 for a bagel sandwich and between $4 and $7 for a coffee. It’s a popular place with a good reputation, so the store tends to be busy. However, the staff works diligently, so even on the busiest weekend of the year (4th of July), we only ever waited maybe 15 minutes for our food.

Tahoe Bagel Recap

• Large selection of fresh bagels, cream cheeses, and sammies
• Gets crowded (but worth the wait)
• Nice selection of coffee beverages
• Specialty bagels can sell out — go early if you want a specific flavor

California Burger Company

If you’re looking for a simple yet delicious meal, California Burger Company is worth a spot. The restaurant offers a variety of burgers (all of which are freshly flame-grilled), as well as cocktails, beer, and wine. The restaurant is large, so getting a table isn’t usually an issue. We preferred sitting in the outdoor area where they have live music. Prices are as expected — a little on the high side, but you’re eating in downtown South Lake Tahoe. Overall, the atmosphere and food are high-quality.

Overall, the word to describe this restaurant is fine. Not fine like in a huffy puffy way (like when you say you’re fine but you very much are not), but fine as in it wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t a standout meal. It was just fine. The burgers and cocktails were good. The meal was uneventful. Did we return? No. Would we return? Sure, it was just fine.

California Burger Company Recap

• Variety of flame-grilled burgers, including beef, turkey, and veggie options
• The menu includes non-burger options, like sandwiches and salads
• Kid’s menu available
• Large outdoor seating area with live music

Sno-Flake Drive-In 

Located on the California side of Lake Tahoe, Sno-Flake Drive-In is the perfect place to grab a quick (yet tasty) bite to eat. The menu includes a variety of fried foods, ice cream, and milkshakes at decent prices. Simply order at the window and hang out at any of the outdoor tables until your order is called. The only downside? The eatery can get pretty busy, and hot food can take a while.

As far as hot food goes, the corn dog and curly fries are winners. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with any of their ice cream flavors or milkshakes. The only ehh item was the cheeseburger — the patty tasted like it was straight out of the freezer, and the bun was dry.

Sno-Flake Recap:

• Simple, order-at-the-counter-style eatery
• Delicious corn dogs, curly fries, and milkshakes
• Small parking lot in front
• Picnic tables for outside eating as well as booths inside

McP’s Taphouse Grill

Across the street from Harvey’s Casino is the lovely McP’s Taphouse Grill, which features a large outdoor patio and indoor bar-style restaurant. Most nights in the summer, McP’s has live music playing and a decent crowd. The menu includes pub-style bites like nachos, gravy fries, and sliders, as well as English-style entrees like bangers and mash and shepherd’s pie. They have a lengthy beer list with some interesting brewskis on tap, a great cocktail menu, and options for kids.

In terms of food, we visited McP’s several times, and the food was always a hit. Our favorites included:

• Elote Dip: Solid corn dip that hits just right in the summer (shoutout to corn szn).
• Pub Crusties: Similar to a bruschetta, a tasty and fresh snack.
• Chicken strips: Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as bad chicken tendies…but these are not it. Crispy, breaded just right, and served with ranch, we ordered these bad boys multiple times (because they were just that good).

OH, and let’s not forget about McP’s cocktails, specifically their espresso martini. If you’re an espresso martini enthusiast (who isn’t??????), McP’s espresso martini is not to be missed! Will you pay $17 for it? Sadly, yes. But will it be one of the best drinks of your night…possibly your entire vacation…possibly your entire life? Also, yes! Trust me, I have a hard time paying more than $14 for a cocktail (which unfortunately seems to be the typical price in South Lake Tahoe these days), but at McP’s, I’ll gladly fork over the money for a sip of their phenomenal espresso martini.

McP’s Recap:

• Decent menu with pub-style bites, salads, sandwiches, kids’ options, and main courses
• Fun, relaxed vibe with live music most nights
• Plenty of outdoor seating for al fresco dining in the summer
• Ahhhhhmazing espresso martini (plus other cocktails)

Charthouse

First of all, we are not high-end steak and seafood restaurant kind of people. So when we heard there was a fancy shmancy restaurant on Kingsbury Grade (down the street from where we were staying), we scoffed and thought yeah, we’ll pass. But thanks to suggestions from neighbors and locals, we ended up going to Charthouse for Happy Hour — which is Monday through Friday from 4 PM until 6 PM. And it’s the best Happy Hour in Lake Tahoe. You read that right — The. Best. Happy. Hour. in. Lake. Tahoe. The Happy Hour includes food and drink specials that are really, really good. We’re talking wine, beer, and cocktails in the $6 – $10 range (which is GOOD for Lake Tahoe, land of the $14 – $22 cocktail), and small food plates ranging from $4 to $10. And this is quality food — we’re talking mussels, sliders, firecracker shrimp, and fish tacos, all of which are deeeeelish.

The only caveat: Skip the pomegranate martini and spinach dip. The pomegranate martini was light on booze, and tasted like juice…I’d recommend ordering wine or beer during Happy Hour (they have plenty of decent selections). The spinach dip was essentially just cooked spinach with crostini. Personally, I really like spinach, so I enjoyed it. But if you’re expecting a creamy dip, this isn’t it. The mussels and sliders were waaay better.

Just be mindful: If you’re hitting up Charthouse for Happy Hour, do your best to arrive at 4 PM sharp. This Happy Hour isn’t a secret, and plenty of people head here for those low drink prices and quality small plates.

We also enjoyed a Sunday evening dinner at Charthouse during our last week in South Lake Tahoe. We were fortunate to be seated at a table near the window that showed a gorgeous view of the sunset. The food was amazing — we tried the burrata charcuterie appetizer, filet mignon, lobster and shrimp carbonara, and lava cake topped with ice cream. Everything was delicious, and, for two people, our bill came out to about $100 per person, which we thought was reasonable considering it’s a.) South Lake Tahoe and b.) a high-end restaurant. Just be sure that if you plan on going to Charthouse for dinner, make a reservation (which you can do online through Open Table). It’s a popular restaurant, and if you don’t have a reservation, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to get in.

Charthouse Recap:

• Excellent Happy Hour, possibly the best in South Lake Tahoe
• Delicious, high-quality dinner
• Arrive at Happy Hour early and be sure to make a reservation if going for dinner
• Amazing sunset views
• Recommend for couples, wouldn’t recommend for families with young children

The Woods Restaurant and Bar

We randomly tried this place on a Sunday afternoon after playing tennis at the South Lake Tahoe Middle School (which offers 4 free courts, by the way), and we’re super glad that we stopped in. The restaurant has two levels, with each one featuring a bar and plenty of tables for dining. During the warmer months, you can enjoy a meal outside in the large upstairs patio. The menu is on the smaller side but has decent options for apps, salads, sandwiches, and entrées, plus a kid’s menu. For those gluten-free folks, gluten-free buns are available. As far as libations go, The Woods has a decent cocktail list that ranges from $12 to $14 (standard for South Lake Tahoe) and a good beer list. We didn’t make it over for Happy Hour, but the menu states they offer food and drink specials Monday through Friday from 3 PM to 5 PM.

When we dined at The Woods, it was the middle of the day on a beautiful Sunday. So while the beaches of Lake Tahoe were surely swamped and overcrowded, the restaurant was quiet. We sat upstairs on the patio and enjoyed a round of drinks, a plate of nachos, and a burger. The staff was laid back yet attentive, and the food was excellent. We wanted to make it back here, but unfortunately, we ran out of time. However, we definitely recommend this establishment to others looking for a casual dining experience in South Lake Tahoe.

The Woods Recap:

• Decent menu options with gluten-free selections available
• Nice upstairs patio for dining
• Relaxed atmosphere and quick service

Bridgetender Tavern

Okay, so the Bridgetender Tavern isn’t exactly located in South Lake Tahoe, but we enjoyed dining here so much that we wanted to make sure it was mentioned — because it’s definitely worth checking out. If you decide to venture over to Tahoe City, California (which we very, very, very strongly recommend!), you’ll find the Bridgetender Tavern and its gorgeous, river-side garden patio. The menu isn’t huge, but there are plenty of delicious cocktails, beers, wines, and food selections that should satisfy everyone in your party. Menus may change seasonably, so we can’t say much about the winter offerings. However, we visited in August 2023 and very much enjoyed the breaded zucchini sticks and grilled cheese. If you’re thirsty, the house Bloody Mary is a faaaaabulous choice.

Bridgetender Tavern Recap:

• Beautiful outdoor patio (that includes a full bar and seating) next to the Truckee River
• Decent menu selections that change with the seasons
• Delicious Bloody Mary
• Laid-back atmosphere with prices slightly lower than other restaurants in the area

Ehhhh, skip these restaurants

Not every restaurant in Lake Tahoe is a winner. In our opinion, these are the places we wouldn’t recommend going to while in the area.

Skip: Fox and the Hound

On the plus side, if you’re staying in Kingsbury (like we were), Fox and the Hound is close, and you don’t have to drive down Kingsbury Grade to get there. So, if you’re looking for a place to eat solely based on location, Fox and the Hound might be it.

However, we weren’t all that impressed with the restaurant’s food or atmosphere. Being in Nevada, the entire bar is reserved for online poker. We love being able to pop into places, sit at the bar, and chat with bartenders or other patrons, so not being able to do that was a bit of a bummer. Instead, we enjoyed a meal on the patio, which, while small, is a nice place to dine.

The restaurant has signage showcasing awards for its BBQ and Bloody Marys. Well, as a self-appointed Bloody Mary expert, I gave the drink a try. It wasn’t the worst Bloody Mary I’ve ever had, but it certainly wasn’t the best. It had a nice smoky flavor and came with garnishes like bacon, celery, and a pickle. But the overall taste was lackluster and wasn’t memorable or the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever had.

The food at Fox and the Hound isn’t bad, but again, it’s nothing to brag about. Throughout our stay, we tried the burger, chicken sandwich, and BLT — all of which were okay. We would probably have rated them higher, but their high prices made us feel more ehh about them. Overall, we only went to the restaurant a couple of times before deciding there were better places, even if it meant driving a little further. Quite frankly, if we’re going to spend $100+ on food and drinks, we would rather do it at AleworX, where the pizza was worth every penny.

Skip: Azul

Azul is right next to California Burger Kitchen in downtown South Lake Tahoe. Whenever we passed the restaurant, we would notice that it was absolutely packed and figured it must be really tasty, right? We finally managed to get there, and out of the three of us dining, we all agreed it was just very, very average.

The pros: Azul has plenty of outdoor seating, there’s usually live music, and it offers food and drink specials (like Margarita Mondays). So, being there on a Monday, we had to indulge in the house margaritas. While it was nice they were only $9, they were overly sweet and not strong. We all had two margs and, quite frankly, did not feel even a little bit buzzed. We also split the nachos, which were okay — not great, not bad, just okay.

Overall, we’re SURE there are amazing places to indulge in Mexican food around South Lake Tahoe, but Azul just isn’t it.

Skip: Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery

After reading the menu (which includes a variety of food and drink specials), we really wanted this restaurant to become our go-to place. But, sadly, both times we ate (or tried to eat) here were disappointing. We first tried to dine at the Gunbarrel Tavern and Eatery during 4th of July weekend. This is notoriously the most crowded and busy weekend of the year in South Lake Tahoe, so, needless to say, restaurant staff are stretched pretty thin. We strolled up to the Gunbarrel, and the hostess sat us right away (nice), but a server never came to take our order (not nice). We waited nearly 15 minutes before deciding to just go elsewhere, figuring the staff was bombarded with other patrons and whatnot.

A few weeks later, we came back during the week. We were seated outside (the patio area is in the Heavenly Village), and this time around, the service was prompt and attentive. Unfortunately, the food was just very ehh and nothing to brag about. It was Happy Hour, so we tried the nachos and wings. They were alright, as were the drinks. But overall, we didn’t care for the place and decided not to return. Plus, by that point in the summer, we had discovered Charthouse, which offered a much better Happy Hour menu and experience.

Skip: The Tahoe Tavern & Grill

While the Tahoe Tavern & Grill has plenty of good reviews on Google (which is partially why we ended up there), we just weren’t that impressed. We went here on a Friday after work, around 4 PM. It wasn’t too crowded, and the dining area looked very welcoming. We opted to sit outside under the awning, which was nice. The restaurant has a decent menu with small plates, pizza, salad, soup, sandwiches, and entrée options. A kid’s menu is available for children 12 and under. The Tahoe Tavern & Grill also features a cocktail list that includes specialty drinks, seltzers, wines, and beers. At a glance, the place seemed like it would be a home run.

Unfortunately, we weren’t impressed by the food. We split the nachos and popcorn cauliflower — two dishes that came highly recommended. Personally, we didn’t really care for either, though. It was probably the cilantro crème (which was coincidentally on both). It kind of gave the impression of a restaurant trying to do too much with its food. Since we didn’t care for the small plates we ordered, we decided to end the meal after that.

Overall, there are a lot of people who love the Tahoe Tavern & Grill. Maybe we were there on an off-night? Or maybe we just ordered the wrong things? It’s hard to say, but with so many other places around South Lake Tahoe to try, we didn’t feel like giving this place another chance.