Tahoe Restaurants: Bars & Pubs

Christy Hill Lakeside Bistro is one of the prime fine-dining experiences in North Lake Tahoe. Perfectly situated to take in the beautiful views of Lake Tahoe with no obstructions (it is a mere 100 feet off the water), Christy Hill has the ambiance of pure romance and the finer things in life. The menu is rich and flavorful, with dishes that lend to blending the flavors of California and the Mediterranean. A few recommended dishes include Osso Buco di Maiale, a pork shank with gremolata, butter beans and apple butter-braised greens, or the Moroccan spice lamb loin with celery root-pistachio puree, olive stuffed piquillo peppers and charmoula sauce. To help accentuate the meal, the servers are well educated in pairing wines to their menu items. For dessert, an absolute favorite is the chocolate croissant bread pudding. 

Elements Eatery & Bar is one of the few restaurants anywhere in the Lake Tahoe Basin that can boast of lake views from its outdoor seating and from every seat inside as well. Even better is the distinctive menu that owners describe as Mexi-Cali. The smash burger has a ton of Latin herbs in it, while the au jus for the French dip is also Latin-based with chili peppers. The menu has shareable items like the Fiesta Nachos, Taco Sampler and Street Fries, a meal in itself with house-made fries and an all-beef hot dog with ketchup, crema, mustard, Tabasco, lime and jalapeno. This South Lake Tahoe restaurant is all about fresh ingredients, from the corn and flour tortillas made in-house to the juices and mixes for the full bar. With the grassy area out front fenced off, adult beverages may be consumed at outside tables. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available seven days a week. Elements also offers catering for special occasions.

Enjoy beautiful lake views from Jason's summer deck or dine inside in a rustic, old Tahoe atmosphere by their cozy fire-pit. Their menu features American classics such as slow-roasted prime rib, seafood, pasta, gourmet burgers and nightly specials. Savor their house specialty, slow-cooked baby back ribs. Jason’s offers a full bar with a wide selection of draft beers. A kids' menu is available, so bring the whole family. You'll find Jason’s on the beach in the heart of Kings Beach.

The Lake Tahoe AleWorX Taproom at the Y has a more family-friendly appeal. It features local craft brew with a self-serve concept that allows customers to pour for themselves, delicious wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, salads and an atmosphere that is pure High Sierra. This location opens to a large patio that features fire pits and frequent live music for guests to enjoy. The patio is shared by its sister restaurant, The Cocktail Corner, where guests can order food from AleWorX, listen to live music and enjoy a craft cocktail all at the same time. 

Orchid's Thai Cuisine thrives in its little location just east of the Y. If you are looking for a Thai restaurant that is big on flavor and decorated with beautiful Thai decor, then this is a great place to enjoy. Their large menu offers something for everyone, and the dishes are perfect for sharing family-style. There are a lot of spicy dishes on their menu, and you can add heat if you'd like. Likewise, this restaurant is pretty good about accommodating special dietary needs. They also offer some nice desserts, including green tea ice cream, fried bananas and other treats.