Tahoe Restaurants: Beer & Wine Bars

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.

Pete 'n Peters is one of the more consistently happening bars in Tahoe City. Located a step or two off of the beaten path, its slightly hidden location does not at all take away from its popularity. A true sports bar at heart, it is adorned with its fair share of giant TVs as well as pool tables, dart boards and shuffleboards. It's definitely a hotspot during football season. Pepper's Taqueria, located at the rear of Pete 'n Peters, serves up affordable Mexican food.

Six Peaks Grille is the best option for fine dining at Everline Resort & Spa, Lake Tahoe. Located on the same level as the hotel's lobby, the restaurant boasts the best views of the mountains in Olympic Valley with its large windows looking toward the ski area. The menu focuses on Northern California cuisine and highlights sustainable seafood, meats and local produce. For example, some of the local businesses that are highlighted in various dishes include The Sausage Factory of Carson City, Nevada; Petaluma Poultry from Sonoma County; and California and Sierra Meats from Reno, Nevada. The restaurant offers outside dining in the summer months and is a happening spot for those looking for a more swanky atmosphere for pre-dinner cocktails. Reservations are highly recommended.

If you are looking for a restaurant that celebrates the roots of Lake Tahoe, try Tahoe Tavern & Grill. Voted Best Chef in Tahoe, Tahoe Tavern & Grill takes pride in providing scrumptious meals and thirst-quenching drinks. Their focus is to provide each guest with the finest in fresh food and produce while serving up the tastiest American cuisine available, all in a casual atmosphere. To help keep patrons entertained, they also have an ample supply of bar gaming.

The Edge is the fine dining restaurant in the clubhouse at Edgewood Tahoe, which is on the edges of Lake Tahoe and the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountain range unfold at most every table. The lounge menu is much less extensive than the dinner menu but is definitely a step above typical bar food. Choices include caviar, grilled maitake mushroom and stracciatella. The main restaurant selections include tableside presentations and multi-course tasting experiences. Entrees include elk, sablefish and Okinawa sweet potato. The wine list offers more than 1,000 labels. While reservations are not required, they are suggested, especially during the busier times of year.