Tahoe Restaurants: Beer & Wine Bars

A little eatery overflowing with Tahoe charm is the Keys Cafe. Right about where Tahoe Keys Boulevard meets Lake Tahoe Boulevard, this cabin serves breakfast and lunch with free-range organic eggs, healthy and hearty sandwiches and seasonal homemade soups. You’ll also find fruit smoothies, coffee and tea. The cafe has a large catering menu and free WiFi.

Mountain Brew is more than a place to get a cup of coffee, whether it's served naked or not, hot or cold. Every batch of beans is hand roasted, and one-pound bags are available on-site or online, or you can join the coffee club for monthly deliveries. There's also chai, hot chocolate, matcha, herbal teas and more. This is also a place to enjoy a beer on tap or in cans or wine by the glass or bottle; you can imbibe on-site and shop for selections to take home. Mountain Brew offers sweet and savory grab-and-go foods whipped up by local chefs. It's fast, good food. Located right off the freeway in Truckee, Mountain Brew is a great way to start and end the day.

Offering hearty gourmet dining and bar specials in a nostalgic atmosphere, River Ranch is a landmark destination for visitors and a locals' favorite year-round. Nestled on the banks of the Truckee River, River Ranch is poised to catch people tubing down the mellow rapids during the heat of the summer and to capture the après-ski crowd funneling down from the ski resorts during the cold winter nights. Their seasonal patio is home to an outdoor bar that serves the iconic Class V River Rum Punch and their famous nachos, with alfresco dining under the stars. The cozy and intimate indoor bar and restaurant are known for memorable meals, scenic river views and gathering around one of the two fireplaces. Their menu brings together all the summer and winter favorites with California cuisine and rotating specials and is proud to offer game, fish, chicken, burgers and veggie options. They also provide 19 small, boutique-style rooms for guests; reservations are highly recommended.

A favorite among North Shore locals, this tap house in the Cobblestone Shopping Center provides an exceptional opportunity to enjoy tasty brews, juicy burgers and some of the best views of the lake that Tahoe City has to offer. Serving lunch and dinner, Tahoe Tap Haus has an atmosphere that is open, inviting and welcoming, like walking into your best friend's home. They have a large selection of beers on tap, including 16 taps that always include local breweries, a full bar and specialty cocktails. Their menu includes popular items like hamburgers and salads as well as nannwiches, a twist on sandwiches. They also offer a large outdoor beer garden and patio that is conveniently located across the street from Lake Tahoe, making it simple to enjoy Commons Beach after a brew. Dogs are welcome outside as well. Owned by the same team that operates the popular Tahoe Art Haus and Cinema, the Tap Haus is family-friendly and a fantastic way to support local Tahoe business owners.