South Lake Tahoe Restaurants

Every town has places where the locals go to have fun, and Emerald Bay fits the bill in South Lake Tahoe. Emerald Bay Bar & Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and offers daily happy hour specials. Be sure to try their famous $2 tacos, Chili Verde weekend breakfast and Steak and Shrimp Saturday dinner. The sports bar is a gathering spot for friends to meet and watch the game on one of the nine flat-screen TVs. This is a great spot for outdoor dining on the large patio with a fire pit as its centerpiece and horseshoes to play. The everyday happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes specials on beer, wine and liquor. Breakfast, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., has long been a locals' favorite, with specialties such as the colossal country-fried steak, crab Benedict, Summit Sandwich and more. Don't miss Emerald Bay Bar & Grill's famous Ultimate Bloody Mary on weekends during the football season. 

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. 

There are cop bars, there are bars where journalists hang out after work, and at Tahoe there are ski bars. Mott Canyon Tavern and Grill on Lower Kingsbury is a ski bar. Pizza, burgers, fries and comfort food join a full bar with a party attitude. It’s not a large space, although the outdoor patio is a nice addition, but it’s packed with a lot of fun, from the jukebox to video poker and video games. The granite fireplace completes the whole Tahoe vibe.

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.

Getaway Cafe has garnered local acclaim as the go-to spot for great breakfast and lunch experiences. With a legacy of six consecutive years as the recipient of the Best Breakfast and Best Lunch awards, and the prestigious honor of ranking 10th in Yelp's Top 100 Spots to Celebrate Mother's Day nationally, Getaway Cafe has been delighting patrons since its establishment in 2006. Serving alpine comfort cuisine, every dish on their menu is meticulously crafted using locally sourced ingredients, ensuring freshness and quality with each bite. Whether you're craving the vibrant flavors of Mexican/American fusion or the comforting classics of traditional breakfast fare, their house specialties such as chilaquiles, deluxe eggs Benedict and Coconut French Toast are sure to please. From their scratch-made creations to their use of locally sourced meat, produce and dairy suppliers, authenticity is at the heart of everything they do. Their dedication to quality extends to their partnerships with esteemed local vendors, including fresh-baked Truckee Sourdough bread, Alpen Sierra Coffee and Overland Meat Company's breakfast sausage patties. Their inviting atmosphere beckons guests to relax and unwind. During the summer months, the large, dog-friendly outdoor patio is a beloved gathering spot for locals and visitors, offering the perfect setting to savor brunch amidst scenic surroundings. With generous portions, attentive service and an extensive selection of draft beer, Bloody Marys and mimosas, every visit to Getaway Cafe is an unforgettable culinary journey.