Tahoe Restaurants: Diners, Delis & Grills

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.

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.

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.