I found this gem on Google under Italian restaurants and it was only 10 miles from Tahoe City where I was staying on a ski vacation. From the minute I walked in the door I was treated with courtesy and kindness by the host and servers. The food was super good (I had the sampler), glass of wine and the minestrone soup was packed with vegetables. The sourdough bread was tasty. It was the perfect meal that hit the spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Ramirez
Portions are amazing. By the time we got to main entrée we were stuffed. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Rory Kelley
My favorite restaurant! Food and service are superior to anywhere in the world. Family feel and delicious food, every week. (Yes, EVERY WEEK.) Worth the drive from anywhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Trystan
Our food had set in expo so long that we had to break the seals on our sauces and the capers on the chicken piccata had dried out. The cocktails were undrinkable and the wine pours were missing about 4 oz. Give yourself 20 minutes in the pantry and you can make yourself anything you’d pay $30 for here.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Pablo Mantobani
I have the FULL FULL FULL Italian 🇮🇹experience 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeff Morse
We've been coming to Lanza's for 25 years. Great old school Italian food, large portions, friendly service and fun atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Deepak pandian
2nd Jan - Went here based on the 4.4 rating, but the experience was very disappointing. The food was below average and not worth the hype. One of the waitresses was quite rude while I was signing the credit card slip at the counter — she asked me to move in a very abrupt way without even explaining why.
We waited around 40 minutes for the food, which definitely wasn’t worth it. The place was extremely crowded and very loud, and the staff seemed unhappy — plates were constantly being banged around, which made the experience uncomfortable.
We ordered just a few items, and the pricing was misleading. The Google menu showed pasta around $14–15, but the actual dish cost about $25. The ravioli tasted very poor, almost like something frozen and reheated.
We also ordered chicken wings as a starter, expecting something flavorful, but they turned out to be small drumstick pieces that were simply fried with no sauce, no seasoning, and no salt — easily one of the worst chicken dishes I’ve had.
Finally, we tried the tiramisu, hoping to end the meal on a good note, but even that was disappointing and tasted far below expectations.
Overall, not a place I’d recommend, and I won’t be going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Lauren Bowen
After a 45 minute wait, which was expected for a party of five, I’d hoped that service would be timely. We were sat in a small room in the corner where apparently your drinks and water are never refilled. We got one slice of bread per person and that was also never offered to refill. Once we finally had the chance to order food, we thought we were in the homestretch. Over an hour later the baked dishes that were ordered were fine. My ravioli was ice cold and the angel hair with Alfredo was a solid block of cold congealed cheese. We had been there for 2.5 hours by that time, so NO I didn’t want to wait for another dish. I didn’t have another hour to wait. We have been here before and this experience has changed my mind about this place and I’ll never be back. Going to bed hungry. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ermias Getachew
I gave one star because the place is a bit cozy, other than that the food was nasty, the waitress ( the old lady) was nasty!!! I will never come here. There are so many other authentic Italian restaurants around. At best, this place is an Italian fast food.
Jo U
Called ahead and found out they don't take reservations, which is fine. So I go and check in at the host desk and I'm told 20-25 minute wait for 2 of us. Around 45 minutes later another party of 4 people check in. They are told 10-15 minutes. Nobody else has checked I know it is only us 2 and the party of 4 on the list. Then about 10 minutes later, the host seats the party of 4. This got me irritated bc we are already over double the quoted time and a larger party gets sat right away, so I asked the host are next to be sat because those people that checked in a few minutes ago already got a table, but we have been waiting for over double the time we were told. The host just said we are still waiting for a table for you two and walked away. We finally got sat almost an hour after checking in, and then it was highs and lows from then on. Bread was terrible and crumbly, Garlic cheese bread was good, but the Alfredo was slop. Dessert is the only lifeline at this restaurant. Server was nice, but even if the food was 10/10 (which it wasn't, I would give a 3/10) I would not return simply bc the hosts letting certain guests skip the wait for seemingly no reason in a restaurant that doesn't take reservations while we are standing 5 feet from the host desk left a sour taste
Large portions, flavorful food, and awesome service. The environment felt very home-based and welcoming—comfortable, relaxed, and exactly what you want after a long day. A great spot for a satisfying, feel-good meal. Would definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Reese
The toppings on the pizza were delicious, the crust does not resemble a Sicilian crust and the limoncello is simply water with a touch of lemon flavor. Do not expect authenticity.
Kristen Pepin
Lanza’s Restaurant has been one of my absolute favorite spots in North Lake Tahoe since the day I arrived in August 2005—it was the very first dinner I had when I pulled into town, and it’s held a special place in my heart ever since.
The cozy, welcoming environment makes you feel at home the moment you walk in. The staff is always friendly, and there’s always a local at the bar, which tells you everything you need to know about how beloved this place is. Their homemade salad dressing, classic meatballs, and calamari steak are just a few of the dishes that keep me coming back year after year.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply stopping in for a glass of wine, Lanza’s offers exactly what you hope for—warm hospitality, comforting Italian favorites, and that familiar Tahoe charm. It’s a restaurant where you’re never alone and always welcomed.
If you’re searching for authentic Italian food in Tahoe, a cozy Kings Beach restaurant, or a true local favorite, Lanza’s should be at the top of your list. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cynthia Coutinho
Decent spot. Family type fare, kind and attentive service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Nick Baker
We absolutely loved our servers. Juan and Malinda were fantastic. They made us feel at home. The food was to die for. We had the garlic cheese bread. The stuffed shells with meat and cheese and the Italian Mac n cheese. Cocktails were good and got us where we needed to go. I would recommend this place if you want a quality wholesome meal that makes your mouth water every bite. Truly one of a kind place. We will be back every time we visit the area.
I found this gem on Google under Italian restaurants and it was only 10 miles from Tahoe City where I was staying on a ski vacation. From the minute I walked in the door I was treated with courtesy and kindness by the host and servers. The food was super good (I had the sampler), glass of wine and the minestrone soup was packed with vegetables. The sourdough bread was tasty. It was the perfect meal that hit the spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Portions are amazing. By the time we got to main entrée we were stuffed. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
My favorite restaurant! Food and service are superior to anywhere in the world. Family feel and delicious food, every week. (Yes, EVERY WEEK.)
Worth the drive from anywhere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our food had set in expo so long that we had to break the seals on our sauces and the capers on the chicken piccata had dried out. The cocktails were undrinkable and the wine pours were missing about 4 oz. Give yourself 20 minutes in the pantry and you can make yourself anything you’d pay $30 for here.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
I have the FULL FULL FULL Italian 🇮🇹experience 10/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We've been coming to Lanza's for 25 years.
Great old school Italian food, large portions, friendly service and fun atmosphere
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
2nd Jan - Went here based on the 4.4 rating, but the experience was very disappointing. The food was below average and not worth the hype. One of the waitresses was quite rude while I was signing the credit card slip at the counter — she asked me to move in a very abrupt way without even explaining why.
We waited around 40 minutes for the food, which definitely wasn’t worth it. The place was extremely crowded and very loud, and the staff seemed unhappy — plates were constantly being banged around, which made the experience uncomfortable.
We ordered just a few items, and the pricing was misleading. The Google menu showed pasta around $14–15, but the actual dish cost about $25. The ravioli tasted very poor, almost like something frozen and reheated.
We also ordered chicken wings as a starter, expecting something flavorful, but they turned out to be small drumstick pieces that were simply fried with no sauce, no seasoning, and no salt — easily one of the worst chicken dishes I’ve had.
Finally, we tried the tiramisu, hoping to end the meal on a good note, but even that was disappointing and tasted far below expectations.
Overall, not a place I’d recommend, and I won’t be going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
After a 45 minute wait, which was expected for a party of five, I’d hoped that service would be timely. We were sat in a small room in the corner where apparently your drinks and water are never refilled. We got one slice of bread per person and that was also never offered to refill. Once we finally had the chance to order food, we thought we were in the homestretch. Over an hour later the baked dishes that were ordered were fine. My ravioli was ice cold and the angel hair with Alfredo was a solid block of cold congealed cheese. We had been there for 2.5 hours by that time, so NO I didn’t want to wait for another dish. I didn’t have another hour to wait. We have been here before and this experience has changed my mind about this place and I’ll never be back. Going to bed hungry. Thanks.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
I gave one star because the place is a bit cozy, other than that the food was nasty, the waitress ( the old lady) was nasty!!! I will never come here. There are so many other authentic Italian restaurants around. At best, this place is an Italian fast food.
Called ahead and found out they don't take reservations, which is fine. So I go and check in at the host desk and I'm told 20-25 minute wait for 2 of us. Around 45 minutes later another party of 4 people check in. They are told 10-15 minutes. Nobody else has checked I know it is only us 2 and the party of 4 on the list. Then about 10 minutes later, the host seats the party of 4. This got me irritated bc we are already over double the quoted time and a larger party gets sat right away, so I asked the host are next to be sat because those people that checked in a few minutes ago already got a table, but we have been waiting for over double the time we were told. The host just said we are still waiting for a table for you two and walked away. We finally got sat almost an hour after checking in, and then it was highs and lows from then on. Bread was terrible and crumbly, Garlic cheese bread was good, but the Alfredo was slop. Dessert is the only lifeline at this restaurant. Server was nice, but even if the food was 10/10 (which it wasn't, I would give a 3/10) I would not return simply bc the hosts letting certain guests skip the wait for seemingly no reason in a restaurant that doesn't take reservations while we are standing 5 feet from the host desk left a sour taste
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Large portions, flavorful food, and awesome service. The environment felt very home-based and welcoming—comfortable, relaxed, and exactly what you want after a long day. A great spot for a satisfying, feel-good meal. Would definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The toppings on the pizza were delicious, the crust does not resemble a Sicilian crust and the limoncello is simply water with a touch of lemon flavor. Do not expect authenticity.
Lanza’s Restaurant has been one of my absolute favorite spots in North Lake Tahoe since the day I arrived in August 2005—it was the very first dinner I had when I pulled into town, and it’s held a special place in my heart ever since.
The cozy, welcoming environment makes you feel at home the moment you walk in. The staff is always friendly, and there’s always a local at the bar, which tells you everything you need to know about how beloved this place is. Their homemade salad dressing, classic meatballs, and calamari steak are just a few of the dishes that keep me coming back year after year.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply stopping in for a glass of wine, Lanza’s offers exactly what you hope for—warm hospitality, comforting Italian favorites, and that familiar Tahoe charm. It’s a restaurant where you’re never alone and always welcomed.
If you’re searching for authentic Italian food in Tahoe, a cozy Kings Beach restaurant, or a true local favorite, Lanza’s should be at the top of your list. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Decent spot. Family type fare, kind and attentive service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
We absolutely loved our servers. Juan and Malinda were fantastic. They made us feel at home. The food was to die for. We had the garlic cheese bread. The stuffed shells with meat and cheese and the Italian Mac n cheese.
Cocktails were good and got us where we needed to go. I would recommend this place if you want a quality wholesome meal that makes your mouth water every bite. Truly one of a kind place. We will be back every time we visit the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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