33 Best American Restaurants in South Lake Tahoe

1 The Getaway Cafe

4.8 Superb 456 Reviews

3140 US-50, South Lake Tahoe

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“Super friend staff and amazing food! Everyone was so friendly and helpful but, most importantly, the food was SO good! My husband and I both got different omelets and both were so good. We ate until we were beyond stuffed because the food was THAT good! He got a Bloody Mary that was one of the best I’ve had out here and I got a mimosa. Perfect little brunch atmosphere and set up! ❤️ You can not visit Lake Tahoe and pass this honey up!”

2 The Landing Lakeside Dining

4.2 Good 542 Reviews

4104 Lakeshore Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful five-day stay and will absolutely be back to take in those breathtaking lake views and snow-capped mountains!”

3 Heidi's Pancake House

4.3 Superb 774 Reviews

3485 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“Great service, cute atmosphere, and extensive menu. We enjoyed our breakfast there.”

4 Maggie's

4.3 Superb 511 Reviews

933 Poplar Street, South Lake Tahoe

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“What an absolutely incredible spot. I will definitely be back. We ate here twice while in the area for 3 days. We came once for dinner and once for breakfast and it was the best food we had in Tahoe-hands down! We had the crudo, fried stuffed olives and truffle fries to share as starters. I’d never had fried olives and they were so tasty. The crudo was so tender and the truffle fries were perfect. I had the braised short ribs for dinner and I don’t think I’ve ever had better (and it’s my staple that I make myself when we have company so I’m biased!!!). The food quality is exceptional. They had an incredible wine list (I can’t remember which bottles we had-but we had lots and it was amazing), but don’t miss out on the cocktails & mocktails (I had the Harriet mocktail and my husband had the Clara cocktail and they were both delicious). The ambiance is elevated and high end while remaining casual and friendly- which is a hard balance to strike. We were here in late summer/early fall but I can only imagine how cozy this place would be in the winter after a ski day. For breakfast I had the cherry apple baked oats and it was divine! The staff are all super friendly & the service was great. There was a line up to get in both times we went but it’s totally worth the wait. Don’t miss this gem!”

5 Freshies | Ohana Restaurant & Bar

4.1 Good 356 Reviews

3330 Lake Tahoe Boulevard Suite 3, South Lake Tahoe

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“We come here once or twice a week that’s how much we like this place.”

6 Ernie's Coffee Shop

4.6 Superb 526 Reviews

1207 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe

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“Excellent breakfast and service!! We ate here every morning on our vacation!! Every single staff member was on point the entire time! From the time we walked in, until we were done, everyone was very attentive and friendly. We talked about the service every day. The food was absolutely wonderful and if we’re ever back in the area we will most definitely be back at Ernie’s again!!”

7 Driftwood Cafe

4.2 Good 646 Reviews

1001 Heavenly Village Way Suite 1a, South Lake Tahoe

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“We love this place! Have breakfast every time we are here! Fast and friendly service in a nice little quiet atmosphere.”

8 Flight Deck Grill & Golf Club

4.7 Superb 37 Reviews

1901 Lisa Maloff Way Ste 105, South Lake Tahoe

“Flight Deck has truly transformed under new ownership. The food quality is exceptional! Brunch is my favorite. The addition of simulators enhances the overall experience, making it a fun destination for our family. I highly recommend the chicken and waffles; they are simply delicious.”

9 The Divided Sky

4.6 Superb 199 Reviews

El Dorado Freeway, South Lake Tahoe

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“Cheer's Atmosphere in South Lake Tahoe Tahoe!!!”

10 Cold Water Brewery and Grill

4.5 Superb 462 Reviews

2544 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“Food is very good. Service was great - Nicole D is charming and efficient! We will be back (again)!”

11 Evan's American Gourmet Café

4.7 Superb 209 Reviews

536 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe

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“Totally amazing meal. Just the best in service and food.”

12 Burger Me!

4.5 Superb 362 Reviews

3838 Lake Tahoe Boulevard Ste 100, South Lake Tahoe

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“I ate there and the burger and onion rings I had were awesome!”

13 Steins - (Winter Only)

3.9 Good 15 Reviews

W3GF+8F2, South Lake Tahoe

14 Lakeview Lodge - (Winter Only)

3.7 Good 9 Reviews

W3H9+RP, 1636 Sherman Way, South Lake Tahoe

“Highly recommend. Pros: - gyro platter - super friendly service - incredible back porch with views Cons: - expensive and limited beer selection - inside is kind of frumpy”

15 Cafe Blue

3.2 Average 5 Reviews

4080 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“Great views and good drinks! If you need a snack break, or a warm drink, on your way up to the top of the mountain, stop here. Cafe Blue is not always open, but when it is it’s great for a pick-me-up. Service is quick and there a wide range of snacks and drinks — canned, bottled, and made to go — to choose from.”

16 Sky Deck

3.9 Good 60 Reviews

South Lake Tahoe

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“One of a kind of experience. You're so close if not right on the border of Nevada and California and you can sit and eat and look at both sides depending on what side of the building you're on. If you can ski and ski better than average you can get there. If you don't ski take the gondola from the lake below and enjoy the view from the gondola and lunch on the probably your highest point on the mountain...”

17 The Loft Magic & Comedy Show

4.6 Superb 184 Reviews

1001 Heavenly Village Way Suite 50, South Lake Tahoe

“Magic Fusion is an awesome show to see and attend in Tahoe. We enjoyed the show with Robert Hall so much! He was funny and entertaining the whole night, involved the audience a lot, and shows you tricks you have never seen before! Go see it!!”

18 Sonney's BBQ Shack Bar & Grill

4.3 Superb 592 Reviews

787 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe

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“Great food, service and restaurant.”

19 The Loft Restaurant/Lounge

4.3 Superb 489 Reviews

1001 Heavenly Village Way Suite 50, South Lake Tahoe

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“I was highly skeptical of this place. The loft? Magic show and food? Oh boy how wrong I was. Drinks are creative, taste good, and have a good kick. The food? Amazing tapas. The duck tacos were a pleasant and yummy surprise. My only regret is not going twice during my trip, but time was short. Cheers!”

20 Steamers Bar & Grill

4.4 Superb 227 Reviews

2236 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“Steamers Bar & Grill is amazing! The food is fresh and mouth watering. The atmosphere is super fun with live music, and the owner Heather and staff treated us like family. We had the best time and will definitely return. Highly recommend! 😊👍”

21 Pretty Odd Wieners

4.5 Superb 127 Reviews

2933 US-50, South Lake Tahoe

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“Brian and Jill were great to work with!”

22 The Red Hut Café

4.3 Superb 301 Reviews

2749 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“Love the Red Hut waffle restaurant. Friendly, attentive staff! Great waffles! Will become a regular breakfast spot, when in South Lake Tahoe.”

24 The Bear Moon Bar & Grill

4.2 Good 177 Reviews

901 Ski Run Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“I love their happy hour with so many delicious food choices.”

25 Applebee's Grill + Bar

3.7 Good 468 Reviews

3987 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“The family and I enjoyed our time here, our waitress, Kelly was great and well versed in how to deal with a hungry family of 5, she knew well to bring crayons with the menus!! The food was good and the atmosphere was so so. The place was clean and well staffed.”

26 Emerald Bay Bar & Grill

4.1 Good 237 Reviews

888 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe

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“Emerald Bay Bar and Grill is a great place to hang out. Menu has a lot of great food items. Local beers on tap.”

27 Stateline Brewery & Restaurant

3.7 Good 470 Reviews

4118 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“Very good service pub hosts will accommodate any size party’s and or individuals, great atmosphere, good food for south shore you can’t get any better”

28 Sno-Flake at Tahoe

3.4 Good 273 Reviews

3059 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“Their burgers are delicious and the ice cream, perfect finish 👍🏻”

29 LandShark Bar & Grill

3.2 Average 165 Reviews

4130 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

“This is a nice little restaurant located right on the main road in South Lake Tahoe. We stopped by for dinner and ordered the chicken wings and fish tacos. The wings were crispy and enjoyable, while the tacos could have been better if they had been served with freshly made tortillas instead of standard store-bought ones. Our server was the one who recommended the grapefruit beer to my husband whch he thoroughly enjoyed. The four-star rating is largely thanks to our server, Danny (I suppose), who was kind, attentive, and incredibly respectful. His warm and courteous service made the experience all the more pleasant!”

30 The Grove Beach Bar & Grill

3.9 Good 551 Reviews

1900 Jameson Beach Road, South Lake Tahoe

“The food was good, the views were stunning but what made this place stand out is the service! Merrick was the best waiter I’ve had in a LONG TIME. If it wasn’t my last day of visiting this magical town, I’d come back for every meal! Also Nick the manager was so kind to my baby which normally in restaurants people tend to avoid kids lol!! Great spot”

31 Riva Grill On the Lake

3.8 Good 1,501 Reviews

900 Ski Run Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“We had a great lunch and Dillon, out waiter, was great.”

32 Gunbarrel Tavern & Eatery

3.3 Good 338 Reviews

1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe

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“Wonderful food and time with loved ones”

33 IHOP

3.3 Good 435 Reviews

3730 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe

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“I had a great breakfast here with my friends! I ordered the crepe combo with some orange juice and it was the yummiest thing I’ve had so far here. Big thank you to Phong she was the sweetest most attentive server ever and was very funny. All around I had a great time thank you so much ihop !”