24 Best American Restaurants near Crystal Bay

“Wow just wow (food wise this is not a review of casino itself) usually when i go to eat and see something with a single burger around 12$+ i just know I'm gonna be ripped off but no the burgers here we're genuinely good the price felt worth it, not to mention the Tacos were genuine Mexican tacos even my mother was surprised when she realized a white guy cooked them since he really captured the Mexican spirit in tacos and salsa overall u will be back when i visit reno“

“I've traveled around the world and have ate at Michelin star restaurants, been served by James Beard winners near and far and from the moment I walked in my dining experience fell nothing short of top notch! I was immediately greeted with a friendly smile, my server promptly greeted me and provide exceptional service throughout the evening. The food was amazing and prepared to perfection! The ambience is amazing welcoming and comfortable. The whole dining experience from beginning to end was amazing.“

“One of the best restaurants I’ve ever experienced! The staff were amazing too!! Definitely tell all my friends that travel to Tahoe that this is a must try!!“

“We came for dinner on a Friday night on a holiday weekend and were sat with no wait! We had the best waitress, Kira. Loved the butternut squash ravioli and had one of the best burgers I’ve had in a while! Wish we could have seen the view in the daylight!“

“The food is exceptional, try the Halibut, you will love it! Joey did a wonderful job and the entrire staff is very welcoming and helpful. Perfect place to kick back and have a delicious meal and/or a cocktail.“

“Amazing meal every time and owned by incredible people ❤️“

“let me tell you something. I grew up in Sun Valley. Tahoe is part of me. My sister called the night before. They didnt take reservations. But, we told them what was up. my sisters n I planned a weeks trip for my mother's 78th birthday. We hadn't all been all together since my littlest sister was 4... 36 yrs later we are all in one place. Our mother wanted to see her friends. Basically our second set of parents growing up. We pretty much pretended we were nonchalant about it. Their daughter n us put a scheme together to surprise them all. Weeks of planning. The night staff left a note for the morning staff. They open at noon. The party of three showed up at noon... us, the party of six showed up 10 minutes fashionably late. So we could surprise n give our elderly parents arrhythmia.The staff was awesome! Table ready, James our waiter was spectacular...the food.... awesome. Not many restaurants would be asking as people came in... are you the party of 9? lol my sister from another set of parents...as her mom confused said " no we are a party of 3" and her daughter leaned back and whispered ..." yes we are the party of 9. but they don't know shhhh!" it was spectacular! Thank you to the staff... you all rock! I hope if we ever make it back and you're still are rocking the vibe we got today, we will be there. You all take care of your staff. Today this place made our moment so special. We cant say Thank you enough.“

“Had a wonderful dinner here in February. The menu was excellent with many meat and fresh fish dishes. We had the pork chop which is our absolute favorite, as well as a seafood special. The wine list is extensive and reasonably priced. Great service - we appreciated not feeling rushed. Highly recommend if you are in the area.“

“Best Cheese Burger I have ever had!“

“If you're not coming to Tahoe Taphouse for Kevin, you're missing half the experience. The guy is genuinely one of the funniest people behind a bar — always has a joke ready, always lands it, and somehow makes you feel like a regular from the first visit. He's as kind as he is hilarious, which is saying a lot.

But the Taphouse earns its keep beyond great company. Cold, delicious beer on tap, solid food, and the perfect spot to catch a game. We keep coming back and it never disappoints.

On the food side - don't sleep on the Mary's Chicken. Mary's is an incredible brand, and Tahoe Taphouse does it justice. The chicken wings especially are fantastic. Crispy, flavorful, the kind of wings you think about on the drive home.

Honestly, it's the full package: great beer, great food, games on the TV, and Kevin holding it all together. See you there.“

“We ordered (1) eggs (over medium) and bacon, potatoes, sourdough toast and (2) build your own omelette with mushrooms, pepper jack, spinach and onions,, fresh fruit (which was excellent) sourdough toast. Service was excellent and fast. The food was good although the over medium eggs could have been cooked a bit more. We'll definitely come back.“

“If you are looking for the locals spot, this is the place. Great food at a reasonable price. Not much more that a hungry human could ask for.“

“Lovely holiday afternoon spent enjoying their choices of wine flights They have 4 choices. Bubbles, whites, light reds or bold reds Good choices. The server was so nice to us w/o being intrusive Highly recommend fir a pleasant afternoon at the Lake“

“My boyfriend and I stopped by Big Water Grille to ask about a gift card we had ordered about a month ago. The manager, Chris, went above and beyond to help us! He immediately replaced the card on the spot and was incredibly kind and professional throughout the whole interaction. We decided to stay for a drink afterward and took in the cozy ambiance by the fireplace. Between the setting and Chris’s warmth, it truly made our visit special! We left feeling so grateful for how caring and attentive he was. Thank you, Chris, for turning a small issue into such a positive experience! We cannot wait to come back!“

“One of our favorite places“

“This is a good place to stop and have lunch during your Northstar ski experience. However, I can't give it five stars because the prices are at least double the normal cost. That applies to everything sold here. Options for vegan or vegetarian guests are very limited. All that aside, it's a nice ski lodge, and the food is fine if you like burgers, fries, pizza, chicken tenders, etc. Lines are usually short, and the staff is friendly and helpful. It is clean and tidy.“

“Phenomenal food, service, ambience and atmosphere. The menu changes and my favorite is the Tasting Menu. It is divine and I always feel like royalty when I go. 🍽️🧑🏽‍🍳👑🌊🌲“

“Stopped by Cutthroat's Saloon for an after dinner drink and some dessert to bring back to the room. This establishment is located within the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, so it makes for a very convenient spot to pick up food if you're staying at the hotel. The restaurant is due a refresh, but I will say that our carmel fudge sundae tonight was out of this world!“

“I ordered the Swedish pancakes, absolutely delicious! Friendly staff, great service! I will return“

“We ordered tuna ahi and sea scallops for appetizer , but the taste of scallops was very weird (with the sous didn’t much) thanks to our waitress Kristen, she gave us amazing hospitality and offer scallops with the sauce on the side and for main course, the same. And it work great. We enjoyed our first dinner in Ritz.“

“Gonzalo truly set the tone for an exceptional experience at the Living Room Lodge (LRL) at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Warm, friendly, and incredibly attentive, he made us feel genuinely cared for, from start to finish. His hospitality felt effortless and heartfelt — and the heavenly vanilla latte he crafted came with a smile that made it even more special. Gonzalo is a true gem and a shining example of Ritz-Carlton’s world-class service & hospitality.

We were seated in a beautiful spot with stunning views of the Northstar ski slopes on a bright, sunny day. The experience was elevated by sitting behind a subtle tinted glass that softened the harshness of the sun while still letting in all the light and scenery — the perfect balance. Surrounded by towering Sierra Nevada pines, the setting felt serene, cozy, and quintessentially Tahoe.

We started with a vanilla latte that was nothing short of magical — it truly felt like a warm embrace in a cup. Smooth, comforting, and crafted to perfection.

The meat burger was perfectly done — juicy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. My son absolutely loved the chocolate and strawberry ice cream, which was a delightful treat.

Dessert was the grand finale: the salted caramel lotus with vanilla sponge cake, caramel glaze, and cacao nib streusel was an absolute masterpiece. Each bite delivered a beautiful harmony of textures, flavors & suspense; indulgent yet refined.

An unforgettable experience that blends breathtaking views, outstanding food, and truly genuine hospitality.“

“There are places in the world that feel almost unreal, and Lake Tahoe is one of them. Tucked gently between the mountains, it carries a quiet kind of magic that you don’t fully understand until you stand there yourself. The water is so clear it feels like looking through glass, reflecting the sky in shades of deep blue and soft silver. It’s the kind of beauty that doesn’t need to try—it simply exists, effortlessly breathtaking.

In the early morning, Tahoe feels peaceful and untouched. The air is crisp, the world is still, and the only sound is the gentle movement of the water meeting the shore. It’s in these moments that you feel something shift inside you, like the noise of everyday life fades away, replaced by calm and clarity. Nature doesn’t rush here, and somehow it reminds you that you don’t have to either.

As the day unfolds, sunlight dances across the lake, and the surrounding pine trees stand tall and steady, as if they’ve been quietly protecting this place for centuries. Whether you’re walking along the shoreline, sitting quietly watching the waves, or laughing with people you love, Tahoe has a way of making every moment feel meaningful. It’s not just a destination—it’s a feeling, a gentle reminder of how beautiful life can be when you slow down and truly take it in.

And then there’s the evening. The sky begins to change, painted in soft hues of pink, orange, and gold, reflecting perfectly on the lake’s surface. It feels almost like time pauses, giving you a chance to breathe a little deeper and hold onto the moment just a little longer. As the sun disappears behind the mountains, Tahoe becomes something even more special—quiet, intimate, and deeply comforting.

Lake Tahoe isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place that stays with you. Long after you leave, you carry a piece of its calm, its beauty, and its quiet healing within you. It reminds you that sometimes, the most wonderful things in life are the simplest—nature, peace, and the people you share it with.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Staff was friendly and able to pivot quickly when a small meetup changed to a larger gathering.“

“Big kudos to Northstar and Zephyr Lodge! You're leading the way in reducing single-use plastic. I was so impressed to see that Zephyr Lodge has eliminated them. It's a fantastic example of how ski resorts can make a difference in protecting our precious mountain ecosystems. This makes me even happier to bring my family to Northstar.“