50 Best Dog Friendly Restaurants Genoa

“Real Cowboys, Great Drinks & Wild West Hospitality!

YEEHAW! We walked in as tourists and almost walked out as local cowboys!

The legendary Genoa Bar and Saloon, proudly known as Nevada’s Oldest Thirst Parlor, is an absolute hidden gem and one of the highlights of our American road trip!

Dating back to the 1850s, this historic Wild West saloon has welcomed everyone from cowboys to legendary musicians like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Even Hollywood has discovered its charm, with scenes from movies like Misery filmed here.

But the real stars aren't the celebrities – they're the locals!

We were immediately welcomed, included in conversations, and made to feel like we'd been part of this little Western town for years. That's genuine American hospitality at its finest!

The drinks were excellent, the atmosphere was absolutely authentic, and we even had the chance to join the locals for a game on that awesome red pool table. Unfortunately, we didn't get to show off our legendary cowboy billiards skills. Probably better for everyone involved!

No fake Western decorations, no tourist show – just real people, great conversations, cold drinks, and a whole lot of character.

Our travel tip: If you're exploring Nevada, Carson Valley, or the Lake Tahoe area, make a stop in historic Genoa. Grab a drink, strike up a conversation with the locals, and if that red pool table is available, challenge someone to a game!

Five stars for the drinks, five stars for the atmosphere, and a whole galaxy of stars for the people!

We came for a drink, stayed for the atmosphere, and left feeling like honorary cowboys.

An absolute MUST-STOP. HOWDY, GENOA!“

“Fantastic atmosphere, friendly staff. Mac and Cheese and pork sandwich were delish, French onion could have used a little more salt during making (not the same as adding salt at the table). Even saw some deer rummaging in the front.“

“The pizza was great… the service awesome! Basecamp is always a go-to when in Lake Tahoe!“

“great beer! awesome service! fun to sit in one of the heated igloos!“

“I participate in a book group and we had a package of Fireside coffee in our box. I have never liked coffee and thought I would give this a try. I fell in love with it and cannot go a day without it. I live in Michigan and order it online and get it right away.“

“Paul and his female colleague were lovely hosts last night - great wine, great food, great location“

“We had a small wedding reception here on August 19. We started in the garden until rain moved in and MacDuffs quickly moved us inside and upstairs. The food and service were excellent. Our waitress was awesome and working with MacDuffs beforehand was great too. We were a party of 18 from Michigan and everyone was very complimentary! Highly recommend!!’“

“good and fresh very busy as usual but worth the wait“

“Love the beer, love the food, and the staff is top notch. My favorite Tahoe spot!“

“Delicious bagels and coffee. Line was long but didn’t take long to move and worth the small wait“

“This is the best Minden has to offer!!! Never disappointed when trying something new and always perfect!! The ladies are so awesome and personable. This is perfect small town service and quality!!! We love this place and they take great care of Mom!!!“

“The food is off the hook and the selection of IPA’s is lovely. Service was excellent! Plenty of seating“

“Consistently outstanding food and generous portions. My family loves this place we'll be back for sure!“

“Back in NZ now after holidaying in NV. DST coffee in Gardnerville was a daily ritual...we recommend this coffee because it didn't disappoint...its the best way to start the day.“

“laid back jovial atmosphere. awesome beer selection California & Nevada. try a flight not a one was disappointing. The shining star was the staff“

“I love the Cork And More! It is a great place to hang out with friends or even on a date! The wines are great. The food is amazing. Five stars from me! There is a gorgeous outdoor garden area to relax in as well.“

“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!“

“💜💜💜 great place to eat!!!!“

“We are in Tahoe for a wedding and stopped by Bare Roots early this morning. Best dirty chai I’ve ever had 🌟🤍“

“Great vegan and other dishes.“

“Friendly and courteous staff. Great food.“

“This Jersey Mikes was everything I needed. Excellent Sandwich at a fair price. The Service and friendliness of the staff was exceptional. Good job !“

“This place has some of the best hospitality and home music you've ever heard. JP is a real G for a bartender“

“The food was amazing! Beer was cold. The service was top notch. Hope to visit again this week before leaving for home.“

“This is the place to do some adulting. Lot's of friendly locals to visit with and get a rundown on the town's and where to eat and visit. It's worth a drop in. I usually partake in the early afternoon before evening meal but bar food will get you by too. I like a premium whisky so I can't really price a per person drink cost.“

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

“Great music fun bonfires and lights . I enjoyed the strawberry milkshake beer .“

“Found by chance as we were driving by. Love love loved it!!!! Great atmosphere, food and latte and bonus live music 💕 outside on their beautiful patio area. Highly recommend!“

“This place is so good!! If you don’t try it you’re missing out! Lots of games and activities for family fun and the food and service is top notch!“

“Had a great experience. Nick the bartender was great. Friendly, polite and attentive. Would definitely return.“

“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!“

“Will start off by saying the food was great! However the hostess was another story. Recwntly had dinner on 8/11/24. The hostess would not let us sit at the table to start ordering drinks because we were missing 2 out of the 8 people in our group. needless to say we already had 6 ready to be seated. once we were seated the table next to us had the umbrella slanted. this caused the table to fly over from a gust of wind shattering a plate and cutting my leg. the stay was kind enough to provided a wipe and some bandaid. We continued our night until the hostess decided to empty water cups from other guest into the flower bed behind us. Which then caused the dirt to splash up on one of our guest white shirts and be covered in mud. A smug sorry was replied out. As stated before the food was terrific and the wait staff was great but the hostess needs to be replaced.“

“Good was really good. We had breakfast“

“This place is a hidden gem! Please take this short trip up the mountains to try this place. We were there in the evening during some of the NFL games that were on TV, and the atmosphere, and view, was amazing! We enjoyed the large pretzel, some BBQ, and a burger. They had some of the best ribs I have ever had! Portions were huge as well, so we even had plenty to take home. We will be back next time we are in Tahoe!“

“Always satisfied when my Family comes here!“

“Friendly staff and a good selection.“

“Lovely local bar with excellent drinks and wonderful service. Adrian at the bar was outstanding and made me feel right at home visiting as a solo female traveler. Tons of locals and tourists alike, everyone was friendly with a laid back atmosphere and pool tables. The place was very clean, organized and I loved their merchandise. Highly recommend.“

“I’m local and this place deserves more recognition. Since new ownership happened few months ago this place became far or way better . Excellent Ambiance, Pho is authentic , great customer service! This is my new go to spot and will try to come back every week! Highly recommend!“

“We’ve stayed at the Tahoe South location twice now and have loved it both times. The staff is always friendly, helpful, and quick to jump in if we need anything. The vibe is great in the summer and just as cozy during snowstorms. It’s so nice having an onsite coffee shop for my morning coffee and an onsite brewery to hang out at night. We’ll definitely be back!“

“I recently visited Tahoe Bear Tea House, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best bubble tea shops I’ve ever been to. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm, cozy, and inviting. The interior has a modern yet relaxing vibe, making it the perfect spot to hang out with friends, do some studying, or just enjoy a quiet break with a refreshing drink. The drinks are absolutely amazing. I tried their classic milk tea with boba, and it was spot on—smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced in sweetness. The tapioca pearls were cooked just right: soft, chewy, and flavorful, which is something I always look for in a good boba shop. I also tried one of their specialty fruit teas, and it was so refreshing and full of natural flavor. What I love most is that you can really taste the quality of the ingredients; nothing feels artificial or overly sweet. The menu has a great variety to choose from—whether you’re into traditional milk teas, fruity blends, or creative specialty drinks, there’s definitely something that will catch your attention. It’s clear that they put thought and care into crafting their drinks, and it shows in every sip. Aside from the drinks, the customer service was outstanding. The staff were friendly, patient, and more than willing to help me pick something from the menu since it was my first time there. They took the time to explain the different options, and their recommendations were spot on. You can tell they genuinely care about their customers and want you to have the best experience possible. Overall, Tahoe Bear Tea House is a gem. It’s not just a bubble tea shop—it’s a place where you can relax, enjoy high-quality drinks, and feel welcomed every time you visit. I’m already looking forward to coming back and trying more of their drinks. If you’re in the area and craving boba, this is definitely the place to go!“

“Great hospitality, even better food! The staff and owners are friendly and welcoming!“

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

“Lovely breakfast near the lake off the beaten track.“

“Trichada P was the best person I’ve had attend us. I ordered late night before closing, and despite that she was super nice to us, gave us super good service, and got everything on our order right. Sorry the late night order Trichada but you were the best!“

“A true South Lake Tahoe gem! Incredible selection of both Chinese and Thai food. The staff is super friendly, especially Pom, who helped us customize the perfect order. The food was absolutely spot on. A fantastic go-to spot for anyone visiting the area!“

“Absolutely lovely. We stopped by on our way home to California from Virginia City. I thought the name was cool. The staff were all friendly, energetic and helpful. They were knowledgeable about the menu and the town. Pizza was delicious and a nice selection of wines. We will definitely stop on our next visit. Louis, our server, was great!“

“The rolled iced cream is the best!“

“Great spot inside the BaseCamp. The people are fantastic!“

“Classic Italian in Carson City, NV. The food is the reason to go. House bread comes out hot, with roasted Parmesan on the crust, plus butter and a bowl of garlic roasted in extra virgin olive oil. Smear the garlic across the buttered bread and you have a better start than most Italian restaurants in town…!

Calamari Fritto was crisp and well seasoned. It comes with pepperoncini, which I would rather skip, plus two delicious dips: lemon-garlic aioli and a tomato sauce. Both sauces earned their spot on the plate and were devoured evenly between my wife and I.

We both ordered the Homestyle Lasagna. It is one of the better versions on this menu, rich with sausage, beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and Bolognese, and large enough that we each boxed about half for later. That is not a complaint.

The problem is the building, not the kitchen. Ti Amo sits inside Casino Fandango. You walk a smoky gaming floor to get there. We use the closest door we can find and move through quickly. Once you are seated, the smoke smell drops off. You walk it again on the way out. If that bothers you, plan the route and do not linger.

Pro-tip: Reserve ahead.“