Breakfast
Conveniently located in Heavenly Village, Seattle’s Best Coffee shop is the quickest option for early risers who want to grab a coffee and muffin and beeline it for the gondola (775-586-7000).
Red Hut is a Tahoe breakfast institution with three locations including the original shop opened in 1959 (2723 Lake Tahoe Blvd, 530-541-9024) and the more conveniently located new café on the corner of Ski Run and Lake Tahoe boulevards (3660 Lake Tahoe Blvd, 530-544-1595). The omelets are great, but waffles—including bacon waffles with the crispy strips cooked right in—are the house favorite.
Lunch
Featuring a towering wall of windows, massive wooden beams and a modern-mountain design, the new Tamarack Lodge atop the gondola is a model for energy efficiency and pleasing aesthetics. Choose from a selection of meats smoked on site, artisan pizzas, salads, burgers, Asian bowls and chili, with indoor and outdoor seating. Named for the legendary youth ski team that produced Glen Plake and other past greats, Blue Angel Cafe (1132 Ski Run Blvd) is a short drive from the California base and is a favorite local’s spot due to its innovative menu and affordable prices. Try the curry of the day or the daily True Blue Plate Special for $6, and don’t skip the sweet potato fries with homemade aioli (530-544-6544).
Dinner
High-End:
19 Kitchen Bar on the 19th floor of Harvey’s casino offers some of the best views of the lake, a VIP seating area, hardwood grill and a small but select menu of American seafood and steak specialties. Start with a Tahoe-tini, order the Chilean sea bass or filet mignon, and don’t forget the homemade donuts for desert (775-586-6777).
With a spacious and modern décor, the Edgewood Tahoe Restaurant (100 Lake Parkway, Stateline, NV) provides unimpeded views of Lake Tahoe from every table and is located at the South Shore’s finest golf course. House favorites include the seared elk steak with sun-dried cherry relish and spaetzle, or the marinated bavette steak (775-588-2787).
Mid-range:
Located near the marina and several art galleries for after-dinner browsing, Riva Grill (900 Ski Run Blvd) is a local’s favorite with décor inspired by Tahoe’s summertime wooden boating culture. Cocktails include the famous Wet Woody, and the menu features upscale burgers and fish tacos as well as the signature chimichurri pork tenderloin (530-542-2600).
Affordable:
With gourmet pizzas, salads and pasta dishes, Blue Dog Pizza (4000 Lake Tahoe Blvd) is a short walk from Gondola Square in the Raley’s shopping plaza, across the street from Heavenly Village (530-541-0813).
Apres/Nightlife
Known as a 24-hour party town due to its casino nightclubs, blackjack tables and drink specials, South Lake Tahoe offers loads of opportunity for naughty nights. McP’s Pub (4093 Lake Tahoe Blvd, across the street from Heavenly Village) is a local’s hangout with a covered and heated outdoor deck and a wide selection of beers (530-542-4435). Located in Heavenly Village near the skating rink, Fire + Ice serves classic and fruity martinis and has an outdoor patio with fire pits for enjoying the sunset (530-542-6650). Cabo Wabo bar in Harvey’s casino draws a good-looking crowd and typically has free music, along with a selection of tequilas. Late-nighters and bridesmaids on a bender should head to Opal in the MontBleu casino, where the music thumps until morning and scantily-clad dancers shimmy on mini stages beneath flashing lights.
