Head to Himmel Haus for après-ski action and an impressive list of German and Belgian beers. And good luck not ordering one of a giant pretzels, especially once you see one go by covered in sea salt, three-cheese fondue, and bacon-onion jam. The weekly trivia nights are lively, and the annual Oktoberfest celebration packs the indoor rooms and outdoor patio. While they have some tables for smaller groups, don’t expect much room for yourself, especially on winter weekends.

The small cafe is tucked away inside a decades-old log cabin and serves some of the best pasta and Italian classics in the area. The eggplant crepes stuffed with smoked salmon and sherry cream are a must-order, and the veal scaloppine with wild mushrooms, garlic, and tarragon is a decadent third or fourth course. When we say make a reservation, we mean it—they only take them by phone and should be made as far in advance as possible.

Conveniently located between popular El Dorado and Lakeside beaches in South Lake Tahoe is Empanash, a pop-up empanada bakery that opened its permanent location back in 2019. The Argentinian owners do a ton of sweet and savory versions (served with chimichurri, naturally), which includes options for vegetarians. Go at literally any point in the day for the spicy Henhouse with sauteed onions and their Popeye empanada with spinach, mozzarella, and mushrooms.

After a long day of hiking, sometimes you just want something cheesy, salty, and juicy. Fortunately, California Burger is happy to meet that need, with creative burgers—you can’t go wrong with the Wild Turkey with ghost pepper-habanero cheese, or the caprese with balsamic and basil. You can make any burger vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, and the cocktail menu has a ton of standouts and more than 200 whiskeys.

While Tahoe has plenty of options for a pizza, there’s no need to go anywhere other than Base Camp. They do interesting flavors like the Thai Chicken Curry, with sweet-and-spicy curry in lieu of tomato sauce, and every pie is served thin and crispy and always manages to hold plenty of toppings without falling apart. Expect local beers on tap, frequent live music, and a dog-friendly outdoor patio.

Sprouts Cafe has been South Lake Tahoe’s go-to spot for kind-of-healthy quick eats for more than 30 years. Plus, the fact that it’s two blocks away from the beach makes it the place to be on summer weekends if you need a fast lunch without giving up your prime beachside parking spot. Sprouts focuses on organic and plant-based dishes, with tofu, tempeh, and legume-heavy bowls, salads, and wraps that vegans and vegetarians will love (though it does have a few turkey options).

It’s not easy to find restaurants on the north shore that take reservations, but Sage Leaf fills that void. It’s also reliably delicious, leaning heavily on food sourced from Tahoe’s local food co-op. The homemade sage and cheddar biscuits, served with a honey drizzle, are a particular standout, and the braised bacon tacos have been a brunch staple for years. It pairs well with a candied-bacon-loaded Bloody Mary, though the pineapple sage martini will never fail to make you feel elegant.

Tapas may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re in an American mountain town, but Bite serves up some extremely delicious small plates. There’s usually a can’t-miss scallop dish on the menu (with stuff like red Thai curry, grits, and housemade kimchi), and a chef’s special daily tartar. Maybe it’s just that the tables are smaller and closer together, but it feels hipper and more intimate than most restaurants in Tahoe. The small-but-inventive cocktail menu helps, too.

Char Pit is a classic, straightforward, walk-in burger place, so don’t bother looking for a website, Instagram, or place to order online. Opened in 1962, Char Pit is a King’s Beach burger institution with a surprisingly good veggie option and fries that always have the perfect level of crunch. Like any good old-school burger joint, they also do shakes and sundaes. While most people eat at the outdoor picnic tables, it’s also only a block from the beach, so you can get your burgers to go.

It’d be easy to drive past Soule Domain, a small restaurant off the main drag located in the owner’s family’s original log cabin from the 1910s. But it’s worth seeking out while in Crystal Bay, despite the fact that it’s surrounded by shuttered casinos and construction projects. You can count on delicious dishes like mango kiwi scallops, lobster wontons, and lamb chops with almonds and basil pesto butter. Make reservations as far in advance as possible, especially on summer Saturdays.