If you want to get off the beaten tourist path when it comes to dining out, you’re in luck. There are plenty of great little hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Lake Tahoe CA that aren’t exactly on the mainstream visitor radar. We know that eating out during in Lake Tahoe can be pricey, especially if you have a family to feed, so we’ve compiled a list of our top five favorite locals only restaurants in Lake Tahoe for you. By the way, you don’t really have to be a Tahoe local to eat at these places – all of them will happily let you in.
Sprouts Café
3123 Harrison Ave.
(530) 541-6969
For the most wholesome, freshest food in South Lake Tahoe, head over to Sprouts Natural Foods Café. This little family owned and run eatery opened its doors in the mid-1970s (albeit under another name) and features an impressive menu of very reasonable priced fare, including favorites such as Mexican dishes, sandwiches, soups and salads, and a great selection of unique smoothies.
Jalisco Grill
2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
(530) 600-1775
If you ask a local where to get the best Mexican food in town, chances are that they’ll send you to Jalisco Grill. Stepping through the door of this is like going through a portal to Mexico, with vibrantly colored, skull-laden artwork and traditional Mexican trinkets adorning the walls and shelves. Known for their excellent $1.50 tacos, Jalisco Grill offers a large menu and all of it is good. It’s best to visit on the off-hours between lunch and dinner, as the place packs out with locals.
Izzy’s Burger Spa
2591 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
(530) 544-5030
Yes, the name is a bit strange, but don’t let that deter you – this little roadside burger shack has some of the best burgers around. Voted “Best of Tahoe” Burger over 20 times, Izzy’s uses only locally sourced produce and fresh, never frozen beef. From old-fashioned cheeseburgers to innovative creations like calamari sandwiches, Izzy’s Burger Spa has earned it’s place on our list of top local only restaurants in Lake Tahoe.
MacDuff’s Public House
1041 Fremont Ave.
(530) 542-8777
For the ultimate real honest-to-goodness Scottish food, MacDuff’s Public House is the place to go. Featuring traditional Scottish dishes like real shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and cottage pie, MacDuff’s serves mouth-watering homemade food in an authentic Scottish pub atmosphere. Owned by the Sievwright brothers who originally hail from Aberdeen, Scotland, MacDuff’s has been serving up traditional Scottish creations as well as American culinary favorites since 2005.
Curry & Grill
2297 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
(530) 318-8520
You probably wouldn’t find this awesome place unless someone told you about it, so we are. Last but not least on our list of the best local restaurants in Lake Tahoe, Curry & Grill is tucked into the back of a liquor/convenience store and serves up some of the best authentic Indian cuisine you’ll ever have. Don’t expect fancy plates or cloth napkins; everything comes in Styrofoam take-out containers, though you can dine there at one of their three tables. You might want to get there before the dinner rush, as the line can get long.
Had Your Fill of These Restaurants in Lake Tahoe CA?
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