Mini Guide to Reno Tahoe’s Lodging and Dining
Where to Stay and Eat in Reno
So, you’re going to Reno Tahoe for some time in nature, and some time in nurture? Excellent choice. The fun and wonder of Reno Tahoe is the easy part (seriously, have you heard of northern Nevada’s wilderness hot springs?). The other easy part comes with this mini guide of where to stay, play, eat, and drink in Reno Tahoe.
Stay, Play, Spa
As we like to say, “When in Reno, casino!” Reno Tahoe’s casinos have seen quite the glow-up the past several years, so embrace the bright lights of this Biggest Little City in the World. You’ve got some great choices:
Reno’s new J Resort shines with its Glow Plaza, where live music and other events are electrified by creative technology and lighting, as well as art and dazzling sculptures from Burning Man and beyond. It’s where gaming intersects with location.
At Peppermill Reno Resort the lounges, dining, spas, and shops are the definition of casino d’elegance. Contemporary, energetic, and fun, the outdoor pool scene here makes a splash with its gorgeous lounge area.
GSR is so cool it goes by its acronym (NBD, natch). Recently named Reno’s Best Overall Gaming Resort, Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) exceeds expectations beyond impressive slot machines and table games. Dine at award-winning restaurants, take in a show at the Grand Theater, and lounge by the year-round pool. There’s plenty to please everyone.
Try your “lux” at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, awarded the highly coveted Four Stars by Forbes Travel Guide. It’s actually received that accolade for ten years in a row; but who’s counting when you’re sinking into the spa’s innovative therapies, like healing colors and gentle water flows.
Where do you go for three stellar casino resorts all in a row? Easy answer: THE ROW. Eldorado Resort, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus combine their three unique spaces to create one captivating experience. The Row has room to roam, with 227,000 square feet of casino, 2,500 slot machines, 84 gaming tables, and the city’s only Topgolf Swing Suite. Sweet!
This one’s for the social climbers. And by that we mean the Whitney Peak Hotel and the Guinness Book of World Records’ Tallest Outdoor Climbing Wall (164 feet!). Views from the wall span the city, mountains, and the iconic Reno Arch. You can also take it inside with the hotel’s 7,000-square-foot bouldering park.
Located in the city’s Riverwalk district, the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel & Spa overlooks the Truckee River. Book a relaxation session at the low-key Refuge Spa, grab a quick coffee and pastry to kick off your morning, and dress up for riverfront dining at The Shore (pro tip: start with happy hour at the adjacent lounge or on the patio overlooking the river).
If your creature comforts are all about being in the thick of the outdoors, with options ranging from big rooms, beautiful suites, and quiet lakefront cottages, then check out the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Hotel Resort Spa & Casino. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, and with the lake practically at your feet, this is luxury by nature.
Locals Love These Spots
Do Reno Tahoe like a local at these establishments loved by the people who live here.
Great Basin Brewing Co. is a treasure and well worth a stop. Located in Sparks, just east of Reno at the landmark Victorian Square, Great Basin is Nevada’s most award-winning brewery (16 medals at the Great American Beer Festival and 9 at the World Beer Cup). Order the famous Icky (also known as the Ichthyosaur IPA) and pair it with something from their wide-ranging menu, which includes a tasty clam chowder and beer-battered fish & chips. The focus all around is using sustainably grown, locally sourced ingredients.
Liberty Food & Wine Exchange in downtown Reno is known for its “fork and knife” moments, meaning delicious handmade foods, from fresh-made pasta to woodfired smoked ribs. It’s also known for its lively and welcoming vibe. Give me Liberty and give me drinks!
You’re So Fine Dining
Whether it’s a special occasion or you want to do something special for someone, that’s just fine in Reno. Here are some excellent fine dining choices:
Beaujolais Bistro has a beautiful indoor and outdoor setup with a dreamy location along the Truckee River, with French cuisine favorites and cocktails to match. The French 75 cocktail pairs refreshingly with steak frites.
Abstract art and innovative food make up Reno’s popular Lulou’s, an upscale restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. Creativity is an ingredient in all the dishes here, with tasty twists on food like baked Maine lobster and chile relleno.
Find Fine Dining in Reno Tahoe
Casual Eats
Keeping it casual is always in vogue, especially in Reno Tahoe where creativity runs the gamut, including cool eats.
What happens when your uncle builds New York City’s famed Waldorf-Astoria but a fortune cookie told you to go West? Why, Little Waldorf! That’s what Red Waldorf created when he moved to Nevada. As Reno’s most historic restaurant, Little Waldorf is big in the hearts of locals. Pair the kick-ass chili with a blueberry bread pudding for dessert.
In the world of food nobility, pizza reigns at Reno’s Noble Pie Parlor. Located in MidTown, a thoroughly lively enclave where the food culture has absolutely flourished, the meatball dish here is as tempting as the pizza. Worry not, vegans: there are plenty of options for you, too. Go for happy hour or take it to go and watch one of Reno’s banner sunsets.
Healthy eating gets the last laugh at Laughing Planet Café, where delectable dishes are as good for your body as they are for your mindfulness in eating more vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free fare. Low carb, Paleo, it’s all on the menu at this fast-casual hot spot. Yes, fast and healthy can co-exist! Laughing Planet Cafe
Spirited Adventures
Made in Reno always has a good buzz to it, and 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing knows all about it. Their Spiced Apple Cocktail is pure artistry, sourced from Apple Hill. Beer’s here too, including the Hot Tramp IPA, a West Coast blend of citrus and three hops. 10 Torr’s vacuum-distilled vodka is one smooth spirit, and a multi-award winner. Respect.
The handcrafted spirits at Verdi Local Distiller are next level, and that’s the whiskey talking! Owned and innovated by a husband-and-wife team, flavors of whiskeys here include lemon, apple cinnamon, and peanut butter (yum). Take a tour and try some samples, then kick back with a whiskey-infused cocktail.
When an Old West relic gets a stellar makeover, the result is The Depot Craft Brewery and Distillery. The Depot’s exterior is as interesting as the mixology and brewology that goes on inside. The three-story brick building used to be the headquarters of the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway and today houses all of The Depot’s operations. It’s a cool place to grab a hefty burger and mezcal-infused margarita.
