You don’t want to be stressed and confused, searching for good places to eat in Reno NV on your phone on a Friday night, do you? Though the city has spent the last decade quietly building one of the most exciting food scenes in the American West, there’s a version that most visitors never taste. Simple reason: ask ten different people where to find the best food in Reno, and you’ll get ten different answers; half of them outdated, half of them tourist traps.
Don’t skip the good stuff. Here’s a list of culinary gems, neighborhood joints, and off-the-strip sanctuaries all together, that make up our list of top restaurants in and around Reno.
Key Takeaways
- Reno restaurants and chefs have earned James Beard Award semifinalist recognition in recent years.
- Downtown and Midtown are the most efficient areas to eat your way through: bakeries, breweries, and fusion kitchens within walking distance.
- Waterfront tables along the Truckee River and Sparks Marina are the easiest way to impress out-of-town guests.
- Reno’s farm-to-table restaurants source from local growers in Northern Nevada, so menus shift with what’s actually in season.
- After a round at Genoa Golf Club, The Grill at The Lakes and The Knaughty Pine Bar are two of the easiest, most scenic places to eat near Genoa and Carson Valley. No drive into Reno required.
- Reno has an almost hilarious obsession with All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) sushi. Local spots serve up freshly rolled, stacked-high sushi.
- Born from its Sierra Nevada roots, the town loves giant, cozy breakfasts and rich Basque family-style feasts with signature Picon Punch cocktails.
- Tucked inside converted brick buildings, Midtown is packed with trendy cafes, organic plant-based bowls, artisan bakeries, and craft breweries.
Famous Restaurants for Dining in Reno: Midtown and Downtown Flavors
Every food city has an origin story. Over time, Reno dining has quietly evolved from a casino buffer into a genuine culinary destination. In 2022, the James Beard Foundation, often referred to as the Oscars of the food world, named three Reno restaurants as national semifinalists in a single year. Chef Troy Cannan of LuLou’s Restaurant and chef Kwok Chen of Kwok’s Bistro were both recognized in the Best Chef: Southwest category, while Chapel Tavern earned a nod for Outstanding Bar Program, according to Reno News & Review. Since 2013, this was Reno’s first Beard recognition, and local chefs called it a sign that the city’s food and drink scene was firmly on the rise.
Some of the best places to eat in Reno, NV include:
Perenn Bakery
It is a beloved Midtown bakery known for scratch-made bread, pastries, and savory tartines. Arrive early because favorites sell out.
Brasserie Saint James
It is a rustic French-and-American brasserie with an in-house brewery, popular for its bottomless mimosa brunch and hearty steak and short rib dinners on Saturday night.
Arario Korean Fusion
If you crave an authentic, home-style Korean kitchen tucked into Midtown, or a fusion of contemporary Western influences, this place is the one. The name means “great heavenly energy,” and the food tends to agree. Dishes like Kimchi Pork Belly Tacos, Bulgogi Beef Poutine, and Galbi Short Ribs keep locals and visitors returning again and again.
Kwok’s Bistro
Tucked away in an intimate setting near Downtown Reno, Kwok’s Bistro is tiny, unassuming, and quietly one of the most decorated restaurants that serve some of the best Asian food. The Szechuan eggplant and roasted duck from this James Beard–recognized Chinese kitchen alone is worth the wait for a table. Other featured dishes include their fresh dim sum, Peking duck, and fragrant seafood clay pots.
Liberty Food & Wine Exchange
Liberty Food & Wine Exchange is an artisan eatery and organic market concept led by Chef Mark Estee. Situated in Downtown Reno, it is known for its commitment to local sourcing. Liberty serves shared plates, handcrafted charcuterie, house-made pastas, and Neapolitan-style pizzas.
Waterfront Restaurants in Reno, NV
What if we told you that you can pair your dinner with a view of the Sierra Nevada, and Tahoe? Reno has a handful of restaurants that deliver exactly that, a great pick when out-of-town guests want a classic postcard version of Reno dining with river views, a mountain backdrop, and a menu that doesn’t cut corners.
Beaujolais Bistro
It sits right on the Truckee River in downtown Reno, serving a daily-changing French menu built around seasonal, local ingredients.
Sparks Water Bar
This place overlooks the Sparks Marina with a menu best known for steaks, seafood, and pasta. Plus, the Wet Woody, a locally famous blended cocktail, has a cult following.
Best Farm-to-Table and Sustainable Restaurants in Reno
Northern Nevada’s growing season and nearby ranchland have given several restaurants in Reno something most cities can’t fake: real, local sourcing. Connection between farm and plate runs deep in these restaurants:
Old Granite Street Eatery
Housed in a 1940s brick building downtown as a burger joint, Old Granite Street Eatery is known for all-beef burgers and a small market for grocery staples.
Great Full Gardens
It is a Reno original with multiple locations, it’s built for anyone with dietary restrictions who still wants big flavor, sourced from local vendors like Dayton Valley Aquaponics.
Mary Chuy’s Mexican Kitchen
Mary Chuy’s Mexican Kitchen sources ingredients heavily from the Great Basin Community Food Co-op and Wolf Pack Meats. Amongst others, the chile relleno and margaritas are local favorites.
Thali
If you’re on the hunt for an organic, vegetarian Indian restaurant with a bottomless, farm-sourced fixed menu and house-made chai, you must try Thali.
Itzavy Sushi
This clean, modern spot near downtown, founded by locals, is known for bringing fresh ingredients and inventive flavors to Reno’s all-you-can-eat sushi circuit. Moreover, they also offer a wide selection of customized rolls, fresh nigiri, and creative plant-based options. Be sure to try their signature Hala Madrid roll alongside crispy pork gyoza.
Fine Dining Places to Eat in Reno for Date Night
Some nights call for spots more romantic than a bar stool to sit and talk with your partner. High-end culinary establishments consistently top the list of the best food places that are worth dressing up for. Some restaurants that couples keep coming back to:
Atlantis Steakhouse (Atlantis Casino Resort Spa)
Atlantis Steakhouse stands as a benchmark for luxury dining in Reno. It has been consistently awarded the AAA Four Diamond rating and Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star distinction. Famous for its tableside preparation of classic Caesar salads and Bananas Foster, this place serves USDA Prime cuts aged to absolute perfection. With a rich wood-paneled atmosphere, complemented by a wine cellar housing over 4,000 bottles, it’s a premier pick for romantic dinners, celebrations, or business meetings.
Roxy at the Eldorado (THE ROW Reno)
If ambiance matters much to you, Roxy at the Eldorado is legendary. It boasts a 102-degree wood-fired bistro oven and specializes in prime steaks, succulent seafood, and handcrafted pasta dishes. Beyond the culinary mastery, Roxy features an iconic martini bar offering over 102 custom martini creations.
Atlantis Bistro Napa
Bistro Napa brings the heart of Napa Valley directly to Northern Nevada with a contemporary atmosphere focused on seasonal ingredients and small-plate sharing. It features a dynamic raw bar, an extensive Napa-heavy wine list, and innovative dishes like wood-roasted oysters and grass-fed filet mignon.
La Condesa Eatery
This fusion restaurant blends traditional Mexican cuisine with modern technique, and was once ranked among Yelp’s top 100 restaurants nationwide.
Centro
Centro is a modern fusion spot built around shareable plates, an easy icebreaker for a first or fifth date.
Claio Rotisserie
If you love a cozy, Greek-inspired, easy to fall for eatery you can try Claio Rotisserie in Reno. Order the rotisserie pork ribs and crispy schmaltz potatoes since they are always the move.
Famous Basque Dining in Carson Valley
In the mid-19th century, Basque immigrants settled in Northern Nevada and established boarding houses that served multi-course, family-style feasts. Today, this tradition lives on just a short drive south of Reno in the historic Carson Valley and has become Nevada’s heritage cuisine.
JT Basque Bar & Dining Room (Gardnerville, NV)
JT Basque Bar & Dining Room has been a Nevada landmark for over half a century, housed in a historic building built in 1886 just minutes from Genoa. JT Basque delivers an authentic multi-course feast that begins with hearty vegetable soup, salad, French bread, and house-made Basque beans, followed by savory entrees like ribeye steak, garlic lamb chops, or sweetbreads. Be sure to order a famous Picon Punch, Nevada’s unofficial state cocktail.
Louis’ Basque Corner
Louis’ Basque Corner has been a downtown landmark since 1967 that provides authentic Basque food. Family-style seating and multi-course dinners include soup, salad, beans, French bread, and main courses like lamb chops and oxtail.
Beyond the City Limits: Genoa Golf Club Experience
Not every great meal in Reno happens in Reno itself. Genoa Golf Club, which sits about 45 minutes south of downtown Reno in the Carson Valley comes with two of the most relaxed, view-heavy dining spots in the region worth a detour.
After a golf round on the Lakes Course, we suggest you pull up a seat at The Grill at The Lakes, where a full bar, beer on tap, and a wraparound patio look out over the 18th green and the Sierra foothills. It’s open to the public, so you don’t need to have played a round to stop in for appetizers and a drink.
Over at the Ranch Course, you can be at The Knaughty Pine Bar: a small, no-frills clubhouse spot with a full bar and a menu built for a quick bite after nine or eighteen holes. For the current menus, hours, and carry-out numbers for both spots, visit our Restaurants page.
You can also pair a round of golf with a night in the Carson Valley through our Stay & Play packages, or check out our guide to things to do in Reno for a weekend getaway to build out the rest of your itinerary.
Some Tips Before You Book
Make Reservations Early
Reno’s best-known restaurants are small by design and fill up fast, especially on weekends, casino event nights, or high-season golf months. Reserve your table at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
Explore Regional Wine & Spirits
Northern Nevada is home to thriving craft breweries and estate distilleries like Bently Heritage Estate Distillery in Minden. Always ask for local beverage pairings. Don’t forget the Basque Picon Punch.
Save One Mean for the Carson Valley
Plan a morning round at Genoa Golf Club, explore historic Genoa landmarks during the afternoon, and wrap up with an unforgettable evening patio dinner in Downtown Reno or Gardnerville.
FAQ
What is the most famous food to try in the Reno and Carson Valley area?
Beyond world-class steakhouse dining, Northern Nevada is famous for authentic Basque family-style dining. Traditional meals include soup, salad, beans, fries, garlic lamb chops, or ribeye steaks, always accompanied by a Basque Picon Punch cocktail.
Are there good places to eat near Genoa Golf Club?
Yes, Genoa Golf Club features its own clubhouse bistro facilities with stunning fairway and Sierra Nevada views. Additionally, the historic town of Genoa and nearby Gardnerville feature iconic dining spots like JT Basque Bar & Dining Room and the Genoa Bar.
What area in Reno has the highest concentration of top restaurants?
Downtown Reno (including THE ROW) and Midtown Reno contain the highest concentration of top-rated restaurants, ranging from AAA Four-Diamond steakhouses to artisan farm-to-table eateries.
How far is Genoa Golf Club from Reno restaurants?
Genoa Golf Club is conveniently located about 40 minutes south of Downtown Reno via US-395 South, making it an easy and scenic drive for a day of golf followed by fine dining.
