Lake Tahoe

This offshoot of the San Francisco location features fresh California cuisine and one of the best wine lists in Tahoe. — Gayot

Located inside The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe at mid-mountain, Manzanita serves California cuisine with French influences, using local and sustainable ingredients. — Forbes Travel Guide

Perched above town on the site of North America's first chairlift, this restaurant is an institution. — Fodor's

Head here for contemporary-Cal cuisine in a sexy dining room with pumpkin-color walls, burgundy velvet banquettes, and art-deco fixtures. — Fodor's

A North Tahoe fixture since 1978, this humble diner still packs hungry crowds looking to kickstart the day with hearty, made-from-scratch breakfast dishes. — Frommer's

Its excellent service, world-class food, and superb wine list make this the top choice for high-end dining in South Lake. — Fodor's

During the warmer seasons a perfect end to the day and start to the evening is best enjoyed on the lower patio over looking the lake with a glass of wine, the days cheese plate, and good friends. — Afar Magazine

This modern mountain-lodge dining room elevates Truckee’s eating scene with Californian flair, harmonizing Asian and Mediterranean influences on its seasonal menu. — Lonely Planet

Across from the Amtrak station, this snug locals’ favorite dishes up breakfasts big enough to feed a lumberjack. — Lonely Planet

Creative American cuisine served in an historic cabin. — Gayot

Incline Village's hidden gem serves expertly prepared French-country cuisine in a relaxed, romantic dining room. — Fodor's

Local, seasonal ingredients inspire the constantly changing menu at this rustic-chic New American bistro which also has a flair for inventive cocktails made with small-batch spirits. — Zagat

A town favorite for a decade-plus, Pianeta serves high-style Italian cuisine in a warmly lit bilevel redbrick space on Truckee's historic main drag. — Fodor's

The menu at this Tahoe City institution began blending California, Asian and American flavors long before fusion became fashionable. — Gayot

Hawaiian and American food is served at this laid-back restaurant with a view of Lake Tahoe. — Afar Magazine

Classic Carnelian Bay establishment serving up big portions of approachable American cuisine with a lovely lake view. — Gayot

This rustic, family-friendly Heavenly Village standby is known for its unusual pizzas, from Thai chicken curry to pear and Gorgonzola, complemented by a full menu of pastas, salads and appetizers. — Zagat

A casual, kid-friendly spot fixing up high-quality patties made from sustainably-raised beef and bison. — Frommer's

This modern American destination from NYC restaurant alums serves artful, seasonal dishes either à la carte or as part of a fixed-price menu with wine pairings from its deep cellar. — Zagat

Cafe Fiore is an intimate, seven-table cabin with a quaint, romantic vibe offering upscale Italian fare complemented by a phenomenal wine list, mostly offerings from California and Italy. — Frommer's