Places to Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Incline Village & Crystal Bay

Published on the Northern Lights Website

Now that things are back to normal in IV/CB, businesses are continually welcoming locals and visitors alike. And as we approach the holidays, there are several restaurants (ones that have been around forever and even new ones that have sprung up during the pandemic) that offer all kinds of fare to tantalize anyone’s palate.

From grab-and-go Korean BBQ wings or tamales from the San Miguel Mexican market on Tanager to fine dining experiences at places like the Lone Eagle Grille, the Crystal Bay Steakhouse, and others, Incline Village/Crystal Bay has you covered. Therefore, no matter what the occasion is- whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just want a delicious meal at a great price, here are some places worth trying out:

FINE DINING

Hyatt Regency/Lone Eagle Grille, 111 Country Club Dr., Incline Village

At the end of Country Club Road where the town of Incline Village meets Big Blue, Lone Eagle Grille offers fine lakeside dining right on Tahoe’s shores. Its menu features meat, seafood, and vegetarian favorites that pair nicely with unique side dishes and a signature Golden Eagle cocktail or glass of wine. Its oversized panoramic windows give most diners a glimpse of the setting sun in a romantic, comfortable atmosphere that can accommodate groups of 2-20 people. It also offers special menus around the holidays that usually consist of a four-course meal, dessert, and wine pairings (so keep a look out for LEG’s New Year’s Eve menu). Call (775) 886-6899 or visit the Lone Eagle Grille website to make a reservation.

Crystal Bay Casino Steak & Lobster House, 14 State Route 28, Crystal Bay

Open from 5 p.m.-9 p.m., the Crystal Bay Steak & Lobster House right on North Shore’s state line serves surf & turf, Muscovy duck, bone-in pork chops, and salmon filets, along with a variety of hearty sides like the lobster mac-n-cheese to choose from out of a pre-fixe menu. Or you can just go for the 20-oz. T-bone steak a la carte. Pair your meal with one of the many vintage wines, cognacs, or ports on its page-long wine list and you’ll go to bed full and happy. Call (775) 831-0512 to make a reservation.

Azzara’s, 930 Tahoe Blvd. Ste. 101, Incline Village

Family-owned and operated for more than 30 years, fine Italian cooking is a passion for Andrea Azzara and her husband Cord Gitchell. From the moment you enter the Raley’s Shopping Center, you can smell the garlic and butter wafting out of the restaurant. Once inside, you’re greeted by friendly servers, lively patrons, and mouthwatering options. 

You can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu from the pasta al dente to the pizzas or specials, but my favorite “treat” is a seasonal stuffed artichoke or tiramisu paired with prosecco. Azzara’s provides take-out, delivery, and in-house dining, but it’s best to get there early to get a seat. Read more about this Incline Village staple in the Winter 2021 edition of Live Work Play, and be sure to keep an eye out for their New Year’s Eve special dinner menu which is usually off-the-charts delicious.

Austin’s/Fumo, 120 Country Club Dr., Incline Village

Known for their gigantic salads, buttermilk fries, and hearty hamburgers, Austin’s is a nice sit-down restaurant with a decent-sized patio for outdoor dining. Located next to Incline Spirits, the Saia family also opened the Cool Mess coffee and ice cream shop as well as Fumo– a cozy lounge that provides breakfast, lunch, dinner, and craft cocktails. 

PLACES TO EAT (OR PICK UP PROVISIONS) AROUND NEW YEAR’S

Incline Spirits, 120 Country Club Dr., Incline Village

If your plan is to stay in and curl up on the couch with some Netflix or in front of the fireplace with a little bubbly or craft beer, then Incline Spirits is the best place to load up on any aperitif you’re looking for from wine and spirits to non-alcoholic beverages and hard kombucha. They even carry essential items for the morning after such as Tylenol, Swedish fish and The Townie Special. Incline Spirits is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

Sage Leaf Restaurant, 893 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Located on Tahoe Boulevard across from Starbucks, the former chef from LEG has his own restaurant now and is putting his creative spin on breakfast and lunch cuisine from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Therefore, if you wake up craving healthy and hearty food such as the braised bacon tacos or a Tahoe Food Hub salad, then Sage Leaf is your spot (if you make a reservation in advance). Sage Leaf is also always changing and introducing new menu items all made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. For more information, visit the Sage Leaf website or call 775-413-5005 to reserve a table.

Susie Scoops, 899 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Serving ice cream, smoothies, shakes, malts, and maybe donuts, this place is sure to help you appease your sweet tooth while you’re out doing your holiday shopping. Voted Best Ice Cream Shop in North Lake Tahoe, the Goldenbergs also own Village Toys connected to Susie Scoops (across from Starbucks in the same shopping center) and they are offering 20 percent off all charitable purchases throughout the holiday season to organizations like Toys for Tots and to other families in need. 

Drink Coffee Do Stuff, 907 Tahoe Blvd. #20A, Incline Village

If you’re yearning for some fresh air and some sunshine (or maybe snowfall) instead of lazing around on the couch on New Year’s Day, then head over to Drink Coffee Do Stuff located at 907 Tahoe Blvd. #20A open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for a caffeinated pick-me-up. When you’re recharged, head up the hill to Incline’s resident ski resort, Diamond Peak, and take in the incredible view of Lake Tahoe from the top of Crystal Ridge.

Thania’s Juice Bar, 868 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Starting your new year off with a healthy quick meal or energy boosting juice is also a subtle way to gently ease into 2023. Fortunately, Thania’s Juice Bar in Christmas Tree Village has a wide selection of healthy, antioxidant-chocked drinks, granola bowls, and vegetarian cuisine. Try the Cactus/Aloe/Lemon juice, lox toast, or seasonal tomato basil soup. This is also a favorite spot of local athlete Lila Lapanja.

San Miguel Tahoe Store, 895 Tanager St., Incline Village

Over on Tanager Boulevard right next to the Hive Collective, a new and authentic Mexican market opened. Find household staples like laundry detergent and cereal along with a whole refrigerator case of flavored coconut waters, leche, non-alcoholic sangria, Electrolits, and ballenas of cerveza. It also sells a floor-to-ceiling display of spices to go along with your chicharrons or flavor one of the gigantic slabs of meat available. In that department, you can find el pastor, cuts of ranchera style beef, and 12-lb. wheels of queso fresco. Its produce section features fresh veggies as well as ready-to-cook nopales (cactus), along with a wide variety of galletas (cookies) and topos (tortilla chips) to go with your homemade guac. Every once in a while, they’ll serve up special tacos and guaraches; check out San Miguel’s Facebook page to stay in the loop.

Wing’s Korean Chicken, 893 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Located on the other side of the building shared with Starbucks and Susie Scoops, Wing’s may look tiny, but it has a big menu with a lot of items chocked full of flavor. Try the Galbi or K-sauce wings (normal or boneless) made with their proprietary sweet Korean BBQ sauce recipes, with pickled radish on the side. Or dare your friends to try the spicy wings (one of the sauces has five peppers in it- including ghost pepper), If you do so, keep a cold drink or bottle of Soon Hari Yogurt Soju Korean liquor on the side to help calm down your flaming tastebuds.

RECENTLY OPENED RESTAURANTS IN IV/CB

While it’s true that the pandemic changed our lives in many ways, it also offered some people in the IV/CB area to pursue their dreams of opening their own restaurant. Here are a few new businesses that have opened in 2022…despite all the challenges that lay before them:

Nevada Jane, 930 Tahoe Blvd. Ste 601, Incline Village

Owned by the same family that runs Fumo, Austin’s, and Cool Mess in the Country Club Shopping Centre, the Saias have taken over the former Gus’ barbeque restaurant and turned it into an upscale eatery and cocktail lounge open until midnight on weekends. Its Latin street food inspired menu includes elotes, steak frites, pork belly, and halibut. Read about them more in this IVCBA Member Profile and be sure to head over there for a nightcap and a snack soon. 

Ohana Diner at Bowl Incline, 920 Southwood Blvd., Incline Village

Built by renowned chef Sam Choy, the newly opened Ohana Diner in the remodeled Bowl Incline serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner six days a week. The “Godfather of Poke” characterizes his cuisine as “a melting pot of the freshest ingredients from every culture on the Hawaiian islands” and the bowling alley also serves incredible cocktails and late-night snacks. Read about Incline’s newest restaurant in the Winter 2022 edition of Live Work Play magazine. 

Happy Tiers, 868 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village

Happy Tiers Bakery started out making extravagant and memorable cakes for special occasions happening in Incline Village/Crystal Bay but has since morphed its menu to include hot chocolate bombs, quiches, pies, its signature delicious cinnamon rolls, and more in its new brick-and-mortar location in the Christmas Tree Village. Read about their incredible journey in the Winter 2022 edition of Live Work Play magazine. 

Mehfil Bistro, 868 Tahoe Blvd. 18-19, Incline Village

Those of you who’ve been around for a while may remember a Sri Lankan restaurant in the Christmas Tree Village called Indu’s. The space has been vacant for a while, but recently the Mehfil Indian Bistro moved in and is now open. Find vegetable samosas and pakoras, tikki masala, allo gobi, and paneer combinations. Its extensive menu includes all of your favorite Indian dishes, and there’s a Mehfil Bistro in Truckee as well.