Best Lunch Restaurants in Carnelian Bay

My wife and I ate here for our 29th anniversary last night. Everything we ate was 100% spot on. You could tell there was a lot of thought behind every dish. The cooking techniques were incredible- everything was done to enhance the flavor of the dish without being flashy for the sake of being flashy. We did the 10 course dinner and are still debating which of the dishes we enjoyed the most. An added benefit of the restaurant- the smell of the smoke used for the cooking permeates the air which adds to the experience. The servers were casual but all incredibly professional and helped to create a memorable night. Bonus points for an interesting and fun wine/sake/cocktail list! We can't wait to come back.

Holiday weekend so restaurant was very crowded but the service and food were still excellent. Friendly spot, Truckee landmark. Highly recommend reservations. We will definitely return.

Sunnyside is such an iconic Tahoe venue. Always good food and excellent service. A must go if you come through Tahoe City.

Gar Woods was beautifully decorated for Christmas. We sat at a window overlooking the lake with a beautiful Christmas tree nearby. Our food was delicious and we had very good cocktails with a large list to choose from. They have a very good food menu to choose from-from burgers and sandwiches to prime rib and fish. Our server was very sweet and kind but she must have had a lot of tables because we waited long stretches to get her attention to get more drinks and dessert. But it was Christmas and the place was packed. We will definitely go back again.

We were seated at the bar, and it felt like a private dining experience. Great food, great service, and not once did I feel rushed. There are four places to dine-outside in an “igloo”, inside at tables, at a sofa seating area or at the bar. Since it was Christmas Eve, the only reservation we could get at the last minute was the bar. Good choice! Frankly, any area would be a good choice. 2 of 3 in our party chose the prixe fixe meal with appetizer, main and dessert for $55. I chose the lobster deviled eggs and beet salad. So much food! And so good😋