Experience Outdoor Dining in Incline Village
There are few activities more relaxing and rewarding than outdoor dining in Incline Village, especially after a day of fun in the sun amid the recreational splendor of Lake Tahoe.
As summer begins to wind down, there’s still time to enjoy eating outside before cooler temperatures arrive. Here are five of our favorites.
Start Your Day with Outdoor Seating at Sierra Café
While Lone Eagle Grille often gets all the culinary accolades, don’t sleep on Sierra Café at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. Perhaps Incline Village’s most underrated breakfast spot, this eatery caters to locals and tourists with its all-ages-friendly, casual alpine atmosphere and luxurious al fresco dining experience as you nibble on breakfast while surrounded by singing birds and towering pine trees.
Sierra Café offers an unbeatable breakfast buffet and several signature dishes loaded with ingredients sourced from Tahoe Food Hub, a nonprofit that connects restaurants with locally grown and organic ingredients at a fair price.Menu must-tries include the Tahoe Benedict with smoked salmon, cage-free eggs, kale, hollandaise sauce, and a jalapeño reduction; Soyrizo Scramble with marinated tofu, black beans, onions, peppers, pico de gallo, avocado, and tortilla chips; and Monte Cristo with house-made pretzel bread, black forest ham, roasted turkey, Swiss cheese, dijon aioli and a raspberry coulis.
Just remember — the Hyatt is one of Tahoe’s marquee resorts, so reservations are recommended.
Eat Outside for Lunch at The Grille at The Chateau
One of the best things to do in the waning Tahoe summer weeks is hit the links, and there are few better options than the picturesque par-72 Incline Village Championship Golf Course. There, you’ll find The Grille at The Chateau, a diamond-in-the-rough restaurant with a wonderful combination of mouthwatering dishes and unbeatable outdoor seating.
Open until the end of golf season (Oct. 20, tentatively), The Grille is truly a locals’ favorite — IVGID Recreation Pass holders receive a 10% discount. Whether you’ve just finished 18 holes or are simply looking for a casual lunch, The Grille serves signature sandwiches, salads, and delightful small plates. Here are three of our favorites:
- Ahi poketini: Layered with pickled ginger, cucumber, and wakame salad, this expertly marinated ahi tuna poke comes with zesty wasabi sauce, toasted sesame seeds, and crispy wonton chips.
- Calamari fritti: Deep-fried calamari tubes and tentacles are served with pesto aioli and a sweet and spicy Vietnamese dipping sauce.
- Charcuterie board: Enjoy cured meats and domestic cheeses with fig jam, olives, cornichons, assorted crackers, and spicy giardiniera.
Here’s a pro tip — order the board with a wine flight. It’s the perfect pairing while enjoying sun-splashed views of the 18th green, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding Sierra Nevada peaks.
Eat Outside, Drink, and be Merry at Alibi Ale Works
This July, Alibi Ale Works celebrated its fourth anniversary since opening its second Incline Village location in 2019. The award-winning brewery’s Incline Public House boasts a spacious deck with woodsy vibes ideal for enjoying any of the 18-plus frequently rotating Alibi beers on draft, as well as cider, wine, nitro coffee, kombucha, and non-alcoholic options.
Once you’ve enjoyed a pint (or two — who’s counting), open the menu and splurge on upscale pub fare with a worldly flair that rotates seasonally and is full of ingredients emphasizing local, sustainably produced items.
Current menu highlights include the half-pound Wagyu Beef Cheeseburger with house-made beer seasoning; The Alamo pizza featuring house-made chorizo, roasted corn, jalapeño, red onion, pepperoncini, cilantro, chili oil, lime crema, and smoked mozzarella; and Alibi Mustache Pretzel, best tasted with Alibi beer mustard and beer cheese.
Grab a Bite Outdoors at T’s Mesquite Rotisserie
Known simply as T’s, this longtime family restaurant reopened earlier this year after being closed for several months due to a fire.
The wait was worth it. T’s is a Lake Tahoe institution, thanks to its tried-and-true method of slow-cooked rotisserie that’s best enjoyed outside at the restaurant’s quaint patio. T’s menu boasts two different, yet equally delicious, types of hearty fare:
- Choose from two rotisserie chicken options — soy lime or Yucatan-style — or T’s famed beef tri-tip, a cut of soy lime-marinated choice sirloin. Generous portions are offered in combo plates with sides like garlic bread, potato salad, or marinated cucumber salad.
- Diners may also enjoy tasty tortas, quesadillas, tostadas, or tacos featuring the same rotisserie tri-tip, chicken, pork, and vegetarian options. But the true stars are T’s burritos. Trust us: You won’t go home hungry after enjoying one of these hefty, tortilla-wrapped beauties.
T’s, which has been in business for over 30 years, is still a cash-only establishment, so be prepared before you stand in line — and be sure to bring a few extra dollars to tip the hard-working staff before you leave.
Bonus Bite: Inclined Burgers and Brews
Located conveniently next to T’s is Inclined Burgers and Brews, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this November. This rustic, fast-casual outpost features a small outdoor dining area and prides itself on burgers, garlic fries, and regional brews.
The menu is simple — there’s the Inclined Purist, a straightforward quarter pounder with cheddar cheese; the Inclined Burger, which adds the classic toppings of lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, and sauce; and the Double Inclined, which takes the Inclined Burger up a notch to a half pound.
Those three options, in addition to the Veggie Burger and Fried Chicken Inclined, round out the main entrees, though there are plenty of sides.
While the menu may be small, it packs an elevated, flavorful punch for anyone seeking an outdoor dining option in Incline Village.
