Guidebook for Truckee
Food Scene
This place has great Indian food. It's not really somewhere to enjoy ambiance, but is great for take-out.
6 locals recommend
New Flame of India
11421 Deerfield DrThis place has great Indian food. It's not really somewhere to enjoy ambiance, but is great for take-out.
Old Town Tap has the BEST pizza in town! And the restaurant itself is really nice and fun, and great for groups. Lots of beer on wine on tap. Definitely try the fried cheese curds!
100 locals recommend
Old Town Tap
10164 Donner Pass RdOld Town Tap has the BEST pizza in town! And the restaurant itself is really nice and fun, and great for groups. Lots of beer on wine on tap. Definitely try the fried cheese curds!
This is our favorite spot for a romantic night out. Be prepared, it is a treat so it isn't cheap. If you go, make a reservation 30 to 45 minutes before sunset, it is amazing. This is more of an adult place and maybe not somewhere you'd want to have the kids along.
104 locals recommend
Christy Hill
115 Grove StThis is our favorite spot for a romantic night out. Be prepared, it is a treat so it isn't cheap. If you go, make a reservation 30 to 45 minutes before sunset, it is amazing. This is more of an adult place and maybe not somewhere you'd want to have the kids along.
The Lodge is just down the street, next to the Trout Creek Rec Center. This is an easy no-brainer for going out to dinner without the added hassle of going into town, either because the weather is bad, or the crowds are too big in town. Great for families. Both sides of the restaurant have the same menu and same prices, we always go to the bar side for a more casual experience, which is better with the kiddos in tow.
95 locals recommend
The Lodge Restaurant & Pub
12850 Northwoods BlvdThe Lodge is just down the street, next to the Trout Creek Rec Center. This is an easy no-brainer for going out to dinner without the added hassle of going into town, either because the weather is bad, or the crowds are too big in town. Great for families. Both sides of the restaurant have the same menu and same prices, we always go to the bar side for a more casual experience, which is better with the kiddos in tow.
This is our secret spot to escape the tourist season crowds. If you're up for a beautiful drive through mountains and farms on your way to dinner, definitely head to Sierraville for Dos Hermanos. It is a great, and authentic Mexican restaurant tucked away in a rural setting. Be sure to call first and make sure they open, we have made that mistake. Plan to make the half hour drive before sunset so you can take in the views.
22 locals recommend
Los Dos Hermanos
101 Battelle StThis is our secret spot to escape the tourist season crowds. If you're up for a beautiful drive through mountains and farms on your way to dinner, definitely head to Sierraville for Dos Hermanos. It is a great, and authentic Mexican restaurant tucked away in a rural setting. Be sure to call first and make sure they open, we have made that mistake. Plan to make the half hour drive before sunset so you can take in the views.
Awesome diner style breakfast. It's popular though, so show up early or late. They close at 2pm.
62 locals recommend
Donner Lake Kitchen
13720 Donner Pass RdAwesome diner style breakfast. It's popular though, so show up early or late. They close at 2pm.
This is one of our favorites for breakfast or lunch. It is surprisingly affordable with great options. It is a small restaurant right in the middle of old downtown, so it does get really busy. Two people can split a sandwich for $13 and be completely happy.
44 locals recommend
Marty's Cafe
10115 Donner Pass RdThis is one of our favorites for breakfast or lunch. It is surprisingly affordable with great options. It is a small restaurant right in the middle of old downtown, so it does get really busy. Two people can split a sandwich for $13 and be completely happy.
This is a great spot for a night out on the town. They often have live music (definitely on Thursday nights), and keep a fun house most of the time. It is very lively and can be loud, but it is all about the cheer and good vibes here. Maybe not the spot for small kids.
195 locals recommend
Moody's Bistro Bar & Beats
10007 Bridge StThis is a great spot for a night out on the town. They often have live music (definitely on Thursday nights), and keep a fun house most of the time. It is very lively and can be loud, but it is all about the cheer and good vibes here. Maybe not the spot for small kids.
Great Thai food. The restaurant has a cozy little dining area with a nice ambiance, but we really like it for take-out on a night we don't feel like cooking.
16 locals recommend
Siam Cuisine
10770 Donner Pass RdGreat Thai food. The restaurant has a cozy little dining area with a nice ambiance, but we really like it for take-out on a night we don't feel like cooking.
Entertainment & Activities
One of the most renowned ski resorts in the world, it's a must see if you've never been there, or skied there.
94 locals recommend
Olympic Valley
One of the most renowned ski resorts in the world, it's a must see if you've never been there, or skied there.
The Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort is just down the street (you can see if from our driveway) and is an amazing place for families with young ones just learning, or adults who would rather enjoy a low key relaxed environment over the crowds at the bigger resorts.
80 locals recommend
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area
11603 Snowpeak WayThe Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort is just down the street (you can see if from our driveway) and is an amazing place for families with young ones just learning, or adults who would rather enjoy a low key relaxed environment over the crowds at the bigger resorts.
The Adventure Center is home to one of North America's largest XC Ski trail networks. There is a rental outfit, and lessons are available as well. In the summer, the facility is switched over to offer horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. The Center itself acts as the main lodge for all of these activities and has a great cafe and awesome little bar where you can have a draft beer next to a cozy fire while you watch your friends and family skiing outside. This is a great spot just to go and hang out.
18 locals recommend
Alder Creek Adventure Center
15275 Alder Creek RdThe Adventure Center is home to one of North America's largest XC Ski trail networks. There is a rental outfit, and lessons are available as well. In the summer, the facility is switched over to offer horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. The Center itself acts as the main lodge for all of these activities and has a great cafe and awesome little bar where you can have a draft beer next to a cozy fire while you watch your friends and family skiing outside. This is a great spot just to go and hang out.
Sightseeing
Lake Tahoe is the reason we are all here. Spend a day driving around the lake (if the weather is good), or just go to a nearby beach on the north shore and have a picnic. In the Summer, spend as much time swimming and hanging by the beach, and lakeside restaurants as possible.
225 locals recommend
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is the reason we are all here. Spend a day driving around the lake (if the weather is good), or just go to a nearby beach on the north shore and have a picnic. In the Summer, spend as much time swimming and hanging by the beach, and lakeside restaurants as possible.
On a clear weather day, head up Donner Summit on Old 40 and take in the views and activities our town is known for. World renowned rock climbing and hiking in the summer, and a few ski resorts up top in the winter. Sugar Bowl is our favorite, and where we choose to ski.
17 locals recommend
Donner Summit Bridge
10060 Donner Pass RdOn a clear weather day, head up Donner Summit on Old 40 and take in the views and activities our town is known for. World renowned rock climbing and hiking in the summer, and a few ski resorts up top in the winter. Sugar Bowl is our favorite, and where we choose to ski.
Essentials
Natural Foods store in town. It's a little more expensive, but this is where you can get some of the items you may not find at Safeway. Also, if Safeway is crazy busy, this is a good option.
165 locals recommend
New Moon Natural Foods
505 W Lake BlvdNatural Foods store in town. It's a little more expensive, but this is where you can get some of the items you may not find at Safeway. Also, if Safeway is crazy busy, this is a good option.
General grocery store. Beware, we've heard rumors that this is the busiest Safeway in the Safeway chain of stores. It seems unlikely, but there are many times where it seems true, and the holidays are definitely those times. Be ready for minimal cashiers (even on the busiest days), no baggers, a very hectic parking lot, and usually disgruntled customers. Savemart might be a better choice during peak tourism seasons.
277 locals recommend
Safeway
11290 Donner Pass RdGeneral grocery store. Beware, we've heard rumors that this is the busiest Safeway in the Safeway chain of stores. It seems unlikely, but there are many times where it seems true, and the holidays are definitely those times. Be ready for minimal cashiers (even on the busiest days), no baggers, a very hectic parking lot, and usually disgruntled customers. Savemart might be a better choice during peak tourism seasons.
This is the least frequented grocery store in Truckee. They have had a reputation of having less options, but they have really stepped up their game lately and have become a much better option over Safeway. Better parking, cashiers and baggers, and the food is really on par with Safeway these days. They are also starting an online ordering system soon where you can set up your order and just show up and pick it all up!
157 locals recommend
Save Mart Supermarkets
11399 Deerfield DrThis is the least frequented grocery store in Truckee. They have had a reputation of having less options, but they have really stepped up their game lately and have become a much better option over Safeway. Better parking, cashiers and baggers, and the food is really on par with Safeway these days. They are also starting an online ordering system soon where you can set up your order and just show up and pick it all up!
Shopping
Tons of little shops and boutique stores. Pretty much everything in old downtown is a one-off local business. Shops range from a cookie and fudge place to high end artistry to kids stuff and a kitchen store.
81 locals recommend
Historic Downtown Truckee & Visitor Center
10065 Donner Pass RdTons of little shops and boutique stores. Pretty much everything in old downtown is a one-off local business. Shops range from a cookie and fudge place to high end artistry to kids stuff and a kitchen store.