Outdoor dining in Truckee checks all the boxes: family-friendly spots where kids can cavort, upscale dining with views of the town, perfect people-watching patios, and open-air live music venues. Summertime adds gorgeous sunsets, mountaintops blushing in the alpenglow, and balmy evenings that turn crisp after dark. So grab a sweater and get ready to enjoy a memorable alfresco experience. Whether you’re savoring a fancy meal while feasting on a stunning view, enjoying the downtown action, or listening to live music under the stars, Truckee’s outdoor dining scene offers something for everyone.
Lake-adjacent lounging: Sandy and hungry after a day at West End Beach? It’s a short walk across South Shore Drive to The Pub at Donner Lake, where the menu features creative cocktails, craft beers, and wine to pair with upscale pub food like the wagyu burger or vegan al pastor cauliflower tacos. Grab a spot at the outdoor countertop out front or sit at one of the shaded picnic tables. Kick things off with an order of Lug Nuts – jalapeno-spiked tater tots wrapped in bacon that have become a favorite. Afterward, stroll to Little Truckee Ice Creamery up Donner Pass Road for locally made ice cream to top off a perfect lakeside day.
Riverside repast: The Truckee River flows from Lake Tahoe past the River Street Inn on its way to Pyramid Lake in Nevada. The inn’s 1882 Bar and Grill offers the only riverfront dining in town, with an outdoor deck perched above the scenic waterway. Texas-style barbecue is the specialty, with ribs, brisket, chicken, and pulled pork smoked in a custom Gator Pit. Cap your meal with an order of beignets.
Kid-friendly options: Planes, trains and playgrounds are the ultimate dining trifecta for families. Jax at the Tracks, a vintage diner serving comfort food, has outdoor seating just yards away from the occasional rumbling train. Red Truck at the Truckee Tahoe Airport has a Sierra-themed playground where the kids can swing, slide, and watch private jets and single-engine planes take off and land while parents enjoy chef and founder Larry Abney’s creative menu of sustainably sourced, reasonably priced, North African, Indian, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. With its playground-adjacent setting, lawn, and meadow view, Pizza on the Hill in Tahoe Donner is the ideal spot to enjoy classic pies while the kiddos burn off the last of their energy on a full-size Chutes and Ladders playground.
Fine-dining with views: In the neighborhoods of Tahoe Donner and Gray’s Crossing, restaurants with ample outdoor seating and top-flight menus highlight locally sourced seasonal produce and organic meat. The Lodge at Tahoe Donner, with its wraparound deck and elegant alpine vibe, overlooks the Robert Trent Jones golf course (no corkage fee on Wednesdays). PJ’s Restaurant on the green at Gray’s Crossing boasts a modern indoor-outdoor dining room with a heated patio and a fire pit, all set against the backdrop of stunning sunsets on Mt. Rose. For old-town views, secure a seat on the deck at Cottonwood Restaurant, formerly Hilltop Lodge, one of the oldest ski lodges in the West. The menu of upscale comfort food includes vegan and vegetarian options.
People watching: If people-watching is your pastime, head to the intersection of Donner Pass Road and Bridge Street where two restaurants offer sidewalk seating. At Bar of America, the popular restaurant and watering hole with a lively vibe, diners can soak in the street scene while enjoying New American fare. Just across Bridge Street, Moody’s Bistro offers sidewalk seating and a private garden patio in the back where diners can savor contemporary and classic cuisine.
Warm patios: Tucked into the Pioneer Center, Great Gold is off the beaten track but it’s definitely on the radar thanks to its leveled-up take on classic Italian cuisine, including house-made pastas and artisanal pizzas topped with locally grown ingredients. The restaurant can be noisy when it's full – which makes seating on the heated patio even more inviting.
Live music: Truckee has a vibrant music community. During summer you can find a live performance on just about any given night. Catch local artists in the act Fridays and Saturdays at Alibi Ale Works, where the spacious beer garden is dog and kid-friendly. Pair one of the many beers on tap with a house-made pretzel, pork belly bao buns, or beer-braised bratwurst from the seasonally and globally inspired menu.
Bocce and bites: This summer, diners will be able to work up an appetite with a few rounds of bocce at Stella at Gravity Haus. Along with courts, a league is in the works.
The garden near the patio serves as a reminder of the restaurant’s commitment to local farmers. Ingredients are sourced from within 100 miles of Truckee and star in dishes such as coal-roasted beets with grilled blood-orange vinaigrette. Stella supports Tahoe Food Hub, which champions a regional, sustainable and equitable food system, and gives 1 percent of its annual revenue to Zero Foodprint to help local farmers switch to renewable farming practices.
