Food & Drink

Best breakfast

Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Really, it’s not even close. Lunch is just an excuse to leave work for an hour in the middle of the day. And dinner is a scam secretly perpetrated by the weight-loss industry to get people to eat a ton right before bed so they’ll stay fat and unhealthy. Breakfast is where it’s at. But it’s difficult to get breakfast right. If it’s too light and airy, then you’ll get hungry again an hour later. If it’s too fatty and heavy, then you’ll weigh yourself down and want to go back to sleep, which defeats the whole purpose of starting off your day with a good meal. Two Chicks consistently nails it—perfect Goldilocks breakfasts that satisfy without going overboard. The service is always great, the Bloody Marys are delicious, and the farmhouse omelet is one of Reno’s few perfect, must-try dishes.

Best Virginia City restaurant

The Canvas Cafe

110 N. C St., Virginia City, 453-5167

The next time you find yourself in Virginia City, stop in The Canvas Cafe for a meal prepared by Chef Richard Oates. Oates is from Ayr, Scotland, and has cooked for world-class restaurants across Europe. At the Canvas Cafe, he and wife Alexia Sober use local produce and meat to turn out European fare and American classics for breakfast and lunch—and, on occasion, dinner. Ask for the “Blank Canvas Special,” and Oates will craft a meal based on your dietary preferences. The cafe’s tabletops each feature paintings by local artists, and the walls feature reasonably priced art—also made by locals.

Best pizza

Smiling With Hope Pizza

6135 Lakeside Drive, 825-1070

You know how people from the Northeast never shut up about the pizza back there? There’s a reason for that. The California-born, adopted-in-Reno approach to fusing and tweaking cuisines works for just about everything—Kimchi tacos? Bring ’em on! Sushi burritos? Seriously, they’re not bad. But barbecue chicken on pizza? Well, it’s fine, but fine is not what pizza should aim for. Those pizza shops back East achieve utter perfection with nothing but a thin, crispy crust; a just-sweet enough sauce; a soft, buttery mozzarella; and one or two of about 10 tried-and-true toppings—not 50. Good news, pizza purists: Smiling With Hope Pizza serves the old-school stuff, and it’s perfect.

Best Coffee

Bibo Coffee Company

Coffee is more than a beverage. For some, it’s a daily routine. In the RN&R newsroom, it’s a necessary office supply, no less important than paper or ink. In local coffee shops, it’s a social occasion for a pricey ritual. Northern Nevada, of course, has corporate chain stores like Dutch Bros. and Starbucks and—luckily—also a slew of independently owned coffee shops. A standout out among them, however, is Bibo Coffee Company. At Bibo, the coffee comes from San Francisco-based Josuma Coffee Company, and it’s delicious. For fans of cold brew who say it’s easier on their stomachs, Bibo’s light roast “Monsoon Medley” is a great alternative.

Readers’ choices

Best ambience

1. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

2. Harrah ’s Steakhouse

Harrah’s Reno Hotel & Casino, 219 N. Center St., 788-2929

3. 4th Street Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

Best appetizers

1. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

2. Twisted Fork

1191 Steamboat Pkwy., 853-6033

3. Liberty Food and Wine Exchange

100 N. Sierra St., 336-1091

Best bagel

1. Truckee Bagel Company

538 S. Virginia St., 420-5903

2. My Favorite Muffin & Bagel Cafe

340 California Ave., 333-1025

3. Einstein Bros. Bagels

5050 Kietzke Lane, 825-1045

Best bakery

1. Josef’s Vienna Bakery Café & Restaurant

933 W. Moana Lane, 825-0451

2. Homage

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

3. DoughBoys Donuts

5115 Mae Anne Ave., 787-8586

Best barbecue restaurant

1. BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company

80 E. Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-1010

2. Brothers Barbecue

463 Roberts St., 384-3547

3. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

Best Basque restaurant

1. Louis’ Basque Corner

301 E. Fourth St., 323-7203

2. J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room

1426 Highway 395, Gardnerville, 782-2074

3. Villa Basque Cafe

730 Basque Way, Carson City, 884-4451

Best Bloody Mary

1. Chapel Tavern

1099 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Pignic Pub & Patio

235 Flint St., 376-1948

Best breakfast

1. Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs

420 S. Sierra St., 329-2600

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Squeeze In

5020 Las Brisas Blvd., 787-2700

Best brunch

1. Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs

420 S. Sierra St., 329-2600

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best burger

1. Burger Me!

6280 Sharlands Ave., 737-9404

2. The Nugget Diner

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. Beefy’s

1300 S. Virginia St., 870-1333

Best business lunch

1. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

2. Twisted Fork

1191 Steamboat Pkwy., 853-6033

3. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

Best Carson City restaurant

1. Red’s Old 395 Grill

1055 S. Carson St., Carson City, 887-0395

2. Cafe at Adele’s

1112 N. Carson St., Carson City, 882-3353

3. Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint

1500 Old Hot Springs Road, Carson City, 884-4471

Best catering company

1. Dish Cafe and Catering

www.dishcafecatering.com

2. Roundabout Catering

www.roundaboutcatering.com

3. Battle Born Food Truck and Catering Co.

www.battleborntruck.com

Best cheap eats

1. Jimboy’s Tacos

700 E. Second St., 329-8288

2. Beto’s Mexican Food

575 W. Fifth St., 324-0632

3. Gold ’n Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

Best chef

1. Mark Estee

Liberty Food and Wine Exchange

2. Kevin Ashton

Zozo’s Ristorante

3. Colin Smith

Roundabout Catering & Grill

Best chicken wings

1. Noble Pie Parlor Midtown

777 S. Virginia St., 323-1494

2. Wingstop

720 S. Meadows Pkwy., 852-3223

3. Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill

2005 Sierra Highlands Drive, 746-8006

Best Chinese restaurant

1. Palais De Jade

960 W. Moana Lane, 827-5233

2. P. F. Chang’s China Bistro

5180 S. Kietzke Lane, 825-9800

3. Jazmine

9333 Double R Blvd., 851-2888

Best coffee

1. Dutch Bros. Coffee

4555 S. Virginia St., (541) 955-4700

2. Bibo Coffee Company

460 S. Sierra St., 329-2114

3. Hub Coffee Roasters

727 Riverside Drive, 453-1911

Best coffee roaster

1. Hub Coffee Roasters

727 Riverside Drive, 453-1911

2. Magpie Coffee Roasters

1715 S. Wells Ave., 391-0102

3. Old World Coffee Lab

104 California Ave., 391-0189

Best cooking school

1. Nothing To It! Culinary Center

225 Crummer Lane, 826-2628

2. TMCC Culinary Arts Program

Truckee Meadows Community College, 7000 Dandini Blvd., 674-7917

Best dessert

1. The Cheesecake Factory

5162 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-4107

2. Homage

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

3. Icecycle Creamery

148 West St., 470-5288

Best doughnuts/pastries

1. DoughBoys Donuts

5115 Mae Anne Ave., 787-8586

2. Holey Schmidt Donuts

490 S. Center St., 683-3399

3. Rounds Bakery

294 East Moana Lane, 329-0800

Best fine dining

1. Harrah’s Steakhouse

Harrah’s Reno Hotel & Casino, 219 N. Center St., 788-2929

2. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

3. Atlantis Steakhouse

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 824-4430

Best food truck

1. Nom Eats

www.renonomeats.com

2. Battle Born Food Truck and Catering

www.battleborntruck.com

3. Aloha Shack

www.alohashackreno.com

Best French fries

1. Five Guys

6395 S. McCarran Blvd., 737-4844

2. GourMelt

101 University Terrace, 501-5250

3. Flowing Tide Pub 5

9570 S. McCarran Blvd., 440-1566

Best French restaurant

1. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

2. 4th Street Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

3. LuLou’s Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

Best fresh bread

1. Reno House of Bread

1185 California Ave., 322-0773

2. Truckee Sourdough Company

10607 W. River St., Truckee, California, (530) 587-3939

3. Paul Schat’s Bakery

1212 S. Stewart St., Carson City, 888-9090

Best frozen yogurt

1. Yogurt Beach

3882 Mayberry Drive, 787-2024

2. U-Swirl

175 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., 409-4075

3. Honey Treat Yogurt

5000 Smithridge Drive, 827-2221

Best gluten-free dining

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Laughing Planet Cafe

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

Best greasy spoon

1. Gold ’n Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

2. Beefy’s

1300 S. Virginia St., 870-1333

3. The Nugget Diner

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

Best Greek restaurant

1. Niko’s Greek Kitchen

171 Disc Drive, Sparks, 499-5777

2. Nick’s Greek Deli

600 S. Virginia St., 786-9613

3. Opa Gourmet Pizza Cuisine

530 W. Plumb Lane, 737-9445

Best hot dog

1. Costco Food Court

Costco Wholesale, 2200 Harvard Way, 689-2200

2. Bam!Dog Righteous Hot Dogs

5000 Smithridge Drive, 824-9070

3. Taste of Chicago

180 E. First St., 971-4462

Best Indian restaurant

1. India Kabab & Curry

1091 S. Virginia St., 348-6222

2. Thali

148 West St., 470-5898

3. Taste of India

1255 Stardust St., 237-3608

Best Italian restaurant

1. Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano

4245 W. Fourth St., 747-4511

2. La Famiglia Ristorante Italiano

170 S. Virginia St., 324-1414

3. ZoZo’s Ristorante

3446 Lakeside Drive, 829-9449

Best Japanese restaurant

1. Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

206 N. Virginia St., 323-5550

2. Ijji Sushi I

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

3. Kauboi Izakaya

1286 S. Virginia St., 453-2592

Best juice

1. Jüs

555 S. Virginia St., 323-1794

2. Keva Juice

5102 Meadowood Mall Circle, 420-5505

3. Rawbry

www.rawbry.com

Best late-night dining

1. Golden Flower Vietnamese

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

2. Gold ’n Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

3. Noble Pie Parlor Downtown

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

Best local beer

1. Great Basin Brewing Co.

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

2. Revision Brewing Company

380 S. Rock Blvd., 331-2739

3. Under the Rose Brewing Company

1041 S. Virginia St., 657-6619

Best Margarita

1. El Adobe Cafe

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

2. Miguel’s Mexican Food Midtown

1415 S. Virginia St., 322-2722

3. Mi Casa Too

2205 W. Fourth St., 323-6466

Best martini

1. Roxy

Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

2. 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing

490 Mill St., 499-5276

3. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

Best Mexican restaurant

1. Bertha Miranda’s

336 Mill St., 786-9697

2. Miguel’s Mexican Food-Midtown

1415 S. Virginia St., 322-2722

3. El Adobe Cafe

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

Best milkshake

1. Scoopers Drive-in

1356 Prater Way, Sparks, 331-6221

2. Icecycle Creamery

148 West St., 470-5288

3. Steak ’n’ Shake

420 S. Meadows Pkwy., 440-1627

Best new restaurant

1. Bab Cafe Downtown

303 W. Third St., 502-3018

2. Homegrown Gastropub

719 S. Virginia St., 683-9989

3. Arario MidTown

777 S. Center St., 870-8202

Best outdoor dining

1. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

2. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. Silver Peak Brewery and Restaurant

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

Best pizza parlor

1. Noble Pie Parlor-Midtown

777 S. Virginia St., 323-1494

2. Wild Garlic Pizza & Pub

670 Mt. Rose St., 284-8900

3. JJ’s Pie Co.

555 W. Fifth St., 786-5555

Best place to eat when drunk

1. The Nugget Diner

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

2. Noble Pie Parlor-Midtown

777 S. Virginia St., 323-1494

3. Gold ’n Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

Best produce

1. Great Basin Community Food Co-Op

240 Court St., 324-6133

2. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

3. Sprouts Farmers Market

587 S. Meadows Pkwy., 335-1055

Best Reno Restaurant

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. ZoZo’s Ristorante

3446 Lakeside Drive, 829-9449

Best restaurant worth the long wait

1. Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs

420 S. Sierra St., 329-2600

2. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

3. The Steakhouse

Western Village Inn & Casino, 815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 331-1069

Best salad

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

3. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best salad bar

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

2. Toucan Charlie’s Buffet & Grille

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

3. Sizzler

615 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-3969

Best sandwich shop

1. Deli Towne USA

3650 Lakeside Drive, 826-4466

2. Yellow Submarine

920 Holman Way, Sparks, 358-6040

3. Michael’s Deli

628 S. Virginia St., 322-2323

Best seafood

1. Rapscallion

1555 S. Wells Ave., 323-1211

2. Morgan’s Lobster Shack & Fresh Fish Market

1401 S. Virginia St., 683-9300

3. Sierra Gold Seafood Market

1335 Greg St., Sparks, 359-5700

Best server

1. Kevin Laxalt

Famous Dave’s BBQ

2. Pauleen Relucio

Arario MidTown

3. CiCi Noel

Cactus Creek Steakhouse

Best smoothie

1. Keva Juice

5020 Las Brisas Blvd., 501-0164

2. Jüs

555 S. Virginia St., 323-1794

3. Laughing Planet Cafe

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

Best solo dining

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Aloha Shack

www.alohashackreno.com

Best soups

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

3. The Cheese Board

247 California Ave., 323-3115

Best Sparks restaurant

1. BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company

80 E. Victorian Ave., Spark, 355-1010

2. Great Basin Brewing Co.

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

3. The Steakhouse

Western Village Inn & Casino, 815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 331-1069

Best steak

1. The Steakhouse

Western Village Inn & Casino, 815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 331-1069

2. Harrah’s Steakhouse

Harrah’s Reno Hotel & Casino, 219 N. Center St., 788-2929

3. Atlantis Steakhouse

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 824-4430

Best sushi

1. Hiroba Sushi

1495 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 470-8177

2. Sushi Pier

1290 Plumb Lane, 825-6776

3. Tha Joint

222 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 626-8677

Best Tahoe restaurant

1. Gar Woods Grill & Pier

5000 N. Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay, California, (530) 546-3366

2. T’s Mesquite Rotisserie

901 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, 831-2832

3. Lone Eagle Grille

111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, 886-6899

Best Thai restaurant

1. Bangkok Cuisine

55 Mount Rose St., 322-0299

2. Thai Lotus

6430 S. Virginia St., 852-5033

3. Moo Dang

1565 S. Virginia St., 420-4267

Best Truckee restaurant

1. Squeeze In

10060 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, California, (530) 587-9814

2. Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats

10007 Bridge St., Truckee, California, (530) 587-8688

3. Bar of America

10040 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, California, (530) 587-2626

Best vegan food

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Laughing Planet Cafe

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. Nom Eats

www.renonomeats.com

Best vegetarian food

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Laughing Planet Cafe

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. Nom Eats

www.renonomeats.com

Best Vietnamese restaurant

1. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

2. Pho 777

102 E. Second St., 323-7777

3. SF Kitchen

1775 Mill St., 786-7747

Best Virginia City restaurant

1. Red Dog Saloon

76 N. C St., Virginia City, 847-7474

2. Cafe Del Rio

394 S. C St., Virginia City, 847-5151

3. Palace Saloon & Restaurant

50 S. C St., Virginia City, 847-4441

Best wine bar

1. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

4201 W. Fourth St., 786-1323

2. MidTown Wine Bar

1527 S. Virginia St., 800-1960

3. Craft Wine and Beer

22 Martin St., 622-4333

Best wine list

1. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

4201 W. Fourth St., 786-1323

2. MidTown Wine Bar

1527 S. Virginia St., 800-1960

3. 4th Street Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

Most romantic restaurant

1. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

2. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. 4th Street Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200