Food & Drink
Editors’ choices
Best burger
Royce
115 Ridge St., 440-1095
Meat and bread, and hopefully condiments and cheese, bacon if you’re lucky—hamburgers are a thing of beauty, period. Of course, you’ve got your choice of burgers in town, but have you been to the Reno restaurant that does them best? Tucked inside one of Reno’s tiny historical El Reno Apartment homes, Royce provides a cozy bar environment and, hands down, the best burger in Reno. It’s a juicy double decker of meat and cheese. You can and should order it with bacon. (Pro tip: order it with the Royce Refresher—a combination of gin/vodka and tasty cucumbers and soda—to drink.)
Best Indian restaurant
Taste of India
1255 Stardust St., 237-3608
All of a sudden, in the last few years, Indian food has really caught on in the valley. There are a couple of great places that have been around for years—like India Kabab & Curry, a midtown lunch spot, which is deservedly the perennial favorite Indian restaurant among RN&R readers. But there are a bunch of newer places that are worth your time, money and stomach space. Don’t overlook Taste of India just because of the generic name and hidden location. They nail the staple dishes—like chicken tikki masala—but also include a lot of seafood and deep cuts. Plus, the service is really friendly, and the naan—which comes in about a gazillion different varieties—is amazing.
Best Mexican restaurant
Mi Ranchito
500 Denslowe Drive, 337-8411
If you judge your restaurants by their outer appearance, you’ll give Mi Ranchito a pass. If you judge it by the food, you’ll be here again and again. It’s housed in the old Sterling Village, one of Reno’s first shopping centers. The menu is reasonable, particularly given the quality of the food, and the employees are very friendly. This is how all restaurants should be.
Readers’ choices
Best appetizers
1. Bistro Napa, Atlantis Casino Resort
3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700
2. Liberty Food & Wine Exchange
100 N. Sierra St., 336-1091
3. Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455
Best bagel
1. Truckee Bagel Company
538 S. Virginia St., 420-5903
2. Einstein Bros. Bagels
5050 Kietzke Lane, 825-1045
3. My Favorite Muffin & Bagel Cafe
340 California Ave., 333-1025
Best bakery
1. Josef’s Vienna Bakery Café & Restaurant
933 W. Moana Lane, 825-0451
2. Homage
519 Ralston St., 323-8952
2. Rounds Bakery
294 E. Moana Lane, 329-0800
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. Santa Fe Hotel
235 Lake Street, 499-5263
Best Bloody Mary
1. The Stone House Cafe
1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895
2. Two Chicks
752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600
3. Chapel Tavern
1099 S. Virginia St., 324-2244
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
4670 Sparks Blvd., 626-0100
Best brunch
1. The Stone House Cafe
1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895
2. Two Chicks
752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600
3. Monaciello
190 California Ave., 507-7540
Best burger
1. The Little Nugget Diner
233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716
2. Beefy’s
1300 S. Virginia St., 870-1333
3. Burger Me!
6280 Sharlands Ave., 737-9404
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. The Union
302 N. Carson St., 885-7307
Best catering company
1. Battle Born Food Truck and Catering Co.
2. Roundabout Catering & Party Rentals
3. Cherry Bomb Catering
Best cheap eats
1. In-N-Out Burger
280 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 786-1000
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 & Wine Exchange
2. Jakon Tolhurst
Zeppelin
3. Colin Smith
Roundabout Catering & Party Rentals
Best chicken wings
1. Noble Pie Parlor
777 S. Center St., 323-1494
2. Wingstop
5100 Mae Anne Ave., 746-9464
3. Slater’s Ding-A-Wing
Best Chinese restaurant
1. Palais De Jade
960 W. Moana Lane, 827-5233
2. Kwok’s Bistro
275 West St., 507-7270
3. CJ Palace
129 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 626-8878
Best coffee
1. Bibo Coffee Company
460 S. Sierra St., 329-2114
2. Hub Coffee Roasters
727 Riverside Drive, 453-1911
3. Old World Coffee Lab
104 California Ave., 391-0189
Best coffee roaster
1. Hub Coffee Roasters
727 Riverside Drive, 453-1911
2. Old World Coffee Lab
104 California Ave., 391-0189
3. Magpie Coffee Roasters
1715 S. Wells Ave., 391-0102
Best dessert
1. Liberty Food & Wine Exchange
100 N. Sierra St., 336-1091
2. Zeppelin
1445 S. Meadows Pkwy., 387-4937
3. Monaciello
190 California Ave., 507-7540
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 E. Moana Lane, 329-0800
Best fine dining
1. The Steak House
Western Village Inn & Casino, 815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 331-1069
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
2. Battle Born Food Truck and Catering
3. Slater’s Ding-A-Wing
Best French fries
1. BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company
80 E. Victorian Ave., Spark, 355-1010
2. Red Robin
499 Kietzke Lane, 825-7246
3. Slater’s Ding-A-Wing
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 frozen yogurt
1. Yogurt Beach
3882 Mayberry Drive, 787-2024
2. Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt
6637 S. Virginia St., 853-2020
3. Honey Treat Yogurt
5000 Smithridge Drive, 827-2221
Best gluten-free dining
1. Great Full Gardens
555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013
2. Zeppelin
1445 S. Meadows Pkwy., 387-4937
3. Square One Eatery
1771 Valley Road, 453-1447
Best Greek restaurant
1. Niko’s Greek Kitchen
171 Disc Drive, Sparks, 499-5777
2. Naan & Kabab
2740 S. Virginia St., 825-3113
3. Nick’s Greek Deli
600 S. Virginia St., 786-9613
Best Hawaiian restaurant
1. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
5150 Mae Anne Ave., 322-8888
2. Aloha Shack
3. Lili’s Restaurant & Bar
2325 Kietzke Lane, 826-7777
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. Sinbad’s Hot Dogs
418 N. McCarran Blvd., Sparks, 331-4762
Best Indian restaurant
1. India Kabab & Curry
1091 S. Virginia St., 348-6222
2. Thali
148 West St., 470-5898
3. Royal India
575 Keystone Ave., 507-7444
Best Italian restaurant
1. Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano
4245 W. Fourth St., 747-4511
2. ZoZo’s Ristorante
3446 Lakeside Drive, 829-9449
3. La Vecchia
3005 Skyline Blvd., 825-1113
Best Japanese restaurant
1. Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
206 N. Virginia St., 323-5550
2. Ijji 2
4955 S. Virginia St., 825-6688
3. Kauboi Izakaya
1286 S. Virginia St., 453-2592
Best juice
1. Jüs
555 S. Virginia St., 323-1794
2. Great Basin Community Food Co-Op
240 Court St., 324-6133
3. Keva Juice
5102 Meadowood Mall Circle, 420-5505
Best late-night dining
1. Noble Pie Parlor
239 W. Second St., 622-9222
2. Gold ’n Silver Inn
790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696
3. Sizzle Pie
190 S. Center St., 525-7437
Best Margarita
1. Miguel’s Mexican Food Midtown
1415 S. Virginia St., 322-2722
2. El Adobe Cafe
55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422
3. Mari Chuy’s Mexican Kitchen
764 S. Virginia St., 322-6866
Best martini
1. Roxy
Eldorado Resort Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700
2. Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455
3. 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing
490 Mill St., 499-5276
Best Mexican restaurant
1. Miguel’s Mexican Food Summit Sierra Mall
13901 S. Virginia St., 851-0550
2. El Adobe Cafe
55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422
3. Los Compadres
25 Foothill Road, 284-1301
Best new restaurant
1. Zeppelin
1445 S. Meadows Pkwy., 387-4937
2. Monaciello
190 California Ave., 507-7540
3. Square One Eatery
1771 Valley Road, 453-1447
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
777 S. Center St., 323-1494
2. JJ’s Pie Co.
555 W. Fifth St., 786-5555
3. SouthCreek Pizza Co.
45 Foothill Road, 622-1620
Best place to eat when drunk
1. The Little Nugget Diner
233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716
2. Noble Pie Parlor
777 S. Center 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. Sprouts Farmers Market
587 S. Meadows Pkwy., 335-1055
3. Whole Foods Market
6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023
Best Reno restaurant
1. Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455
2. Pinocchio’s Bar & Grill
5995 S. Virginia St., 826-5151
3. Zeppelin
1445 S. Meadows Pkwy., 387-4937
Best restaurant worth the long wait
1. Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs
1495 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 331-3388
2. Two Chicks
752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600
3. Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455
Best salad
1. Great Full Gardens
555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013
2. Süp
669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787
3. Eclipse Pizza Company
3950 Mayberry Drive, 747-4343
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. Full Belly Deli
3064 Mill St., 657-8448
3. Michael’s Deli
628 S. Virginia St., 322-2323
Best seafood
1. Rapscallion
1555 S. Wells Ave., 323-1211
2. Sky Terrace Oyster Bar
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700
3. Oceano
Peppermill Resort Hotel, 2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121
Best server (name and location)
1. Tracy Quatro
Gold ’n Silver Inn
2. Pauleen Relucio
Arario MidTown
3. CiCi Noel
Cactus Creek Steakhouse
Best smoothie
1. Jüs
555 S. Virginia St., 323-1794
2. Keva Juice
5102 Meadowood Mall Circle, 420-5505
3. Jamba Juice
5140 Kietzke Lane, 828-5483
Best soups
1. Süp
669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787
2. Great Full Gardens
555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013
3. Zeppelin
1445 S. Meadows Pkwy., 387-4937
Best Sparks restaurant
1. Great Basin Brewing Co.
846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711
2. The Steak House
Western Village Inn & Casino, 815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 331-, etc.
3. BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company
80 E. Victorian Ave., Spark, 355-1010
Best steak
1. The Steak House
Western Village Inn & Casino, 815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 331-1069
2. Atlantis Steakhouse
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 824-4430
3. Harrah’s Steakhouse
Harrah’s Reno Hotel & Casino, 219 N. Center St., 788-2929
Best sushi
1. Tha Joint
222 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 626-8677
2. Tokyo Sushi
1999 S. Virginia St., 825-8828
3. Sushimi’s
3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788
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. Thai Lotus
6430 S. Virginia St., 852-5033
2. Bangkok Cuisine
55 Mount Rose St., 322-0299
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. Truckee Tavern & Grill
10118 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, (530) 587-3766
3. Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats
10007 Bridge St., Truckee, California, (530) 587-8688
Best vegan food
1. Great Full Gardens
555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013
2. Nom Eats
3. The DeLuxe
148 West St., 686-6773
Best vegetarian food
1. Great Full Gardens
555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013
2. Laughing Planet
650 Tahoe St., 360-2592
3. The DeLuxe
148 West St., 686-6773
Best Vietnamese restaurant
1. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant
205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628
2. Pho 777
102 E. Second St., 323-7777
3. SK Noodle
2955 N. McCarran Blvd., 358-6338
Best Virginia City restaurant
1. Red Dog Saloon
76 N. C St., Virginia City, 847-7474
2. Palace Saloon & Restaurant
50 S. C St., Virginia City, 847-4441
3. Cafe Del Rio
394 S. C St., Virginia City, 847-5151
Best whiskey/bourbon/Scotch selection
1. Death & Taxes
26 Cheney St., 324-2630
2. Chapel Tavern
1099 S. Virginia St., 324-2244
3. Hard Water House
7689 S. Virginia St., 800-1737
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-, etc.
Best wine list
1. Whispering Vine Wine Co.
4201 W. Fourth St., 786-1323
2. Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455
Most romantic restaurant
1. Beaujolais Bistro
753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227
2. Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455
3. Harrah ’s Steakhouse
Harrah’s Reno Hotel & Casino, 219 N. Center St., 788-2929