Tahoe is dog heaven! Miles of trails to explore, warm sandy beaches and cool fresh water for swimming, make it well suited for trips that include our best friends. Luckily, there are also places where dogs are allowed to hang out with their humans after the day’s adventures. For your next Tahoe trip with dogs on board check out our list of the best dog friendly restaurants around the lake and beyond.
Feature photo: Courtesy of Christian Bowen via Unsplash
North Lake Tahoe
North Lake Tahoe includes a mix of enclaves and small towns with loads of character. From Tahoe Vista, California, to Incline Village, Nevada, diners and their dogs can discover some local gems — here are our favorite places to bring your four-legged friend in Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach and Incline Village.
Tunnel Creek Café
1115 Tunnel Creek Road, Incline Village
775.298.2502
Conveniently located at the start of the scenic East Shore Trail, Tunnel Creek Café is a great spot for a cool refreshing beverage after taking in the lake views with your best friend. The café’s outdoor seating is dog friendly with water bowls and a spigot for filing. They also have pup treats on hand. Serving breakfast and brunch, grilled and deli style sandwiches, salads, and house-made soups. Pick from eight rotating beer taps, hard cider, cocktails, wine, and hard seltzers. https://www.tunnelcreekcafe.com/
CB’s Bistro
5075 N Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay
530.546.4738
With the tagline “Keeping Tahoe Cheesy for over 30 Years!” CB’s is known for its pizzas. For the dogs, it might be more about the location, which is right across from pet-friendly Patton Beach. House specialty pies include Patty’s Lasagna Pie with marinara sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, Italian sausage, and sprinkled with parsley. The menu also includes burgers, sandwiches, salads, classic Italian entrees like chicken parmesan, and some veggie and vegan options. Dogs are allowed on the outside patio area. cbsbistro.com
Inclined Burgers and Brews
901 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village
775.298.7909
The perfect place to satisfy a burger and fries urge, Inclined Burgers has add-ons like fried egg, bacon relish, and avocado to name a few, in combination with regular, garlic, or a special dose of cheesy goodness with the Inclined fries. They also serve breakfast. Dogs are allowed on the patio for outside seating. inclinedburgersandbrew.com
West Shore
West Shore is home to one of the most photographed locations in all of Lake Tahoe – stunning Emerald Bay. It is also home to some iconic trails. When traveling with our furry friends here are our favorite places to eat.v
Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet
625 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City
530.583.1377
Best known for its fresh, brewed-to-order coffee, and wide assortment of freshly made, pastries, breads, sandwiches, and salads, the shop also offers a dog parking spot with leash tie up, and water bowls. There is also a large, covered patio that allows dogs if you want to eat your selections right away. www.tahoe-house.com
South Lake Tahoe
South Shore people love their dogs and luckily there’s lots of places to hang out with friends and get some good food and drinks without having to leave anyone at home. Here are our favorite places to bring your dog on the South Shore.
Frescana Mexican Bistro and Freel Perk Café
3141 US HWY 50, South Lake Tahoe
530.577.5304
Frescana Mexican Bistro and its connected and neighboring Freel Perk Café in Meyers are pup approved. Not only are dogs welcomed on the outdoor patio area with watering bowls, but pups are also allowed inside. Just peruse their Instagram accounts for multiple photos of the happy dogs that frequent both establishments. Plus, they have great, healthy, food for the humans too. Frescana offers an upscale menu with many vegan and plant-based options. They are especially known for their handmade in-house Chile rellenos. Freel Perk, the neighborhood coffee shop for Meyers, offers breakfast, lunch, a full line of coffee drinks, smoothies, and more. www.frescanalaketahoe.com www.freelperkcafe.com
Lake Tahoe Aleworx
2050 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Suite #2050, South Lake Tahoe
The Crossing at Tahoe Valley
530.600.0442
With outdoor firepits to keep people warm year round, Lake Tahoe Aleworx at the “Y”welcomes pets on their extensive outdoor seating area. With a menu of classic and specialty wood-fired pizzas, salads, and a wall of self-serve beers on-demand, it’s a great spot for gathering with friends. The patio also has a small stage and hosts live music. laketahoealeworx.com
South Lake Tahoe Brewing Co.
1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
530.578.0087
The largest production craft brewery in South Shore, South Lake Tahoe Brewing Co has a large beer garden, front patio, and indoor tasting room. Dogs are welcome in all spaces. The brewery doesn’t have a kitchen, but they partner with local food truck vendors and customers can also bring their own food in.
Truckee
Truckee, a gateway town for Lake Tahoe off U.S. Highway 80, is a small town with a lot of history and a love of dogs. Here are our favorite places to go out and about in Truckee with your best friend.
Truckee Public House
10069 Bridge St., Truckee
530.536.5029
Dogs are allowed in the outdoor beer garden of this popular location of Alibi Ale Works. Here you will find upscale pub fare to complement the beer menu. The Alibi mustache pretzel, and it does look like the handlebar mustache found in the logo, is a favorite appetizer, made locally by Truckee Sourdough, along with the steak sandwich made with flank steak, white cheddar, caramelized onions, fire roasted red bell peppers on a hero roll. alibialeworks.com/truckee-public-house
Jax at the Tracks
10144 West River St., Truckee
530.550.7450
A slice of Americana, this little diner is housed in a 1948 Kullman Dining Car, and while dogs aren’t allowed inside, they are welcome on the heated patio that overlooks downtown Truckee. Try the beignets made fresh daily or the classic eggs Benedict, featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. For lunch dig into the crab cake sliders or dill crumbed fish sandwich, and dinner the Kobe beef meatloaf. jaxtruckee.com
