As Lake Tahoe’s fall flows into winter via an atmospheric river, there’s more than just skiing and riding to interest the traveler. From multimillion-dollar renovations to chefs rewriting the script on Tahoe’s dining scene and iconic birthdays, Tahoe is finishing out 2025 in style.
Featured Photo: Courtesy of Evo Hotel
North Shore Eats
Tahoe City, CA
It’s a headline everyone loves: “Hometown kid does good.” Sylva, an American bistro in Tahoe City, is the creation of North Tahoe High School graduate, Andrew Shimer, and his wife, Chata Villa. Ahead of opening Sylva, Shimer spent time at San Francisco’s Aqua and The Waterfront, before starting his five year stint at Mezze in Oakland as executive chef. Sylva’s menu focuses on made-from-scratch creations that highlight seasonal, fresh ingredients, resulting in an ever-changing menu. A sample menu from the eateries’ website features hamachi ceviche tiradito, Moroccan braised lamb shank ragout, and a number of woodfire pizza options, along with an extensive beer and wine list.
Tahoe City, CA
For your caffeine addiction, Minglewood Coffee & Company in Tahoe City is just steps from the lake, and features coffee options like americanos, lattes and cortados, along with chai and a mate latte. The cafe-cum-bar, run by the husband and wife team behind local fine dining restaurant Christy Hill, Alex and Amanda Looby, also serves breakfast (7am-12pm) and lunch (12pm-7pm) seven days a week, and hosts a daily happy hour from 4-5pm. Food choices range from a glazed croissant donut and smoked brisket burrito for breakfast, and a lamb or lentil burger for lunch, while the bar menu includes beer (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options) and wine.
South Shore Dining
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Earlier in August, Lauren Lee and Fran Faulkno opened Cascade Kitchens, the first food hall of its kind in South Lake Tahoe. Described on the website as a “community-driven food hall and commissary kitchen,” that is meant to be “a gathering space for the community and a launchpad for local food entrepreneurs,” Cascade Kitchens features a mix of vendors and cuisines. Visitors to this new space will find everything from Korean and Colombian, to Italian and Mexican, along with gourmet deli sandwiches, ice cream, and beer and wine options at The Thirsty Bear Bar. Cascade Kitchens is located near Sugar Pine Village – adjacent to the intersection of US Highway 50 and Route 89.
The Edge Restaurant and Lounge
South Lake Tahoe, NV
After an extensive redesign, Edgewood Tahoe Resort reopened its fine dining restaurant in the clubhouse with a new name, menu and concept. The Edge Restaurant and Lounge balances seasonal flavors with modern culinary techniques, multi-course tasting menus, tableside presentations and artisanal craft cocktails. Then there’s the wine collection – more than 1,000 bottles to choose from, including rare estate vintages and boutique California wineries. Soak in the views of Lake Tahoe from the restaurant’s expansive, towering windows.
New Stays
Tahoe City, CA
The evo Hotel Tahoe City, part of the adventure-inspired hotel brand by outdoor gear retailer, evo, opened its doors earlier this year. Curated by snowboarder and Tahoe resident, Jeremy Jones, the new hotel features rooms that were designed based on what Jones’ feels makes Tahoe exceptional – its people, activities, events and geography. The Tahoe City hotel is pet- and kid-friendly, and offers family bunk rooms, some of which include a mini-climbing wall. Visitors can also grab breakfast, lunch and dinner at the on-site restaurant, Sierra Surf Club. And for guests who are passionate about our environment (and protecting it), the hotel supports Jones’ climate advocacy nonprofit, Protect Our Winters.
South Lake Tahoe, NV
In 1944, Harvey Gross opened Harvey’s Lake Tahoe – a small cafe and gas station with three slot machines located on the South Shore. More than 80 years later, this historic location recently shed its original moniker and rebranded as Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino, following a $160 million renovation. Visitors will find an abundance of new touches, from room remodels and a newly launched butler service for select suites, to the expansion of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. The property’s 88,000-square-foot casino also received upgrades, including new slot machines, new “High Limit” room and “World Series of Poker” room. The entire transformation will be complete by mid-2026.
Private Homes & Apartment Rentals
For visitors looking for a private home or apartment rental in Tahoe, the offerings will be expanding as South Lake Tahoe has officially resumed issuing vacation home rental (VHR) permits. Some top listings can be found at rental companies like RnR Vacation Rentals, Lake Tahoe Accommodations, Tahoe Luxury Properties and Buckingham Vacation Rentals.
More Reasons to Celebrate
South Lake Tahoe, CA
You wouldn’t know it when you pull up and look up at the pristine mountain face, but Heavenly Mountain Resort is celebrating 70 years. Heavenly opened with one chairlift and the sport’s most spectacular view in December 1955. The resort, spanning two states and 4,800 acres of skiable terrain, is throwing a 70th Anniversary Party on December 20, at the Lakeview Lodge. DJs will play music from throughout the decades, and guests can expect a live special performance by a guest DJ to mark the occasion.
Palisades Tahoe, CA
Tahoe Live, the boutique electronic music festival at Palisades Tahoe, is expanding to three days, December 12-14. Headliners include Canadian duo Zeds Dead, multi-platinum artist Alison Wonderland, and DJ Diesel, the bass-driven project of NBA Hall of Famer, Shaquille O’Neal. Also featured is LSZEE, the collaborative project from LSDREAM and CloZee, alongside acts such as San Holo, Jessica Audiffred and Peekaboo.
Stateline, NV
The Tahoe Knight Monsters, an ECHL affiliate of the NHL Vegas Golden Knights, and the lake’s first professional sports team, are back for their second season. Home games at the Tahoe Blue Event Center are slated for December 3, 5-6, against the Rapid City Rush, and December 17, 19-20, against the Wichita Thunder. The team has garnered a loyal fan base, and the games often sell out.
INSIDER TIP: At the hockey games during the national anthem, be sure to yell out “knight” during the line “…gave proof through the night.” NHL Vegas Knight fans will feel right at home.
So come celebrate the “Heavenly” septuagenarian, which is pretty young in mountain terms, “#Tess the Waters,” with the Tahoe Knight Monsters (it’s a Tahoe hockey thing, nod to Tahoe Tessie, the team mascot and local legend), elevate your dining, and then relax back in the vacation rental, hotel or bunk of your choice this winter at Lake Tahoe.
