Because Northstar Resort is located deep in the alpine forests of the Sierra Nevadas, it is easy to forget that it’s a relatively short drive from the food-famous San Francisco Bay Area. Diners can enjoy high-quality food, whether grabbing an inexpensive lunch on the slopes or sitting down for a fine dining meal with Lake Tahoe views. Pack your skis—and appetite—we’re going on a culinary tour of Northstar, California.
Ski-In-Ski-Out Restaurants
If you want to stay close to the slopes, you can choose from plenty of options, no matter your budget. From cheap eats that you can grab to go to fine dining with mountain views, these are the best restaurants in the heart of The Village.
Euro Snack
Breakfast is truly the most important meal of the day, and this quaint cafe allows you to grab a quick (and affordable) bite before riding up one of the highspeed gondolas or quad nearby. They serve a variety of items from crepes to frozen yogurt, but the go-to order here is the Belgian waffle. Trust us. The waffles are made with imported European pearl sugar that gives them that signature crispy, crunchy texture they’re famous for. Don’t start your ski trip without grabbing one of these budget-friendly treats.
Inclined Burgers and Brew
Also located in the heart of The Village, the popular local chain Inclined Burgers and Brew recently opened a location in Northstar. The ski-in-ski-out restaurant is a popular hangout for hungry skiers and snowboarders of all ages. Before heading back out on the slopes, head inside the bustling atmosphere to grab a beer, burger, and a Northern California staple—garlic fries. For the quality and location, the price is just right.
Manzanita
Though technically close enough to ski up to, you’ll want to change out of your snow pants and parka before visiting Ritz Carlton’s Manzanita. An elegant dining room features dark wood accents and an open kitchen, providing a warm backdrop to the upmarket space. The menu taps into the incredible farms and artisans in the nearby Bay Area while highlighting rich, hearty flavors that embody everything we love about Tahoe. Manzanita is the go-to après ski destination at Northstar.
Fine Dining With a Lake View
Northstar Resort has plenty of tasty options in The Village, but you’ll need to drive about 10 minutes down the mountain to dine with up-close lake views.
Za’s Lakefront
Share a pizza or grab a sandwich at this popular lakefront restaurant in Tahoe City. A large dining hall looks out at Lake Tahoe and the nearby mountains on the eastern shores. The food here is reasonably priced, and popular options include pizzas, salads, and a hot Italian hoagie.
Gar Woods Grill & Pier
Named after the luxury boats that bobbed around the blue waters of Carnelian Bay in Lake Tahoe for decades, Gar Woods Grill & Pier is a lakeside staple that locals and tourists have enjoyed since 1988. A warm, inviting dining room with a stone hearth and wrap-around bar set the stage for a delicious meal. Diners enjoy rum-based cocktails and dishes like seared scallops, grilled steaks and chops, and lobster deviled eggs with a picture-perfect view of Lake Tahoe. On a budget? Go for lunch, when most menu prices are lower than dinner.
Christy Hill
Take a short drive to Tahoe City for the most romantic meal near Northstar Resort. Christy Hill offers an intimate dining room with incredible views of Lake Tahoe, perched up on the sandy shores of the lake’s western edge. It may offer the best wine list in the region, with popular offerings from nearby Sonoma and Napa, along with plenty of French and Italian wines. Diners can order a la carte or choose a tasting menu with a great variety of seafood, grilled meats, and produce.
Food and Brews in Nearby Truckee
Truckee is one of the largest cities near Northstar and only a 10-minute drive from The Village. This is where foodies can find the largest variety of dining options and some great breweries to boot.
Tacos Jalisco
Need a quick and easy meal after a day of skiing? Taco’s Jalisco is the go-to spot near Northstar to meet your burrito needs. They also have other classic taqueria dishes, including carne asada plates, a chile relleno, and tortas, all at reasonable prices.
Fifty Fifty Brewing Co
California has one of the best craft beer scenes in the USA, and Fifty Fifty Brewing Co. has crafted innovative IPAs and barrel-aged stouts since 2007. The chill atmosphere is perfect after a day on the slopes, and the towering burgers and crispy fried cheese curds are just what the doctor ordered after skiing in Northstar.
Old Town Tap
Ask a local where to eat and find a great meal in Truckee, and they’ll more than likely send you over to Old Town Tap. The casual eatery perfectly balances its casual atmosphere with high-quality food and cocktails. Share a charcuterie board, pizza, and some soft-serve ice cream from Double 8 Dairy with your family or friends.
Final Thoughts
Northstar California Resort is one of the most popular ski destinations in California, but it’s also home to a surprisingly diverse restaurant scene. Save some time to dine after a day of skiing, and try some of these excellent Northstar restaurants.
Deric Brown is a writer who has traveled domestically and internationally, writing about his journeys along the way. A storyteller at heart, he’s always looking at both the small details and the big picture. Whether snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or hiking the Marin Headlands near his San Francisco home, he loves experiencing the beauty of California and beyond and writing about each solo adventure and family trip.