Farm Fresh, Global & Affordable: 10Best Restaurants in Reno (2024)

Photo courtesy of TesaPhotography

Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar at the Harrah's Hotel & Casino is still "The Best Tasting Show in Town". The Teppanyaki shows and food and their excellent all-you-can-eat sushi bar and tempura bar are located in a beautiful, Japanese inspired garden. The skilled chefs create sizzling steak, lobster, shrimp, scallops, chicken and vegetable dishes right at your table. Or you can sit at the sushi bar and enjoy more than 20 varieties of Nigiri Sushi and 40 Maki Sushi rolls, including several cooked and vegetarian options. The tempura, mussels and miso soup are also included in the price. Lunches run about $16 and dinners about $35 per person.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Take your pick from both sushi and Teppanyaki at Ichiban.

Christina's expert tip: Ichiban offers Early Bird dining from Sunday to Friday and entree choices for $13.

Photo courtesy of Christina Nellemann

This popular restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Reno serves excellent French food in an atmosphere of white tablecloths, brick walls, small, intimate tables and French bistro art prints in a 100-year-old building. The service here is excellent and the staff really know their food and wine. For starters, they usually suggest Onion Soup with Cave-aged Gruyere or the Croque Monsieur or Croque Madame. Entrees are seasonal and include items like locally raised Leg of Lamb Persillade with Pommes Boulangére and Haricots Verts ($34). Beaujolais Bistro also offers over 100 bottles of wine including Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir, Vouvray Chateau Monfort and of course, fine Beaujolais from France.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Beaujolais not only serves authentic French cuisine but on summer nights you can have a private table on the front lawn.

Christina's expert tip: Beaujolais Bistro is located in the Riverwalk District close to the Truckee River and Wingfield Park which makes it a great location for a full date night.

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Photo courtesy of Great Full Gardens

Great Full Gardens Cafe & Eatery in MidTown Reno offers a casual and healthful menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a full coffee, beer and wine menu. The restaurant features items from local farms, vendors and their own greenhouse. The menu also caters to vegan, gluten-free and Paleo diets.For breakfast, try one of the Liege Belgian style waffles with fruit or eggs. The Elvis Liege waffle has bacon, sliced bananas and peanut butter drizzled with honey. For lunch or dinner Chef/Owner Gino's Totally Tomato soup goes well with the Paleo Lunch Bowl ($12.99-$14.99) with grilled chicken or wild salmon on a bed of kale, onions, broccoli, mushrooms and cabbage, sauteed in organic coconut oil. Other dishes include Wild Cod Tacos or Pizza ala Bismark.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Great Full Gardens has a huge, healthful menu and a wonderful, friendly staff.

Christina's expert tip: Great Full Gardens makes all their own dressings which include Cilantro Lime and Blue Cheese Vinaigrette.

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Photo courtesy of The Eldorado at THE ROW

Rated as one of the best casino buffets in town, The Buffet at the Eldorado features hundreds of delicious items for breakfast, lunch and dinner including a huge salad bar, prepared salads, American, Italian, Mexican and Chinese cuisine and the popular pizza bar with homemade pizzas. The Eldorado has its own bakery, butcher shop, pasta shop and even a gelato factory. In fact, you might not want to save dessert for last. Their massive dessert section features cakes, pies, petit four, bread pudding with sauces and a large gelato area with real Italian gelato in flavors like blackberry and espresso.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: The Buffet at the Eldorado not only serves the casino's distinct Italian dishes but also has an amazing assortment of gelato for dessert.

Christina's expert tip: The Buffet features various special pricing. Try the Sunday Brunch for only $17.99 for adults and $9.99 for children.

Read more about The Buffet at the Eldorado →

Photo courtesy of Laughing Planet Cafe

Laughing Planet Cafe is a small regional chain that brings healthful, organic and sustainable food to the Midtown Reno area. The menu is chock full of fresh vegetables in global dishes like their spicy Thai Bowl ($8), Cuban Bowl ($.7.50) and Southwestern Green Chile Burrito ($5.95). The restaurant also serves items like the Amaizin' Grace Quesadilla ($5.95) with Food Alliance certified corn, Tillamook jack cheese, mild green chiles, pico de gallo, and cilantro-pesto sauce or chimichurri sauce or the Highway to Kale KALE ($6.95) with fresh Lacinato kale tossed with Cotija cheese and organic carrots with a lemon-parsley vinaigrette and topped with dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds. Laughing Planet also has a great outdoor space for people watching and their indoor space features bicycle posters and toy dinosaurs you can play with while waiting for your food.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Laughing Planet has some of the best vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free menus in Reno.

Christina's expert tip: Laughing Planet also serves draft beer and great lemonade including an Arnold Palmer.

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Photo courtesy of The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery

The Depot is Reno's first brewery and distillery that serves some excellent pub food with a local twist. The brewery portion serves up a selection of Nevada-inspired beers and the distillery creates spirits for purchase or for use in the bar's numerous co*cktails.The lunch and dinner menu features salads and main dishes like Poutine with oxtail gravy ($8), various burgers and sliders and an excellent beet salad. Their snack dishes are great to share and include items like Shrimp Ceviche ($11) Steamed co*ckles ($13) with beer broth and bacon, and a four-cheese Mac & Cheese ($7.50) that will remind you of your cool Mom's dish

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: The Depot not only has some great beer and co*cktails but is helping to change the face of a neglected part of downtown Reno.

Christina's expert tip: Come on the weekends to The Depot's Brunch where they serve drinks in one-liter mugs.

Read more about The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery →

Photo courtesy of cegoh

India Kabab & Curry has become one of the most popular places for lunch in Reno. It's located just a few miles from downtown in the Midtown area on Virginia Street. Their lunch buffet special is priced at $8.95 and their dinner menu items cost between $3.50 for appetizers and $10.95 for main dishes.The lunch buffet serves up salad, fresh fruit, rice, various meats in sauce and vegetables. There are some vegetarian options as well as a soup of the day. Some of the most popular items are the Chicken Tandoori, the Chicken Tikka Masala, and the Murg Vindaloo. Some of the best items include the anise spiced carrots at the salad bar as well as the spicy mint sauce. There is usually a Pakora or a Samosa item as well.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: India Kabab's lunch buffet changes daily and the dinner menu features classic Indian dishes.

Christina's expert tip: The India Kabab & Curry lunch buffet is full of various curries, salad and soup, chutneys and rice. Choose from plain or the delicious garlic naan bread.

Photo courtesy of Eli Gross, Duckfat & Chorizo

Located in the Whitney Peak Hotel in Downtown Reno, Roundabout Grill features comfort food with an elegant, and local twist. Chef Colin Smith built the grill up from his initial catering business and the family atmosphere shows up in the food.The grill features breakfast and dinner every day and lunch Friday-Sunday. A Sunday four-course brunch ($25) is also available and includes dishes like Hawaiian French Toast with grilled doughnut bread pudding and coconut; and an all-you-can-drink Bloody Mary or Mimosa.Dinner entrees range from small plates like Tuna Poke ($10) to large plates with the Turkey Burger with apricot chutney ($14) and the Pan Roasted Halibut with Citrus Hollandaise ($26).

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Grab a co*cktail at the Roundabout Grill bar before heading into the public (or private) dining area.

Christina's expert tip: If you are at Roundabout Grill for breakfast, check out their all-you-can-drink mimosas or Bloody Marys.

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Photo courtesy of Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Designed to look like you are dining in a stylish, underwater palace, the Atlantis Steakhouse is one of the top steakhouse experiences in the city. This cosmopolitan dining establishment features Allen Brothers of Chicago meats as well as fresh seafood, chef's specials, co*cktails and over 336 selections of imported and domestic wines.Seasonal menu items include California Red Abalone ($30), French Onion Soup $11), Pan Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with garnet yams ($40), and Lamb Chops from Colorado with ratatouille ($48). The various steaks such as American Kobe Strip Loin can be paired with lobster tail, shrimp scampi or even the restaurant's Creamed Corn with a Kick.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Not only is the elegant menu at the Atlantis Steakhouse superb, but the staff are also very professional and knowledgeable about the menu and wine list.

Christina's expert tip: Several Atlantis Steakhouse dishes, like the Steak Diane and the Bananas Foster, are prepared tableside with impressive flames.

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Photo courtesy of Christina Nellemann

This over-21 restaurant and craft co*cktail venue was inspired by the World's Fair and is livening up South Reno. The menu is designed by an award-winning chef and features shareable dishes, street food and small plates such as ceviche, sliders and tacos made with consciously-sourced ingredients. The craft co*cktails include creative spins on margaritas and other classic drinks. There is also a curated wine and spirits list.The Zeppelin venue is intimate and features contemporary design and artwork such as a lacy representation of a zeppelin and attractive, warm lighting. This is a great place for couples as well as small groups.

Recommended for Best Restaurants because: Zeppelin is new to Reno but is creating quite a buzz with its small, flavorful plates. Try the Crispy Squash Blossoms with baked basil leaves.

Christina's expert tip: Reservations are not accepted at Zeppelin, so get there early, especially on the weekends.

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