Reno Dining
Reno is home to a vast selection of diverse dining experiences.
Walkable from Campus/Silver Legacy:
Archie's
N. Virginia St (just north of campus)
College atmosphere with beer, burgers and pub food. Price Range: $5-10
Chocolate Bar
California Ave and Arlington St
SoHo-style bar serves up creative martini concoctions and offers a small selection of well-crafted appetizers, entrees and desert options. A local favorite is the chocolate fondue. Price Range: $10-20
Beaujolais Bistro
130 West Street
This charming country French bistro is set ½ a block from the riverfront with carefully prepared entrees and a friendly atmosphere. It is satisfying, classy, and a local favorite for dinner! Entrees: $20+
Blue Moon
California Ave and Virginia St
Gourmet pizza options are creative and filling and served in a hip pizza parlor atmosphere. Slices and full pizzas available.
Louis’ Basque Corner
301 E. 4th Street
Family style seating and food from the Basque country. Simple comfort food and wine served in humble surroundings. Menu is evening specials. Price Range: about $20
Nugget Diner
233 N. Virginia Street (about 1/2 block south of the Reno Arch)
This is one of those completely unhealthy, but famously yummy greasy spoons. The "Awful Awful" burger & fries (more than you could ever eat), and "The Hangover Omelet" (served with a Bloody Mary) are probably their most famous meals, but they have all kinds of American food. If no seats during peak hours, you can always elbow your way to the counter and get it to go. Open 24 hours; breakfast served anytime; Cash Only. Price Range: $4-$9
Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs
420 South Sierra Street
Yummy breakfast and lunch options with Texas-sized portions. Price: $8-15
Sterling’s Seafood Steakhouse
Inside the Silver Legacy
Sterling’s opens at 5 p.m. and reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 775-329-4777. Outstanding and unique steak and seafood finely presented.
La Famiglia Ristorante
180 E. 1st Street
Homemade pasta, creative daily specials, and an extensive wine list make this family-owned and cozy Italian restaurant a worthwhile visit. Entrees: $20+
Harrah’s Steak House
Inside Harrah’s Casino
The finest “old school” steak house in Reno. Bring your wallet and your appetite. Bring fire to the table by ordering Diablo Coffee with your dessert. Entrees: $30+
Silver Peak
135 N Sierra St 89501.
This microbrewery boasts the “best suds in town”(with seasonal specials) and offers a creative pub-style menu with large portions and includes items as humble as hot wings and as sophisticated as pistachio crusted salmon. Prices from $8-$20, and excellent happy-hour choices.
Wild River Grille
17 S. Virginia St
Wide-ranging menu options appeal to any taste and serves good food at affordable prices. This restaurant boasts patio seating along the Truckee River in downtown Reno. Lunch: $10. Dinner: $20.
Zagol Ethiopian Restaurant
855 E. 4th St
If you are looking for something a little different, Ethiopian fare is a bright and delightful alternative to the burger or pasta platter. For those unfamiliar, most dishes are served with a light and fluffy sponge-like bread instead of utensils - don't be afraid to get your hands dirty for this delicious treat!
Entrees: $10+
Buffets:
Looking for a buffet downtown? Plan wisely, depending on the time of day & day of the week your wait can be 15 - 90 minutes, but some of them are worth it. In the downtown area I would try The Buffet (Eldorado) or Carvings Buffet (Harrah's).
Looking for a seafood buffet? Most only have seafood on Friday and/or Saturday night, however Carvings Buffet (Harrah's) and the Lodge Buffet (inside Grand Sierra Resort, near the airport) have snow crab nightly.
Here are some favorites of the lab students, a listing of local favorites, a sample of fine-dining Reno hotspots, and a more complete list of choices within 10 minutes of downtown Reno.
The Wolfpack Labbie Picks for Eating in Reno:
Lillis' Pick: Silver Peak
135 N Sierra St 89501.
This microbrewery boasts the “best suds in town”(with seasonal specials) and offers a creative pub-style menu with large portions and includes items as humble as hot wings and as sophisticated as pistachio crusted salmon. Prices from $8-$20, and excellent happy-hour choices. The original location (1 mile south of downtown): 124 Wonder Street 89502. (Sierra location walkable from hotel).
Doug (Doogie)'s Pick: Bangkok Cuisine
55 Mount Rose St 89509.
Well known in Reno for its delicious Thai food. It gives filling portions at very reasonable prices. We recommend the Pad Thai. (A short cab ride away).
Jamie's Pick: India Kabab and Curry
1091 S. Virginia Street 89502
Good, vegetarian-friendly Indian food (especially saag paneer). You never have to wait for a table, and there is a lunch buffet for $8.95 that will only satisfy. Truly a no-holds-barred orgiastic gustatory experience! Entrees $8.95 - $12.95. (A short cab ride away)
Jenn (Boo)'s Pick: Pneumatic Diner
501 W. 1st St. 89503
Vegetarian comfort food. Nothing fancy and very small. A healthier, hipper version of the classic greasy spoon. Don't be afraid to wait for a seat – it's worth it! Prices: $5-12. (Walkable from hotel).
Mistress Merry's Pick: El Adobe
55 W Arroyo St 89509
El Adobe serves excellent Mexican food, and the best mole rojo sauce in Reno. They boast world-class tequila selections for their killer margaritas. You will enjoy the traditional Mexican atmosphere with friendly staff. One of our labbies might fly back to Reno just for the mole enchiladas! Plates range from $8.00 to $15.00. (A short cab ride away).
Jen (Hum)'s Pick: Sup
719 S Virginia St 89501
This stylish hole-in-the-wall offers tempting salads, sandwiches, and scrumptious homemade soups that won't dent the budget. At dinnertime this casual lunch place transforms into a swanky but homey establishment with dinner options available for more discerning tastes. Lunch: $7-15, Dinner: about $25. (A very short cab ride away).
Lindsay (Fletch)'s Pick: Bertha Mirada's
336 Mill St. 89501
Mexican food at its best. Comfortable, open setting with traditional Mexican atmosphere puts you in the mood for a margarita and home-made tortilla chips. Reasonably priced. Family friendly. Entrees: $10-15. (A very short cab ride away).
Tuna's Pick: Stone House Café
1907 S Arlington Ave 89509.
A European style, fine dining café with an interesting selection of items. Indoor and patio seating. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Entrees: $8-18. (A short cab ride away).
Mikaela (Mac)'s Pick: Newman's Deli
20 California Ave 89509.
A local favorite and very busy at lunch. A fast-paced counter serves up a killer sandwich and some of the best Pastrami in town. Price: $5-10. (A very short cab ride/long walk away).
Mike (Soup)'s Pick: The Golden Flower
205 W. 5th St 89503.
A humble Vietnamese place with delicious down-to-earth Pho for the starving student’s budget. Price: $5-12. (Across from hotel).
Tami's Pick: The Little Waldorf Saloon
1661 N Virginia St 89503.
Pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, beer and Wolfpack history. Located just across the street from campus, the “Wal” probably fed your elders if they lived in Reno. The menu also includes some cool items outside the ‘bar’ box. Price: $5-12. (Across from campus).
Fine Dining a short cab-ride away:
Rapscallion Seafood House and Bar:
1555 S. Wells Ave 89509
This place has served reliably great seafood in Reno for years. Seafood, steaks, old-New-England-style ambiance, and an outstanding wine list. Open for lunch and dinner. Price: $15+
4th St. Bistro
3065 W. 4th St 89523.
Excellent French-inspired cuisine. Contemporary fresh, sustainable, local, seasonal, with most of the menu featuring local, organic farm produce. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm. Reservations recommended - (775) 323-3200. Entrees: $20+
Sezmu
670 Mount Rose St
One of the hipper fine dinning favorites in Reno. Each dish is made with love and more than a touch of flair. Open California ambiance and extensive house-designed cocktail and wine selections make this experience truly satisfying. Reservations recommended - (775) 327-4448. Entrees: $25+
Lulu's Restaurant
1470 S. Virigina St 89502
Carefully crafted cuisine worthy of the big-city. Seasonal specials and an excellent wine selection highlights this cozy establishment. Reservations recommended - (775) 329-9979. Entrees: $25+
Charlie Palmer’s Steakhouse and Fin Fish
2500 E 2nd St
Inside the Grand Sierra Resort
These two fine options are located together inside the Grand Sierra Resort (formerly the Hilton hotel). The steaks and wine list are superb and, in each of Palmer’s places, the menu is a work of delicious culinary creativity. Entrees: about $30