From coast to crest; Tahoe’s seafood scene will surprise you
Though it may be roughly 200 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Lake Tahoe is home to seafood establishments — and waterfront views — that rival coastal cities. From seafood markets with fresh Hawaiian poke to high-end surf-and-turf, there’s something for every price point around Big Blue.
Chart House / Stateline
Perched atop Kingsbury Grade with sweeping views of the lake below, Chart House serves up unique seafood dishes that attract South Shore locals and visitors alike. Kick off the meal with an order of kimchi calamari and spicy tuna atop crispy rice before tucking into seabass and lobster risotto or a miso-sake glazed black cod. Taking culinary inspiration from all corners of the globe, you’ll find a variety of flavors across the expansive menu, but no matter the cuisine, you can be sure the fish is fresh.
Overland Meat and Seafood / South Lake Tahoe
Fresh fish is delivered twice a week to Overland Meat and Seafood, a longstanding (and beloved) butcher and market tucked in a strip mall in South Lake Tahoe. On Fridays, grab a batch of spicy ahi tuna poke or octopus poke fresh off the plane from Hawaii. Locally owned and operated since 1987, Overland is the place to go to grab mahi mahi steaks — plus seasonings and wine pairings — to throw on the grill for the whole family.
Buoy and Trap Seafood Market / Truckee
Fifth generation Rhode Islander Zack Duksta brings East Coast flavors with a twist to Truckee at his fish market and eatery, Buoy and Trap. After stocking up on halibut, mussels and perhaps one of four varieties of caviar for later, order a glass of zippy white wine from the carefully curated wine menu before deciding between raw oysters with tarragon mignonette or the baked variety with chipotle bourbon butter. Lobster rolls — hot with butter or chilled with citrus mayo — are served on locally baked brioche from Sierra Bakehouse. The Rhode Island clam chowder — clear broth studded with quahog clams, bacon and herbs — is a perfect winter meal.
Big Water Grille / Incline Village
Tucked among the trees with views of the lake in the distance, Big Water Grille is a lively spot in Incline Village to enjoy high-end seafood dishes with creative flair. After perusing the robust wine list, kick off the meal with the ahi tuna poke with wasabi crème fraîche and crispy wonton chips. For the mains, the popular pan seared wild Alaskan halibut is topped with macadamia nut dressing and served with coconut rice, papaya rum sauce and seasonal veg. Other seafood fare includes scallops — drizzled with parsnip soubise and paired with turnip chips, paprika squash sticks and pancetta tomato jam — and the elevated mahi mahi fish and chips with housecut fries and homemade tartar sauce.
JWB Prime Steak and Seafood / South Lake Tahoe
Located inside the Margaritaville Resort in South Lake Tahoe, JWB Prime Steak and Seafood — named for James “Jimmy” William Buffett himself — boasts fresh seafood and a raw bar in its “laid-back luxe” digs. Go big from the start with a seafood tower heaped with oysters, clams, red king crab, shrimp and lobster. Add surf to your turf with a lobster tail alongside a bone-in ribeye or opt for the salmon served in miso ginger broth, bok choy and garlic confit. And if you’re looking for a unique local drink experience, cap the meal with a bourbon tasting from nearby Minden Mill Distillery.
