Top 5 Picks
TL;DR — Start here if you're short on time
Kwok's
🥇 #1 OverallChinese
Liberty Food & Wine Exchange
🥈 Best UpscaleUpscale American
7 Spices
🌶️ Best IndianIndian
Hiroba
🍣 Best SushiAYCE Sushi
R-Town Pizza
🍕 Best PizzaDetroit-Style Pizza
💡 The Honest Take: Reno's food scene is polarizing — some say "overpriced," others swear by the hidden gems. Indian food is surprisingly excellent, AYCE sushi is a Reno specialty (people drive from SF for it), and the upscale scene has improved dramatically.
Kwok's — "Best Restaurant in Reno, Period"
When someone asked "take me to the best restaurant in Reno," r/Reno was nearly unanimous: Kwok's. A Chinese restaurant where the locals' advice is: "Go with a group and just ask them to start bringing out food until you say to stop."
"Since opening, Kwok's has been the consistent spot. I dream of that place. The General's chicken is the MOST AMAZING I've ever had."
"I would upvote this a million times if I could."
Indian Food
Surprisingly one of Reno's strongest cuisines
"So much good Indian food here... it's actually one of the best things about Reno's food scene"
— r/Reno consensus
7 Spices
South Indian specialties
"The dosa is fire" — Multiple r/Reno recommendations. Great for vegetarians too.
Bawarchi
Sparks • North Indian
Royal India
Downtown • Classic dishes
AYCE Sushi
Reno's specialty — people travel from SF for this
"Reno is famous for AYCE sushi... the quality here is legitimately better than what you'd pay 2x for in the Bay"
— r/Reno
Hiroba
South Reno • AYCE Sushi
The consensus pick for best AYCE. Higher price point but worth it for quality.
Ijji 2
Solid AYCE option, good value
Ijji 4
Another popular location
Sushi Pier
Budget-friendly option
King Sushi
Newer spot with teriyaki and a la carte plates too
Kauboi Izakaya
Not AYCE but excellent quality
🍸 Going out after dinner? Check out our Nightlife Guide for the best bars and breweries in Midtown.
Italian
Classic to upscale — fresh pasta, date nights, and family spots
"Pasta Fresca! Little place off Lakeside. Owned by Italians and they do a great job making fresh pasta."
— r/Reno, Feb 2026
La Strada
Classic Italian • Perfect for date night
"The quintessential old-school Italian experience" — Best pasta in town, consistently recommended.
Pasta Fresca
Off Lakeside • Italian-owned
Owned by Italians who make fresh pasta in-house. Small spot, big flavor. A recent r/Reno favorite for authentic Italian.
Marcelino's
"For an upscale experience" — special occasion Italian
Dopo
Upscale Italian, excellent pasta
Mario Portefinos
"My favorite!" — locals rave about it
Pietro's La Familia
Sparks • Classic Italian menu
Zozo's
Locals gave it the trophy emoji — enough said
Campo
Casual Italian, great pizza
Pizza
From Detroit-style to wood-fired
R-Town Pizza
Detroit-style with thick crust. Pricey but worth it. Try the 313 if you like pepperoni.
South Creek Pizza
🔥 Wood-firedLiberty
🔥 Wood-firedCosmos
🍞 Sourdough crustBoulevard Pizza
🍺 Tavern-styleBurgers
From smashburgers to classic diner style
"Reno's got range — from classic dives to gastropub bangers. Everyone has their favorite."
— r/Reno burger debates
Royce
Burger bar • Great for hanging out
"Often called the best burger in town" — Smashburger style, bar atmosphere, consistently mentioned by locals.
Juicy's
Long-time local favorite
"Double with bacon — hands down best burger in town." Classic style, consistently praised.
🍔 Local Favorites
Beefy's
Old-school shackCreative toppings, good beer selection. Beloved classic.
Scoopers
+ Best shakesRetro drive-in vibes. Classic burgers + amazing milkshakes.
Archie's Giant Hamburgers
Near UNRIconic spot, giant patties, laid back outdoor seating.
Lucky Beaver
GastropubDry aged burger — "fire if price doesn't matter."
Burger Me
Multiple locationsUnique protein options, locally sourced. Underrated pick.
Flowing Tide
SparksSolid pub burger in Sparks. Good pub food vibe.
🚗 Quick & Cheap: In-N-Out is always solid for a fast, affordable option — fresh, consistent, no-frills.🏔️ Near Tahoe? Hit up Inclined Burgers & Brews after outdoor activities.
Delis & Sandwiches
Classic subs, pastrami, and creative builds
"Been going to Michael's almost once a week for 10+ years — ridiculously consistent, awesome sandwiches."
— r/Reno
Michael's Deli
Classic deli • Pastrami, reubens, corned beef
Owner Rudy came from Newman's — if you liked Newman's, you'll love this. Consistently top-rated for classic deli sandwiches.
Yosh's Unique Deli
Creative sandwiches • Signature tri-tip
"I have dreams about their tri-tip sandwich on parmesan bread." Weekly specials are always creative and delicious.
Rubicon Deli
Great variety • Personal service
"They'd remember my orders. Made sandwiches for me that they'd discontinued." The Dapper Dipper French Dip is a hit.
🥪 More Great Delis
Pub n Sub
Nostalgic favoriteGreat pizza AND subs. Longtime local comfort spot.
Rick's Deli
Double R • Weekdays only"The BEST — too bad they're only open weekdays."
Manhattan Deli
Atlantis CasinoBest corned beef & reubens for traditional deli vibes.
Paisan's
Italian-styleTasty Italian-style sandwiches.
Ike's Love & Sandwiches
Great veggie optionsWide menu, excellent for vegetarians.
The Urban Deli
Hidden gem"My current obsession!" Smaller but passionate fanbase.
🕯️ Gone but not forgotten: Locals still reminisce about Yellow Sub, Newman's Deli, and Gandolfo's — legendary spots that shaped Reno's deli scene.
Mexican
From upscale to authentic taquerias
La Condesa
Upscale Mexican • Great margaritas
Consistently mentioned in "best restaurant" threads. Perfect for a nice dinner out.
Trejo's
Tacos, casual spot
Taco Bell Cantina
Downtown • Late night option
New to Reno? Our Newcomer Guide covers neighborhoods, cost of living, and everything you need to know about moving here.
Planning your day? See the full "What to Do in Reno Today" guide — coffee, food, outdoors & nightlife, all in one page.
Steakhouses
From local favorites to casino fine dining
Western Village Steakhouse
Sparks • Old-school classic
Frequently cited as THE top Reno/Sparks steakhouse by locals. Classic, no-frills, great steak.
🎰 Casino Steakhouses
Atlantis Steakhouse
Atlantis Casino • Upscale option
Duke's Steakhouse
Legends Bay Casino • Good recommendations
Roxy's
El Dorado • Food and ambience
Bimini Steakhouse
Peppermill • Occasional recommendation
🥩 More Options
Ruby River
Solid choice, opinions vary on consistency
Churrasco
Brazilian BBQ • Non-traditional steak experience
Brunch
Weekend essentials
Stonehouse Cafe
Brunch • Worth the wait
The undisputed brunch champion. Expect a wait on weekends but it's worth it.
Pine State Biscuits
Southern-style breakfast
Two Chicks
Midtown • Great eggs benedict
Bistro Napa
"Famous happy hour — half off food & drinks 4-6pm. Show up early, there's always a line."
Brass Tap
Solid brunch menu • "The plate of bacon was delicious"
Coffee Shops
Local roasters over chains — Reno's coffee culture is legit
"Support local. So many good coffee shops here... please don't go to Starbucks"
— r/Reno consensus
Hub Coffee Roasters
The Red (moved from downtown)
Relocated to The Red last year. Still a top-tier coffee experience with quality espresso and great atmosphere for remote work.
Chrome Coffee
Downtown / Riverside (Hub's old spot)
Took over Hub's iconic riverside location and has built a massive local following. Quality drinks and great downtown vibe.
Old World Coffee Lab
Midtown
Third-wave quality, minimalist atmosphere, quiet space for focused work. A favorite among locals who take their coffee seriously.
☕ More Local Favorites
Coffeebar
Multiple locations"Best pour-over in Reno" — Trendy, modern, great quality
Bibo Coffee Co.
MidtownLocal roaster, community-focused, cozy vibe
Magpie Coffee
UNR AreaNeighborhood spot, good pastries, student-friendly
Brew Brothers
Downtown / EldoradoCasino location but surprisingly good coffee
💻 Working Remote? Hub and Old World are best for laptops. Coffeebar gets busy but has good WiFi. Avoid peak hours (9-11am) if you need a table.
Bakeries
Sweets, pastries, and Basque baked goods
Sierra Nevada Bakery & Creamery
Sweets & Ice Cream
"My partner and I love y'all's spot! Such good sweets and always amazing and kind service." — A community favorite for baked goods and ice cream.
Villa Basque Deli
Carson City • Basque Bakery & Deli
"Some of the best chorizos in the world." Multiple r/Reno threads rave about Villa Basque's chorizo and baked goods. Quick stop if you're heading to Carson Valley.
📋 Quick Reference
✅ Go For
- • Kwok's (unanimous #1, Chinese)
- • Indian food (7 Spices, Bawarchi)
- • AYCE Sushi (Hiroba, Ijji)
- • Pizza (R-Town — as seen on Triple D)
- • Italian (Pasta Fresca, La Strada)
⚠️ Be Cautious
- • BBQ (inconsistent quality)
- • Yelp-hyped without Reddit backup
- • Casino buffets (tourist traps)