Patios, Porches, and Decks: Mask Up to Enter and Exit
UPDATE: Effective July 13, 2020, all indoor services are closed at dine-in restaurants. Bars, breweries, brewpubs, and pubs are closed for both indoor and outdoor dining. More information. Before dining out, call ahead to check on available curbside pickup services and outdoor dining.
It wouldn’t feel like summer without a cold margarita and juicy burger served up on one of Truckee’s best patios, porches, or decks. Whether you’re looking to beat the heat in the shade or wind down and watch the sunset, there are tons of options for outdoor dining, now more than ever, in fact. You’ll notice many new outdoor seating areas around Truckee thanks to relaxed local ordinances, part of an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Along with dining outdoors, make sure to follow all current recommendations to keep yourself and others safe. This includes wearing a face mask over your nose and mouth when you enter and exit a restaurant, wait in line for service, and while you place an order. Please also give other diners at least 6 feet of space and wash your hands before eating. Face coverings are mandated in California and required in most places. Here are our Top 5 Reasons to Wear a Face Covering and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Enjoy a cool breeze and fresh mountain air at one of these outdoor dining options in Truckee:
Moody's Bistro Bar and Beats 🐾
Zano’s Family Italian & Pizzaria
Morgan’s Lobster Shack and Fish Market 🐾
Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House
Outdoor Dining in Truckee
Little Truckee Ice Creamery
✔️ Dog friendly
The Little Truckee Ice Creamery is the go-to spot for a scoop of summer sweetness. They use high-quality organic ingredients to create ice cream you’ll savor long after the last lick. If you’re spending a day at Donner Lake, you have to make a stop here and enjoy a creamy scoop or two on their sprawling deck and patio where you can sit comfortably with your household, 6 feet apart from other diners. They’re conveniently located on Donner Pass Road, near West End Beach of Donner Lake. And if you stop by on Fridays, you can grab Cabeza tacos from Tacos Herrera, a weekly pop up meal at the creamery!
1882 Bar and Grill
Nothing says summer like BBQ! Head to 1882 Bar and Grill to get your fix of BBQ meats “off the pit” with sides like homemade baked beans and potato salad. Keep an eye out if you drive by this quaint restaurant earlier in the day, you might catch a glimpse of their Texas smoker at work! Their intimate deck is the only riverfront dining in town and overlooks the Truckee River. Wind down with a signature cocktail at 1882 Bar and Grill and let the peaceful sounds of flowing water set the tone for the rest of your trip.
Moody’s Bistro Bar and Beats
✔️ Dog friendly
We are blown away by Moody’s Bistro Bar and Beats new outdoor dining area. The expansive patio provides lots of space for diners to spread out while still feeling like they are in the beating heart of historic downtown Truckee. Enjoy farm to table eats and the warmly lit ambiance that Moody’s is known for as you dine in the open air.
Coffeebar Truckee
✔️ Dog friendly
Coffeebar Truckee invites you to relax and start your morning slowly with a great cup of coffee or one of their signature drinks like a lavender latte, my favorite! Their outdoor patio is tucked away in a quieter corner of downtown Truckee on Jibboom Street. It’s a summer oasis with shady nooks to escape the afternoon heat and large family-style tables to comfortably seat your whole crew. Stop here for an iced afternoon pick me up or to kickstart your day with tasty cafe eats and a fresh brew.
Zano’s Family Italian & Pizzaria
Every night is pizza night at Zano’s Family Italian & Pizzeria! Here you can find all kinds of tasty Italian eats from lasagne to manicotti and traditional style pizzas. Their spacious outdoor back patio is a relaxing, laid back spot to enjoy one a specialty pie washed down with a crisp, cold beer.
Morgan’s Lobster Shack and Fish Market
✔️ Dog friendly
Fresh lobster in Truckee? You bet! Morgan’s supplies the Tahoe basin with the freshest seafood shipped out daily. Their menu is filled with the flavor of east coast recipes: lobster rolls, fried clams, haddock… Their back patio is a cozy hidden gem in downtown Truckee. Escape the heat and enjoy a quiet moment in Morgan’s outdoor dining area, the premier spot for seafood in Truckee.
Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar
✔️ Dog friendly
When it comes to outdoor dining, you can’t beat the picturesque patio at Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar. The restaurant sits atop a hill and overlooks downtown Truckee, spoiling patrons with an incredible birds-eye view of the town. Head here for sunset and watch the night lights of Truckee come to life. Treat yourself to one of the steaks off of their elegant menu and ask for a wine pairing to go with. Delicious food, warm ambiance, and friendly service await at this staple of Truckee’s eats.
The Pub at Donner Lake
✔️ Dog friendly
The Pub at Donner Lake has quickly become a staple of Donner Lake for tasty eats and inspired cocktails. It’s conveniently located at the base of Old Highway 40 Scenic Drive, just 10 minutes from rock climbing and hiking on Donner Summit and directly across from Donner Lake. They have ample outdoor seating, including a side patio with large picnic tables and an outdoor standing bar in front.
Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House
Alibi Ale Works - Truckee Public House pulled out all the stops with their new beer garden. The massive outdoor space is a fun gathering place for friends and family to enjoy craft beer at a safe distance. This kid-friendly public house is the perfect place for little ones to run around and play outside, while adults enjoy the extensive list of homebrews and famous nachos.
Truckee Tavern & Grill
The second story deck of Truckee Tavern is perched above Truckee’s main thoroughfare and offers an idyllic setting to watch the day go by. Their seasonal menu features high quality, fresh ingredients, and mouth-watering dishes like house-made pasta and pan roasted salmon. Make sure to try one of their incredible cocktails, each one crafted and designed by a team of creative bartenders.
FiftyFifty Brewing Company
✔️ Dog friendly
The cozy back patio at FiftyFifty Brewing Company is the perfect place to unwind with a craft beer and burger. For a taste of summer in Truckee, try their Donner Party BBQ Burger and pair it with a cold pour of Tahoe Pilz. Their large menu is a crowd pleaser and has something for everyone, from burgers to pizza to fish tacos. Whether you’re there for their craft beer or something to eat, you’ll love FiftyFifty Brewing Company’s outdoor dining.
Jax At The Tracks
✔️ Dog friendly
Jax At The Tracks is a staple of downtown Truckee dining that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a classic diner feel. You might recognize it from the show Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. It’s a favorite among locals and visitors alike and you can’t beat the family-friendly patio out back where kids can watch the train chug along through downtown Truckee. Each table is spaced far apart, giving you ample room to dine comfortably.