Whether you’re sipping cocktails in a century-old saloon, enjoying a fireside breakfast surrounded by vintage relics, or dining where socialites once feasted, Tahoe’s culinary scene is as rich as its alpine views. And with three distinctive resorts — Hyatt Vacation Club® at Northstar Lodge; One Village Place Residences in Truckee, California; and Hyatt Vacation Club® at High Sierra Lodge in Incline Village, Nevada — you’ll find the perfect home base to relax, explore, and taste your way through history.

And nowhere is that legacy more flavorful than in Truckee, a historic mountain town in Northern California where local favorites and storied saloons serve up a true taste of the past.

In the mid-1800s, Truckee and the surrounding area attracted miners, railroad crews, and settlers on the trans-Sierra wagon road. Today, you can capture the essence of much of that history through the local dining and nightlife scene.

A Truckee favorite since 2002, Moody's sits inside a building whose footprint was originally the American House, a hotel built in 1893. It was destroyed by fire, went through name changes and reemerged in the 1970s as the Truckee Hotel. 

“It was always a social point,” says Chaun Mortier, co-curator of the Truckee Museum. “It always had that persona of a restaurant and hotel from the time the town was created.”

Today, Moody's “regional mountain” menu and decor draw their inspiration from the surrounding California landscape. 

Visit for the house-made pasta, steaks, and burgers served in a dining room painted in deep earth tones, and live music spanning jazz, Americana, soul, and rhythm and blues. Just look for the wooden barrels out front by the entrance. 
 

Thunderbird Lodge dates back to 1939, when it was the vacation home of George Whittell Jr., a wealthy San Francisco socialite. The mansion was designed to blend into its surroundings on the Lake Tahoe shore with secret tunnels and a famous wooden yacht available for bookings.

“Thunderbird Lodge was the epicurean center of North Lake Tahoe because old Captain Whittell had a Lithuanian cook and was an admirer of fine French cuisine,” says Bill Watson, who runs the lodge's preservation society. 

That tradition continues today with wine tasting events open to the public and private dinners that can be arranged if you join as a member. “We've done everything from 20-course tasting menus to barbecues and seafood buffets,” Watson says.
 

Even during Prohibition, Truckee had its share of saloons. However, many changed their names to “cafes” to avoid controversy. Despite its remote location, the town was still subject to oversight by law enforcement.

“We were the gateway to Lake Tahoe and Reno,” Mortier says. “There were rumors that still owners hired people who would go to jail for them. If there was a raid, those were the people who got caught and served time — and while they were gone, their families were taken care of by the townspeople.”

Dating to 1896, the Pastime Club claims to be Truckee's oldest watering hole. Regulars love the place, which combines the feel of a dive bar with an old saloon. 

Another former speakeasy, the Tourist Club, known as “T-Club” to locals, pairs an eclectic atmosphere of mismatched artwork and taxidermy with a shot of anything and a beer. 
 

For more than 60 years, the Wagon Train has been welcoming locals and visitors with strong coffee, fluffy pancakes, and a side of nostalgia. It's known for its collection of vintage photos, street signs, and old license plates. 

“The Wagon Train has the largest collection of local historical artifacts hanging all over the walls,” says Greg Zirbel, president and curator of the Truckee-Donner Historical Society. “They have a little train running around inside. It's just a fantastic place to gaze around while you're eating breakfast.”
 

Gambling is a decades-old tradition in Lake Tahoe. This is especially true at the Crystal Bay Casino, whose Steak & Lobster House is a throwback to a largely bygone era with vintage chandeliers, stone walls, and plush red furnishings. The menu spotlights old-school faves like steak au poivre and crab cakes, as well as more contemporary fare like lobster mac 'n' cheese. 

“The Crystal Bay Club has been a variety of casinos since the 1930s, but their restaurant is still there,” according to Watson, who's eaten at the historic spot many times over the decades. 

Rosie's Cafe has held a special place in the hearts of nearby Tahoe City for more than six decades. Originally a grocery store, the restaurant doubles as an unofficial museum, showcasing artifacts like vintage bicycles, ski gear, and elk antlers from the Tahoe Tavern, a hotel that burned down in 1964. 

Specializing in classic American fare, Rosie’s also has a piece of the “Big Tree” on display. The 120-year-old pine was in the center of Lake Boulevard before it was finally chopped down in 1994. “The road split around the tree, and this tree sat right in front of Rosie's for years,” Watson says.

Cottonwood is inside a hilltop lodge that opened in 1928 as a sports pavilion, reflecting the area’s reputation as a longstanding winter sports destination. 

The restaurant still feels like a ski lodge with wooden beams across the ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the tree-filled scenery while you fill up on burgers, pasta dishes, or a grilled bone-in pork chop. Cottonwood opens early for breakfast, too, and the Bloody Marys are a must.

“They embrace their history," Mortier says about the current owners. “It's got the best views of town — and they have really good Caesar salad."

At the end of the day, you’ll want comfortable accommodations that offer just what you need for your Lake Tahoe-area adventures. Choose from one of three exceptional options, each with fully equipped kitchens, private patios or balconies, and washers and dryers.

Northstar Lodge, Truckee, CA 
•    Studio, two-, three-, and five-bedroom residences
•    3 hot tubs
•    19-seat movie theater with leather recliners, HD projector, and surround sound
•    Activity center with escape room
•    Ski valet
•    Ski in/ski out with direct access to Highlands Gondola**
•    Access to Village Swim and Fitness Center, including its outdoor heated Olympic-sized pool, kids’ pool, large hot tub, and state-of-the-art fitness center**

One Village Place Residences, Truckee, CA
•    One,- two-, and three-bedroom residences  
•    Private indoor/outdoor hot tub overlooking the Village at Northstar
•    Dry sauna
•    Ski in/ski out with access to the Big Springs Express Gondola**
•    Access to the activity center and escape room at Northstar Lodge
•    Access to Village Swim and Fitness Center, including its outdoor heated Olympic-size pool, kids’ pool, large hot tub, and state-of-the-art fitness center**

Nevada
High Sierra Lodge, Incline Village, NV
Located less than half-hour away from Truckee, you’ll find High Sierra Lodge.
•    Two-bedroom villas 
•    Outdoor pool 
•    Clubhouse with pool tables and a large flat-screen TV
•    Grills 

Whether you skied, hiked, shopped, or golfed, when the day ends, the resort you choose will welcome you back to unwind and rest up for your many adventures to come.

Rob Kachelriess is the Hey Las Vegas Editor for City Cast Las Vegas. He's written about travel and dining in the Southwest U.S. for Thrillist, Eater, Tripadvisor®, and other publications.
 

Start planning your trip today.

* No inquiry has been made into the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, or the qualifications, safety, or quality of the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, and WHV Resort Group, Inc. and HV Global Group, Inc. (collectively, “HVC”) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, or any other aspect of such off-site locations, activities, events, or service providers listed herein. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the off-site locations, activities, services, events, or providers. Neither WHV Resort Group, Inc. nor HV Global Group, Inc. assumes liability for attendance at, or visits to, any off-site locations, or the products, activities, or services furnished by independent service providers. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill

** Operated by a third party. Access and use are subject to change and may terminate without notice.