EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in the Summer 2014 edition of Tahoe Magazine. It was first published on this website in August 2018 and is presented in its original form.
Next to the ocean Lake Tahoe is not.
But when it comes to enjoying a seafood-inspired lunch or dinner, the Truckee/Tahoe region does not disappoint in options. Be sure to get your seafood in the Sierra on at these five must-eat and visit locations.
One if by land, two if by sea … whether you are boating up to their dock or strolling in their front door, you are in for a treat at this lake-side restaurant. Even if they didn’t have a fabulous menu, the view of Lake Tahoe makes anything palatable — oh, but they do.
I usually start with crab cakes or steamed clams in white wine, butter and garlic (so good and messy … not first-date food) then move on to the jumbo seared scallops served with a potato hash cake and a passion fruit beurre blanc.
There is always a fish of the day available and kid-friendly items for the little guys. The Fresh Ketch has been wowing seafood lovers in South Lake Tahoe for more than three decades. I’m on decade number two. And, yes, I have been coming here since I was two.
This classic waterfront grill has been a Tahoe icon since 1978. For lunch, I like to spice it up with the hamachi crudo starter prepared with avocado, cilantro (chopped very fine) basil, Sriracha and soy wasabe butter, or the grilled lemongrass shrimp.
The wine selection is diverse, and the view of Lake Tahoe exceptional, so plan to stay a while, enjoy your appetizer and relax before deciding on your main course.
I almost never waver from the panko-encrusted ahi, seared rare (of course) and served with julienne vegetables and a yam cake. The huge deck is ideal for taking in a Tahoe sunset or moonrise, so be sure to save room for the hula pie, so you can thoroughly enjoy the moment.
Morgan’s Lobster Shack and Fish Market
Wow. I have been going to this restaurant since they opened a little over a year ago for the fresh seafood, prepared how I like it (usually blackened) and served on a beauty of a seasonal salad. I was very happy with my delicious routine until I tried the Ipswich clam roll.
Now I’m in there, like, three times a week, mowing though two of these babies at a time they are so unbelievably good.
This restaurant, opened by Shawn and Heather Whitney, has a fan base of East Coast transplants and also folks like me, who now talk with an accent because we have started eating lobster or clam rolls.
Menu items also include fish and chips, lobster and grilled cheese sandwiches (too good for the kids) and a great assortment of fresh-off-the-boat fish, monster scallops and whatever the catch brought in on that given day.
You can choose your seafood at the counter and have it prepared to your own specifications, using the menu board as a guide. There is a neat little patio in the back that has become a personal favorite — can’t believe I’m even telling you about it. Morgan’s is also the go-to place for seafood to go in Truckee.
Coming from Hawaii, I am a sucker for anything Pacific Rim, and Kalani’s did not disappoint. The tropics-inspired dining room offers a sweet contrast to Tahoe, and the “Aloha Spirit” is alive and well. Aloha is a great thing when on holiday, no matter where you’re vacationing. Kalani’s backs up this great vibe with an amazing menu. They actually have a whole section devoted to different kinds of poke — which is a Hawaiian-style delicacy consisting of seafood, seaweed, onions and a sesame vinaigrette.
For dinner, the pan-caramelized miso-yaki sea bass, once featured in Bon Appetit Magazine, is almost eclipsed by the Thai basil mashed potatoes on the side – but not quite.
I practically weep every time I look in this grocery store’s seafood case. If you “have kitchen/must cook,” this is the place to go near the lake for the freshest daily seafood of every sort imaginable. Stunning.
The store also has great produce and an ample Asian section for all your prep’ necessities. Plus, the wine selection here befits an upscale grocer catering to visitors traveling to or residing in (at least part-time) one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.