With the Tesla factory underway and the ongoing expansion of the University of Nevada, it is no question that Reno is rapidly growing. Not only is the city itself expanding, but the food culture is growing as well. Reno is slowly becoming a culinary epicenter, so forget your diet and check out my top 10 picks (in descending order) for some of the best restaurants to dine in Reno.
10. Grateful Gardens Cafe and Eatery
For those looking for a wholesome menu that's not only healthy but delicious, too, Grateful Gardens is the place to go. From hand tossed salads to freshly baked liege waffles, Grateful Gardens offers a wide range of selections that are gluten-free, paleo, and vegan friendly. This restaurant is great if you're on the go and looking for a healthy, budget-friendly meal. Grateful Gardens has two locations in the Reno area, one which is located conveniently on the University of Nevada campus and the other just minutes away in the MidTown District.
9. Campo
This restaurant is on the pricier side but well worth it for the fun atmosphere, fresh artisanal food, and great customer service you'll get. The menu changes daily, and their ingredients come from local farms. From brick oven baked margherita pizza to handmade pasta, Campo has everything to satisfy your Italian cravings.
8. Stone House Cafe
Located in the suburbs of Reno, Stone House Cafe has a menu that won't disappoint. With their brunch menu that offers banana rum French toast to a dinner menu with macadamia nut escargot, they have dishes that will satisfy both your savory and sweet tooth. With the price running from an average of $12 per person, their restaurant will surely fill your appetite without breaking the bank.
7. SUP
Reno unfortunately does not have a Panera, but it does have SUP, which is SO MUCH better. Where else can you get homemade soup, sandwiches, AND salads for less than $10? SUP tends to get busy, so do plan ahead. However, it is definitely worth the wait, and I highly recommend the tomato bisque soup.
6. Two Chicks
Located in the heart of the MidTown District, Two Chicks serves specialty grilled cheese sandwiches that are guaranteed to melt in your mouth. With perfectly buttered sourdough bread and freshly sliced cheese, you can't go wrong with Two Chicks.
5. Daily Bagel
With homemade bagels that are way better than the on-campus Eintstein's for the fraction of the price, this place is perfect if you're on the go. If you're dining in, you can check out the local artwork, which changes monthly. Not only do they have great bagels, but they also have locally roasted gourmet coffee.
4. Bibo's
Bibo's is the perfect place for a college student to drink gourmet coffee for less than $4 while catching up and relaxing with friends. Their coffee is the best of the best and puts Starbucks' pumpkin spice lattes to shame. Everything from the store's aesthetics to the locally roasted coffee is perfect.
3. Daughters Cafe
This restaurant is my personal favorite. Located in the Art District of Reno, this quaint Mom and Pop-run restaurant is one of the best hidden gems in Reno. They have a seasonal menu, and the food is made fresh to order. The chef, Barb, does all the cooking while her daughters run and operate the place. I highly recommend the beignets. The recipe was passed down from generation to generation and is perfectly crispy yet fluffy.
2. Burger Me
If you're looking for burgers that are bigger than your face, Burger Me is the place for you. Burger Me has award-winning burgers so good that it was even featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." There are speciality burgers that offer the choices such as lamb patties, ahi tuna patties, and even wasabi mayo! With unique burgers for the price of an In-N-Out meal with the quality of Wolfgang Puck, Burger Me is the best place to go.
1. Blind Onion Pizza
Ask any Nevada student where to get pizza and they'll tell you to head to Blind Onion. Blind Onion has the best pizzas in Reno. With great prices during happy hour and tons of options for toppings, you can't go wrong. Plus, where else can you combine pizza and honey? Yes, that's a thing, and it's REALLY good.