When family flies into Reno, the big question hits fast: where do we take them to eat? The casino buffets are easy, but they rarely show off the city locals know and love.
This list covers seven spots that work for real family visits, from a busy breakfast counter on South Virginia Street to a Basque dining room where strangers share the table. You will find places with kids’ menus, garden patios, old-school Italian plates, and riverside views right downtown.
Some are great for a quick morning bite, while others are made for long dinners with plenty of passing plates. Each one earned its spot for a specific reason, whether it is history, a standout menu, or easy parking.
Save this one for the next time your phone lights up with a text that says we land Friday.
1. Two Chicks, Reno, NV
Breakfast is the easiest meal to get right with visiting family, and Two Chicks makes it even easier. The restaurant sits at 752 S Virginia St in Midtown, serving seasonal American breakfast and lunch from 7 AM to 2 PM every day.
The menu leans on local ingredients without getting fussy. Sweet potato pancakes, sourdough pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and several takes on eggs Benedict share space with breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, and chilaquiles.
Picky eaters are covered too. There is a full vegan menu and a full vegetarian menu, so the cousin who skips eggs can order a vegan skillet instead of a side of toast.
Kids get their own menu, and high chairs and changing tables are available. Outdoor seating works for family members bringing a dog, since pups are welcome outside.
One tip I would pass along: weekends get busy, and a wait is common. If your visitors are around midweek, a Tuesday or Wednesday late morning tends to be much calmer.
2. Louis’ Basque Corner, Reno, NV
Few meals say Northern Nevada quite like a Basque dinner served family-style. Louis’ Basque Corner on E 4th St has been a go-to for that experience, with servers in traditional costume bringing out dish after dish.
Traditional specialties are the main event here. Oxtails, tongue, paella, rabbit, and lamb chops all appear, along with more familiar picks like a Basque burger, sirloin steak, clam chowder, and a French dip.
This is a loud, lively room, which honestly helps with a big group. Nobody notices when the table gets rowdy over who gets the last of the fries.
Families with little ones will find high chairs, and there is a private dining room for bigger gatherings. Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Parking can take a minute to sort out nearby, so plan to arrive a little early. Lunch runs Tuesday through Saturday if a midday visit fits better.
3. Casale’s Halfway Club, Reno, NV
Opened in 1937, Casale’s Halfway Club has been feeding Reno for longer than most of our grandparents have been around. That history alone makes it a fun stop to share with relatives who love an old story.
The food is classic, unfussy Italian. Spaghetti and meatballs, cheese ravioli, lasagna, minestrone, and crunchy personal pizzas fill out the menu, and there are half orders for lighter appetites.
The space is small and has a true neighborhood feel. It is the opposite of a polished chain, which is exactly why I would bring visitors here.
Hours matter with this one. Casale’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and closed Sunday and Monday, so do not plan a Sunday supper around it.
Dinner reservations are recommended, and evenings later in the week get busy. A full vegetarian menu keeps the meat-free crowd happy.
4. The Stone House Café, Reno, NV
Picture brunch in a garden, inside the walls of an old stone house, a few minutes from downtown. That is the setup at The Stone House Café on S Arlington Ave.
The building is a converted house, and the patio area has a European garden style that makes photos easy. A fireplace adds charm on colder days.
The menu is wonderfully all over the place. Breakfast brings banana French toast, Riviera Benedict, and chicken and waffles, while later hours feature jambalaya, calamari, fish and chips, and a tempura salad.
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 8 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Sunday means you can slot it into almost any visit. It is closed on Mondays.
Reservations are recommended for every meal, and weekend mornings fill up. Kids’ menus and high chairs make it a comfortable pick for multi-generation tables.
5. The Twisted Fork, Reno, NV
Parking stress is a real factor with visiting relatives, and The Twisted Fork in south Reno usually has plenty of it. That alone puts it ahead of many downtown options for families with grandparents in tow.
The restaurant at 1191 Steamboat Pkwy focuses on creative New American food. Menu highlights include a short rib grilled cheese, tuna ceviche, cauliflower ceviche, tiger shrimp tamal, petrale sole piccata, and twisted fish n chips.
Families get a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean nobody is stuck picking at a side salad.
Sunday brunch runs from 9 AM to 3 PM, and Sunday mornings tend to be calm. The patio is a nice option when the weather cooperates.
A private dining room is available for bigger reunions. Reservations are accepted if you want to lock in a table for a weeknight dinner.
6. Wild River Grille, Reno, NV
Out-of-town guests always want to see the Truckee River, so why not eat right next to it. Wild River Grille sits in the historic Riverside Hotel building at 17 S Virginia St, right in the middle of downtown.
The menu covers American favorites. French onion soup, crab and salmon cakes, shrimp tacos, chicken piccata, and filet mignon all appear, with bread pudding as a classic finish.
Outdoor seating lets everyone enjoy the downtown setting, and dogs are welcome. Live music and performances are part of the scene here too.
Weekend brunch starts at 10 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended for brunch and dinner.
Parking downtown can be tricky, so a short walk is likely. Kids’ menus, high chairs, and a private dining room round things out for larger groups.
7. Liberty Food, Reno, NV
Want to show family that downtown Reno has serious food? Liberty Food at 100 N Sierra St is a strong place to make that case.
The restaurant focuses on artisan pizzas and house-made pasta. Standouts include wood fired octopus, black spaghetti, and a pork platter built for sharing.
Small plates make it simple to order a spread and pass things around. That style suits a group trying a bit of everything.
Timing takes some planning. Weekdays Monday through Thursday it opens at 4 PM, while Friday starts at 11:30 AM and weekends begin at 10 AM with brunch.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially Friday and Saturday evenings. I would save this one for the last night of the visit, when everyone is ready for a lively send-off meal.
Between Basque platters, garden brunches, and a 1937 Italian spot, Reno has plenty to show off. Pick a couple, book ahead, and let the family see the city the way locals do.
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