Lanza's Restaurant

Best Italian food at the lake. Amazing portions and the best salad dressing on the west coast. Always a friendly environment, and always packed! Be prepared for a wait, unless you show up right at opening!

Here's the BEST news: they were open on a Saturday night when nearly every other place was closed (or closing). Second: the place was cozy and felt like it had been around forever. Now the bad news: while the pizza sauce and the meatball sauce was tasty, original and likely their secret (sauce; get it?), the pizza was among the worst my wife and I have ever had. In fact, to quote her, "The crust tastes like they made it a week ago and put it in the freezer, only to take out, thaw and make now." I add to that, it was thin but flat; no "loft" that comes with "homemade." And the meatballs? I dreamt of what they would have tasted like 10 minutes after they were formed and cooked; however, these? They were tough (overcooked), and nondescript (no zing). Lastly, and only a pet peeve, not a real indiscretion: the beer glass was room temp. After a long day of work, the last thing you want it a medium temp beer. Also, in all fairness, as much as I love pasta, we didn't try any; although it looked terrific at nearby tables, and those people were slurping it up like it was their last meal. Let me leave you with the best attributes: they greet you at the door like family, and our server was as nice as can be. Bottom line: if you want ample portions, with fair "home-cooking," and you're up late, this could be just the place along this stretch of North Lake Tahoe. Thanks Lanza's!

Always great! Carol has been chef amazing for decades now. Nothing bad on the menu. Free pizza at happy hour Mon thru Thursday. Sunset from the bar.

My first meal in Tahoe was the best. So delicious and bountiful! Meals for days!
Plus the tiramisu was so good we went back for seconds the next day!
Great happy hour and great service.
Single stall bathroom leaves a bit to be desired. But everything else is aces. Wouldn't be surprised if the godfather walked out.

Always consistent! Friendly staff and excellent old school, classic Italian food. Get the house salad with gorgonzola and their homemade dressing, it isn't a Lanza's meal without one!