Located 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe and nestled against the Sierra Nevada range, Nevada’s capital city is home to a variety of outdoor adventures with endless opportunities to work up an appetite. Visit Carson City presents the city’s charming and vibrant food scene, including an array of new dining options with unexpected menus and dynamic spaces for gathering.
Founded in 1858, Carson City is named after the famous frontiersman Christopher “Kit” Carson, and the city’s dining scene is rooted in its rich and colorful past with a range of dining from Italian and other Mediterranean cuisine to Indonesian and Americana, including good Southern cooking.
“We want customers to leave feeling like they’ve sat in our kitchen, at our table, and that we’ve fed them as friends,” said Chuck McCray, co-owner and fry cook at Tee Jay’s Corner Cafe, an Indonesian-American restaurant with a 12-seat diner counter located in the heart of Carson City. McCray and his partner and restaurant co-owner, TJ Saputra feature a menu of classic American fare like cheeseburgers, hot dogs and biscuits with gravy, as well as authentic Indonesian dishes like drunken noodles and nasi goreng (Indonesian-style fried rice).
Husband-wife team Francisco and Eve Espinoza opened their first restaurant, Eve’s Eatery, in 2022 to bring modern cuisine – like the porchetta sandwich and agnolotti, a ravioli dish made with fresh pasta and braised short rib – to customers in a beautiful yet relaxed atmosphere. Visitors and locals alike can find an abundant selection of hearty breakfast options and indulgent lunch meals at Eve’s Eatery.
Leading a restaurant staff, along with raising their four children, the Espinozas have found further purpose in their restaurant. “Our two oldest sons help at the restaurant, and it’s incredible to see how they’re taking pride in the business,” said Eve. “They see how hard mom and dad work to build something for the entire family, and I hope they’ll want to continue it.”
The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on gatherings – now there’s a special hunger for creating a sense of community at Carson City’s eateries.
“We wanted to create a place where people could feel comfortable, connect and just have fun,” said Kitty McKay, co-owner of Nashville Social Club, a 10,000-square-foot restaurant, lounge, and music venue. “We’re all about good food with world-class music acts – it’s a vibrant place that we’re proud to offer our community.”
McKay opened Nashville Social Club with her husband, John Procaccini, in July 2022. Having worked for decades with artists like Frank Sinatra, The Doobie Brothers, and Peter Frampton in tour management, Procaccini brings musicians and bands to play at Nashville Social Club. Meanwhile, the kitchen serves up tantalizing Southern food like shrimp ‘n’ grits, Nashville hot chicken, and fresh biscuits with house-churned butter and peach-bourbon jam.
Other must-try dining in Carson City:
- Fox Brewery & Pub: Located inside the historic Saint Charles Hotel, the Fox Brewery & Pub serves 17 house-crafted beers alongside their menu of elevated food, including “angry” mussels in a spicy sauce made with their house-brewed Honey Ale. Owner Jim Phalan completed major renovations in 2022, and the location boasts two full bars and brewery operations.
- Piazza: In Italy, the neighborhood restaurant is where people gather for a drink and snack after the end of the workday – that’s the feeling owners Jenny and Mark Lopiccolo have created at Piazza. Paired with a robust wine list, the seasonal menu includes ingredients sourced largely from the Carson City Famer’s Market, including chicken piccata, seasonal salads, and flatbread topped with fig jam and prosciutto. Jenny said she “fought for the lamb pops to be included on the menu and I’m so glad I did – they’re incredible.”
- L.A. Bakery: Another husband-wife duo, Leila Tavakoli and Ali Arbabha – L.A. stands for Leila and Ali – offers breakfast, lunch and seasonal pastries with recipes rooted in the Mediterranean, like the mouthwatering baklava, hearty falafel pita wraps and more. The duo both have degrees in engineering, but have put their efforts into building recipes with a wide variety of gluten-free, vegan-friendly and sugar-free options at L.A. Bakery.
