Cafe Fiore

By far the best seafood dishes, filet mignon and wine list in South Lake Tahoe! We will miss you next year. Thank you for the memories❤️

Cafe Fiore in South Lake Tahoe is excellent. Service was friendly and personable, and the food was top notch. We had the Veal Saltimbocca and they made an off menu Veal Marsala, both were excellent the Marsala sauce was light and excellent. Tiramisu and White Chocolate ice cream topped it all off. Make reservations, only six tables inside, but we'll worth the effort.

A perfect 10. Starting from the time you make reservations. They have about 6 tables so you definitely will need reservations. The best time to try is between seasons as lake Tahoe is a summer/winter town. As for the staff they are amazing and very professional at the same time they make you feel at home. Now food: We started with fresh garlic bread and stuffed ravioli ( stuffed with goat cheese and fig) which were both out of this world. Then salad or soup ( fresh minestrone soup and salad with dressing Gorgonzola dressing). Was amazing. Then we had 4 different entries. First was stuffed rainbow trout (stuffed with crap) The second was capellini bocconcini, the meatballs just melted in your mouth and the pasta was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of marinara sauce. The third was spaghetti con salsiccia, the sausage you couldn't get enough of perfect taste ( a little spice and the right amount of other flavors). Once again the spaghetti was cooked perfectly with the right amount of sauce. Now the last was pollo alla Sonoma, the chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was amazing. The wines were perfect and if you don't like wine they have a few beers that would amaze you. They gave us a little sample of their dessert as we were all stuffed which I wish I would have saved more room for as it tasted great and would have been a great item to finish with.

I don’t know if it was the color of our skin, or something else, but we felt like we were treated differently compared to the other guests/tables which were predominantly white. We came here for my birthday with all the good reviews, and the food didn’t fail! We ordered Linguine Fra Diavolo, Filetto al Barolo, Spinach Salad. They were cooked to perfection! We would definitely come back for the food but not for the service!

TL;DR - Easily the best restaurant in the Lake Tahoe area and one of the best meals of my life. Go here. I am not a Michelin reviewer and Michelin does not review in SLT of course but this restaurant definitely deserves AT LEAST a Bib Gourmand award. Let's start with the service, it was superb. We were a walk up and did not realize we would need a reservation but they squeezed us in without much trouble. Everyone was extremely friendly and eager to answer questions and assist us with choices. I won't spend much time on the atmosphere, but if you're looking for a spectacular date, you couldn't design a better location. I want to come back here in the winter just so I can sit at a window table and watch it snow as I eat some pasta. I would choose this over the Edgewood view, but maybe that's just me. I will say, this place is not ideal for large groups. They could probably accommodate 6 people at most. The food is absolutely out of this world. I'm very picky when it comes to pasta, having worked at multiple Italian restaurants. Before tonight, there was only one pasta in all of California that I could honestly recommend. There are now two. I got the Spaghetti con Salsiccia and my wife got the Idaho trout special. It was genuinely one of the best meals of my life. This place might not be for everyone, but if you have a genuine palette and appreciate good food you won't be disappointed.

Amazing food, very cosy place. Superb service and everything is just perfect. I’ll recommend all couple to check out this place whilst at Lake Tahoe (make reservation because tables are pretty limited!) Recommended dishes - Swordfish - Garlic bread - Tiramisu - Linguine chicken

Perfect dinner!!! The place is super cute and the food is delicious! Make sure you book it in advance, as it only hosts a few tables.

The BEST restaurant in south lake tahoe. We tried multiple restaurants in town and generally their impressions were good but this Cafe Fiore nailed it. Their filet minon is a must-try, the best steak I've had for medium-well. So tender and juicy. I loved their other dishes and desserts. Personally Izabella is better for Garlic bread because their red sauce is so good. But others are better at Cafe Fiore. The servers...what can I tell? They are on top of all things and made our time so luxurious and enjoyable. I realized they left me THREE voice messages on the day of reservation but I guess it's overkill, even though its needed for they only have limited tables. Other than that, yes I highly highly recommend you try this place. Book in advance!

In full transparency, it's been a long time since I dined at this establishment but the memories whisper "come back!" all the time. Quaint like dining place with soft lighting and few tables make this an intimate and romantic dining experience. Service is top notch and the food is exceptional as well. Any time I am in the Lake Tahoe area, it is a must and at the top of my list of places to enjoy! I highly recommend adding it to the top of your list too!

Lea and I enjoyed a great dinner last night, and sadly it will be our last dinner at this fine establishment. They turn the lights off in eight or nine weeks and if you haven't ever eaten here, thought about eating here, or been a regular, it's worthy of one last visit, that's what we did last night. The first thing we ordered was a glass of wine each and then we moved onto a bottle of Oak Farm winery Lodi Zinfandel. We started our meal with the risotto crabcake appetizer special. We got one crabcake each, and Lea and I both thoroughly enjoyed it. We then chose the swordfish special and the cioppino as our main courses, and, again we were happy with our decisions. This was our second visit to Cafe Fiore, and on both occasions, we found the service to be special and the environment to be warm and inviting. Some might even call the environment, cozy. I concluded my meal with the house made white chocolate ice cream, and Lea was able to resist as she was full. So you've got about eight weeks and reservations will, I'm sure, get quite hard to get the closer the end comes. This was the third of three restaurants that I would consider iconic at Lake Tahoe that are closing or have closed since October 2024. Change is constant, and now three great places are gone. The good news is one of the three, Edgewood, will re-emerge after a renovation of the space, but the Lone Eagle Grill and Cafe Fiore will be gone.

Cafe Fiore is an Italian restaurant in a rustic cabin with a few intimate tables. The service was impeccable and the staff were super friendly and knowledgeable! We truly felt like guests. The wine list was extensive and had a great selection. We started with garlic bread. All entrees came with a choice of house salad or minestrone; all at my tables chose the salad, which was super fresh and dressed in a well balanced roasted shallot vinaigrette. I ordered a seafood pasta which was loaded with perfectly cooked scallops and shrimp and the pasta was well seasoned and well cooked. Everyone at the table was very happy with their meals. Dessert was decadent and the white chocolate ice cream is a can't miss! This is such a wonderful date night or place for a special occasion!

Hands down the best service I've ever received at a restaurant. The garlic bread was perfectly garlicky and on a delicious baguette. The minestrone soup was very good. And the vinaigrette on my starter salad was great. For our entrees we got Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp. We asked for some lemons on the side to add and it was phenomenal. If you're a white chocolate fan...their white chocolate ice cream is a MUST. On top of great service and great food, this quaint little spot has the perfect date night vibes! I felt like I was in a Christmas movie. This will definitely be a regular spot for us when we're in town.

We have lived up the street for around 3 years and we've always been curious about this restaurant... it always seems full, so it must be worth something.... we were celebrating our anniversary, and decided to make it special. I called earlier in the week, and I was able to secure a reservation for 6 in this tiny restaurant.... and now I know why they are so in demand. When you step in, you realize that they don't have much space... it was perfect for a nice intimate dinner with family. Staff were super friendly and helpful. We ordered a bunch of random food and they were all pretty delicious. A year later, we were able to get a booking for my wife's birthday.... And we still had a good experience. We ordered 2 dishes, and an appetizer with desserts. Perfect for a nice intimate meal.. definitely a must try

We ventured off from the Casino restaurants to find an Italian restaurant in South Lake Tahoe to find Cafe Fiore. I came with a friend who has Andiamo Italian restaurant in Clovis, CA to check out the menu and extensive wine list. The Service here is top shelf and multiple waiters are very attentive to your needs. We both ordered their daily special swordfish and it did not disappoint. Nice cut of fish that is moist and not dry or dense like swordfish can be but it was very light and flaky. Excellent flavor and comes with sides of vegetables and pasta. The white chocolate ice cream and poached pear were good dessert choices. The interior of the restaurant is very small so we ate on the covered patio and weather was nice.

This place... our first visit was 33 years ago as early 30yo's on a romantic date, and we have been going ever since! Sadly, at the end I f the month of April. It's closing will leave a hole in fine dining in Tahoe that will be much larger than the small 6-table alpine home that it it occupied. The food and the service was always unparalleled. Attention to detail, attentiveness, best quality ingredients, consistency ...all were on display every time we went. All the best to Nick, Ed and the rest of the wonderful staff! You will be MISSED!!

We were brought in by friends who were friends of the owner so we did get exceptional service. The waiter was very knowledgeable, professional and quick to respond to requests. The food was good but not fantastic in my estimation for the price. We started with the ravioli special, it was delicious. I had the Stromboli and it seemed overcooked and dry. My husband had the Saltimbocca and he said it was fair. Our friends had Bistecca (which was the best dish at our table) and a pasta dish that was quite forgettable. South Lake Tahoe is in need of fine dining, so this definitely fits the bill for that, but they need to work on their quality control a bit. The restaurant ambience is the best part, for me. It has an intimate, quaint and warm atmosphere.

This place was recommended to me by a long term local, and being a newbie local I was excited to try it. Overall I found it to be a real treat of an experience: good food, lovely intimate atmosphere and excellent service. Their wine list is a superstar; we had the best Prosecco we've ever tasted. Starting from the end, with dessert: the tiramisu was excellent. Again - one of the best ever. The white chocolate ice cream was tasty, but a little thick and one-dimensional; the Prosecco helped balance it. We each had salads (house w Gorgonzola and Caesar, which I have to admit weren't the kind of thing I'd come back for. But my partner loved the eggplant app and the capellini with marinara. I really enjoyed the Aragosta Melodia - lobster with mushrooms and garlic in a tarragon lemon sauce, which I requested over capellini rather than the linguine it's supposed to be paired with. The lobster was perfectly cooked, which is not necessarily common up here on the lake. The dish benefited from added salt & pepper but leftovers were amazing the next day, after the components had time to settle in together. The calamari was good; a huge portion for an app and not one of their superstars. One of the things we appreciate about Cafe Fiore was their outspoken - announced, even - willingness to adapt any dish to order. In a world where options and accommodations are dwindling, it's nice to be given carte blanche in the opposite direction. Because they allowed the pasta switch I spent more on a lobster dish than I would have on my second choice, the Cappelini meatball dish. And truly, the service is excellent. You can expect a pleasant, unique dining experience with attentive staff.

Had reservations for a friend's birthday at 8:30pm on a Friday, was greeted by Ed our server, who was very attentive and friendly. I'd never been here before but am happy I got the chance to try it out. This spot is quaint with half only a dozen tables! We ordered 2 of the specials and 2 other menu items. Each meal came with a soup or salad and of course garlic bread for the table. Highly recommend the minestrone very flavorful! We were all very satisfied with our meals, perfectly cooked. Ed brought out an ice cream for the birthday girl, thanks Ed!

10/10 experience. This restaurant is a hidden gem in the South Lake Tahoe area. Since this restaurant has only 5 tables inside and a few more outside, the reservation is a must, and moreover, it should be done 2 weeks in advance. Give them a call asap to reserve. We got lucky , it was Thursday night, and one spot for 8 pm table was available for us to book 24 hours ahead of time. The service is top notch with attentiveness, recommendations, and a personal approach. The ambiance is romantic, classy , and prompt to relax and enjoy. The wine list is extensive. A few beer selections are available if needed it. The food was outstanding. The aroma , the presentation, the freshness and taste are all something to remember and long for until next time. This restaurant is located off the main road , so you can't not know it unless you hear of it and are looking to try. I would say " locals favorite." We highly recommend this place .

After reading up on Cafe Fiore it seemed like the perfect spot for a romantic dinner for two. I called and made the reservation over the phone about a week in advance. I called to confirm the reservation the day before. There were blizzard conditions the day of the reservation, but we were staying at a hotel close by so we didn't have any issues getting there. Upon arrival the outside of Cafe Fiore looked so cozy and quaint. On the inside it was cozy indeed. The whole experience once we stepped into the restaurant was great from the service to the food. We shared lobster ravioli as an appetizer and then for my meal I had the chicken marsala and my wife had the fettuccine alfredo. The chicken marsala was great and it came with an accompaniment of vegetables and pasta. For dessert we picked the flourless chocolate cake which turned out to be the absolute correct choice.

Visited 12/29/23 The best food I've had in a very very long time. Cozy and cute place that have amazing staff and great food to accompany. I will definitely be back every time I'm in Tahoe. Also very reasonable prices.

I cannot say enough GREAT things about this restaurant!! I have been several times over the years and every single time service and food have been exceptional. I'm very sad they will be closing as they will be missed.

First I would like to amazing service. This cozy and seven seat restaurant was an experience that my wife and I will talk about and recommend to our friends. They had a great selection of food and they did not disappoint. When we went The staff recommended us the swordfish and it was amazing. Amazing experience and great food.

Great food great prices and great people!! I can see why my aunt would cheat on her husband for one of the employees here. Super nice gentleman. I personally do like him more than my uncle. Definitely be returning for great food!

We had a 745pm reservation on a Friday night. We arrived a bit early and our table was not yet ready and since the place is really small we had to wait outside and the heater was out of gas so we were out in the cold (it was raining and was 39°F) for about 10 minutes. We were asked if we wanted bread - garlic bread or another option - we ordered the garlic bread which was good when it came out warm and fresh, however, got cold easily. I do not think it is worth $10. We ordered the soft-shelled crab for our appetizer and it was amazing ! I ordered the Linguine Fra Diavolo - it had adequate amount of seafood in it, the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and had great flavor. My boyfriend ordered the Bistecca alla Veneziana - it was a huge portion as it came with 2 steaks. The filet mignon was cooked as ordered (medium rare), however, they were not that tender but still okay. We Got the pear for dessert and this was very delicious! Servers that night, Ed and Jennifer, were nice and friendly Price is reasonable considering the size of the portions. Please note that the bill does not show an itemized list of the order - it has several lines of just prices. The place has 6 tables so make sure you call to make reservations - there is no option of doing online reservation. There is a parking lot. We will definitely return to this place the next time we visit South Lake Tahoe.

Service was exceptional. In fact, we can't think of an experience where the service topped Cafe Fiore. Some of the food was very good - soup, swordfish. However, the bread and pasta dish were just ok. The pasta was somewhat clean eating (for pasta :)) which was good. The dish could have benefited from having the kalamata olives and possibly the artichoke hearts cut into smaller pieces to make each bite more consistent. Also, the tomatoes seemed under ripe, and a different variety of tomato could have improved the dish. The portions and prices, particularly given the high-level of service, were very reasonable.

They have permanently closed their establishment! Unfortunately, as they were a delightful to dine with friends while in the South Lake Tahoe area!

We love, love, love this place! The food is excellent, the restaurant is cozy, and the staff is amazing. We made reservations for the day before Valentine's Day and arrived at 8:15pm. We were promptly seated and I order was taken. I highly suggest getting the garlic bread. We had the appetizer special which was a mushroom bruschetta. I ordered the pasta seafood special with 1/2 a lobster tail and my husband had the medallions of filet mignon with peppercorn cream sauce. For desert we took some white chocolate ice cream to go. All If the food was amazing, fresh, and cooked the perfection. We had the best experience and we will be back! Pro tip: If you are a person that gets not easily, when you make reservations ask them not to sit you next to the heater.

Food and service and ambiance was beautiful. Wonderful service and food. The filet was excellent as well as the seafood pasta and white chocolate ice cream!!!

Awesome date night spot sitting outside. The calamari and lobster pasta was on point. Super attentive staff made our dinner experience worthwhile. Definitely will be back next time I'm visiting South Lake Tahoe.

Minus one star for BABY.... read on. Otherwise, Loved it! A very special intimate place; it's small. We spent about 100 each, plus tip, which appeared pretty standard for here. Servers were very nice & professional. They were warm & made you feel right at home. This small place is very quaint and intimate. PLEASE Folks, please don't bring your BABY to a place like this. It's more appropriate for a couple's romantic dinner. Some Yahoo's brought a crying baby in on Friday night (January 10, 2025)...you know who you are, you Freaks! That's some serious low-class act.. Here's an idea, get a sitter! I'd think you could afford one if you can afford to eat here, or God forbid, someone stay behind with the kid and have your family bring back something for you. Congratulations for nearly ruining each person's experience and expensive dinner. Get a freak'n clue!

We came while we were visiting and so glad we did! We loved everything we had. Highly recommend going

tldr; rare combination of excellent food and service. Cozy, romantic ambience, limited seating. Be also prepared for high prices, but you get what you pay for. Note: reviewing as a single diner, but this place is really better suited for romantic couples. Did a quick lookup online and read that reservations are a must. Dined on a sleepy Monday, so reservations were no issue, the cafe is located in a somewhat remote area around ski run boulevard. Stepping inside, the decor is very cozy. The small size also means that seating is limited, which correlates well with making reservations in advance. I heard people making bookings while dining in - amazing. Service is extremely attentive. Was asked personally to have my coat taken, but opted to keep it on as it was an unusually cold Spring day in Tahoe. Was recited with perfect calm the specials for the day, and opted to go for * special appetizer: Goat cheese and fig ravioli, half portion * appetizer: garlic bread (not complimentary) * special entree: Lightly breaded swordfish w/capers. Waiter (Ed) mentioned everything is made to order, ie customizations are possible. Nice! Food ratings: * Garlic bread is good, freshly made. 4/5 * Goat cheese ravioli is excellent! 4.5/5 * Minestrone soup is good. 4/5 * Swordfish sides - tasty, fresh mix of vegetables and pasta. 4.5/5 * swordfish itself - highlight of the meal. It felt like a soft, savory, moist fish cake. Breading is just nice. Amazing! 5/5 Overall - a must visit if you're in Tahoe and looking for a cozy romantic meal with excellent food and service.

the most amazing culinary experience of my life. atmosphere, food taste and quality, owner and staff beyond amazing.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and it was so special. I loved the outdoor seating we had, it was so intimate and unique. Service was top notch, very warm and friendly. That alone increased our desire to return! The food was delicious. I truly have not stopped thinking about the dressing on the salad that came with my meal... It was amazing! (Red wine shallot?) I could be wrong. I've never eaten a salad this slow because I didn't want it to end lol. My entree was the bistecca allá Veneziana. It was p e r f e c t. My husband wish he chose another meal but ate & enjoyed all of his entree as well. We wrapped up our meal with a Togo tiramisu to enjoy at the beach during sunset and it was as delicious as we expected! Getting a reservation here can be a challenge so definitely plan ahead. Thanks for the unforgettable dinner Cafe Fiore, we will be back.

Fiore's is by far the most amazing dining destination in all of Lake Tahoe!! The customer service is beyond top notch and the food is absolutely amazing!! Worth a trip to Tahoe to just dine here!! Spencer and Ed were the best!! Thankyou!!

Amazing service and food! Our server Jon was very personable and knew what wine would pair well with our dish. Even offered a quick tasting of different wines. 10/10 experience

Cafe Fiori is a warm and cozy little restaurant. The staff was friendly and attentive. Even so it is definitely overpriced! We started the meal with a nice pouring of wine and the appetizer special. The appetizer was just ok. It was 4 raviolis that were pan fried and supposedly filled with lobster and ricotta but the lobster was no where to be found. We also had the garlic bread, but would have liked to have known we could have had plain bread and saved $10.00. We ordered the Aragosta Melodia and the Di Mare alla Fiore. The lobster was on the small size, maybe 3 ozs. The portion size of the pasta was plenty and tasted ok but, not worth the hefty price tag.

Wife and I visited Cafe Fiore while in town for our son's bday weekend last week. This is the restaurant where we had our first dinner date together as husband and wife about 12 years ago. As chance would have it, unfortunately we have never been back until last weekend. Since this is a small intimate restaurant of only about 10 or so tables, it's quite tricky getting a reservation; particularly if last minute and/or during peak seasons. Hence, it took us 12 years to make it back. As stated, place is small and quite intimate. Ambiance is beautiful. Staff are top-notch. Their team is as good as it gets! As for the food, we ordered: Eggplant crepe / salmon - beautiful presentation/delicious. Sauce is magnificent! Fig and goatcheese ravioli - delicate and rich at the same time. The sweetness of the fig pairs excellently with the goatcheese. Seafood pasta over linguine - Fresh seafood. Again, very delicate flavors. My only complaint is I could've used a bigger serving lol! Swordfish - Best swordfish we've ever had, period! Fish has been very lightly battered, fried, and finished in the oven. Lemon caper sauce. Absolutely sublime! Flourless chocolate cake with housemade white chocolate ice cream - couldn't think of a better way to wrap up our beautiful dinner. This place definitely brought back amazing memories for us. And the food is just as great as we remembered 12 years ago. We are soo glad that they survived Covid! Will always hold a special place in our hearts!

Visitied in the summertime where the weather was warm. The restaurant itselt is small but there's plenty of nice and ambient outdoor seating with outdoor heating. The service the whole night was very attentive, fast, and our waitress was super kind! Be sure to make a reservation because the time slots especially for indoors fill up fast. As for the food, we started off with great garlic bread enough for my partner and I. Entree's come with either a soup or salad for which my parter ordered a great house salad and I ordered the soup which I thought was fine but was kinda small. For entree's I got the swordfish special and my partner ordered the lobster seafood pasta. Both entrees were great and packed with flavor. However the swordfish special portion was a bit smaller than me for I'm used to. We ended up ordered the tiramisu cake for dessert which was super delicious and a good portion for my parter and I. At the end of the day, we both were really satisfied with the food, service, and ambience and would definitely be coming back!

A delightful, tiny Italian inspired restaurant a bit off the beaten path. With only 10 indoor tables and maybe double that in the warm months with shady outdoor seating, calling for reservations (no online options) at least a week or two ahead is essential. The setting is super cute. Given Tahoes famously mild weather, opt for outdoor if you can. We had a table just inside the half door and were treated to warm and friendly service by Jennifer and trainee Greg. We took advantage of a couple of nightly specials including the fresh caprese salad with farmers market tomatoes (absolutely delicious) and the swordfish entree. We also tried their beef filet with a Barolo wine reduction (which was probably the largest filet I'd ever gotten at a restaurant-probably 12oz!) and one of the pastas -linguine with chicken, peppers, and sausage which I'm sad to say was not too special. The entrees come with soup (minestrone chock full of veggies) or small salad. We all opted by the delicious soup. We also ordered a basket of the tasty garlic bread. We enjoyed the setting and the meal overall but I guess my expectations were just a little too lofty. Nice but not spectacular for me. Still definitely worth dining here as it is totally unique and away from the hustle and bustle of the main areas of town.

For the last 15 years our family tradition has been intertwined with Cafe Fiore. I first heard about it at the hot tub after a long day of skiing. That recommendation has led to a yearly pilgrimage to experience this local gem. It's a restaurant that carries memories of our trips to the snow, with its enchanting ambiance and consistently exceptional dining. The quaint and romantic setting makes each visit feel special. The swordfish, a personal favorite of mine, never fails to impress with its exquisite flavor, while my wife and daughter often indulge in the richly satisfying steak or pasta. The warmth and genuine hospitality of the staff add to the charm of this locally-owned haven. It's a little slice of culinary paradise in Tahoe, where the intimate setting of merely seven indoor tables creates an exclusive and cozy atmosphere. Securing a reservation is a must to experience what we confidently declare the best dining experience in Tahoe. Protip: my daughters love the white chocolate ice cream. Every visit reaffirms our love for this place, leaving us eagerly anticipating our next visit.

I have been coming to Cafe Fiore for over 20 years and always have had an amazing experience. Nick who takes the reservations is always so accommodating and tries really hard to get you in at the time you want. The food has always been exceptional as well as the service. The atmosphere is very romantic. I recommend this fine dining experience to all. Thank you Cafe Fiore for being so consistently outstanding!!! John and Gina S.

Loved everything about this restaurant!! The place is perfect in practically every way! Walking up to the restaurant was just so cute! I felt like we were walking into a gingerbread house! The chef is just totally out of this world! Very great quality food and the drinks were awesome too. My Mother & Father in law loved the wine and I got some tea that was BLUE! The only sad thing about this was we had a lot of leftovers. 2 entrees of Sward fish and 1 of veal. We were saving it to have the next day but the waiters did not pack it up for us. They only packed away our leftover salad and Childs pasta. We were pretty disappointed the next day when we were snowed in. I called the restaurant and spoke with Tony. He was somewhat apologetic about the situation. But We spent a lot of $$ on the entrees (that we barley touched) and left a generous amount for gratuity. It was disappointing that Tony said "no" when I asked for at least free dessert for the next time. That's just like $14? It would give us an excuse to come back and give them another shot. The service when we were eating was amazing but when I called back and spoke with Tony it was sad that he didn't seem to care. Overall, I highly recommend this place but due to the way To y handled the situation, it seemed like the "good service" was nothing but an act.

48 years on the South Shore and my absolute favorite combination of wonderful Italian dining choices, wine list, ambience/charm and service. Nick, the ever present, long timer owner is a part of the service quotient. He goes out of his way to make people feel special.

Great Food, Agreeable Service, Charming Atmosphere, But...... Pros: Adorable Look. Inventive Menu. Very Good Food. Cons: Failure To Follow-Up With A Special Occasion Star Ratings: - Overall: 4 - Food Quality: 5 - Food Quantity: 5 - Menu: 5 - Service: 4 - Price: 4 - Value: 5 - Parking: 4 - Attention To Special Occasion: 1 With several big birthdays and anniversaries in our family coming up, we decided to get together for 5 days by Lake Tahoe. We drove from the San Luis Obispo area and the others came from Los Angeles. The main event was my wife's birthday. It was a milestone so dinner on that date was really important for our group of 5. After reading lots of reviews for the best restaurant, we chose Cafe Fiore. I made reservations a week in advance and noted the birthdays and anniversaries...especially my wife's. When I called to confirm 2 days before, the young woman who answered said they indeed had those instructions. Upon arriving, the gentleman host whispered the same information to our server........and that was the last mention of her milestone birthday by any employee at Cafe Fiore. We didn't expect someone to jump out of a cake or light fireworks, but a simple acknowledgement would have been nice. A glass of champagne? A dessert? A few words? After all, we did spend $471 for 5 people. So instead of adding another 5 star review to their log book, Cafe Fiore gets one with a mysterious title and a less-than-flattering explanation. Here are the rest of my notes. - Location: Convenient. About 6 or 7 blocks south of the lake. However, although the address is on Ski Run Boulevard, the sign, main entrance and parking lot are around the corner on Tamarack Ave. - Appearance: Adorable. As others indicated, the interior is small but very attractive. We sat in the garden which can accommodate more tables than the building and is just as pleasant in its own way. - Ambiance: Upscale yet cozy. Cafe Fiore reminded us of out-of-the way restaurants we found a few years ago while driving around the countryside in the Burgundy region of France. Lake Tahoe is much more of a tourist spot, but this place does have its charms. - Menu: Eclectic and Inviting. Though the menu was not particularly long, all the items at Cafe Fiore were tempting...even for a group with 2 pescatarians/part-time vegetarians. If we didn't live 400-500 miles away by car, we could easily visit 2 or 3 more times and have our choice of great food. - Food: Tasty. Cafe Fiore serves a basket of regular bread, but in addition we got some garlic bread ($8) for the table. A good choice...which we again ordered later in the meal. We also began by sharing Calamari ($17.95) which included the largest and some of the most tender pieces we've tried. I ordered the Caprese Salad ($14) which might have been the best version I've had (see picture). I followed with the seafood special...Swordfish ($45)...accompanied by small portions of 4 or 5 really good vegetables. A top notch dish. I topped that off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream over several types of berries. Other family members had Caprese Salad, Caesar Salad ($11.75 - very good), Eggplant Crepes ($17.95 - excellent), Fettucine Alla Calabrese "hold the butter" ($28.95 - good, but a bit bland), Linguine Fra Diavolo ($48.95 - mixed seafood with spicy marinara sauce - excellent with enough to take home ), Capellini Bocconcini ($32.95 - lightly breaded meatballs, tomato, basil, marinara over capellini - very good) and Aragosta Melodia ($46.95 - lobster and fettuccine - excellent). While I kept my dessert to myself, the others shared a specially prepared pear dish. I had 2 glasses of the Ferrari Carrano Chardonnay ($20 each), my wife had 1 glass of the same and my stepson had 2 glasses of a cabernet which I forgot ($15 each). The wines were fine and it should be noted all glasses at Cafe Fiore are a full 8 ounces...not the skimpy 6 ounces found at many places for a similar price. - Service: Very good. The "Gentleman Host" was cordial, but didn't crack a smile (unless I missed it) while introducing the restaurant and menu. Our server was consistently agreeable and reminded us of one from years back who frequently replied to our orders by saying "excellent choice". She kept a watchful eye on our table without being intrusive and had a pleasant way of going about her business. - Price and Value: Reasonable. Cafe Fiore certainly isn't cheap, but you get your money's worth from the food, drinks and atmosphere. You may leave poorer, but not shortchanged. - Parking: Sufficient. The lot in front of the restaurant on a side street got full, but it was a Saturday night in the middle of summer. There's also parking along Ski Run Blvd. Would we return to Cafe Fiore? It depends on our expectations. For an inventive menu...good food and charming ambiance...yes. If we were promised a little extra attention due to a special occasion...maybe not.

An amazing evening in a delightful atmosphere with delicious food. The wait staff is attentive and kind.

Amazing food and service. Everything on the menu is so good. Great wine list too. My favorite restaurant in Tahoe

As a semi-local always looking for restaurants to add to our list and this is a definite plus. Tough to get a reservation but glad Nick was accommodating / thank you! All our food was delicious and lived up to the hype - honestly they served the best swordfish ever!!!

Absolutely loved dining here visiting from out of town. The meal was delicious, not because it was my first dine-in meal in months post SIP ( shelter in place), but because this restaurant had amazing tasting food and service. We were a party of three. The garlic bread is to die for - careful not to load up on it so space is left for the main dishes. We ordered: Risotto Crab Cakes, Seafood Pasta, Filet Mignon, Minestrone Soup, Tiramisu. Easy parking in the attached parking lot. The staff made us feel comfortable with their masks and their hygienic measures. will come back! Tip: make reservations, it's a tiny restaurant with limited seating

Wow! My fiancé and I had the most amazing date night at Cafe Fiore. Service upon arrival was so good. I felt like I was coming home. They were so welcoming. Our server(very sorry I forgot names) went above and beyond explaining their plates and letting us taste the wine before consuming. The whole night was magical. We got to sit by the window while snow came down making it all more romantic. Food was delicious.

Quaint location on Ski Run Blvd... Adequate parking onsite... 1/2 dozen tables* lends attentive service from Ed & Spencer's seamless coordinated teamwork... Corkage fee was waived with purchase of a bottle of wine (unexpected)... Started with eggplant app - crispy delight... House Gorgonzola salad & minestrone soup starters also superb... Entree special swordfish was the best cook & best prep I've experienced (enjoyed it 30 times)... Lobster linguine was generous perfection... Tiramisu is too good for words (wanted to take home a second for morning coffee!)... If this sounds unbelievable, it should to do justice for a wonderful evening! 1st time back since pre-COVID & plan to return each trip up from the Bay Area... P.S. * reserve "well" in advance (books out early) & enjoy an evening to relax & enjoy being well taken care of...

Best food at Lake Tahoe. Very entree is fantastic. Great service. Just be prepared as it is a little pricey.

Cafe Fiore is truly a gem. Small, intimate place near Heavenly off of Ski Run Blvd. to start we had Blue crab cakes encrusted with risotto paired with a nice bottle of Livermore Dante Robere Barbera from our "cellar". We then ordered Lobster Pasta and their famous sword fish. With our entree, we had a choice of minestrone soup or salad and got one of each. The house dressing was particularly good. Lori was blown away by the lobster; fresh, succulent and amazingly scrumptious! The sword fish was the best I've ever had; pan seared in panko, baked and topped with capers. Very flavorful and juicy deliciousness! Service very attentive. The chef evidently has been the same since the 90's and it shows up very favorably. No cocktails, wine and beer only. Need to reserve well in advance as there are few tables.

The restaurant is a bit smaller so keep in mind to make a reservation! The atmosphere and ambiance is very homey and looked beautiful. Staff was very friendly, attentive, and gave great descriptions of the specials. Outdoor seating area was great, with heaters nearby to stay warm if needed. Food came fast, hot, and was great! Definitely recommend the swordfish and the aragosta melodia (lobster with fettuccini, mushrooms, tomatoes in a lemon tarragon sauce). Tiramisu was a light, not too sweet finish.

Overall had an amazing experience at Cafe Fiore. The staff were super attentive and helpful when we came and gave us great wine recommendations for the dishes we were choosing to eat. The restaurant is very intimate and small, you need to make reservations!!! We did the full four course experience- appetizer, soup, enter then dessert. We had the eggplant crepes, garlic bread, minestrone soup, Capellini alla Siciliana, Di Mare alla Fiore, and white chocolate ice cream. Of the entrees, Di Mare was a little more of my favorite than the other but both were incredible!!! Unfortunately by the time we got between entree and dessert it took staff awhile to check in on us and we were ready to order the ice cream. The ice cream was so good that it felt like an out of body experience. We were enjoying it so much that we didn't notice our small guest join us in our table- a SPIDER. Thank goodness it was on my husband's side of the table because if it was on mine I would have jumped up and gasped. We did take a picture of the scene but it was too graphic and unsettling to share. We mentioned it to the wait staff and they apologized for the uninvited guest but that was all. Four stars because of that reason and the wait time, or it would have been a five.

Our previous family ski trip was back in 2020 before the pandemic hit the San Francisco Bay Area. We didn't go in 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions, the unavailability of vaccines at that time, etc. It was cool to be able to go again for our daughter's 2022 ski week. We started with Roasted Peppers Special. My wife had the Spinach Salad and Seafood Pasta Special. I had the Minestrone Soup and Swordfish Special plus Vegetable Medley. Our daughter had pasta. For dessert, we had ice cream and cake. The staff was friendly and professional.