Lanza’s Restaurant: Authentic Italian Cuisine & Wine Bar in Kings Beach

Really enjoyed this place. The “pick your own pasta” option is super cool. We arrived around 4:30PM when the bar opens (Dinner starts at 5PM) to have some drinks and happy hour apps. The cocktails are excellent, the bartender is great, and the baked artichokes w/ mushrooms is a perfect app with some good red wine. They serve hot bread and whipped butter with dinner and the house dressing for salads is delicious. Our waitress was super kind and helpful and answered lots of menu questions. We ended up with the Lanza Special which is a pasta sampler including 2 types of stuffed shells, meat sauce, and penne. The meat sauce and shells are quite tasty. Portions are enormous so you’ll be leaving with some leftovers. For dessert, we tried the affogato and tiramisu. The tiramisu is both plentiful and tasty (definitely need to share). But to take some creative license from The Godfather, “Leave the affogato. Take the tiramisu.”

Classic and authentic Italian cuisine, just like nonna used to make! Homemade pasta and pasta sauces with the perfect blend of freshness and depth, full of rich flavor. Come early because the line ultimately goes out the door, and for good reason!

My grandparents have been coming here for 50years. If that's not proof it's great food, I'm not sure what is. I live on the other side of the country so this was my first chance of being able to enjoy their tradition and I'm so glad they shared this place with me. It will be a must stop for myself when in town from now on. Grandpa got the calamari steak which was tender and surprisingly tasty! I got the eggplant parm and for it not having any meat, there's no other way to describe it than being a very hearty 'meaty' dish, the husband got the sampler with the stuffed shells. My grandmother ended up sharing from all our plates so she got the true deal. Then we all shared a DELICIOUS tiramisu. Ive never had one so fluffy and non-coffee tasting before. I could've ate an entire lasagna pan full of the tiramisu. It truly stood up to its reputation and again, I'm so glad I'll have this memory shared with my grandparents. Thank you Lanzas!

Lanza’s Restaurant has been one of my absolute favorite spots in North Lake Tahoe since the day I arrived in August 2005—it was the very first dinner I had when I pulled into town, and it’s held a special place in my heart ever since. The cozy, welcoming environment makes you feel at home the moment you walk in. The staff is always friendly, and there’s always a local at the bar, which tells you everything you need to know about how beloved this place is. Their homemade salad dressing, classic meatballs, and calamari steak are just a few of the dishes that keep me coming back year after year. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply stopping in for a glass of wine, Lanza’s offers exactly what you hope for—warm hospitality, comforting Italian favorites, and that familiar Tahoe charm. It’s a restaurant where you’re never alone and always welcomed. If you’re searching for authentic Italian food in Tahoe, a cozy Kings Beach restaurant, or a true local favorite, Lanza’s should be at the top of your list. Highly recommend.

I found this gem on Google under Italian restaurants and it was only 10 miles from Tahoe City where I was staying on a ski vacation. From the minute I walked in the door I was treated with courtesy and kindness by the host and servers. The food was super good (I had the sampler), glass of wine and the minestrone soup was packed with vegetables. The sourdough bread was tasty. It was the perfect meal that hit the spot.

5-Star Italian Restaurant. The food was served hot and delicious. The staff are friendly and never ignore what you need. Comfortable padding seating. Highly recommend.

Lanza's never disappoints! My wife and I have been coming here for our anniversary for the past few years. This has become our go to spot for a nice romantic dinner. The ambiance is great, the food is fantastic (you won't leave hungry), and the service is excellent. Highly reccomend!

I would suggest getting there early for dinner as the place does fill up quick. But with the first bite you will realize why. We were quoted an hour wait and were invited to wait in the bar area. We quickly found a table and got comfortable. We ordered drinks and appetizers while we waited for a table. We thoroughly enjoyed the crostinis, the baked artichoke hearts and the cheesy garlic bread. We almost filled up before we even got to order our actual meal. Once our table was ready we were able to enjoy our actual dinner. The portions were good and full of flavor. This is some of the best Italian food we've ever had.