The Divided Sky is possibly the best-kept secret for live music in all of Lake Tahoe, plus it’s also a great local bar with good eats. Located in Meyers, just outside of South Lake Tahoe, it’s a bit off the beaten path and removed from the overly touristy scene down by the casinos — that’s also why it’s so beloved by locals. The menu serves standard bar food fare, with salads and sandwiches on the healthier side. The Divided Sky sources organic ingredients and makes a lot of its meals from scratch. They have great veggie options, such as the Pollard with grilled eggplant and the Edinburgh with portobello mushrooms. Keep an eye on the events calendar to catch bluegrass bands and DJ parties for a good time without the cloud of cigarette smoke on the casino strip.

There’s no missing the Burger Lounge. It’s the roadside stop on Highway 89 with the giant mug of frothy beer and the picture of the burger out front. Burger Lounge is well-known to be one of the best spots in all of Lake Tahoe for huge, juicy burgers. There are 16 to choose from (plus six veggie burger options), but the classic Cheese Deluxe never disappoints. Depending on your hunger level, you can opt for a 1/2 lb. or 1/4 lb. patty. The menu also has chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and salads. Add a side of cheesy fries and a shake; there are over 40 flavors, including litchi, Nerds (yes, the candy), and cheesecake, but when it comes to eating a burger, sometimes a classic vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry shake is the best pairing.

Established in 1966, Bert’s Cafe has a following that’s generations old. Located near South Lake Tahoe’s “Wye” — the intersection of Highway 89 and U.S. Highway 50 on the west end of town — Bert’s Cafe is a classic old-school diner with green leather booth seating and an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch dishes. The hash browns are crispy. The eggs are cooked to order. The whipped cream towers on the hot chocolate are dotted with sprinkles. It’s hard to go wrong at Bert’s, which is why this little diner lives up to its reputation as one of the best brunch spots in South Lake Tahoe. But if the wait is too long, there’s always Ernie’s, another coffee house and diner, right across the street.

The Hangar is a place to hang out for a while, sip a beer underneath the trees, and celebrate a great day spent outdoors with friends, family, and, often, live music. After the sun sets, patio lights buzz through the trees. The Hangar curates a draft list of 30 craft beers, with many sourced from indie breweries across Northern California and Northern Nevada. Local food trucks parked onsite provide the grub.

Located on South Lake Tahoe’s main drag, the Cold Water Brewery & Grill is a warm and friendly restaurant, often packed with crowds and good vibes from long days hiking or skiing in the woods. The burgers are made with a short rib blend beef patty and go well with the brewery’s selection of craft beers. Try the BBQ Bacon Burger with the hoppy Tahoe Cross IPA, or the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich with Mr. Toad’s Wild Rye, named after the iconic mountain bike trail in South Lake Tahoe.

This counter-service café is the best place to go in South Lake when you’re craving something healthy and satisfying. The sandwiches are filling (get the Vegetable Crunch or the Real Tahoe Turkey), as are all of the bowls. This is also the place to get fresh-squeezed juices, like a Kale Refresher or a Tahoe Turmeric. Order it to stay and enjoy your food at a table (indoors or out) or, weather permitting, get it to go and have a picnic on the nearby beach.

The locals love this restaurant that specializes in innovative vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free food, as well as a great selection of craft beer (including Pliny the Elder). The servings are huge, the service is super friendly, and even better: weather permitting, there’s a second-story deck with lake views.

The key to maximizing your enjoyment at the Boathouse on the Pier in the summer is to get there for the afternoon happy hour (daily, from 3 to 6 p.m.). Then you can sip discounted drinks on a picnic table on the longest pier in Tahoe while watching people boat, kayak, and paddle board around the lake. If you go for dinner, be sure to arrive well before the sun goes down and grab a seat on the top deck for maximum romance (or by a window during cold weather). Like almost every restaurant with a view in Tahoe, the prices aren’t cheap, but the fish tacos are reasonable, though it’s worth it to shell out a little more for the Cajun shrimp boil pasta, “a Tahoe twist on the Southern classic.”

The Artemis Lakefront Cafe has an ideal location at the Ski Run Marina, where you can sit outside with your dog friend, while eating tasty Greek and Mediterranean food and taking in the views of Lake Tahoe and the snow-capped Sierra. Everything is good, but you can’t go wrong with the falafel or veggie pita, both of which are fresh and filling.

Located at the base of Heavenly Ski Resort (hence the name), this family-friendly spot with indoor and outdoor dining serves up tasty pies and craft beer to hungry tourists and locals, but … mostly tourists. Expect long waits during the high season (summer and winter).

Floor-to-ceiling windows show off stunning views of the lake and mountains, and the meat-centric entrees, as well as the wine selection, are fantastic. Be sure to book your reservation with the timing of the sunset in mind; it will help take the sting out of your bill.