After reading many mixed reviews we decided to give Garwoods a try for an early dinner on a Friday night. Â We were pleasantly surprised with everything. Â We were seated promply on the lower deck. Â We tried the Wet Woodys and they were great. One of our party members tried a moscow mule and it was served in a regular glass. We asked about the copper mugs and he said over the 4th of July they were all stolen by patrons of the bar.
We ordered several appetizers of tuna, coconut shrimp and crab cakes. All were very good.
Three people ordered the steaks and they were cooked to their liking which is  big deal to my husband.  I ordered the halibut and it was cooked to my liking and was very tasty. Another person had the chipolte chicken salad and was very tasty. Â
We had a great evening and will come back next summer.
Just myself and a girlfriend going to lunch while visiting Lake Tahoe. The view was so stunning. It sure made everything great for us. We had a very nice and helpful server. We ordered a burger and split it (No extra plate charge). Also had a Wet Woody each and they were yummy on this very hot day. Although we didn't order alot of food we really enjoyed ourselves. We had a very memorable time. I would go back and try it again.
Review Source:My wife and I came over for a date night and the service was outstanding. Our server, Shane (not sure if I'm spelling it right) was by far the best. She was super knowledgeable about everything on the menu, but the best part was not feeling rushed at all. We were able to sit, enjoy the views and enjoy the great food.
I also enjoyed the Wet Woodies made by the bartender, Billy. Â I had two, which was one more than I needed. I really want everyone to know that this place is a great restaurant and has a really fun atmosphere. Give it a try the next time you are up at the lake, I think you will like it as much a we did.
The deck at Garwood's has a beautiful view of the lake, I will give it that. Does that warrant charging $18.00 for a french dip? Maybe, if it were the best we'd ever had. The meat was unevenly sliced, under-seasoned, and the pile of fries was tiny. Â We also ordered a caesar salad, which had some sort of capers that were a rubbery texture, watery dressing, and instead of croutons mixed there were two little disks of plain baguette- also not seasoned. The french onion soup was the best part of the meal.
We also had to wait about 8 minutes before greeted by servers, while we watched other families be greeted almost instantly. i hope it wasn't because we happened to be the only gay couple adorned with tattoos, thus making us a last priority.
The "wet woody" drink menu was so tongue-in-cheek as far as sexual innuendo goes that were offended, and we're pretty open-minded as far as these things goes. i can't believe this menu sits out on the table for children to read. Drinks called "Black Strap-on Top" and "Morning Wood" to name only a few.
If you feel like spending $50 for a mediocore lunch, it's worth if you want a view of the lake. On the other hand, I'm sure there are plenty of other restaurants with this quality where the food is decently priced, or at least worth what you're spending. We don't be back.
Would give zero stars if possible, bad food, and expensive. Â We sat out side for the view and half way through our meal the staff came by to close the umbrellas due to wind, as the closed the umbrellas, debris fell onto the table and plates, no "sorry" just "these umbrellas are expensive, we have to close them so that they don't get ruined in the wind."
We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) lunch was $80 with no alcohol, very expensive for Kraft Mac'n'Cheese on the children's menu ($8), hubby had the fish and chips then spent the next 3 hours in the bathroom. Â
You are better off getting a picnic lunch and hanging at the beach right next to Garwoods and enjoying the same view.
DON'T EVER ORDER THE RIB-EYE STEAK HERE.
The steak was horrible. Yes it was huge and smothered with sauce, because they had to find away to make up for the poor quality and taste. I had to ask them to take it back 3 times and they still didn't nail it. After the third time, I finally ate some, but it was just not a really quality steak.
The first time I was told by a manager that the reason it looked rare is because of the natural lighting and that this happens a lot. Well, then, if this happens a lot then maybe  something should be done or a disclaimer provided. I was made to feel like it was my fault. They were accommodating to my needs, but it was really a bland piece of meat.
Now don't get me wrong, the other people in my group enjoyed their meals (recommend the scallops), of course except for the other person in my group who ordered steak besides me.
I'm very disappointed in Garwoods for this. I expect more out of them. I try to make it there a lot during the summer as I enjoy their atmosphere and drinks. However, this time the Steak was really really bad. I DO NOT Recommend ordering it.
Next time I will go to Jake's. As this was the first choice, however, I opted for Garwoods because usually the quality is good. But this last time it was horrible.
Garwoods -- I recommend checking your supplier on the steaks.
Oh, my. Â Where do I start? Â We happened by Garwoods because a friend had received some free drink tokens. (These drink tokens which state that they are good for, "One drink" will come back later). So the whole extended family went over to have drinks and appetizers. Â I'll start with the drinks. Â First, there are no prices on the wet woody menu. Â That being said, it is ludicrous to charge 16 or 17 dollars for what amounts to a mass-produced blended fruit punch with a shot on top. Â Most of the family ordered various wet woodies, but I ordered a lemon drop. Â This lemon drop was the worst drink I've had in recent memory. Â Maybe there was alcohol in it--I couldn't taste any--but it was mostly what tasted like cheap pre-made lemonade out of a plastic jug poured in a martini glass. Â When we sent the drink back, the waitress, rather than apologizing, sniffed the drink and gave us a dirty look. Â
Next, the food. Â We ordered the deviled eggs ($8.90), the crab cakes ($16.90), and the fried zucchini ($8.90). Â For $9 you had better get a good amount of deviled eggs, I thought. Â But when the plate came out, there were 5 HALVES on the plate. Â Two and a half eggs! Â Is it going to kill you to put the other half of the third egg on there? Â My brother-in-law loved them, but I think they were pretty run-of-the-mill. Â The crab cakes tasted OK, but if there was really crab in there, I couldn't taste it. Â And the fried zucchini was a mess of super soggy zucchini that left most of their breading in the bottom of the basket. Â Gross. Â
When we got the bill and tried to pay for some of our drinks with the tokens (that, once again, say non-specifically, "One drink" on them), our waitress snottily told us that they were only good for the original wet woody and beer. Â That was that. Â No offer to take a few bucks off, nothing. Â Now the part about not accepting these is not what caused me to write this one-star review. Â Because if I had a good experience there otherwise, (the drinks and food were phenomenal, the waitress was great), I wouldn't care if we ended up paying more than we thought we would. Â But, as it stands, Garwoods seems to rely on the fact that people will come here and pay ridiculous prices for mediocre food, drinks, and service, and they will likely keep coming back because of the location and the pretty view.
We went only for the filet burger which, even at $18 each, did not disappoint. Â We pretty much expected a place like this would be run like a factory (and it is) but still at those prices they could make a little more effort - the wine glasses on our table were filthy, there's only a single two-stall ladies room for a place that easily accommodates a couple of hundred people, and the overall atmosphere is frenetic and loud. Â The service is decent, but dull - they drop your drinks to your table, take your order, deliver your food and then your bill. Â Overall this place is what it is - go in with the right expectations and you'll probably be at least moderately satisfied.
Review Source:After waiting to be seated long after our reservation time, it took an hour to get our food. When we asked our server, Judy, what was taking so long, she told us the kitchen was busy. However, when our food arrived, it was cold and parts of it had to be sent back. I think it was a service, not kitchen, issue.
Review Source:Garwoods is one of my favorite restaurants up at the Lake (disclaimer: my husband and I were married on the dock at Garwoods, so that sentimental value adds a lot to my favor for this place).
My husband and I had dinner here over Fourth of July weekend. I called and made reservations a couple of weeks in advance. We were seated as soon as we arrived. The view from Garwoods is amazing. Absolutely amazing. Try to sit out on the patio or upstairs right along the windows. I ordered the scallops, and they were cooked perfectly. My dish was amazing--I definitely recommend it. My husband ordered the chicken Caesar salad which left a lot to be desired. I recommend skipping that.
Our server was nice, but not too nice which is just right for us that night.
Definitely order a Wet Woody. We went with the original deal, but they have a few variations that look just as tantalizing.
We were there on a Friday and they had some live music downstairs which was fun.
Make sure that you head out to the dock to enjoy the view and take some photos after your dinner!
Gar Woods is home to the Wet Willy, a delicious rum drink, and about 10 other titilatingly titled drinks. Â I honestly could not believe the view of the lake. Â I mean I actually could not believe it. Â I had to be slapped to understand it was real. Â Everything was right - the food, the funny server, the ambiance, and even the slap.
Review Source:Randomly stumbled to this place. Â It's got great views and service seemed real good. Â The food wasnt extraordinary, but I had fun there. Â Some local people even talked to us, so that was kinda cool. Â I think a lot of ppl complain about it being overpriced, but hello, it's a tourist trap dummy, its kinda the point... Â I walked in here knowing it was expensive, I mean it overlooks the lake. Â It's a great place for a drink and has nice views, the food isnt extraordinary, but i was fine with it.
Review Source:Writing in response to Mary Jane A's review. There is no charge for not drinking liquor. I've worked in a few restaurants that use Positouch ( a computer system) and it categorizes the bill on the bottom of your receipt. So what she saw, and what others will see as well at any restaurant that uses Positouch, is the bill categorized. It categorized non alcoholic drinks, alcoholic drinks, appetizers, dinner entrees, and sometimes it will overlap some items which gets confusing. (Not a fan of Positouch) Working in restaurants for 3-4 years, I've had a few tables ask me why it says we charged them for not drinking and I always have to explain that. So, when it says "no alcohol $3.95" it just means that they ordered a non alcoholic drink that cost $3.95 such as: ice tea, hot tea, pepsi, coffee, etc. Hope that clears some things up!!
Review Source:Spent a very pleasant Sunday evening at Gar Woods on the patio overlooking beautiful Lake Tahoe - what could be better. Great location and stunning view. It was quite quiet for a warm Sunday night so we had no problem getting a front row table over the beach and water.
The food was excellent (Grilled Salmon, Aussie Lamb Chops and Scallops) and the service was very good. Like most good Tahoe restaurants, Gar Woods is very expensive and over-priced by Bay Area standards. However, that is Tahoe pricing. We will be back
We drove about an hour to the restaurant and it was well worth it. I made reservations online (plus in my book) and we ended up getting there about 30mins early and they accommodated us and gave us a great table (plus)! The restaurant is on North Lake Tahoe and has beautiful views. Staff were all friendly.
Food: We started with and shared the french onion soup sans croutons to be gluten free, main plates were the cobb salad (for me) and Alaskan Salmon (for my husband) both dishes were great.
Cocktails: I started with a lemon drop one of the best I've had, and ended with a wet woody (shared with husband). I would recommend either.
Next time were in town, we will be back.
I had breakfast there this past weekend with some friends and this place is cool. Â Its right on the lake and the entire wall on the water's side is glass so everyone has a view.
The food is a bit pricey, but good. Â I think if it were a hot summer day coming here for drinks and appetizers may be more what they're know for because their specialty drinks sounds amazing.
Worth a stop if you're in Tahoe.
We've enjoyed their sister restaurant in South Shore so we thought we would give this one a try on our way home from South Shore. Â It was a few months ago that we were there. Â It had been snowing in South Shore just a few days before, but this day was gorgeous !! Â Just one of those perfect days that you just have to stop and thank God for blessing you with it. Â So there we were on this glorious day sitting on the deck soaking in the beautiful screnary !! Â Such a gorgeous view...I never tire of the beauty of the lake. Â We ordered the grilled crab sandwiches and it was one of the best I've had. Â Our server was nice, the food was good and the view was spectular !!
Review Source:Great view, food is good but the service is so so. We had reservations for 10 n when we arrived we only had 8. The hostess said they didn't have our table ready yet and the we could take open seating for right now, we crammed ourselves into a table that was set for 6. Â Later we asked for our table and we were told that the table we were at was as good as it gets that is is no tables for 8 let alone 10.
Our waitress was dressed in dirty clothes and looked like she hasn't seen a clothes washer  in a few weeks. Her attitude was I'm cute look at me, when she gave us our bill we questioned some items and she just laughed and said "I'm sorry I forgot to tell you that extra fee" .
We really liked the place but the attitude will keep us from going back.
The food is okay, but you're really paying for the view. The three of us found out when we arrived that they were requiring reservations to sit on the right (nicer looking, including the outdoor seating) side of the restaurant, but we could sit on the left side. We were able to sit next to the window. As I said, the lake view was nice, though the interior (at least on the left side, where those of us who were not familiar with their reservations policy had been relegated to) was pretty bland.
The waitress took forever to take our order and the food took a little bit too long, but otherwise the service was good, waters were refilled, requests were fulfilled in a timely manner.
I ordered the Filet BBQ Bacon Burger and it was an impressive looking tall stack o' burger and onion ring, but no better than many burgers I've had for half the price. Granted, the onion rings inside were thick and delicious, but the burger was on the "well" side of medium-well, though I requested medium. It was still pretty good...just not $19 good. The burger was cheap compared to most of the entrees that were in the mid-$30s range.
The fries that came with the burger were thin, textured, and had a nice crisp on the outside. Good fries. I asked for ranch on the side, and the ranch was fine. Nothing special (I've been surprised at a few places when I've asked for ranch and for whatever reason it turns out to be extra tasty - this was not one of those instances).
I didn't order anything else, but my friend had some sort of strawberry mojito type drink, and that was very tasty, with a pleasing balance of strawberry, mint, and alcohol flavor. She ordered the lobster bisque, and that was surprisingly cheap ($8, I think), creamy and filling. Maybe that's the way to go if you want to come here but don't want to spend a lot of money.
I probably wouldn't decide to come here on my own, but I would come here again if my friends were going, maybe just to get some soup and drinks.
Two Words: Wet Woody
Enjoy a delicious wet woody (a tasty frozen drink) in like a gazillion ways... I personally am partial to the "kraken head" because it is a little sweeter than some of the other variations. Honey sweet, not sugar sweet. I've also enjoyed the Stiffest. Beware though - these things are not cheap. I think they are like $12 each, but they pack a ton of liquor so you won't need more than two. Believe me. Especially if you are heading up the windy roads.
Nothing better than a wet woody on the back deck overlooking Tahoe. Pack your sunscreen!!!
Garwoods is such a great restaurant. Â Located right on the water with a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe, Garwoods is a great place to enjoy good food, great drinks, and amazing service. Â Their signature drink, The Wet Woody, is sure to make you feel warm and happy. Â With a delicious menu, great service, and excellent atmosphere, this restaurant is a must when spending time by the Lake. Â You can park your boat at the dock and come enjoy a great experience. Â I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone for a great meal. Their roasted chicken is amazing. Definitely stop in and check them out. What a wonderful restaurant.
Review Source:Park your boat at the dock. Get a pitcher of Wet Woodies. Have someone else drive home. Enough said.
A fun place to tie one on and to spend your wad. Yes, a tourist place, but also a local hangout. Get the pitcher..it's the better deal. Â Food....eat first. Drink there. You can't afford both.
Also..go on WEdnesday for the deal and ask to be served in a glass if you are not going to get a pitcher.
I love this place.
This place is for tourists who want a view of the lake and want to get sloshed on Wet Woodies. Not a good value in anyone's book. At one time it was a decent place and a reasonable value for Tahoe. Not now and has not been for some time.
We eat at home or go to Reno if we want a decent meal. Or San Francisco.
Good thing I know how to cook and like doing it. Tahoe restaurants for the most part leave a lot to be desired. Not all but most.
I've kinda been a GarWoods regular since '95. Back then, I'd flip for their garlic pasta. These days, I'm keen on the ahi appetizer and the Wet Woodys. When I worked at the marina down the street, I would usually end up at GarWoods every Wednesday (that's Wet Woody Wednesday), cos that's basically the only day when those rum/schnapps Slurpees are somewhat affordable. Insist they're served to you in the glass - for some reason, they've been trying to pull that plastic cup crap lately.
GarWoods definitely caters to the gapers (tourists), and the food - save for the ahi - is nowhere near amazing. Prices are insane. The owner is usually lurking around (look for the guy with the bowl cut and short shorts) but he doesn't seem to do much except shake hands, buy more boats, and buy more properties (took over the Bar of America last summer). There's no point drinking there unless you wanna tie up your boat, have a big-time dinner, or go sip some Woodys. Go to CB's across the street for better beer and better everything.
We've held two private events here in their upstairs dining rooms and both went very well. Â One was a birthday party for 40 or so guests. Â We had a seafood platter and grilled vegetables appetizer and it was ample and delicious. Â The sit-down dinner was well-prepared and tasty. Â Wait staff were attentive and quick. Â The view from the second floor private dining rooms is excellent. Â
The second major event was our wedding dinner for 45 guests. Â We worked closely with their banquet manager Amy who was very pleasant and accommodating. Â The food was again excellent and staff again responsive. Â
Though I'm not at all impressed with their signature "Wet Woody" drink (think slurpee with rum), their regular restaurant menu is very good.
Garwoods isn't cheap, but the value-for-money is good given the good quality of the food, attentive service, and lakeside views. Â Worth it for a special meal or event.
We showed up with a group of 13 for a late lunch. Â We were seated right away and had a great time. Â The food, drinks and service were all top notch. Â
The Wet Woody is a drink that can sneak up on you for sure so be careful. Â I had the shrimp and lobster bisque. Â It was thick creamy and delicious. Â The salads are huge and fresh. Â The burgers looked great, but I did not have a taste of them.
The views of the lake are fantastic and I recommend walking out on the public pier.
If you are looking for a great place to enjoy delicious food and drinks on the water Garwoods is the place.
Played golf on Sunday 9/30 and 7 of us stopped by here for drinks and appetizzers around 7:00pm.
The service was very slow, as we had to sit for awhile before our server took our order and delivered our drinks. Â The view was GORGEOUS!
Appetizers were very good, but the selection is small for larger groups. Â
As nice as the view is you pay for it in the price of the drinks and food... Expensive for what you get.
To summarize my experience here I would say: delicious, not super unique, but hit the spot.
This is a great place to go after some time on the lake. Â I came with some friends and we ordered a pitcher of one of their mixed drink seasonal specialties, the Wet Woodie, (which was delicious) and then I got fish and chips which was super fresh and good. Â The quality of the fish was superb and it was fried to perfection.
The staff was very nice, but overall, I felt like the place was a bit of a tourist trap. Â The food was really good, don't get me wrong, but don't come here looking for something unique and different. Â
If you come expecting a good meal at a slightly inflated price, then you will be happy with your experience.
Two words. Wet Woody.
I haven't quite grasped what makes a Wet Woody, but is some kind of devilish slushie goodness packed with rum. It is what sins are make of and by lord, I love it.
With a variety of Wet Woody's to choose from, you will leave Garwoods utterly sated and slurring your words. Magical.
If you don't drink (which is something I don't condone), Garwoods offers far more than just addicting cocktails. The view is simply outstanding. It sets the mood for any event, whether it be an intimate date for two, a night out with friends or a casual family dinner.
My only critique is the food. For what you spend, it certainly isn't mind blowing. I would order a few of the appetizers and share instead of ordering main meals. The crab cakes are delicious!
All in all, Garwoods is a winner. It certainly has my stamp of approval.
4 stars for the AMAZING brunch we had here
3 stars for the Wet Woody
AKA 3.5 :)
Came here for a post-wedding brunch that occupied the entire upper level of this popular lake-side restaurant. Â We were able to explore the deck facing the lake. Â Because we were a special event, the food was set up buffet style with a person making made-to-order omelettes. Â I dove in head first with the french toast, the waffles and the eggs benedict. Â Everything was super delicious. Â The benedict was PERFECT. Â The right amount of hollandaise and wasn't super sour. Â There was also smoked salmon and bagels/croissants in addition to fruit and mini 7-layer bars for "dessert." Â The meats were this really attractive sausage (that I regret not trying) and delicious bacon that was perfect, hot and crispy.
The Woodys on the other hand... woo-ee.. Â Maybe it was too early in the morning, but either way, those drinks are outta control. Â I ordered the Raspberry one hoping to mask the 151 and the rum taste with something sweet. Â Boy, was I wrong. Â That thing was not only strong but way too much! Â The drink was so overwhelming... I think I was better off ordering a mimosa to go with my scrumptious brunch.
Nice little place, good food.. just watch out for those woodys!
Nice views of the water and very casual lakeside dining. Great rum cocktail list (you feel like you're on vacation in Jamaica with the number of tropical drinks available) and fun, upbeat atmosphere.
Service was really friendly but way too rushed with very little time between ordering and receiving them and almost no time in between appetizer and entree. The pacing was pretty frenetic and along the lines of what I'd expect at an Applebee's -- not exactly what you want when you're there to have a romantic dinner and enjoying a beautiful lakeside view (and paying $17 for a sandwich).
The food was mediocre at best, in some cases outright bad. The crab cakes were okay although a little heavy on the breading rather than the crab meat. The chicken sandwich and fries were actually bad - this might be one of the worst chicken sandwiches I've had in years.
The seafood pasta was meh - generous portions, but far from gourmet. I wanted better from this place! It has all of the right things...great deck on the water, a friendly staff, a fun atmosphere...but between the really mediocre food, high prices for the value, and chaotic "kids running everywhere" vibe it needs some improvement.
I would definitely go back for lunch and try more of their "pub" food and less of their higher end seafood, but wouldn't drop the money on dinner again. Alternatively, I'd just go for drinks and apps and sit at the bar.
For a place with relatively expensive entrees it is very kid friendly which depending on your situation might be a pro or a con. We had a table full of wild, misbehaving kids who were screaming and running around behind us and stomping breadsticks into the deck and the bathroom was full of diapers - ew.
Wow... watch out for those Wet Woodys, they sneak up on you!
This restaurant has a great location, complete with a dock. We stopped by for lunch and I discovered they had a veggie burger that wasn't on the menu. It was fantastic. Great fries too. Fun bar, great staff, and an excellent view of the lake.
Just be ready to call a cab if you're gonna order a second round of Woodys!! The frozen beverage packs quite the punch.
What the? How have I never been here before?!?!? As a California native, and lover of all things Tahoe, how is possible that it took me 25 years to finally find this place?!??!
About two weeks ago, some girlfriends and I took a quick weekend trip up to Sunnyside. The girls kept saying "Wet Woodys" had to be part of the equation. We made a reservation for 6 at 12:30 and were seated almost immediately. The back patio is ABSOLUTELY the place to be! Hot sun, cool breeze, and even cooler drinks!
3 rounds of Wet Woodys later (I recommend the "classic" to begin with- but I like the Prickly Pear too) we were sufficiently buzzing. I can GUARANTEE we'll be back again!
Went here for lunch yesterday and man, this place was terrible. Â WAY overpriced for sub par food, a complete and total disappointment.
I got the french dip sliced steak sandwich with fries. Â The sandwich came with a creamy horseradish sauce, sauteed onions and a side of Au Jus. Â First off, the sandwich was small and for $17 bucks that is unacceptable. Â The meat was decent as were the onions but the horseradish sauce was lousy. Â No tang or bite whatsoever, it may as well have been mayo. Â The Au Jus was an utter abomination straight from the depths of hell. Â It was a small dish of pure oil and grease, no flavor at all, dipping my sandwich in it actually made the meal worse. Â I resorted to ketchup in an attempt to salvage my lunch. Â The fries were the highlight of the meal which isn't saying much.
Cap this off with a totally inflated price tag, mediocre service and a rather noisy atmosphere and Gar Woods is one place to avoid at all costs while visiting the lake Tahoe area. Â I should have gone with my gut and left when I saw the absurd prices for simple lunch meals.
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