Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • Scusa Italian Ristorante

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at Scusa Italian Ristorante

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size
Scusa Italian Ristorante
Scusa Italian Ristorante

Scusa Italian Ristorante Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.scusalaketahoe.com
  • Phone: (530) 542-0100
  • Hours of Operation: Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Friday - Saturday: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Live Jazz Music Thursday - Saturday 6-9PM
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian, Seafood, Vegetarian
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Beer, Entertainment, Fireplace, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: Semi-private room for up to 20 guests.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Hwy 50/Lake Tahoe Blvd.
  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Parking Details: Large private parking lot in front of the restaurant.
A word from Scusa Italian Ristorante
100 of the Best Seats in Town."
~ Creative Traditional Italian & Fresh Seafood Daily ~ Upscale, Lively Atmosphere ~ Extensive Menu & Wine List ~

For over 20 years, Scusa has remained the perennial favorite of locals and tourists alike. Featuring traditional and creative pasta dishes, from… simple Cappellini with fresh Basil and Tomato to Seafood Fettuccine Scusa in a light tomato-red wine sauce. Scusa is rumored to serve the best Linguine & Clams you'll ever have. Let's not forget the variety of Veal and Chicken dishes, and the Scusa Bread is a must! With appetizers from crispy Calamari to the House Specialty Lobster Raviolis in light Basil-Tomato Cream any choice is a good one. If you only have room to split a desert try the Amaretto Bread Pudding or the delicious Cannolis.

Scusa has one of the most romantic outdoor patios in Lake Tahoe, complete with fountain & garden. If you're looking for great food, with warm atmosphere and service, you are sure to enjoy! Continued

Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diner Reviews
  • "Comfortable seating and great lighting. A really wonderful restaurant. Can't wait to go again!"
    Dined on 7/22/2014
  • "They served the best Garlic Bread we ever had. The rest of the meal was also outstanding. A GREAT choice!"
    Dined on 7/22/2014
  • "Just the right spot for a nice traditional Italian dinner. Classic entrees: spaghetti with bolognese and meatballs that was very good; sole with a caper and white wine sauce that was perfectly cooked. Noise level a bit high but the live jazz music in the background was a nice touch."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "Food was wonderful. Great service. Reservation system was easy and efficient. Always look forward to dinner at Scusa's."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "They sat us in a private booth with privacy drapes. Lobster raviolis as starter. Entrees and specials that night were fantastic. But the clincher was when the curtains parted and our waiter presented us with a delicious chocolate dessert--- on the house---- followed by a saxophonist who stepped in and serenaded us!!!"
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "We have been going to Scusa for years. It's the highlight of our trip to Tahoe each summer. The food has always been consistently delicious. The variety on the menu gives any person something they would like to eat. Each of us ordered something different and we were all pleased with our meals. The service is excellent as is the ambiance. I only wish we could go more often!"
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "We wanted a nice but reasonably priced dinner for our last night in the Lake Tahoe area. Scusa's was a great choice. We experienced a great dinner, great service and in a nice atmosphere. We tried the Chicken Marsala, Capelinni, Lasagna and Lobster Ravioli and all were exceptional."
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "hopping place with great Italian food. Understand the owner has several restaurants in the area for 25 years. Lobster ravioli appetizer was to die for; veal scallopini lasagna and fettucini alfredo were awesome."
    Dined on 7/17/2014
  • "The waiter Chris was excellent, the food was great, and they had gluten-free pasta too."
    Dined on 7/14/2014
  • "Don't let the outside deceive you. Fabulous dining. Outdoor dining in summer perfect among the pines. Wait staff very attentive and we never felt rushed."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "Such a memorable meal to celebrate our son's 22nd birthday Excellent food"
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "We are never disappointed at Scusa. Innovative menu. Delicious food. Service is very personable and professional. We love sitting outside with the trees towering above us. Our favorite restaurant in Lake Tahoe."
    Dined on 7/8/2014
  • "Wish I could bring Scusa to my hometown. What a wonder finish to a great vacation."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "Wonderful menu selections. Salmon was cooked perfectly. Beautiful outdoor dining. Staff very attentive. We are in Tahoe for vacation with Granddaughters, everyone wants to go back before we leave. Try the garlic bread, delicious. House bread also very good."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "Not only was the food fantastic (the bread was wonderful as well), the service was great! We went for a friends bachelorette party and the waiter gave us a free dessert with a candle in it for the bride-to-be! Also, we had to take a taxi and because of the busy holiday weekend there were none in sight. The restaurant tried calling them for us but did not have any luck. Thankfully, one of the wait staff and the musician for the night gave all 7 of us a ride to our next destination. That is great service if you ask me! Thank you for a memorable evening, I will definitely be back again when I visit Tahoe!"
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "What a great find in Tahoe - while it is not on the water, it does have excellent food, a nice relaxed atmosphere and good service. We enjoyed all of the food, including the roasted garlic, Italian blue cheese salad and the veal saltimbocca - decadent. Wines were very affordable. If you are looking for a tasty Italian meal, this is a great place to check out. They also have a nice looking patio, but we elected to sit inside to listen to the live Jazz music."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "The outdoor dining area was wonderful. We all ordered the special, petrale sole on pasta, it was delicious. I ordered a kale salad and was disappointed as it lacked any flavor and the kale was tough."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "Really enjoyed this restaurant. I had pasta with shrimp, clams, and mussels. Huge amount of seafood with the pasta. Others had the sole special and said it was outstanding. Bread before the meal was delicious and brownie for dessert was a great ending. Highly recommended."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "Great change up from the Tahoe Casinos Surf & Turf"
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "My family and I have visited this restaurant many times over the years. It remains consistently good in all categories - the food is delicious, and the service is great. I would highly recommend Scusa to anyone. A Tahoe treat!"
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "Pleasant, unremarkable Italian favorites in an accessible and conveniently located spot in the middle of South Lake Tahoe. Furnishings looked and felt like they were from a diner but service was excellent and the food quite tasty. We will return."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "The only way to enjoy Scusa is in its outdoor setting. If it's chilly, they have heaters, but bringing a coat or sweater is a good idea. We've eaten here three times now, and we've had nothing that could be considered bad. The Osso Buco was delicious, as was the calamari steak mu wife had. The Scusa garlic bread is a nice appetizer. Overall, a wonderful experience."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Dinner was very good. The kids loved the desert. The only thing wrong was steak was over cooked. We will definitely come back again. I probably will go to a steak house next time for steak and have something Italian here next time."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "Just average Italian food, very good and friendly service."
    Dined on 6/9/2014
  • "We found this restaurant on Yelp and proceeded with skepticism. When we got to our hotel we noticed a restaurant on a high level floor with a lake view. Since we didn't know anything about Scusa we almost canceled our reservation for a view restaurant with so-so food. Are we glad that we didn't cancel. Scusa had our favorites on their menu. And the preparation of the food exceeded our expectations. Whenever we go back to the Lake Tahoe area we will definitely have Scusa on our list of choice restaurants."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Every time we come to South Lake Tahoe we make it a point to stop at Scusa for dinner at least once. We starting going to Scusa a number of years ago when they were located on Ski Run Blvd. the food never disappoints us it's always delicious. I always have the cream of garlic soup with whatever meal i have there. "
    Dined on 6/2/2014
  • "Scusa's is our favorite 'GO TO" restaurant when we have framily visiting us up here in beautiful South Lake Tahoe. They never dissapoint us! They have exceptional service and very good food. The restaurant is even open to splitting entrees for the lighter eaters. Very nice option as the portions sometimes can be large. Excellent liguini and clams!"
    Dined on 5/31/2014
  • "Just discovered Scusa in its new location. Fantastic food! The bread Scusa is amazing. My husband always gets lasagne at Italian restaurants. He said here it was a little different but delicious, with great sauce. I had the escargot as well as the Shrimp, Clams and Mussels Scusa. They were excellent. We will definitely be back. The Sangiovese wine was also awesome."
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • "Food and Service was wonderful. Would highly recommend to those who appreciate good Italianfood. "
    Dined on 5/26/2014
  • "We've been coming here for many years and still love it. My only complaint is that I now don't like the location. It's far away from Stateline. Ski Run Blvd was more centrally located, but it's still the best Italian restaurant in town!"
    Dined on 5/22/2014
  • "We really enjoyed our experience at Scusa. I had noted on the reservation that we were celebrating an anniversary and they sent over a free dessert and the Jazz Saxophonist played my parents a romantic wonderful version of If I Fall in Love. It was wonderful! The food was great too - all 9 of us ordered something different and each dish was delicious! I thought the prices were reasonable and the service was attentive. Great place! We will be back on our next visit to Tahoe."
    Dined on 5/17/2014
  • "Our waitress was delightful...the food was fine...basic Italian. Way too much...we took home most of it. Especially the garlic bread which was enuff to feed an army. Very nice jazz music."
    Dined on 5/16/2014
  • "We found this place on yelp and we decided to try it since we were visiting from the Bay Area. It was easy to make reservations and the service was great. I enjoyed the food and servings were of good proportions."
    Dined on 5/10/2014
  • "Scusa's has been one of favorite Tahoe restuarant's for years. We never go to Tahoe without dining there. The food and service are always excellent."
    Dined on 5/8/2014
  • "We were staying at a resort in South Lake Tahoe during my birthday week. My husband asked where I'd like to go for my birthday dinner. We happened upon Scusa and loved it! Wonderful food, wine, and service. Will definitely come again next trip!"
    Dined on 4/29/2014
  • "My wife and I have officially made Scusa our "annual anniversary dinner spot." They have fantastic food, a very romantic ambiance and most of all, excellent service. They even went out of their way to make our dinner extra special with a serenade from a gentleman who was playing lite jazz on his saxophone. We will certainly be back next year!"
    Dined on 4/26/2014
  • "We had a delightful dinner with our family. Wait staff were excellent, food was also very good. Only disappointment was we were a party of 6 so they sat us in a room with large tables, the other diners were noisy... so it was a bit hard to hear our family discussions.. Anyhow we really enjoyed the food, good value and nice surroundings. They had some wonderful private booths which would have been very romantic if you were not with a party of 6..."
    Dined on 4/26/2014
  • "Scusa is just a great place to dine. The food is always wonderful and tasty that just melts in your mouth. From the second you walk in the door, you are treated like family. The hostesses always have a smile and work with you to make sure your accommodations are just the way you want. Whether it's a nice casual dinner with the family or a first date to impress, this is the place for you. The Servers are all top notch and very knowledgeable on the food and wine menus. Ask for Lauren for a awesome waitress who will give you a great dining experience. Overall you can not go wrong with this great restaurant. Enjoy!!!"
    Dined on 4/18/2014
  • "A great, neighborhood restaurant with consistently very good food and exceptional service staff. Wonderful Jazz musician on Friday and Saturday nights. In the Summer time, there is an adorable outdoor patio area in which to dine."
    Dined on 4/17/2014
  • "We went to scusa for our anniversary dinner on a Saturday night. We had an awesome seat, aside from the fact we were surrounded by children who had little to no restaurant manners. The pasta was bland but the chicken and green beans were to die for. The cheese bread was really good too! Our server Rory was accommodating and friendly throughout our many requests."
    Dined on 4/12/2014
More reviews ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›
Diners' Choice Awards
  • Tahoe / Reno Area Winners
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Most Booked
  • South Lake Tahoe Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Ambiance
  • Best Food
  • Best Service
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Romantic
  • Special Occasion
  • Most Booked
Learn more ›