01
Best overall pick
Timber House Brewing & Lodge
Chester • Rustic Mountain Brewpub And Grill • Local Favorite For Dinner And Drinks
A restored timber lodge turned brewpub that feels like the social hub of Chester after a day on the lake.
Set in a historic lodge on the edge of Chester, Timber House pours its own beers and backs them up with a menu of burgers, steaks, and comfort-food staples. The big timber beams, stone fireplace, and roomy bar make it a relaxed place to linger over a pint or grab a hearty dinner. It is the spot locals suggest when you ask where to go for a proper sit-down meal near Stones Landing.
02
Best for breakfast
Kopper Kettle Café
Chester • Classic Small-Town Diner • Go-To Hearty Breakfast And Lunch
A no-frills, friendly diner where plates are big, coffee is hot, and everyone from anglers to road-trippers ends up sooner or later.
Kopper Kettle is where you head when you want a stack of pancakes, a solid omelet, or a chicken-fried steak before a long day on the water. The room is simple, but the service is warm and the kitchen turns out exactly the kind of homestyle cooking you hope to find in a mountain town. Expect a mix of locals catching up over coffee and visitors mapping out their Lake Almanor plans.
03
Best for Italian and pizza
Tantardino's Pizza & Pasta
Lake Almanor West • Casual Italian Family Restaurant • Best For Groups And Laid-Back Dinners
A relaxed Italian spot on the west shore that does crowd-pleasing pies and pastas with a vacation-town vibe.
Tantardino's is a reliable answer when everyone wants something different and nobody wants to dress up. Hand-tossed pizzas, baked pasta dishes, and big salads dominate the menu, and portions are generous enough to share. After a sunset drive around the lake from Stones Landing, it is an easy place to settle in with kids, friends, and a pitcher of beer or a carafe of wine.
04
Best lakeside setting
Plumas Pines Resort Restaurant & Bar
Almanor Peninsula • Lakeside American Grill And Bar • Best For Sunset Views And Casual Bites
A relaxed resort restaurant where the deck and lake views are as much of a draw as the burgers, sandwiches, and cocktails.
Tucked into a classic marina-style resort on the peninsula, Plumas Pines is all about eating and drinking within sight of the water. The menu leans casual—think burgers, fish and chips, and bar snacks—but the lakeside setting makes it feel like a proper outing. Time it for golden hour and you get one of the better sunset views within an easy drive of Stones Landing.
05
Best budget-friendly stop
Buffalo Chips Pizza
Westwood • Laid-Back Pizza And Beer Joint • Easy Family And Takeout Option
A low-key pizza shop in Westwood that locals rely on for big pies, cold beer, and quick takeout after long days outside.
Buffalo Chips is not fancy, but it hits the spot when you want something filling without a lot of ceremony. Pizzas come loaded with toppings, there are a few basic appetizers and salads, and the atmosphere is the classic small-town mix of regulars and visiting families. It is a straight shot from Stones Landing and a smart move when you would rather bring dinner back to the cabin.