South Reno’s Hidden Sushi Gem: Miyabi

 They have some of the BEST nigiri in Reno.

13967 S Virginia St spc 910

Reno NV 89511

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Miyabi Sushi is one of the only sushi spots in Reno that doesn't offer all you can eat sushi.  As much as I love AYCE, it does present some limitations in terms of quality.  When you're pumping out so much sushi (let's face it, humans will always find ways to defeat the system), you just can't invest too much money on quality ingredients.  And yes, Miyabi takes advantage of their a la cart menu.  I do feel like they serve more quality food than other spots.

Before diving into the food and restaurant, I'd like to point out how the location of Miyabi serves as one of its strongest selling points.  Located in Shayden Summit (formerly Summit Mall... yep, new management called for a new name), the restaurant is surrounded by a handful of attractions that could make for an ideal & fun extended visit.

Nearby Attractions in the Same Mall

Cinemark Century Summit Sierra

Dave & Busters

X - Golf - Golf Simulator

Hyatt Place 

Now, about the food...
I love that their menu isn't too crazy, yet includes enough options that highlights their amazing fresh fish and offers just enough extras to leave you satisfied and wanting more.  

On the menu you can find ramen options, well-known hot plates (chicken teriyaki, chicken katsu, pork tonkatsu), appetizers, combination platters (different combinations of rolls+nigiri), and desserts.

I remember on my first visit years ago when I celebrate my dear dad's birthday and the chef was more than willing to create a custom vegetarian roll on top of the amazing Vege roll already on the menu to accommodate his dietary needs.  Flexibility is one of the best traits a business can practice.  We're just such demanding creatures, right? LOL  And you can bet I don't forget when a restaurant is accommodating.

I've tried pretty much everything on the menu.  The nigiri comes with toppings and is some of the best in town.  The appetizers are always nicely presented and top-notch in quality.  Their hamachi kama can basically count as an entree (just as for a scoop of rice on the side).  I also love their seasoned edamame, fried mushrooms, and miso soup.  For rolls, their Fire Ocean, Ryu (dragon), & Mt. Rose roll are popular options, all approved, and all so drool worthy.  Even my father's vegetarian rolls were the bomb!  You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

EXCITING NEWS!
The restaurant has undergone a serious transformation and has recently re-opened in March, 2025.  They purchased the shop next to them (formerly Color Me Mine), knocked down a wall or two, and completely redid the whole place.  

The new and improve restaurant features darker theming, tons more seating than the former setup, a bar that showcases the sushi chefs and drink offerings, and some Japanese accents that make the dining experience feel just a bit more authentic.

NOTES

*Parking is plentiful 

*Restaurant closes mid-day before their transition to dinner

*If you're looking for bomb all you can eat sushi, Hinoki is one of the best in Reno

*If you're looking for value, check out the Platter section of the menu. Includes different combinations of nigiri, rolls, and shashimi

Mt. Rose is sushi perfection topped with light tempura fried onions.

Dragon Roll (Ryu) is unagi perfection!

Fire Ocean was FIRE!  Great for tuna lovers.

One of the best tasting Vege rolls in town.

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.*

Categorized Under "Good Eats"

Great Full Gardens: Where Reno Goes to Feel Good

*Website

*Instagram

Locations

Midtown 

555 So Virginia #107
Reno, NV 89501

Order Pickup or Delivery

South Reno 

748 South Meadows Parkway Ste A-14
Reno, NV 89521

Order Pickup or Delivery

Legends at Sparks 

1330 Scheels Ave #102
Sparks, NV 89434

Order Pickup or Delivery

The Kitchen 

5220 Longley Lane Ste 100
Reno, NV 89511

Order Pickup or Delivery

Great Full Gardens is a restaurant that many locals and tourists are Grateful for.  
You can eat here everyday and not feel guilty about it because their food is always wholesome and made with the freshest ingredients, always non-gmo, and always organic when possible.  They also cater to different diets making outings with friend & family easier than ever before.

People are under the impression that healthy automatically = food without flavor, but this isn't the case at Great Full Gardens.  This restaurant aims at sourcing the freshest produce and meats (local when possible) and highlights them with complimenting ingredients and simple seasonings.  This allows for true flavors to shine through and for freshness to speak for itself.  There's no shortness of flavor here.

Their warm and welcoming atmosphere is carried throughout all locations.  I don't know what it is, but I just love how each and every one of their tables include a different set of salt and pepper shakers.  I'm also a big fan of theirs because they allow local artists and vendors some space at some of their restaurants to sell and showcase their work.  A community that supports one another rises together. 

Hope you enjoy this local gem.

Notes

-breakfast, lunch, and dinner available

-kid's menu available

-menus available on website
-super friendly service.  

-they serve their own versions of well known dishes from different cuisines
-they cater to people with special dietary needs: dairy-free, paleo, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian
-outside seating available 
-they have pre-made house soups in pint containers available for purchase at certain locations. 
-catering available.  check out their website for their full menu
-don't forget to sign up for their rewards program if you plan on frequenting the restaurant 
-gift cards available
-they have a private room located at their Midtown location available for different type of gatherings

-specialty menus available during different seasons & holidays

Categorized Under "Good Eats"

Photos

©Katherine Fung,

All Rights Reserved.

Little Truckee Ice Creamery - Experience Quality, Handcrafted Ice Cream in Reno, Lake Tahoe, & Truckee

Locations

*Downtown Truckee (featured in post)

10157 Donner Pass Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161

*Donner Lake 
15628 Donner Pass Rd
Truckee, CA 96161

*Downtown Tahoe City

North Lake Tahoe Visitor's Center Parking Lot

100 N Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145

*Northwest Reno

1650 Robb Dr Ste B4, Reno, NV 89523

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The moment I tasted this ice cream, I knew I had to tell the whole world how amazing it is! Honestly, it's some of the best in the Reno-Tahoe area... scratch that, it's some of the best ice cream anywhere! Creamy, rich, and packed with flavor, and most importantly, fresh as can be.  I can never get enough of it, and I always find myself craving this stuff as soon as I'm done with my serving. I used to drive to their shops in Truckee, even though it's pretty far from Reno. Then, one day, the ice cream Gods answered a call and poof, they magically appeared at the old Rita's Italian Ice location in Northwest Reno.  Can't love this shop more.

Little Truckee Ice Creamery serves up all the classic flavors you crave, crafted with care and top-notch ingredients, plus some unique options, like Truckee Trails, that's made with a pine nut brittle, caramel, and house made brownies in a sweet cream base, that really stand out.

Locations

-Donner Location: Right next to Donner Lake & Donner Memorial State Park ($10 day-use fee) - both gems filled with natural beauty and endless things to do. Camp, kayak, paddleboard, pedal boat, hike, or just lounge on the unique, almost private patches of shoreline while enjoying a nearby BBQ picnic.  There's absolutely nothing more satisfying than spending a whole day at the beach and later topping it off with the best ice cream.

-Downtown Truckee: Truckee is one of the most charming alpine towns that has the best views and vibes.  Catch the ice cream trailer on the main street and enjoy a scoop or two with a magnificent backdrop of evergreen trees and a bustling strip of shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

-Tahoe City: Just about a 20-minute drive away from Truckee, you’ll find this neighborhood gem, another strip of charming shops and restaurants right by the shore that goes by the name of Tahoe City. The ice cream truck is usually parked in the Cobblestone Center’s lot, but has since moved to the lot next to the visitor's center, right next to the Common's Beach parking lot.  Common's Beach is one of my top 10 hidden beaches in Tahoe where you can enjoy seasonal markets, movies on the beach, events, an epic playground, watersports rentals, and more.   At Cobblestone Center, enjoy dining and live entertainment at Tahoe Tap House, catch a movie, and browse some really cool boutique shops.  The beach is across the street of Cobblestone Center.

-Northwest Reno: Located at one of the last Reno exits (Robb Dr.) before ascending on 80W to Truckee.  This stop is a great location to visit while heading in and out of town.  It's conveniently located next to another favorite local spot - Inclined Burgers & Brews.  Craft burgers, fries, and ice cream?!?... sounds like the perfect meal & day to me.

Now, back to the ice cream...

All of their flavors are incredible.

-Blueberry Honey Lavender: Fresh and delicious, with the honey and lavender taking center stage while the blueberry adds a subtle touch. Every bite had me saying, "YUM!"

-Truckee Trails: Pine nut brittle and brownie in sweet ice cream marbled with caramel.  Hands down my favorite flavor! This OUT OF THIS WORLD foodie dream combines crunchy, flavorful brittle with brownie and ice cream, with pine nuts adding a warm, nutty tone that plays perfectly with the other ingredients. The pine nuts are a fitting touch, considering Lake Tahoe is surrounded by tons of pine trees.

-Chocolate Brownie: A sophisticated treat with RICH & INTENSE chocolate flavor and homemade brownies for extra flavor & texture.

-Salted Caramel: It's a popular flavor everywhere for good reason.  Theirs is no exception.

-Strawberry Lemonade: Super refreshing & the perfect non-dairy option.

-Spooner Strawberry: Clean and fresh with supreme strawberry flavor.

-Mountain Top Mint Chip - mint flavor not too overpowering, loaded with chocolate chips.  No artificial dyes.

-Cookies & Cream - OMG good!  Loaded with cookies and that classic oreo flavor. And they don't skimp.

They even have vegan options, like roasted coconut - a coconut milk base with toasted coconut and chocolate shavings, and rotating selection of sorbets. 

I could keep on going on about their other flavors.  I've tried all of them, but you get the picture.

As someone who cooks at home all the time, I know that simple ingredients can be elevated with quality & care. Little Truckee Ice Creamery nails this, achieving a perfect balance between mouth feel, sweetness, and flavor that’s hard to get right.

Topping Options
Brownies, cookies, coconut, chocolate/caramel sauce, nuts, cherries, chocolate chips.


Seating
-Limited seating at the Downtown Truckee location.
-Outdoor patio seating at Donner.
-No seating at the Downtown Tahoe City location, but you can easily enjoy your treat right down the street at Common's Beach.
-Indoor seating available at the Northwest location.


NOTES
-If you're celebrating a special occasion, or just celebrating life, their brownie sundae is the ultimate indulgence. It’s huge & so perfect for sharing!
-In a single scoop, you're allowed to pick two flavors.
-They offer a mini option, perfect for kids or if you just want to sample a few flavors.
-Espresso available at the Donner & Reno location for affogatos.
-If you're planning to camp at Donner State Memorial Park (nearby), make sure to book well in advance. Those campsites fill up fast!
-Watch out for specials on pints throughout the year.

Prices as of 2020

Categorized under "Good Eats"

Enjoy a Classic Burger and Milkshake at Five Guys

6395 S McCarran Blvd.

Reno, NV 89509

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Yelp

I grew up on the West Coast in San Diego, so it’s no surprise—I’m a die-hard In-N-Out fan. The only burger I’ve ever known and loved was the "Animal Style" cheeseburger (patty cooked in mustard, with grilled onions, special spread, and pickles). That burger was with me through childhood, through my ups and downs, and still has a special place in my heart.

During my two years living in New Jersey, I was introduced to the East Coast’s go-to burger spot—Five Guys. One day, I was craving In-N-Out, but of course, there were none to be found. So, I gave Five Guys a shot, hoping it would be a decent stand-in. Well, I was blown away. The burger was substantial, huge, loaded with toppings, and insanely fresh. I never thought I’d crave another burger besides In-N-Out, but Five Guys earned a spot in my burger-loving heart. Maybe the love has something to do with the fact that neither place uses freezers—yep, even the fries are never frozen.

At Five Guys, you can customize your burger like crazy or just trust them and “go all the way” with their award-winning combo of toppings: mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, grilled onions, and mustard. Plus, they’ve got other options like jalapeños, green peppers, A-1 sauce, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce. The possibilities are endless.

And just when I thought the burger was the main event, my family and friends were like, “Wait, there’s more!” Their Cajun fries and milkshakes are equally as so drool worthy. The Cajun fries hit just the right amount of spice, fried in peanut oil, always fresh, though a little oily in the bag.  And their milkshakes? Absolutely refreshing, packed with flavor, and no weird preservatives.

One day, I decided to step away from the burgers and tried their hot dogs. Turns out, Five Guys also serves delicious hot dogs. I had mine “all the way,” and every bite was a “Yum!” moment.  I’d recommend giving their dogs a try for sure.

Service at Five Guys is on point. The staff has great energy, and they’re always communicating to make sure everything runs smoothly. I love how fast they prep the food, handing it off with a smile.

Five Guys and In-N-Out will forever be at the top of my burger list. They’re different, but both are so good, I honestly can’t choose a favorite. Oh, and one last thing—they have complimentary peanuts, self-serve style. As if burgers, fries, and milkshakes weren’t enough, right?

Notes

-Place an order online without creating an account.  Skip the line, head straight to pickup, and just let them know you ordered online—super convenient.

-They don’t have a veggie patty, but they’ve got enough toppings to build a pretty solid veggie burger. Double up on the cheese.

-Plenty of parking available

-Complimentary self serve roasted peanuts available

-Mix as many flavors as you'd like for your milkshakes

Categorized under "Good Eats" &  "Burgers"

Dazzle Your Taste Buds at Icecycle Creamery & Pedaler's Deli in Reno

6147 Lakeside Dr. Suite 102
Reno, NV, 89511

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Yelp
Website

Icecycle Creamery is where you go for the most adventurous flavors in town. Along with ice cream, they serve fresh and tasty sandwiches with bread made in house, salads, comforting soups, and drinks.

Some crowd favorites like Cookie Roulette, Chocolate, and Home Means Nevada are staples you will almost always find in the case. If you are feeling adventurous, check out their rotating unique flavors such as Lemon Lavender, Horchata, Earl Grey, Salted Pretzel, Apple Pie, Mango Cardamom, and a variety of Asian inspired options.

The original owner of the shop, Jeremy, started out selling his ice cream from the back of his bike out of a cooler. After a ton of encouragement, he opened a brick and mortar shop. When it was time for him to focus on other goals, he passed the business to Juan, who is still keeping Jeremy’s bold, amazing flavors alive with just as much passion. Juan has even added his own twist, introducing flavors inspired by his Mexican culture, like a mango tajin flavor that will remind you of those delicious and highly sought after mangonada drinks from Mexican snack shops.

Did I mention how awesome Juan is? He kept my three high energy kids entertained for quite a while, and if you are a parent, you know how challenging that can be. Beyond that, he is just a genuinely nice person, dedicated to creating fun, flavorful ice cream and food for the whole community to enjoy.  Fun Fact:  Juan used to work for De La Rosa in Mexico when he was a kid.

Everything here is made in house, and I love the deli and ice cream combo because it satisfies both hot and cold cravings year round.

With so many unique ice cream flavors to choose from, you might find yourself unsure of what to get. In that case, I recommend trying their six flavor flight, perfect for a foodie adventure.

Prime location, quality products, awesome service, and adventurous flavors. Always a good time at Icecycle Creamery.

Notes
*Pints available for purchase
*They have an actual espresso machine on hand. Affogato anyone?
*Deli closes an hour before closing 
*Deli features hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and drinks, including beer
*Bartley Ranch Park is just a minute drive away - the perfect outdoor spot to enjoy your food and drink. Grassy areas, picnic tables, restrooms, nature trail, visitor center, and views included.

***All opinions are my own.  Information subject to change.***

Categorized under "Good Eats"