Midtown Foodie Adventures
Fall 2024
Dive into Reno’s tasty international flavors.
BY ENGRID BARNETT
For foodies on the go, nothing beats the chance to eat like a local. One of the best districts in Reno to do this is MidTown. This hip area boasts an eclectic mixture of shops, artsy bars, and innovative restaurants known for delectable cuisine. Some of MidTown Reno’s most inspired restaurants draw on flavors and culinary traditions from around the world. In other words, get ready for 16 blocks chock-full of international, palate-pleasing adventures.
From Korean fusion and Brazilian barbecue to Japanese and Indian fare, MidTown’s dining scene is your one-stop shop for tastebud bliss.
Arario Midtown
Owned and operated by TJ and Hani Cho, Arario Midtown serves homestyle Korean and Asian fusion cuisine that pushes the envelope. The ambiance has a harmonious appeal, from its minimalist décor to its round, glowing lamps evocative of feng shui. The restaurant’s name comes with plenty of auspicious vibes, too, translating as “great heavenly energy.”
We’ll leave the “energy” side of things up to you, but folks agree the food is heavenly, as attested by the restaurant’s inclusion on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. One must-try appetizer is their flavor-packed kimchee fries—a rich combo of spicy pork bulgogi, kimchee, various cheeses, teriyaki sauce, and spicy mayo. Locals also rave about the fusion bowls. Faves include the bulgogi bowl, the perfect blend of savory and spicy, and the dol-sot stone pot bibimbop.
La Condesa Eatery
Another Reno restaurant to make Yelp’s coveted Top 100 in 2024 is La Condesa Eatery. The brainchild of chef Sergio Romero and Cesar Perez, this establishment features plates that reflect a mashup of traditional and contemporary cuisine and mouthwatering influences borrowed from the four corners of the Earth. Favorites include the chopped Thai salad—kale, carrots, mango, and more topped with spicy jicama, teardrop peppers, toasted peanuts, crispy rice crackers, and Thai peanut vinaigrette. Small plates like the pork belly bao steam buns and the potato taquitos are also verified crowd pleasers.
As for mains, diners can’t get enough of the gnocchi al cilantro, a decadent blend of parmesan gnocchi, avocado, braised spinach, chorizo español, and Calabrian pecorino. The bee sting crispy chicken sandwich is another excellent choice—spicy honey-glazed chicken served with sweet pickles, arugula, and smoked blue cheese spread on toasted brioche. And don’t forget about the cocktails! Personal recommendations include the refreshing mambo Italiano and (for a perfect sweet-and-sour synthesis) the blackberry hibiscus margarita. In an homage to tradition, your server will encourage you to sign a vintage hardbound guestbook at the end of your meal.
Thali
Whether you’re a fan of curries and chutneys or looking for your next favorite vegetarian restaurant, Thali’s your spot. This organic dining hub serves authentic northern Indian cuisine that showcases the freshest, locally grown ingredients. All of Thali’s dinner plates are bottomless, which means you can fill up on fresh roti and veggies to your heart’s content.
Accompanying each dish are lentils or beans, both seasonal and pickled vegetables, chutney, basmati rice, and yogurt. Menu highlights include samosa chaat, spiced potato, onion, and pea pastries topped with chana dahl with yogurt, cilantro, and tamarind chutney. Meals come with a seasonal vegan dessert, and Thali recommends calling in advance or checking their Instagram for daily menu postings based on seasonal offerings. Beverages include various alcoholic drinks, chai, kombucha, and rose water lassi.
Kauboi Izakaya
Over the years, Kauboi Izakaya (“cowboy gastropub”) has cultivated a reputation as one of the Biggest Little City’s most elevated dining establishments. Known for its small, novel plates, each dish represents a riff on traditional Japanese cuisine staples including shishito peppers, ramen, and pork tempura.
The vibe is trendy and evocative of a restaurant in a major metropolis—think Los Angeles or Seattle—and features an eclectic cowboy ninja theme. Delicious menu options include rice tots with dragon sauce (like risotto with a spicy twist). The Tokyo fried chicken is as juicy, tender, and crunchy as it gets and is served on a smear of piquant Japanese mayo. The tsukune yakitori—skewered chicken meatballs—are served in a finger-licking-good, caramelized soy-based sauce.
Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse
Taste South America at Churrasco, voted Best Buffet & Best Steakhouse finalists in Best of Reno 2023. The term “churrasco” refers to the tradition of Brazilian gauchos cooking large pieces of meat on skewers and grilling them to sizzling perfection over open flames.
Meat is definitely on the menu here. Churrasco serves 15 different grilled meats fresh off hot skewers to your tableside. Options include parmesan pork, picanha (house special), filet mignon, filet with bacon, and many more, coupled with hors d’oeuvres and celebrated Brazilian sides. In other words, come with a hearty appetite because you’re guaranteed to fill up. The restaurant also boasts a fully stocked wine cellar and bar.
Mexcal
Tacos and tequila go together like campfires and s’mores. Find a mindboggling array of the former at Mexcal. Owner Rene Preciado takes pride in outside-the-box options like the quesabirria—a braised, shredded-short-ribs taco dipped in their top secret “special sauce.” Other taco options include duck confit, very spicy lamb, octopus, and cauliflower with apple. Specials change regularly but they often include soft-shell crab tacos.
As for the tequila portion of this proposition, margarita and cocktail options abound. From a pineapple jalapeno margarita to the classic, you’ll be ready for a siesta after leaving this joint. The drink specials are worth more than one visit, so be sure to note current offerings.