Reno has plenty of boozy happy hour specials, but what about food? Nothing beats getting a delicious meal for a fraction of the price, simply because you decided to be an early bird. While this might not be a comprehensive list of Reno's food happy hours, each location has been selected based on quality of food for cost. For me, the most motivating reason to hit a food happy hour is being able to try out a new place without paying full price for the experience.
So, cheers to you for being thrifty. Let's get into the list.
Liberty Food + Wine Exchange
When: Monday - Friday; 4-6pm
Food: Italian
Liberty has one of the most consistent food happy hours in town. With a selection of small plates ranging from $6-$8 (e.g., cauliflower, meatballs, blistered peppers, and side salads) to $12 full-sized pizzas, the food is delicious and feels like a steal. Food aside, they also offer drink specials like $5 house wine, draft beers, and well cocktails.
Belleville Wine Bar
When: Tues- Sat; 4-6pm; Sun; 3-6pm
Food: French
Belleville Wine Bar balances casual yet refined elegance in the most French way. During happy hour, they have an array of small plates at a discounted cost, like their tomato bruschetta for $7, stracciatella for $10, and jambon de paris with salted butter and cornichons for $8. The outstanding factor about this happy hour is the ingredient quality: while the dishes themselves might seem simple, the ingredients shine, which is my favorite thing about French food. The happy hour wines are all $10, and highlight many unique and fabulous wines to get to taste at a discount price.
Bistro Napa
When: Daily; 4-6pm
Food: Napa Valley-inspired
The "Social Hour" at Bistro Napa offers half-off small plates and wood-fired flatbreads daily—that's right, even weekends. While it does mean you need to weave your way to the second floor of the Atlantis to get there, the $9 Nashville Hot Chicken sliders, $11 Ahi Tuna Crudo, and $8.50 Caramelized Onion and Applewood Bacon flatbreads are all worth it. NOTE: people will line up for this, even on weekdays, so be sure to get there by 3:45 at the latest to guarantee a seat when the doors open.
The Depot Brewery
When: Daily; 3-5pm
Food: Brewpub
The Depot has a great selection of bar food on their Happy Hour menu: Mac & Cheese Bites for $9, Breaded Depot Wings for $12, and a Hot Chicken "Sammich" for $14. While the menu not be the most ideal for a full dinner, it's exactly the type of bites you want to share with friends while enjoying a late-afternoon beverage. Speaking of beverages, their happy hour drink specials include a $6 Happy Hour special cocktail, and $2 off draft and packaged beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails.
Claio
When: Weeknights; 4-5pm
Food: Mediterranean
If someone asked me where the vibiest spot in town for a cute cocktail and delicious food is, I would tell them Claio. The record player casting moody vibes inside the charming minimalist interior has Friday afternoon vibes all over it. Although the food menu for Golden Hour is limited with only 4 items, it's exactly what you want for a pre-dinner bite: Fried Haloumi for $9, Rancho Gordo Chickpea Hummus with pita and crudite for $8.50, and Savory Doughnuts for $10. Plus, Claio partnered with local cocktail experts from Death & Taxes to create an incredible bespoke cocktail menu, which is also discounted during Golden Hour alongside wines, and 15% off wine tastings.
Wild River Grille
When: Weeknights; 4-6pm
Food: American
Wild River Grille has a ton of great food menu options during happy hour. We're talking salads for $7, Chorizo Queso for $10, sliders for $15, and even their Blackened Bleu (marinated tri-tip with parmesan risotto and bleu cheese cream) for $16. This is the perfect place to sit outside along the Truckee River with a small group of friends and share every plate. They also have solid drink specials, including $4 bottle beers, house wines and draft beer for $5, and select cocktails for under $8.
Great Full Gardens
When: Weekdays; 3-5pm
Food: Dietary-restriction friendly
Great Full Gardens has been one of my staple restaurants for years. I love the diversity of their menu, but knowing that no matter what I order, the ingredient quality is going to be top-notch. This, to me, is what makes Great Full Gardens a "healthy" restaurant, aside from their wide range of options for all sorts of dietary restrictions. Their happy hour menu is such a steal, with one of my favorite dishes, the Cheesy Bruschetta, being available for $7.50 vs the usual $12, and a selection of tacos ranging from $2.50-$3.50 each, and even their seared Sesame Ahi for $8.00. They also have drink specials, with wine, mixed drinks, and beer, all available for less than $7.
La Condesa Eatery
When: Tuesday-Friday ; 2-5pm
Food: Latin fusion
La Condesa is holding it down with the only three-hour time frame happy hour on this list. All of the happy hour menu items are $10, and include fundido, patatas bravas, poutine, and ceviche. They also have drink specials, like Modelo and domestic beers for $4. The patio on nice days is a fabulous option, especially for a 2pm late lunch for happy hour.
Twisted Fork
When: Daily; 3:30-5:30pm
Food: American
South Reno deserves some Happy Hour love too, ya know? Thank goodness for Twisted Fork, offering a wide range of Happy Hour food items like salads for $8 and Pastor Pork Tacos, Fried Burrata, and Lamb Meatballs for $10. For drinks, they offer $5 drafts, well cocktails, and glasses of house wine. They have a lovely patio which makes for a great outdoor early-bird dinner.