Soule Domain — Restaurant in Incline Village-Crystal Bay

This review is based off sitting outside (not great experience). We booked a reservation online that didn't specify indoors or outdoors so we assumed it would be for indoors, which we wanted because inside has the charming wood cabin vibes. But we were called the afternoon of the reservation to tell us it was outside. I don't know if cancelling was an option at that point but their site has a $50 cancellation charge. So we are sat under an EZ up tent at a sloping table on uneven gray gravel (not nice pea gravel), the table was way too high for the chairs and awkward for eating, right next to only one other table (we prob should have just joined in their conversation yet we both decided to try to ignore the proximity), no music to hide our conversations. Not too stoked on our arrangement we ordered one appetizer to share and an entree for each of us (the market fish special) and we are not partaking in alcohol right now so no drinks. Then at the end of the meal we skip dessert and the server comes back out and tells us we didn't meet their $60 min/per person order, which we didn't know about, nor was the market special entree price listed anywhere to even know how close to $60 we were... She grabs the menu to prove the $60 min was printed at the bottom (who looks at that and why wasn't that announced at the reservation process?). I feel sorry the servers have to have these conversations because of the stingy owner but also, there was no need to prove to us that we missed it in the menu. The owner did waive the extra charge for us thankfully. Still, we were made to feel uncomfortable that we didn't order or spend enough $. Classy, Soule Domain, classy. Also - it would be worth it to update the outdoor dining space, even out the ground, get rid of the turf rugs, pipe in some tunes, tell people when they reserve to select inside or outside, and if you have a minimum charge consider a prix fix menu as a mandatory minimum or at least put a noticeable flyer on the reservation page and the menu, not printed...

Honestly astounded by this place. For the good notes, the waitress staff was very pleasant, and the atmosphere was fantastic. A cute, rustic cabin next to Lake Tahoe, with a beautiful outdoor garden.

Now for what astounded me. The place charges $1 for every single modification, no matter how small, you request to your dish. This includes things like reduced salt and switching shrimp to chicken (which in most restaurants would merit a reduction, not an increase, in cost). Not even to go over the fact that financially punishing your clientele for medically necessary dietary restrictions such as reduced sodium is blatantly dismissive and discriminatory, I cannot fathom what self respecting chef would even think to do this. Most chefs are more than happy to accommodate reasonable requests, and I can only imagine that they actually enjoy the intellectual/creative challenge to do so - to still produce a delicious dish despite the modification. The explanation given was "modifications require the chef to focus in the kitchen, thus he charges." Meaning that he doesn't focus otherwise? This is equivalent to a surgeon charging extra for an operation if a patient presents with complicating comorbidities that require them to "focus more." The worst part is that the wait staff seems to have been instructed not to disclose this fact ahead of time, as both my table and the table next to ours were not told about these hidden fees, and the adjacent table's waitress did a poor attempt at feigning ignorance.

Anyway, notwithstanding that point, the food was decent. The scallops were flavorful and tender. The lamb ravioli was al dente, however the lamb could have been flavored better. I wouldn't have dared to ask for extra salt or flavoring lest I be charged for it. The sauce on the swordfish was extremely sour.

Definitely not worth the money, and I definitely wouldn't want to support a chef with the morals and values...

A Hidden Gem with Heart in Every Detail – A True Tahoe Experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After all these years working security across the street at the Crystal Bay Club, always looking across the border from Nevada into California, I finally got to step inside Soule Domain. I’ve watched this little cabin for decades—saw people walk out smiling, couples celebrating, friends laughing in the Tahoe air. Now I know why.

Celebrating over 40 years of service (and do look it up—they’ve earned every one), this restaurant is more than just a cozy cabin tucked in Kings Beach. It’s a culinary institution that honors its location, its history, and its guests.

We dined on the Halibut Panko Dill, Asian Salad with Pork Belly, Chicken (no mushrooms), Double Pasta Cream App Entree, Queen of Sheba à la Mode, and Crème Caramel Flan, among other exquisite bites. Everything tasted fresh, beautifully presented, and perfectly portioned. The flavors were bold but balanced, and the cream pasta… let’s just say we’ll be dreaming about that one.

Our server Jess was everything you want in hospitality: warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and simply kind. Her energy carried through the whole evening. And Aiden, the young gentleman who brought our waters and dessert menus, added an endearing and charming touch to the experience—even his struggle with French dessert pronunciation made us smile. That’s what Tahoe’s about: authenticity and warmth.

You can dine inside the rustic cabin with its timeless vibes and carved totem pole out front—or enjoy the al fresco experience, which is a treat in itself during the Lake Tahoe summer. On June 22, 2025, the sun filtered through the trees just right, and the evening felt magical.

We left full, happy, and grateful. Soule Domain is not just a meal—it’s a memory in the making. Thank you for the incredible night. We’ll...