Reno Public Market — Restaurant in Reno

I live about 2 blocks away from Reno Public Market and I was very excited to hear what they were doing with this space. In concept, it sounds great. Get a bunch of small local food vendors in one spot, much like "Food Truck Friday", mixed in with a some art, music, and local vendors. To be blunt, I feel like they severely missed the mark on the execution of this space.

Perhaps my situation is a bit unique (probably not) but as a vegetarian, I found the options were incredibly limited. I've been there three times and every time have come away feeling like there was a severe lack of reasonable options. The things I did end up settling on left me quite disappointed. To be fair, there's quite a few places to get a snack like a churro, a crepe, or some loaded fries, but if you're looking for a filling reasonably healthy lunch you're probably better off going to the sprouts next door to order a sandwich. I'm sure after a few months there will be some churn in the vendors and I hope they take note from the places that are thriving in midtown and bring in some some good healthy options that won't break the bank leaving you feeling disappointed. There are tons of great food trucks in Reno and I'm sure the options will gradually improve but for now it's a dissappointment.

Okay, next, let's talk about the atmosphere. A Costco has better atmosphere than this place. I get the whole "industrial" feel but the place really just feels chaotic. This is probably a combination of the fact that the design of this place makes it so anyone ordering food or deciding what to get is standing directly in one of the two primary walkways and that the acoustics of this place make it sound like you're inside a washing machine. I'm sure I'm not the first person to notice this because they seemingly hung a bunch of giant foam boards on the roof to try and make it a bit better.

One of the only saving graces of this space is the collection of art installations tucked away in the back. Perhaps they should hire some of those artists to make this space feel a bit more artsy like the rest of Midtown instead of like a gutted mall.

Oh, one last thing, the number of fake reviews for this place that were probably paid for by the city is ridiculous. They should spend the city's money on fixing what's wrong with this place rather than buying...

I’ve visited the Reno Public Market about ten times over the past year, and while it does offer some appealing elements, it falls short in several key areas.

The Good:

Decent variety: Plenty of different cuisines to choose from, which is nice if you’re with a group. Casual activities: Options like cornhole and giant Connect Four can add a bit of fun, making it a decent choice for an outing with friends or family.

The Not-So-Good:

Price vs. Quality: The food is on the pricier side, and the freshness and flavor often don’t live up to the cost. It feels more like elevated “food truck fare” than a true culinary destination. Overwhelming Noise: The venue is extremely echo-prone. Most times I’ve visited, a live rock band was playing so loudly that it was tough to order, let alone have a conversation. Atmosphere and Comfort: The industrial-modern vibe—metal chairs, metal tables—may be trendy, but it’s also cold and uncomfortable. If that’s your style, great, but Reno offers many other venues with similar aesthetics and better execution. Empty Spaces and Drama: Some stores that initially opened have since closed, leaving noticeable empty areas. Rumor has it there’s been tension with the owners, which doesn’t inspire confidence in the market’s longevity or community feel.

Suggestions for Improvement:

Improve the acoustics and keep the live music at a volume that still allows conversation. Replace empty storefronts with something more engaging: maybe a coworking space, more interactive games like pickleball or table tennis, or even activities like axe throwing. Anything that livens up the space and encourages people to stick around.

Overall, Reno Public Market has potential, but the current experience—especially the noise and lackluster food—makes it hard to fully recommend.

(Disclaimer: I used ChatGPT to organize and improve the wording of...

The atmosphere is really good. Nice light and space. Some second floor observation action. And they host trivia, karaoke, dancing and other regular, and special events. I'll be honest, though, I want to like it so much more but my personal food experience is mildly disappointing. Mediterranean Bae used to have some dishes and sauces that set them apart in Reno, but they got rid of them and now they're quite standard and not commensurately pricey. I thought I'd found my go-to, so I'm kind of sad about that. La Pasta Vista used to have an amazing tiramisu for $10. Just a few months ago. Now they offer a piece which is only 2/3 of the size (no longer shareable ;), for $13, and it's not as good. More sugary, less nuanced coffee and liqueur notes. Not good enough to make a special trip anymore. Wah wah wah I got a pizza from Dopo and it was fine, not as good as I'd been hearing, but a margherita on the counter waiting for someone else had its mozzarella balls in puddles of cloudy water. Ew. There are a lot of food choices and, I may have different tastes, so try it out and you may justifiably love it. There are also shops worth perusing and lots of cool experiences to be had at Reno Public Market. You can definitely have a fun and stimulating outing there.

Response to owner: I'm familiar with gourmet pizza from all over the country, as well as fresh mozzarella, being a fairly accomplished Italian cook, myself. I am not an expert chef, however, I do know the water is supposed to preserve the cheese during storage only. It is not supposed to sit in wells atop a "fully cooked" pizza. That means it wasn't made properly. There is no room for...