Artemis Lakefront Café — Restaurant in South Lake Tahoe

I read many reviews about this restaurant both here and on Yelp. Most of the lower ratings seemed to focus on service and wait times, so I went in curious but hopeful. Here’s a detailed timeline of our visit—from parking to leaving the waterfront—along with some notes that might be helpful.

11:08 AM – 11:12 AM: We arrived at the parking lot, got our ticket, and found a spot easily.

11:15 AM – 11:25 AM: We reached the restaurant entrance and were immediately greeted by two staff members. One let us know it would be just a couple of minutes while they finished cleaning our table. We opted for outdoor seating—the view was incredible and the weather was perfect. Tip: Knowing what we wanted ahead of time helped. We checked out the menu and photos online before arriving. For those who eat Halal, the lamb burger is Halal (the only red meat option that is), and they also offer Halal-friendly seafood and vegetarian dishes.

11:34 AM – 11:50 AM: Our server returned, and we placed our order right away. He was attentive, polite, and confirmed all our requests clearly. We didn’t wait long before our food arrived.

11:55 AM – 12:19 PM: Our food was served, and everything was delicious. I highly recommend the Mahi-Mahi Fish & Chips and the Baklava French Toast—absolutely the highlight of our day! As Middle Eastern diners, we found the Turkish coffee not entirely authentic, but still very enjoyable—tasty enough that we finished every sip.

12:30 PM: We paid our bill and took a short walk to the waterfront afterward.

A few extra notes: I observed the servers closely and was impressed by how organized they were. Orders were taken and delivered in the correct sequence, like a well-managed queue.

Timing matters: People who arrived after us experienced longer wait times as the restaurant quickly got busy. At one point, there were only four servers covering the outdoor area, and they were working non-stop.

A little kindness and patience toward the staff go a long way—they’re doing their best, and it shows.

Overall: The food was flavorful, portions were generous, and the value matched the price. We genuinely enjoyed our experience and will absolutely return to try more dishes. Highly...

The menu looked great, but I felt like I made a wrong choice by asking to see the menu before being seated. I was with my wife, we are in Tahoe on our honeymoon. Tahoe has been great and most store employees are happy and welcoming. Not the case at Artemis... The initial hostess ran off after giving us the menus. We checked them out for a quick minute, then a lady who was sitting at the bar asked if we wanted a seat and proceeded to tell us to sit anywhere. No one came over to us for a solid 5-10 minutes after we sat. (We already knew what we wanted since we looked at the menus before sitting.) First, a single lady came in and was assisted quite thoroughly by the same lady who was at the bar. She was much more helpful and less dismissive of this lady who only asked about a drink from the bar. We had plans to order drinks appetizers and meals. I started to wonder if the cafe was under staffed. Then another couple came in and they were addressed in a very appropriate manner. They chose their seats and someone returned with water for them. My wife and I were not even offered water. Another group arrived stating they had dogs and were sitting outside and they were also attended quickly. At that point, we decided to leave. Not sure what kind of discrimination or profiling took place but it was disappointing, uncomfortable and somewhat belittling. The lady at the bar was 40s-50s Caucasian and seemed like a manager... We were there around 130pm Monday 4/15. We went over to the Red Hut after that, they were about to close at 2pm and were still willing to seat us and help us out. We didn't eat there but the environment was a huge difference. I actually had a similar experience at another breakfast cafe (Heidi's) in Tahoe. Guess there has to be balance in the world and Artemis Cafe falls on the negative side of the scale. F...

I recently had the unfortunate experience of dining at Artemis Lakefront Cafe, and I must say, it was nothing short of disappointing. From the moment I entered the restaurant, the server's attitude was abysmal. She seemed completely disinterested in providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Her lack of warmth and professionalism was evident throughout the entire meal, and it greatly affected my overall dining experience.

To make matters worse, the food was a major letdown. I ordered Mediterranean dishes, expecting authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. However, what I received was far from satisfactory. The taste was bland and uninspiring, as if the chef had no concept of seasoning. It was evident that the food had not been properly cooked, leaving it underwhelming and lacking the flavors I was hoping for. The ingredients themselves seemed far from fresh, which was incredibly disappointing considering the reputation of Mediterranean cuisine.

Adding insult to injury, the prices at Artemis Lakefront Cafe were exorbitant. I was shocked at the bill I received after such a lackluster dining experience. The quality of the food and service simply did not justify the high costs. It felt like a blatant attempt to take advantage of customers who were hoping for an enjoyable meal.

Based on my experience, I cannot in good conscience recommend this restaurant to anyone. The rude and unfriendly service, coupled with the subpar food and overpriced menu, makes Artemis Lakefront Cafe a place to avoid. If you're looking for a truly enjoyable Mediterranean dining experience, I would suggest exploring other options in the area. This establishment falls short in every aspect, and I regret wasting my time...