Mandarin Garden Chinese Restaurant

Mandarin Garden Chinese Restaurant

2502 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, United States

+1 530-544-8885

Chinese restaurant, Asian restaurant, Seafood restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant
(762)
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About This Place

Mandarin Garden Chinese Restaurant, nestled conveniently at 2502 Lake Tahoe Blvd in South Lake Tahoe, CA, is a standout destination for lovers of authentic Chinese, Asian, seafood, and vegetarian cuisine. This restaurant brilliantly marries tradition with freshness, offering a diverse menu that promises something delightfully flavorful for every palate.

Step inside and you are greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements the vibrant flavors served at the table. Whether you're craving the tender, savory Mongolian Beef, the crisp and tangy Sweet and Sour Chicken, or the comfort of a steaming bowl of Hot and Sour Soup, Mandarin Garden crafts each dish with care and authenticity. Their specialty dishes such as Double-Cooked Pork, Sizzling Seafood Platter, and General Chicken receive consistent praise for their perfect blend of spices and textures.

Vegetarian diners will appreciate the thoughtfully prepared vegetable options like the Mixed Vegetable Shrimp Chow Mein (with shrimp optional), Eggplant in sweet and sour sauce, and the fresh stir-fried bok choi and broccoli, all cooked without any greasy aftertaste, ensuring a clean, flavorful experience. The menu also features an impressive variety of noodle dishes, including Shrimp Chow Fun and Dan Dan Mein, as well as traditional rice options like Combination Fried Rice and Gluten-Free Rice Noodles with tofu.

What truly elevates Mandarin Garden is its commitment to fresh, homemade sauces and generous portions — a detail not lost on regulars. Customers like Tomiko Radford have raved about the perfectly cooked shrimp Chow Fun and the lively kick of their spicy chicken wings, while Diana Dilee DiNucci-Maher highlights the freshness and authenticity, noting how accommodating the restaurant is to special dietary requests.

The lunch specials, praised by Thomas Perkins for offering unmatched value without compromising quality, make Mandarin Garden a smart choice for anyone seeking a satisfying and healthy meal in South Lake Tahoe. Pair your meal with comforting starters like Wonton Soup or Egg Drop Soup, and don’t miss the highly recommended Double-Cooked Pork and the vibrant mixed veggies — a medley of at least eight different garden-fresh vegetables that awaken your palate with each bite, as noted enthusiastically by Mike Alans.

Families will appreciate the prompt and friendly service, with quick food preparation that even gets a thumbs up from Steve Bacher. The large parking lot adds to the convenience, making it an easy stop whether you’re visiting or local.

Mandarin Garden Chinese Restaurant isn’t just a meal — it’s a thoughtful culinary experience that invites you to savor each bite, explore traditional flavors, and enjoy a lively yet comfortable dining environment. Whether it’s your first visit or a cherished favorite, the dedication to freshness, quality, and authentic taste will leave you eager for your next visit.

For reservations or takeout, call +1 530-544-8885, and prepare yourself for a truly gratifying Chinese dining adventure right in the heart of South Lake Tahoe.

Service options
Outdoor seating Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Fast service Great tea selection Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Comfort food Healthy options Quick bite Small plates Vegan options Vegetarian options
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Groups Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Tomiko Radford
    3 week ago

    We enjoyed everything we were served here! From the shrimp Chow Fun to the Eggplant in sweet and sour sauce, the dishes were cooked perfectly. The spicy chicken wings were crisp and flavorful with just the right amount of spice from the Serrano peppers. The bok choi, broccoli, and veggies we had were fresh and nothing was greasy. The noodles were great and we enjoyed the different meats we ordered. They season things well and nothing is overly sauced. If you're looking for amazing food with wonderful service and hospitality, you'll enjoy this restaurant and the dining experience they provide. We will be back each time we come to Tahoe!

  • Diana Dilee DiNucci-Maher
    1 month ago

    Tasty, fresh, authentic Chinese cuisine with good size portions. Reasonably priced. I’d recommend this place if you love Chinese food! If not crowded they will accommodate substitutions and special requests. We had the gluten free rice noodle with tofu, mushroom delight, snow peas with water chestnuts and stir fried green beans.

  • thomas perkins
    2 month ago

    Best deal, portion, and quality - you cannot beat their lunch special. Very consistent! I always look for the best healthy deal, so if you’re like me - let me save you the search. If you are visiting and get hungry for Chinese food, this should be your first stop/choice. No sauce from a jar or can; all homemade and wide variety of options! Enjoying our 2025 Christmas even more because they were open! Thanks again Sue

  • Mike Alans
    3 month ago

    The dinner set is everything you will ever need. Everything from the wonton soup to the entree to the fried rice is very well-made and highly presentable. Would highly recommend the double-cooked pork, as it is a personal favorite, and this place went above and beyond on this dish. The mixed veggies are also very good. I can count at least 8 different vegetables in there and they all taste fabulous. It's not easy to say this about many Chinese restaurants. The place was really understaffed and service was understandably slow, but they were very kind and was really speedy once they got our order. Can't think of a better spot for authentic, delicious Chinese food in the area.

  • Steve Bacher
    3 month ago

    Good local Chinese food here. They had our food cooked in 10 minutes and were very kind. They have lunch specials 11-3 and a large parking lot around back. The kids loved the chow mein noodles. I had chicken and veggies and my wife had general tsos chicken. It was enough for leftovers at lunch the next day. Thank you!!

  • Bella B-B
    3 month ago

    Really, really delicious food. We went for the fresh orange chicken (which to be honest we didn’t love but this isn’t because of the restaurant, I just don’t think we like orange chicken!), Szechuan green beans, salt and pepper prawns and egg fried rice. Portions were huge, all came super quickly, piping hot and fresh tasting. The restaurant was basically empty due to a concert happening nearby so hard to say what the atmosphere was like. Maybe some music would’ve been nice but that’s minor. Lastly, the lady serving us was extremely lovely. 10/10.

  • Y&N
    3 month ago

    05.02.24 3:30pm Very good Chinese food, restaurant has been here for 54 years! Very kind lady who waited on us gave daddy delicious coffee cake squares with a candle in it to celebrate his 84th bday, awww, thank you for the sweet gesture! All 3 dishes ordered were very good; *Mongolian Beef is nice & spicy *Beef with String Beans and Black Bean Sauce *Mooshoo Beef was salty enough so didn't use the oyster sauce it came with, Mooshoo came with 4 wrappers. Steamed rice is ordered separately, doesn't come with meals. Hot tea (jasmine) was delicious! Tahoe water is 99.99% pure and is so refreshing and tasty as is as well as all beverages made with this water! Restaurant isn't kept up in decor or anything but the food is very good and we recommend to all!

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