The Drifters Table

Sammi Maon-Lovell

Hands down the best restaurant we’ve eaten on a 3-wk roadtrip — and that includes meals in Mammoth Lakes, Napa, Mendocino, the Oregon Coast, Portland, and Bend. Every dish was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully executed. You can taste the freshness and care in the ingredients and the creativity in the flavors. Service was warm and attentive without being overbearing. It’s rare to find a place that feels both special and comfortable — this one nails it. Worth going out of your way for. **Reservations recommended ** Appetizers: Caesar Salad - anchovies tasted like ones I bought from Spain Salmon Cakes salad - perfectly cooked: moist and fresh! Meals: Rack of Lamb - medium rare as lamb should be cooked; the turnips were delicious! Salmon - perfectly crispy skin with finishing salt just exquisite! Desserts: Crème Brulee - the orange infusion gave an interesting take Chocolate Flourless Cake - so light!

David Crabill

Phenomenal food! And some of the best service we've ever experienced at a restaurant. The owners are extremely friendly and personable, as was our waitress. My wife had the French dip -- easily the best French dip either of us have had. I had the sea bass, which was also excellent with a perfect combination of flavors. We also had a salad, and the flourless cake, both of which were superb. They say on their website that they often book a week in advance, but we were able to get a table for two by calling the day before. We were celebrating our anniversary and agreed it was the best anniversary dinner ever!

Emily Luthra

Have been wanting to come here a while for dinner, finally made it, and everything was so amazing! The peach and burrata salad was divine, with a perfectly grilled peach and addictive toast. The halibut was perfectly cooked, with a delightful rice and corn side, kinda Caribbean flavors. It was really hard to choose between this and the seafood stew. My husband had the chilled beet soup and he loved it. If you come at dusk in the summer be prepared for a few mosquitoes, but they have some lamps to help with that. The team who works there is so nice, the service was fantastic, and we can't wait to come back.

Dorothy Hughes

Ever since this wonderful place opened, I have thoroughly enjoyed every meal. Jeanne cooks in a flavorful way that beckons you to savor every bite, and long for more. The service is professional, attentive and friendly, and one never feels rushed to leave. A favorite of mine is the steelhead trout, but really everything is delicious from the starters to the phenomenal desserts.

Mark Pearce

We managed to get a last minute cancellation on a Sunday evening and we were so glad that we did. For such an unpretentious little restaurant in “The Loneliest Town” in America, the food is amazing! We were on a road trip and were stopping in Loyalton and the owner of our Airbnb recommended this place; and we’re so glad she did. Try it you won’t be disappointed.

Sarah Parsons

Wow! What an incredible experience. The food here is excellent and fresh and some of the best I’ve had in a looong time. Lovely patio and staff. Wow wow wow. 10/10, will be back again!

Ian De Jong

I've run out of superlatives to describe this jewel of the Lost Sierra. Drifter's Table is a cozy, family-run place where they clearly care about the quality of their food and the comfort of their guests. Their menus change with what's in season, so no visit will be quite the same as the last - but our every visit has been reliably delicious. From creative, savoury, gorgeously-plated starters and a judiciously-chosen wine list, through a hearty selection of entrees blending traditional (juicy ribeyes) with the avant-garde (oxtail posole?!), to a dessert menu that must be seen to be believed, this is a must-visit. It's a picturesque 45-minute drive from Reno, a *differently* picturesque 45 minutes from Truckee, and, well, a bit further from the Bay Area...but still, I think, well worth the drive. You will not be disappointed!

Heriberto Madrigal

Such an amazing place. Food was very fresh with a great wine list. Staff was very friendly and the ambiance and music was very romantic.

My spouse and I have been going to The Drifters Table about once a year for a while now. This was our first time returning since the new owners took over. To be honest, we were a little worried as is natural with change. The previous owners did such a good job establishing something special and unique to find in the rural farmland of California. The new owners had a lot to live up to. I can honestly say they have done an excellent job carrying the torch. The menu is definitely different, and at the same time, still has that home cooked high quality farm flair. My pan seared bass was the perfect crispy with accompanied by excellent Mediterranean flavors. Though we were a little too late to sample the cheesecake for dessert, the orange Crème brûlée was probably one of the top 3 Crème brûlée I ever have had. That's coming from someone who has sampled many a Crème brûlée growing up in Vegas. Hats off to Chef Nathan! The staff were also just so delightful and were the cherry on top of a great evening. The owners Teri and Chuck and such fun energy and our waitress Liz was so funny and knowledgeable about the food. Were excited that this place will continue to be a special place we can return to! Thank you all for making our 10 year anniversary amazing!

Wonderful, quaint, hidden gem. The food is 5 star and the service is hands on and personal in this no fuss, bistro style restaurant. The view of Sierra Valley adds to the appeal. Treat yourself to a night out here!

My wife and I were passing through on our way to the Sierra Hot Springs and decided to stop spur of the moment last weekend. We were so glad we did! The host was really nice about us not having a reservation and seated us on the patio with a view of the valley. We were already in love. The menu was amazing, we wanted to order everything. The server was super sweet and helpful and the host helped us choose a wine. I got the grilled cabbage Caesar and my wife had the gourmet mac n' cheese. We both though they were the best of those we had ever had. For entrees we had the lamb and a steelhead dish, absolutely delicious. For desert we shared a piece of rhubarb pie (which our server mentioned was made from scratch with local rhubarb!) and after the first bite we ordered 2 pieces to go. The food was up with the best we have ever had anywhere. After dinner we walked out through the gardens of the hotel next door, or I should say floated. The dinner felt like a vacation in itself. The setting, the FOOD!!, the sweet staff, everything was perfect!

Teri and Chuck are very inviting and passionate about what they do. I was blown away by the quality, preparation, plating, service, atmosphere. Highly recommend!!!

Best dinner in our area. Delicious entree served hot. Great desserts and salads. The host/owner could not have been more friendly. Pretty extensive wine list for a small rural restaurant. I'm eager to go back.

What a great time!! Went here with some friends and what a surprise. Shared the peach burreta salad, delicious. Husband had the lamb dish, and I had the curry shrimp. The waitress said save room for dessert and we were glad we did. Homage ice cream and berry pie yum

The atmosphere (especially on the patio) and quality of food are superb. I can’t say enough about The Drifter’s Table, I love it so much! They keep a simple menu, but offer something for everyone. I always order scallops when they’re on the menu - they are perfectly cooked and tender. And the best homemade ice cream, even though I am not usually an ice cream lover. We are so fortunate to have a fine dining restaurant in Loyalton with friendly host John (who knows his wine!) and wait staff!

Truly a hidden gem in Northern California, carefully tucked away in the Sierra Nevada, perfect destination for some fine dining and very relaxing experience. The owners are very hands on, freindly and very attentive to the guests, food quality and atmosphere. Truly a blessing to try their amazing food last August while staying at the drifter Inn! You won't be disappointed!

I read this is a destination restaurant and we couldn't agree more. From start to finish this is one of the best dining experiences we have had in several years. John, our host was charming. Sarah, our waitress, was so attentive we felt like her only patrons. Jeannie, the chef, presented us with one of the most delicious and creative dinners we have had in quite sometime. The Drifters Table is a real gem...we almost want to keep it to ourselves. Can't wait to go back!

We were staying in Truckee and decided to make the drive to the Drifter's Table and it was SO worth it! One of the best meals I have had and the setting is right out of a movie set. The new owners have created a little slice of heaven in this small town and our family could not have been happier. We will definitely be back!!

Really lovely place with very friendly owners. Had a jalapeño burger that was cooked properly, not too spicey. Wine list was small, but really good prices on all of them. Outdoor seating area had a retro feel and provided a great view of the surrounding hills.

Marcus Teissedre

My spouse and I have been going to The Drifters Table about once a year for a while now. This was our first time returning since the new owners took over. To be honest, we were a little worried as is natural with change. The previous owners did such a good job establishing something special and unique to find in the rural farmland of California. The new owners had a lot to live up to. I can honestly say they have done an excellent job carrying the torch. The menu is definitely different, and at the same time, still has that home cooked high quality farm flair. My pan seared bass was the perfect crispy with accompanied by excellent Mediterranean flavors. Though we were a little too late to sample the cheesecake for dessert, the orange Crème brûlée was probably one of the top 3 Crème brûlée I ever have had. That's coming from someone who has sampled many a Crème brûlée growing up in Vegas. Hats off to Chef Nathan! The staff were also just so delightful and were the cherry on top of a great evening. The owners Teri and Chuck and such fun energy and our waitress Liz was so funny and knowledgeable about the food. Were excited that this place will continue to be a special place we can return to! Thank you all for making our 10 year anniversary amazing!

Noah Baird

Teri and Chuck are very inviting and passionate about what they do. I was blown away by the quality, preparation, plating, service, atmosphere. Highly recommend!!!

Wags & Ruffs

We were staying in Truckee and decided to make the drive to the Drifter's Table and it was SO worth it! One of the best meals I have had and the setting is right out of a movie set. The new owners have created a little slice of heaven in this small town and our family could not have been happier. We will definitely be back!!

Michael Hodson

Really lovely place with very friendly owners. Had a jalapeño burger that was cooked properly, not too spicey. Wine list was small, but really good prices on all of them. Outdoor seating area had a retro feel and provided a great view of the surrounding hills.

Lori Lomas

Wonderful, quaint, hidden gem. The food is 5 star and the service is hands on and personal in this no fuss, bistro style restaurant. The view of Sierra Valley adds to the appeal. Treat yourself to a night out here!

Harry Situations (Harry Situations)

This is definitely the crown jewel of Loyalton. Jeanne creates such amazing dishes and cooks them to perfection. In fact, perfection is a good way to describe the entire dining experience at The Drifter’s Table. Don’t forget to save room for dessert!

Stephanie (Lady Lebala)

What a great time!! Went here with some friends and what a surprise. Shared the peach burreta salad, delicious. Husband had the lamb dish, and I had the curry shrimp. The waitress said save room for dessert and we were glad we did. Homage ice cream and berry pie yum

Gay Miller

Best dinner in our area. Delicious entree served hot. Great desserts and salads. The host/owner could not have been more friendly. Pretty extensive wine list for a small rural restaurant. I'm eager to go back.

K Swiss

Truly a hidden gem in Northern California, carefully tucked away in the Sierra Nevada, perfect destination for some fine dining and very relaxing experience. The owners are very hands on, freindly and very attentive to the guests, food quality and atmosphere. Truly a blessing to try their amazing food last August while staying at the drifter Inn! You won't be disappointed!

Marti Walker

The atmosphere (especially on the patio) and quality of food are superb. I can’t say enough about The Drifter’s Table, I love it so much! They keep a simple menu, but offer something for everyone. I always order scallops when they’re on the menu - they are perfectly cooked and tender. And the best homemade ice cream, even though I am not usually an ice cream lover. We are so fortunate to have a fine dining restaurant in Loyalton with friendly host John (who knows his wine!) and wait staff!

Marie J

My wife and I were passing through on our way to the Sierra Hot Springs and decided to stop spur of the moment last weekend. We were so glad we did! The host was really nice about us not having a reservation and seated us on the patio with a view of the valley. We were already in love. The menu was amazing, we wanted to order everything. The server was super sweet and helpful and the host helped us choose a wine. I got the grilled cabbage Caesar and my wife had the gourmet mac n' cheese. We both though they were the best of those we had ever had. For entrees we had the lamb and a steelhead dish, absolutely delicious. For desert we shared a piece of rhubarb pie (which our server mentioned was made from scratch with local rhubarb!) and after the first bite we ordered 2 pieces to go. The food was up with the best we have ever had anywhere. After dinner we walked out through the gardens of the hotel next door, or I should say floated. The dinner felt like a vacation in itself. The setting, the FOOD!!, the sweet staff, everything was perfect!