The 12 Best Restaurants in Boise
[Updated December 2022]
I am a big foodie and love finding the newest, hottest restaurants in Boise and the entire Treasure Valley. As Boise has grown a lot in the past few years we’ve had many new restaurants pop up! I’ll try my best to keep up and keep adding my favorite restaurants in Boise, Idaho. If you want more real-time restaurant recommendations in Boise, let’s be friends on Instagram @travelingspud and Tiktok!
1) The Wylder
The Wylder is a wonderful go-to spot for locally sourced gourmet pizzas, salads, and shared plates. They are located in the downtown area, near Boise Brewing and Trader Joe’s. The decor is hip and fun, the service is great, and they have excellent cocktails. In the summer, you can sit outside, and in the winter, it has a cozy vibe. If you go, try the mouth-watering Honey Badger pizza, mushroom toast, fingerling potatoes, brussel sprouts, and the True Grit cocktail! They don’t take reservations, but they will call you when your table is ready, so you can always have a drink at Mother Earth Brewing right next door!
2) Barbacoa
Looking for a true eating experience? Barbacoa is it. Their steak, seafood, and overall exotic ambiance are unparalleled to anywhere else in Boise. I always order tableside guacamole, the “Hot Rock” steak, and a dirty martini in an iced glass. Just trust me when I say this place is great—and also wild. It almost looks like you’re walking into a chain restaurant because of the location next to a Red Robin, but the food is wonderful. They even have a rooftop and outdoor seating when you go in the summer.
3) Alyonka Russian Cuisine
This place is so fun and a great way to change up the typical types of food we all eat at Boise restaurants. Alyonka is owned and operated by a local woman, Elena DeYoung, who was born and raised in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan. She now owns Alyonka on State St., and it is SO GOOD! If you’re looking for a date night or just a fun friend’s night out to try something new, I highly recommend this Russian cuisine for dinner. It is small inside, so I do recommend reservations, especially on the weekends. Please do yourself a favor and order the shuba, the smoked gouda spread, the Pelmeni, and the honey cake! You can also try Russian beers here, which we thought was fun.
4) Coa de Jima
This is a great newer spot on 6th street in downtown Boise owned by the same people that own Barbacoa! They have Latin-inspired food and great cocktails in a cozy and beautifully decorated atmosphere! I recommend reserving a table because it can get pretty busy on weeknights and weekends!
5) Capitol Cellars
Capitol Cellars is an Idaho institution and you really haven’t truly eaten local ingredients from Idaho until you go here. It’s located in a cellar on 5th and Main and almost feels like you’re dining in a wine cellar. Capitol Cellars is a family-run restaurant that has deep seeds in Idaho as well as the wine industry in Napa Valley. They have a vast selection of wonderful wines to drink with your meal, a full bar, and an incredible chef. I love the prime rib and seafood risotto the most! This is another spot that made my Most Romantic Restaurants in Boise list. Note that they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the entire menu is great.
6) The Lively
Upon stepping into the Lively, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a hip, big city. I love the decor, cocktails, and food. The ambiance is what I love the most about this place, but their food is equally as good! My favorite thing on the menu is hands down, the meatballs. You can either make a dinner reservation for the upstairs portion of the restaurant or sit downstairs for a drink without a reservation (they also serve the full menu down here). The Lively also has a fun speakeasy that you should check out in the back called Bar 40.
7) Apericena
This European-inspired restaurant is pretty spectacular! It’s in an old house in Hyde Park, but they are known for their beautiful outdoor dining and delicious food. It’s casual yet upscale, focusing on organic, local ingredients and seasonality. The dishes change regularly and are all plated so beautifully! This is a great place to meet friends or go on a romantic date night!
8) Modern Hotel
The Modern is actually a hotel, but they have some of the best food in town. Their modern restaurant/lounge area is small, with a large patio and a fun bar. Their cocktails are amazing, and their food is even better. They switch out their menu seasonally, but they’ve always got great dishes that are Instagram-worthy! Come here to share some plates or get your own entrees. It’s perfect for a date night and can also hold larger groups depending on the time of night.
Read More: The 9 Most Romantic Restaurants in Boise
9) Red Feather
Red Feather is an award-winning staple in downtown Boise and has been here a long time. There’s a reason why! It’s an awesome spot to sit outside on the patio or sit inside the swanky and cozy inside. They have a seasonal menu and have different types of American/Italian dishes. I love sharing plates and usually get a pizza and brussel sprouts just about every time I come!
10) Fork
The same people that own Alavita above, own Fork. Fork has been a Boise staple for many years downtown and has great Idahoan grub. Come here for the appetizers and their great entrees. The decor isn’t my favorite, but the vibe is fun and it’s always packed no matter what time of the day it is! Go here for great service and food that will make you want to come back!
11) Alavita
This spot is hands down my favorite Italian joint in town! Everything is extremely fresh and the vibes at the restaurant are super swanky and fun. It’s the perfect spot for a date night in downtown Boise or if you just want a nice meal of wine and pasta. The pasta here is all made fresh and there are some unique items on the menu. Try the squid ink ravioli when you go!
12) Honorable Mentions
A few other restaurants are still worth mentioning because they are great.
- Kin – This is an Asian-inspired restaurant with unique dishes and amazing ramen!
- Chandlers – This is known as one of the fanciest/most expensive restaurants in Boise. It’s located in Hotel 43 and has great steak and cocktails!
- Tupelo Honey – The fried chicken, cauliflower tacos, and brunch here are amazing.
- Mai Thai – This is an excellent spot for all Asian fusion.
- Little Pearl Oyster Bar – I still haven’t been here, but everyone raves about the food.
- Bittercreek Alehouse and Bardenay – Both of these are Boise staples and worth mentioning here for great a la carte offerings and pub fare
So nice to know complete list of restaurant in Boise. I have visited three of this list those are quiet good. In my next visit I will plan rest of these. Thanks for sharing!
Yay I’m so glad this helps!
GREAT article…you nailed the best restaurants in Boise. Now I just have to visit those I missed along the way…they have been on my list. Good job and excellent recommendations.