15 Best Restaurants in Boise (Updated 2024)

The 15 Best Restaurants in Boise

[Updated September 2024]

I am a big foodie and love finding the newest and hottest restaurants in Boise (the largest city in Idaho) and the entire Treasure Valley. As a Boise local, I like to keep up with the newest restaurants, fun spots, and local favorites. Boise has grown a lot in the past few years, and many new restaurants have popped up! I’m trying my best to keep up with the best places and keep adding my favorite restaurants in Boise, Idaho, to the list!

The majority of these restaurants I’ve listed are sit-down restaurants and more focused on lunch or dinner. Also, these are all restaurants in Boise and not the rest of the Treasure Valley. On a major budget? Here are some of the best cheap eats in Boise! 

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 one of my favorite restaurants. It’s the perfect place for locally sourced craft 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. You can sit outside in the summer, and in the winter, it has a cozy vibe.

If you go, the best things to try are the 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 some craft beers at Mother Earth Brewing right next door! This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boise, hands down.

Directions: Wylder, 501 W Broad St, Boise, ID 83702

2) Barbacoa

If you’re looking for a true Boise local favorite, Barbacoa is it. Their steak, seafood, and overall exotic ambiance are unmatched o 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 excellent—and also wild.

It almost looks like you’re walking into a chain restaurant because of its location next to a Red Robin, but its outdoor patio has views of a small pond and the Boise River. Plus, the food is wonderful. They even have a rooftop and outdoor seating when you go in the summer. Sometimes, they’ll have live music as well! This would be a great option for group dining or a birthday party or event.

Directions: Barbacoa Grill, 276 Bobwhite Ct, Boise, ID 83706

3) Alyonka Russian Cuisine

Alyonka’s is delicious Russian cuisine and a great way to change up the typical types of food in the Boise restaurant scene. 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 a fun friend’s night out to try something new, I highly recommend this Russian food for dinner. It is small inside their dining room, but they do have a patio in the summer. I recommend reservations, especially on the weekends. Please do yourself a favor and order the shuba, the smoked gouda spread, the Pelmeni, the beef stroganoff, and the honey cake! You can also try Russian beers here, which we thought was fun.

Recently, they were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives—although this feels very far away from a dive!

Directions: Alyonka Russian Cuisine, 2870 W State St, Boise, ID 83702

4) Coa de Jima

This is a great spot on 6th Street in downtown Boise owned by the same people that own Barbacoa! I love their Latin-inspired food, and they’ve got great cocktails in a cozy and beautifully decorated atmosphere. They also have a nice patio, but it has limited seating. I recommend reserving a table because it can get pretty busy on weeknights and weekends! Check out their happy hour, too; as of now, it’s every night!

Directions: Coa de Jima, 615 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702

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5) Stardust

Stardust is one of Boise’s newest hot spots! The decor mimics the mid-century modern Stardust Hotel and Casino in Vegas, and it’s such a fun place! You can come here for craft cocktails, lunch or dinner. They also do brunch—including a drag brunch event. The food is delicious, and I recommend trying the grilled scallops as an app,  the beef Wellington, and the airline chicken and the pannacotta for dessert! It’s perfect for a fun night out when you want some good food and a vibey atmosphere!

Directions: Stardust, 1002 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702

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).

Directions: The Lively, 505 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702

7) Luciano’s Italian Restaurant

If you like Italian, this is an independently owned Boise classic. It feels like an old Italian spot that is literally always busy! It’s a pretty casual and informal spot with a Tuscan-inspired space. They have a small bar, so you can get a drink while you’re waiting for your table. They use quality ingredients, and serve all types of Italian classics. If you’re just craving a large Italian meal, this is your spot!

Directions: 11 N Orchard St, Boise, ID 83706

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.

Directions: Modern Hotel, 1314 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83702

Read More: The 9 Most Romantic Restaurants in Boise

9) Red Feather Lounge

Red Feather is an award-winning staple in downtown Boise and has been here for 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 offer great food with different types of American/Italian dishes. I love sharing plates and usually get a pizza and brussel sprouts just about every time I come!

Directions: 246 N 8th St, Boise, ID 83702

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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 local favorites. Come here for a relaxed atmosphere, delicious appetizers (don’t miss their famous asparagus fries), their great entrees, and yummy brunch. 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 the whole family want to come back!

Directions: Fork, 199 N 8th St, Boise, ID 83702

11) Alavita

This is another great Italian restaurant in town! Everything is extremely fresh—including the handmade, fresh pasta—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!

Directions: Alavita, 807 W Idaho St, Boise, ID 83702

12) Chandler’s

This is known as one of the City of Trees’ fanciest and most expensive restaurants but for good reason! Chandlers is a white tablecloth dining experience and is perfect for a date night. I recommend it when craving something fancier or prime steaks and a martini. It’s located in Hotel 43 in downtown Boise, and the food and service are great.

Directions: Chandler’s, 981 W Grove St, Boise ID 83702

13) Avery Brasserie + Bar 

The Avery Brasserie + Bar is located inside the new historic hotel in downtown Boise, The Avery Hotel. Their restaurant serves French-inspired brunch, lunch, and dinner. The vibes in this restaurant are elevated and timeless. It feels like you’re in a fun and casual restaurant in a big city. I have loved everything I’ve had here, and it might be because the chef is Michelin-starred Chef Cal Elliot; who knows what he’s doing! This is a go-to for a casual date night, a special occasion, or just a fun night out. Also, in the back of the restaurant is Tiner’s Alley, a fun pub-like restaurant that reminds me of being in England!

Directions: 1010 W Main St Suite 100, Boise, ID 83702

14) KIN

KIN is a prix fixe dining and cocktail bar that offers a five-course food and beverage experience served in a communal setting. This is one of Idaho’s most awarded restaurants, as KIN chef Kris Komori has won Idaho’s first James Beard award! They offer a few dining options, including prix fixe dining, where they run seatings at 7 pm (6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays), and then a late-night Supper Club on Fridays and Saturdays that starts at 8:45 pm.

If you still want to try their food but don’t have time for prix fixe dining, you can head to their Art Huas Bar, where they don’t take reservations and serve Asian-fusion-inspired dishes, including ramen (my favorite thing to order here). Their cocktails are also super unique and elevated. Ask them about their speakeasy on the 14th floor of the building as well! 😉

Directions: 999 W Main St Suite P101, Boise, ID 83702

15) Andsots Basque Chorizos

Boise is known for its large population of Basque people outside of Spain, and it’s a great place to try some Basque cuisine! I love Andsots because they only do a few things, and they do them really well! This is a great way to try Basque food if you haven’t done so before. They are owned and operated by a local Basque family, Dan, Tamara, and Ellie Ansotegui, and specialize in homemade chorizos, marinated Solomon, and Basque bacon, among a few other dishes. I love their chorizo platter with fresh bread, grilled onions, and peppers. The patatas bravas and croquetas are also amazing! Note that they are not open for dinner and only are open Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Directions: 560 W Main St, Boise, ID 83702

More great restaurants in Boise

A few other restaurants are still worth mentioning because they are also delish!

• Saltbrush – This is one of Boise’s newer restaurant with a seasonal menu, great cocktails and huge wine list. The vibes are perfect for Boise.
• White Rabbit – The same people who ran the successful restaurant Petite 4 have opened this new spot, and it’s delish!
• Little Pearl Oyster Bar – This is a small, fine seafood restaurant located in downtown Boise. It serves great oysters and fresh seafood dishes.
• Bittercreek Alehouse – If you’re looking for a casual pub food spot, this is it! Order the cheese curds!
• Bardenay – A Boise staple located on the Basque block near the Basque market. They serve great pub fare in a fun atmosphere.
• The Percy – This is a new dining option from the same people that made The Wylder. I love the vibes in here.
• Saint Lawrence Gridiron – If you like BBQ, this might be the place. It was even featured on Diner’s Drive-Ins and Dives!

Are you a Boise local or did you visit Boise and love a specific place? If so, I’d love to hear which are the best Boise restaurants in your mind! Leave me a comment below. 

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