Best Boise Restaurants
In my opinion, you can’t really enjoy a city until you eat your way through a city, so I thought it would be helpful to share a list of Boise’s best restaurants according to a local. And by “a local” I mean me, and my friends that love food. This list of best restaurants in Boise required a lot of research, which I was more than happy to do. So here they are, my top picks for best places to eat in Boise.
Alyonka
Try Authentic Russian Food in Boise
2870 W State St. Boise, Idaho 83702
Not only is Alyonka a local favorite, winning several Best of Idaho awards, but it was recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network! And the recognition is well deserved. The owner Elena was born and raised in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan and when you dine at Alyonka, Elena and her team want you to feel right at home. The Lamb Plof (rice, tender chunks of lamb, carrots and onions) is one of the most popular menu items and was chosen to be featured on Food Network. And don’t skip dessert - the honey cake is delicious!
Ansots
Try Basque Chorizos in Boise
560 West Main Street Boise, Idaho 83702
Maybe it’s because I lived in Spain for a year and Ansots brings back good memories, or maybe it’s because the food is just so amazing, but this is one of my most favorite places to eat in downtown Boise. Before you even get to the main dishes, be sure and check out the appetizer list (called Small Hot Plates). I’m telling you, the croquetas will change your life.
Barbacoa
Try Award Winning Steak in Boise
76 Bobwhite Court Boise, Idaho 83706
You really have to experience Barbacoa in order to understand Barbacoa. Not only is the food amazing, but the atmosphere is just so cool. It’s kind of like a mix between dining in an art museum and a pirate’s cove. The entryway greets you with castle doors and a 3,127 piece glass chandelier made by a local artist and you just know you are in for a treat. You can order a steak served on a hot rock, try the popular Paella, have Idaho Trout or choose one of the other amazing dishes. It’s an eclectic mix of menu items that just makes sense once you’re inside. And don’t miss the table-side guac!
Bardenay
Try Idaho’s Best Fish & Steak Dishes
610 W Grove St. Boise, Idaho 83702
155 E Riverside Dr. Eagle, Idaho
Everything at Bardenay is delicious, but they really shine if you love seafood and want to try Idaho’s version of it. They have several options of fish including fish tacos, a charbroiled trout filet and even sea bass gnocchi. Their appetizers are also exceptional and as a cheese lover I’m always torn between choosing the cheeseboard which features a rotating selection of cheese or the Idaho Golden Greek Cheese (pictured above) which is flash fried cheese drizzled with balsamic and tomato jam.
Fork
Try Farm-to-Fork Restaurant in Boise
199 N. 8th Street Boise, Idaho 83702
One of the things that makes Fork so unique (and delicious) is that they make every effort to source local ingredients, so everything is really fresh and the best of the best. Case in point, I tried Tomato Basil Fondue and Grilled Cheese Sticks several years ago and I still randomly think about them from time to time, the way you would think of an old friend. They’re made of local cheese and local sourdough bread and they are phenomenal. But there are just SO many other delicious options that I end up trying something else whenever I go. Be sure and finish your meal off with some Warm Butter Cake. Trust me.
KIN
Try a James Beard Award Winning Restaurant in Boise
999 West Main Street Boise, Idaho 83702
If you need a reason to visit KIN, then this is it. KIN won Idaho’s first James Beard Award in 2023. And the head chef, Kris Komori has been nominated for James Beard Awards four other times. KIN is not your typical dining experience, as dishes are served prix fixe. There is no list of menu items to choose from, rather a single five course meal is served each night at 7pm (6:15 on Saturdays). The course offerings change every five weeks, so you can experience something new each time you visit. Reservations are required.
We visited KIN for my birthday last year and I was really impressed.
The Lively
Try Delicious Steaks in Boise
505 West Bannock Street Boise, Idaho 83702
Start with Wagyu steak, lobster, caviar, fresh Idaho trout or one of the other delicious menu items and pair it with The Lively’s cocktail or wine offerings for a night you won’t forget. The Lively serves up classics in a sophisticated way and the result is delicious. Settle into one of the large plush booths and enjoy the atmosphere as much as the food in one of Boise’s older buildings. And do not skip dessert when dining at The Lively. The Basque Cheesecake is one of their more popular menu items and the mixture of creamy cheesecake with a blueberry/blackberry topping is truly divine.
Madre Boutique Taqueria
Try Unique Tacos in Boise
1034 S La Pointe Street Boise, Idaho 83706
I really cannot say enough good things about Madre! And apparently the word is out as it was recently one of the Boise restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The tacos at Madre are a whole experience with some really unique offerings like an Idaho Spud & Chorizo Taco and a Blackened Baha White Shrimp Taco. My assistant Michelle is a vegetarian and she raves about the Avocado Taco as well. The sauces on these tacos are really something special and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Western Proper
Try a Unique Place for a Party in Downtown Boise
610 W Idaho St. Boise, Idaho 83702
Imagine if Chuck E. Cheese got a Gucci upgrade. That’s kind of what Western Proper is like. The gourmet food is amazing, with American faire like burgers, pizza and fish tacos, and while you eat, your group can also have a little fun with the mini bowling lanes, skee ball lanes, air hockey and more. Everything about Western Proper screams fun and this unique downtown Boise restaurant encourages you to hang out as long as you’d like! It’s a great place to take out of town guests in Boise and a good place to gather for celebrating a special occasions. Case in point, you can order a 100oz cocktail served party style in a glass cowboy hat.
One of the best dishes at Western Proper is actually an appetizer. The Spinach Artichoke Dip is a can’t miss, and the cool cocktail options should be on your must-drink list too.
The Wylder
Try the Best Pizza in Boise
501 W Broad St. Boise, Idaho 83702
Oh Wylder - you have my heart! The sourdough pizza crust is the stuff of dreams, with big bubbly edges that crisp up just a bit in the oven. If you want to try the best pizza in Boise, this is it. This is one of my top Boise restaurant recommendations and I propose that The Wylder is the best place to take out of town guests in Boise. Everything on the menu is amazing, but if you want to try a fun Idaho themed pizza, try the Gem State of Mind Pizza which features white sauce, caramelized onions and fingerling potatoes. You won’t be disappointed.
The Wylder can get pretty busy on the weekends, but they do offer takeout as well. And if pizza isn’t your thing, they have other offerings as well.
Save this list of top Boise restaurants and try them all! I promise, visiting each of these best Treasure Valley restaurants is a task worth adding to your Boise bucket list.