Restaurant/Bar/Brewery/Misc recommendations in Boise (2 Viewers)

[nirad3]

I'm pretty sure there's a good number of y'all that either call Boise home or that have spent enough time there to help me out here.

Each summer, a few of my HS/college buddies and I do a "dude's trip", preferably to a spot where we've never been before (or to where we've been... but absolutely love). Last year we were in Steamboat Springs, we've done Santa Barbara a couple times, and up until one of our East Coast buddies had to cancel for this time around, we had been planning on going to Knoxville. Since the remainder of us are west coast/mountain based, we have settled on Boise.

We're going in late July, so it might be warm, which is good. Any recommendations for things to do? We're already set on biking the greenbelt and an afternoon of tubing the river.

Especially interested in good restaurants (where's the best pizza? Burger? Taco?) and breweries. We are staying in an AirBNB close to downtown, so the closer to downtown (read: walkable) the better!

Appreciate the input!

(also - I did a forum search but came up empty, but maybe I am a dolt)

 

[Zegras11]

@jamny and I both live here.

When I have some time, I'll list some places downtown.. There are a lot of real good options

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Bar Gernika. My second home when in Boise.

 

[General Malaise]

Love Boise. Low key one of the best cities west of the Rockies. Downtown scene is walkable and full of good bars, restaurants, etc. I'll let the locals fill you in but that's a terrific city. Everybody is outdoors running, biking, walking, etc.

 

[Judge Smails]

I went there for a friend's birthday. We stayed in Eagle, and all rented ebikes to go down the river into Boise. Went to a very cool brewery that had a JokersBBQ food truck. Phenomenal food. Good beer. Looks like they are at Barbarian Brewing now - not sure if it's the same place. Anyway that was super fun. Highly recommend the ebikes

 

[jamny]

Here's the thread I started that got me to move here

It'll probably be hot at that time but still nice in the morning and evening.
If you're getting bikes, I'd head out to Garden City. We walk there from downtown so biking there is easy. You can kayak on the lake by Whitewater Park. Great food/drinks to stop would be Barbarian Brewery, Proletariat Wine Company, Bardenay for food and a nice patio. The Stagecoach is an old school steakhouse that we love. Telaya Wine has a nice patio too but I prefer the wine at Proletariat. The Sandbar has bands on weekends and standard pub fare. Also, The Yardarm is a cool little hidden spot for a couple of beers.

Downtown has tons of options with 8th Street being the hub. Our favorite pizza is at Tony's but the place is small. I don't think he takes more than 4 people at a table. The Wylder has excellent pizza but really not many other options downtown but some good ones if you're driving. Best BBQ in town is St. Lawrence Gridiron. Unique beer selection and apparently excellent mixed drinks. Guy Fieri did an episode there. Good options on the Basque Block, especially Bardenay, Bar Gernika and Basque Market. Best brewery is Mother Earth
with a great patio. There's a Barbarian downtown too but not much outdoor seating but cool music and interior and great beer selection. If you do go to Wylder for pizza, they don't take reservations, so head to either Mother Earth or Boise Brewery to wait for a table. On 8th again, check out Prost! German pub and maybe Bittercreek Alehouse (for burgers). Moon's Kitchen if you want a huge breakfast.

If you have a car, drive up to Camels Back Park and hit some trails for great views of the city but go early before the heat. If you do go, there are some food/drink spots in Hyde Park. Parilla Grill, 13th Street Pub and Grill, Lost Grove Brewery. Hyde Park Pub and Grill is a Green Bay Packers bar, good food, mostly locals.
Payette Brewery is right off the Greenbelt just where the floating ends. Huge place with some food trucks. Green Acres Food Truck Park is nearby right on the Greenbelt. There's also Madre Taqueria, The Shed and another Lost Grove in the Lusk District.
Friday and Saturday night party is on Main Street between Capitol and 5th. and the surrounding area. A little too crazy for me.
Best sports bars are Taphouse and The Shed.

and of course, head over to BSU to see the blue field.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Here's the thread I started that got me to move here

It'll probably be hot at that time but still nice in the morning and evening.
If you're getting bikes, I'd head out to Garden City. We walk there from downtown so biking there is easy. You can kayak on the lake by Whitewater Park. Great food/drinks to stop would be Barbarian Brewery, Proletariat Wine Company, Bardenay for food and a nice patio. The Stagecoach is an old school steakhouse that we love. Telaya Wine has a nice patio too but I prefer the wine at Proletariat. The Sandbar has bands on weekends and standard pub fare. Also, The Yardarm is a cool little hidden spot for a couple of beers.

Downtown has tons of options with 8th Street being the hub. Our favorite pizza is at Tony's but the place is small. I don't think he takes more than 4 people at a table. The Wylder has excellent pizza but really not many other options downtown but some good ones if you're driving. Best BBQ in town is St. Lawrence Gridiron. Unique beer selection and apparently excellent mixed drinks. Guy Fieri did an episode there. Good options on the Basque Block, especially Bardenay, Bar Gernika and Basque Market. Best brewery is Mother Earth
with a great patio. There's a Barbarian downtown too but not much outdoor seating but cool music and interior and great beer selection. If you do go to Wyler for pizza, they don't take reservations, so head to either Mother Earth or Boise Brewery to wait for a table. On 8th again, check out Prost! German pub and maybe Bittercreek Alehouse (for burgers). Moon's Kitchen if you want a huge breakfast.

If you have a car, drive up to Camels Back Park and hit some trails for great views of the city but go early before the heat. If you do go, there are some food/drink spots in Hyde Park. Parilla Grill, 13th Street Pub and Grill, Lost Grove Brewery. Hyde Park Pub and Grill is a Green Bay Packers bar, good food, mostly locals.
Payette Brewery is right off the Greenbelt just where the floating ends. Huge place with some food trucks. Green Acres Food Truck Park is nearby right on the Greenbelt. There's also Madre Taqueria, The Shed and another Lost Grove in the Lusk District.
Friday and Saturday night party is on Main Street between Capitol and 5th. and the surrounding area. A little too crazy for me.
Best sports bars are Taphouse and The Shed.

and of course, head over to BSU to see the blue field.

The Shed is a good one. They have Pork & Seeds. Haha. Classic appetizer of my youth.

 

[Hastur]

I was in Coeur d'Alene last week visiting family. Didn't make it down to the Boise area though.

 

[Zegras11]

Here's the thread I started that got me to move here

It'll probably be hot at that time but still nice in the morning and evening.
If you're getting bikes, I'd head out to Garden City. We walk there from downtown so biking there is easy. You can kayak on the lake by Whitewater Park. Great food/drinks to stop would be Barbarian Brewery, Proletariat Wine Company, Bardenay for food and a nice patio. The Stagecoach is an old school steakhouse that we love. Telaya Wine has a nice patio too but I prefer the wine at Proletariat. The Sandbar has bands on weekends and standard pub fare. Also, The Yardarm is a cool little hidden spot for a couple of beers.

Downtown has tons of options with 8th Street being the hub. Our favorite pizza is at Tony's but the place is small. I don't think he takes more than 4 people at a table. The Wylder has excellent pizza but really not many other options downtown but some good ones if you're driving. Best BBQ in town is St. Lawrence Gridiron. Unique beer selection and apparently excellent mixed drinks. Guy Fieri did an episode there. Good options on the Basque Block, especially Bardenay, Bar Gernika and Basque Market. Best brewery is Mother Earth
with a great patio. There's a Barbarian downtown too but not much outdoor seating but cool music and interior and great beer selection. If you do go to Wyler for pizza, they don't take reservations, so head to either Mother Earth or Boise Brewery to wait for a table. On 8th again, check out Prost! German pub and maybe Bittercreek Alehouse (for burgers). Moon's Kitchen if you want a huge breakfast.

If you have a car, drive up to Camels Back Park and hit some trails for great views of the city but go early before the heat. If you do go, there are some food/drink spots in Hyde Park. Parilla Grill, 13th Street Pub and Grill, Lost Grove Brewery. Hyde Park Pub and Grill is a Green Bay Packers bar, good food, mostly locals.
Payette Brewery is right off the Greenbelt just where the floating ends. Huge place with some food trucks. Green Acres Food Truck Park is nearby right on the Greenbelt. There's also Madre Taqueria, The Shed and another Lost Grove in the Lusk District.
Friday and Saturday night party is on Main Street between Capitol and 5th. and the surrounding area. A little too crazy for me.
Best sports bars are Taphouse and The Shed.

and of course, head over to BSU to see the blue field.

This is excellent review.

I also like.... Coa Del Mar in Eagle. Upscale owned by Barbacoa. Ribeye on the hot plate is amazing. So was the calamari. Downtown I like Fork a lot. Have been there with Kutta. It never disappoints. Hole in the wall place I like on State St is "The Local." Always good, and they have prime rib on special Saturday nights.

 

[jamny]

Here's the thread I started that got me to move here

It'll probably be hot at that time but still nice in the morning and evening.
If you're getting bikes, I'd head out to Garden City. We walk there from downtown so biking there is easy. You can kayak on the lake by Whitewater Park. Great food/drinks to stop would be Barbarian Brewery, Proletariat Wine Company, Bardenay for food and a nice patio. The Stagecoach is an old school steakhouse that we love. Telaya Wine has a nice patio too but I prefer the wine at Proletariat. The Sandbar has bands on weekends and standard pub fare. Also, The Yardarm is a cool little hidden spot for a couple of beers.

Downtown has tons of options with 8th Street being the hub. Our favorite pizza is at Tony's but the place is small. I don't think he takes more than 4 people at a table. The Wylder has excellent pizza but really not many other options downtown but some good ones if you're driving. Best BBQ in town is St. Lawrence Gridiron. Unique beer selection and apparently excellent mixed drinks. Guy Fieri did an episode there. Good options on the Basque Block, especially Bardenay, Bar Gernika and Basque Market. Best brewery is Mother Earth
with a great patio. There's a Barbarian downtown too but not much outdoor seating but cool music and interior and great beer selection. If you do go to Wyler for pizza, they don't take reservations, so head to either Mother Earth or Boise Brewery to wait for a table. On 8th again, check out Prost! German pub and maybe Bittercreek Alehouse (for burgers). Moon's Kitchen if you want a huge breakfast.

If you have a car, drive up to Camels Back Park and hit some trails for great views of the city but go early before the heat. If you do go, there are some food/drink spots in Hyde Park. Parilla Grill, 13th Street Pub and Grill, Lost Grove Brewery. Hyde Park Pub and Grill is a Green Bay Packers bar, good food, mostly locals.
Payette Brewery is right off the Greenbelt just where the floating ends. Huge place with some food trucks. Green Acres Food Truck Park is nearby right on the Greenbelt. There's also Madre Taqueria, The Shed and another Lost Grove in the Lusk District.
Friday and Saturday night party is on Main Street between Capitol and 5th. and the surrounding area. A little too crazy for me.
Best sports bars are Taphouse and The Shed.

and of course, head over to BSU to see the blue field.

This is excellent review.

I also like.... Coa Del Mar in Eagle. Upscale owned by Barbacoa. Ribeye on the hot plate is amazing. So was the calamari. Downtown I like Fork a lot. Have been there with Kutta. It never disappoints. Hole in the wall place I like on State St is "The Local." Always good, and they have prime rib on special Saturday nights.

Coa del Mar is awesome. The best of their 3 locations and the best seafood in the TV. I was gonna mention Fork but assumed more mid-priced places. Can't go wrong with the place though. We haven't been to The Local in a while, really nice owners. Wish it was closer to downtown.

 

[General Malaise]

I was in Coeur d'Alene last week visiting family. Didn't make it down to the Boise area though.

That's a pretty place but about a 7 hour drive from Boise. Idaho is a LONG state.

 

[Hastur]

I was in Coeur d'Alene last week visiting family. Didn't make it down to the Boise area though.

That's a pretty place but about a 7 hour drive from Boise. Idaho is a LONG state.

The safe answer: I forget how long Idaho is.
The stupid answer: I can get there from Coeur d'Alene in 4 hours.
The fun answer: I walked there once in 6 days!
The Social Media answer to ensure max clicks and comments: Oh, I get it. I'm from New Jersey.

 

[Joe Bryant]

The Modern Hotel and Bar https://themodernhotel.com/ is my home base when I'm there. Cool old motor court lodge they've updated. Small menu at the restaurant and it's super casual but excellent.

Western Collective Brewery is one of my favorites. https://www.westerncollective.beer/. The brewery in Garden City, not their place in downtown Boise.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

The Modern Hotel and Bar https://themodernhotel.com/ is my home base when I'm there. Cool old motor court lodge they've updated. Small menu at the restaurant and it's super casual but excellent.

Western Collective Brewery is one of my favorites. https://www.westerncollective.beer/. The brewery in Garden City, not their place in downtown Boise.

This is where we stay when mom’s spare room is full of other family. Great cocktails.

 

[jamny]

The Modern Hotel and Bar https://themodernhotel.com/ is my home base when I'm there. Cool old motor court lodge they've updated. Small menu at the restaurant and it's super casual but excellent.

Western Collective Brewery is one of my favorites. https://www.westerncollective.beer/. The brewery in Garden City, not their place in downtown Boise.

If it's been more than 2 years since you've been here, wait until you see Grove Street, where the Modern is, when you come back. You won't recognize it.

Western Collectives downtown place closed. They tried multiple things that all failed. It's going to be yet another high end steak house with new owners.

 

[Joe Bryant]

The Modern Hotel and Bar https://themodernhotel.com/ is my home base when I'm there. Cool old motor court lodge they've updated. Small menu at the restaurant and it's super casual but excellent.

Western Collective Brewery is one of my favorites. https://www.westerncollective.beer/. The brewery in Garden City, not their place in downtown Boise.

If it's been more than 2 years since you've been here, wait until you see Grove Street, where the Modern is, when you come back. You won't recognize it.

Western Collectives downtown place closed. They tried multiple things that all failed. It's going to be yet another high end steak house with new owners.

Thanks. I was there last June and they were doing a bunch of construction on Grove. Interested to see what it looks like.

That's a bummer on their downtown location closing. I didn't like it that much but I hate to see any business close. I love the spot in Garden City though.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I think I'll be back this June. We should do a Boise Meetup.

 

[Scoresman]

Good timing. Wife and I are road tripping to Boise in a couple weeks. Will look at these recommendations but I think my wife picked out some downtown spots already. Will report back.

 

[jamny]

The Modern Hotel and Bar https://themodernhotel.com/ is my home base when I'm there. Cool old motor court lodge they've updated. Small menu at the restaurant and it's super casual but excellent.

Western Collective Brewery is one of my favorites. https://www.westerncollective.beer/. The brewery in Garden City, not their place in downtown Boise.

If it's been more than 2 years since you've been here, wait until you see Grove Street, where the Modern is, when you come back. You won't recognize it.

Western Collectives downtown place closed. They tried multiple things that all failed. It's going to be yet another high end steak house with new owners.

Thanks. I was there last June and they were doing a bunch of construction on Grove. Interested to see what it looks like.

That's a bummer on their downtown location closing. I didn't like it that much but I hate to see any business close. I love the spot in Garden City though.

I haven't found a beer of theirs that I really like yet.
If you're at their Garden City location, check out Bert's Brewing too, only a couple blocks away.

 

[jamny]

Good timing. Wife and I are road tripping to Boise in a couple weeks. Will look at these recommendations but I think my wife picked out some downtown spots already. Will report back.

Have fun! If you want any "couples" type food/drink recs, let me know.

 

[jamny]

If anyone is interested, I put together a Boise Food and Drink Guide
I need to add a couple of new recent places we've been to.

 

[Scoresman]

Good timing. Wife and I are road tripping to Boise in a couple weeks. Will look at these recommendations but I think my wife picked out some downtown spots already. Will report back.

Have fun! If you want any "couples" type food/drink recs, let me know.

I would love some. I havent checked with my wife on what she had in mind but she tends to pick healthier places if left on her own. I want to make sure I'm not just eating bird food all weekend.

Edit: Just saw your food and drink guide post. Thanks!

 

[Joe Bryant]

If anyone is interested, I put together a Boise Food and Drink Guide
I need to add a couple of new recent places we've been to.

That's a great and comprehensive list.

Can you pick a few of the best and elaborate? Thanks.

 

[jamny]

If anyone is interested, I put together a Boise Food and Drink Guide
I need to add a couple of new recent places we've been to.

That's a great and comprehensive list.

Can you pick a few of the best and elaborate? Thanks.

I mentioned most of my favorites downtown and Garden City but here are a few more in town and drive worthy:

Best Italian - Vincenzo's Trattoria - Old man Vincenzo grew up in Naples, had a restaurant in Santa Barbara for years and moved to Boise in 2016. He retired at the end of last year and that's a shame. He was a surly but lovable character not often found around here. So many reviews said they wouldn't return because he was mean to them. They just didn't get him! lol. New owners are keeping the same recipes and held onto the chef that Vincenzo brought in from Rome. Food is still great so far.

Best NY style pizza - Johnny Bronx. It's a drive but we go out of our way to pick up a pie there. Eat half, bring the rest home. As close to what I would get in NY as I've found.

Best burgers - Holy Cow! in Nampa. They had one in Eagle but it closed. My wife likes a simple burger but I get their Sam Elliot : "Third Pound Grass-Fed Local Wagyu Beef. Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork. Bacon. American & Cheddar Cheese. Crispy Onions. BBQ Sauce. Cowboy Mayo. Served on a Toasted Brioche Bun." Amazing! A dive place right downtown for good burgers is Double Tap Pub.

Best steakhouse is still The Brickyard or Chandler's if you want the NY steakhouse feel. A bunch of new ones opened in the past couple of years and they're good but still like Brickyard most. Check out The Lively if you want high-end small food.

Best new higher end place is Saltbrush. Amazing interior and an incredible, unique menu. Really nothing else like it in the area, imo. One owner had places in South Africa and the other comes from California wine country.

For a couple of glasses of wine and tapas, head to the Basque Market. They close around 5 so go for lunch for a snack. The owner makes Paella outside on Wednesdays and Fridays. I thought it was ok but prefer their other food options.

Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen - German deli with excellent food and great German beer selection on tap. Limited seating inside and out that fills up fast, especially on their Friday special night. Love their Cordon Blue Jagerschnitzel and their Pastrami. Walkable from downtown but it's a hike and not exactly scenic.

Nice breakfast spot to bring the wife - A'Tavola - French themed spot with great patio and interesting interior with nice music. The street in front is dug up for construction (it's on Grove!) but you can still get in. Check out the art store across the street.

The Refuge is our favorite pub/sports bar where locals eat. Excellent food. Fills up during games. Cool older crowd. Walkable along Greenbelt but it's like 2.5 miles. Great walk though going past BSU.

Best French is Bacquets - pricey but their lunch menu is actually reasonable and good portions. Very authentic, can barely understand Franc, the owner and chef.

For a romantic, European style meal, check out Susina in Garden City. I swear, you feel like you stumbled into a little family owned spot in a town in Europe. 3 course prix - fixe menu but they do ala carte on Wednesdays. Only went once so far, can't wait to go back.

If you're into Russian/Eastern European food, check out Alyonka, also on Guy Fieri's show. The interior is a bit sparse but the food is excellent.

Another excellent BBQ spot - Smokin' Iron BBQ in Meridian. I wish they fixed up the interior a bit but the Q is great. They're out of Texas and fairly new. I mentioned St. Lawrence Gridiron as our favorite but that is more southern/Cajun style while this is standard Texas BBQ.

We're not into sushi, Indian, Thai or things like that so I can't really help but Yoi Tomo seems to be the place for sushi. They expanded not long ago and there are still lines of people waiting outside. I heard Red Fort is the place to go for Indian. Not sure where it is, maybe Meridian

and I'll mention again...Mother Earth Brewing. Great beer, cool people, nice older crowd, usually great tunes, very family oriented with lots of dogs and usually kids. Our favorite spot!

I could go on but I'll stop there...lol
The food and brewery scene here is incredible.

 

[General Malaise]

How's the disc golf scene, Jam?

 

[jamny]

How's the disc golf scene, Jam?

I played for the first time in 2 years the other day so I don't know much outside of Ann Morrison Park. I hope to play at Eagle Island Park this year.

 

[nirad3]

Great stuff, thanks all. Our itinerary is filling up fast!

 

[Judge Smails]

Also, we had a great time at Dude DeWalt's winery. Had a guy playing live music and it had a great vibe. Good wines