As Thanksgiving has come and gone you may be thinking that food is the last thing you want to think about, but let's be honest, 'tis the season in December to go out with friends and family to enjoy great food and drinks. This is definitely a biased article, but when coming up with my favorite places to eat in downtown Boise I went through reviews, ratings and of course my own experience to judge accordingly.
The only two places on the list I haven’t eaten at are The Melting Pot and Chandler’s Steakhouse. As they are rated high on my list it’s due to the reviews, websites, and word of mouth from locals living in Boise these past four years. Now if your favorite spot didn’t make the list feel free to leave a comment and make your case, but either way you can’t go wrong with these options.
14. Boise Fry Company
Cuisines: American, Burger
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Sun, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Alcohol: Beer
Vegan friendly
Like french fries? Then BFC is the where you need to go. Choose between six different types of potatoes and five different cuts of unsalted fries -- unsalted because you get to choose between their 10 different housemade seasonings and nine sauces. But BFC is more than just great fries. Try their free-range, grass-fed beef burgers on a whole wheat potato bun prepared locally. Oh, and they also have a bison burger if that suits your buds better.
13. Pho Nouveau
Cuisines: Vietnamese
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thur 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Fri-Sat 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., Sun closed
Alcohol: Beer & Wine
Vegan friendly
Soups on soups on soups with this place. Personally, it’s the best pho I’ve ever had. But if you’re not too into soup, other entrees include grilled beef, pork chops, chicken and charbroiled pork and shrimp.
12. Wild Root
Cuisines: American, Sandwiches
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Sun closed
Alcohol: Beer & Wine
Vegan friendly
Organic to the bone Wild Root is perhaps the healthiest and definitely tastiest options in downtown Boise. Ramen, daily soups, salads, flatbread, and sandwiches are just a few options to fuel your day with fresh, locally grown and organic dishes. Weight-watchers will love this place not only for their body but also their taste buds.
11. Bardenay
Cuisines: American, Bar Food
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Tues 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., Weds-Thurs 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Fri 11 a.m.-Midnight, Sat 10 a.m.-Midnight, Sun 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Alcohol: Full Bar/Distillery
Vegan friendly
If you love spirits as much as I do then Bardenay is the spot for you. Distilled in the same building you will find signature vodka, gin, and rum that make those high-end cocktails a little cheaper than anywhere else downtown. Then there’s the huge affordable menu to go along with those cheap drinks. Satays, tacos, soups and salads, sandwiches and burgers, entrees and desserts sum up some of the selections.
10. Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro
Cuisines: Breakfast, Sandwich
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m., Sat-Sun 7:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Alcohol: Mimosas & Bloody Mary’s
Vegan friendly
Goldy’s is definitely a fan favorite here in Boise, their guaranteed waiting list says it all. Every possible breakfast dish is served at Goldy’s, so if you’re downtown any morning of the week this place is a must!
9. Fork
Cuisines: American, Burger
Cost: $$$
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m., Fri 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sat 9:30 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sun 9:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Alcohol: Full Bar
Vegan friendly
Fork is another hotspot for Boiseans to grab a great meal. Located in the heart of downtown Fork prides themselves as a restaurant that offers fine cuisine foods that practices sustainable food methods by purchasing product locally and serving hand-crafted plates of both familiar and different menu items. Honestly, anything you can think of is probably on their menu.
8. Juniper
Cuisines: American
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-Midnight, Sat 9:30 a.m.- 2 a.m., Sun 9:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Alcohol: Full Bar
Vegan friendly
Juniper is certainly one of my personal favorites. Simply put their buy-one-get-one happy hour is too hard to pass up as their cocktails are unlike any you’ll find downtown. Perhaps not the most special drinks in general, but definitely unique and a nice change of pace. And the drinks aren’t the only original aspect to Juniper. Salads, burgers, ribs, duck, salmon, ramen and plenty more will satisfy your night out.
7. Bittercreek Ale House
Cuisines: American, Bar Food
Cost: $$
Hours: Sun-Weds 11 a.m.-Midnight, Thurs-Sat 11 a.m.- 2 a.m.
Alcohol: Full Bar
Vegan friendly
Just across the street from Juniper lies another gem, Bittercreek. Trending all over downtown are restaurants that purchase from sustainable farms that are also local. Over at Bittercreek, they practice this as well as anyone. All of your favorite bar foods go great with their 40+ tap beers or have an entree with a great wine or spirit.
6. The Melting Pot
Cuisines: European, French, Latin American
Cost: $$$
Hours: Sun-Thurs 12 p.m.- 9 p.m. Fri-Sat 12 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Alcohol: Full Bar
Vegan friendly
The Melting Pot is a great destination for special occasions. Whether you’re out for your anniversary or celebrating a holiday this restaurant will surely meet expectations. The option of a four-course meal of your choosing from your favorite cheese fondue, salad, entrée, and chocolate options is the signature highlight of The Melting Pot. My biggest take away would be how this place satisfies both sugar and sodium fanatics, so no one loses here.
5. Chandlers Steakhouse
Cuisines: American, Seafood, Steak
Cost: $$$$$
Hours: Sun-Thurs 4 p.m.- 10 p.m., Fri-Sat 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Alcohol: Full Bar
Vegan friendly
This place is arguably the most spendy, but that’s because you’ll receive great service with the best steaks and seafood around. Experience live jazz as you treat yourself with fine cuisine or chillax in “The Lounge” with some friends and exquisite cocktails.
4. Bleubird
Cuisines: Sandwich
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Sat-Sun CLOSED
Alcohol: Beer
Vegan friendly
I cannot rave enough about Bleubird. The customer service, atmosphere, and original sandwiches always keep me coming back. If they were open on the weekends I’d probably eat there twice a week instead of once a week. There is some bad news here, though, as Bleubird will be closing in January 2018. It’s certainly is not the business side as there is always a line out the door. Rather the husband-wife owners and chefs want to start a new restaurant on The Bench. So don’t waste any more time and check this gem out before they start their next great restaurant.
3. Reef
Cuisines: American, Seafood, International
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.- 9 p.m., Fri 11 a.m.- 12 a.m., Sat 3 p.m.- Midnight, Sun CLOSED
Alcohol: Full Bar
Vegan friendly
The Reef is a great summer vibe restaurant that guarantees a fun atmosphere either inside or up on the roof where you can find the tiki bar. Expect some great food with spicy seasonings with your choice of seafood or good ol' fashioned burgers. If you get fries make sure you go “voodoo” as your taste buds rock with a wicked spice that you won’t find anywhere else. Like fruity drinks? Me either, that is, unless I’m at the Reef. Enjoy a cocktail such as the “Eff’n Delicious,” and it is as the name implies, or better yet, get one of four fish bowls that makes you feel like you’re in Hawaii. And if you’re into reggae you can find a live band every other weekend setting the good mood vibes.
2. Asiago’s
Cuisines: Italian
Cost: $$$
Hours: Mon-Sun 11 a.m.- “Close”
Alcohol: Wine, Beer
Vegan friendly
I’ve never been to Italy, but Asiago’s makes me feel like I’m there every time. Hands down best pasta you’ll find anywhere in Boise, and with their huge selection of wine there’s no way you won’t be able to find the perfect wine notes that correlate your selected pasta. Gentleman, if you want to have an impressive first dinner-date then Asiago’s will not disappoint you.
1. Barbacoa
Cuisines: Latin American, Steak
Cost: $$$$
Hours: Sun-Thurs 4 p.m.- 10 p.m., Fri-Sat 4 p.m.- 11 p.m.
Alcohol: Full Bar
Vegan friendly
Before I moved to Boise I knew Barbacoa was my favorite restaurant. You will experience the whole package every time as the extravagant atmosphere combined with superb service sets the mood for any occasion. Oh, and they have the best tasting food around. Now albeit they aren’t located directly downtown, they are only a mile or so up the road in Park Center. When you go be sure to get the guacamole as they prepare it in front of you to your specific perfection. As their menu isn’t the cheapest, affordable outing would be to hit up the 4 - 6 buy-one-get-one happy hour and order a few appetizers with your friends, this makes it affordable for anyone’s budget. But you have to try an entree at some point, you won’t be disappointed.
Worthy Mentions:
10 Barrel Brewing Company
Ramen Sho
The Modern
St. Lawrence Gridiron
Cottonwood Grille
Flatbread Pizza Company
Mai Tai Restaurant
The Matador
Eureka
Lucky Fins
Ha’Penny Bridge Pub
Solid Grill and Bar
Even Stevens
