1. Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery
- Address: No 610 W Grove St, Boise, ID 83702-5926
- Phone: +1 208-426-0538
The original establishment is located in our brick warehouse on the unique Basque Block in downtown Boise, Idaho. History was made in December of 1999 when the Federal Government (the BATF) issued Bardenay the first distillery permit ever given to a distiller to operate in a public space. Further history was made on April 25th, 2000 when we served the first cocktail made with spirits crafted on the premises. Today, each of their locations is a popular choice for lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, or a drink on the patio. With food that’s unique to Idaho and handcrafted cocktails that are unique to Bardenay, it’s an experience worth coming back for. Whether it’s for an after-work cocktail, Sunday brunch with the family, or a well-deserved meal after a day of adventure, Bardenay has been Idaho’s favorite gathering place for over 20 years. Join them at one of our three Idaho locations for authentic, Northwest cuisine and a full bar featuring many house-distilled spirits.
2. Bar Gernika
- Address: No 202 South Capitol Boulevard, Boise, ID 83702-7219
- Phone: +1 208-344-2175
According to Boise Basques by Gloria Pilar Totoricaguena, due to its proximity to the old Boise Chinatown, the building at 202 South Capitol Boulevard had been used as a Chinese laundry and then was Chin Joe Restaurant. Then in following years to the Trade Dollar Bar, and in 1948, it became the Cub Tavern. The Cub was a landmark in downtown Boise through the 50’s and was able to survive the redevelopment frenzy of the 1970’s. In the late 80’s, through the foresight of Adelia Garro Simplot and Romaine Gailey Hon , the Cub building was saved by the Basque Cultural Center of Idaho, Inc., better known as the Basque Museum and Cultural Center and the Oppenheimer Development Corporation. They agreed to lease the building to Dan Ansotegui for a restaurant that was originally to be named the Shepard’s Son, but eventually becoming the Gernika Basque Pub and Eatery. Renovation of the “Cub” building was completed in 1990 and the work recognized by Preservation Idaho, being presented an Orchid Award for excellence in preservation. In January of 2008, Dan passed the Gernika torch to long time employee Jeff May. Jeff had been working for Dan at the restaurant since 1999, and at Dan’s other venture, the Basque Market.According to Boise Basques by Gloria Pilar Totoricaguena, due to its proximity to the old Boise Chinatown, the building at 202 South Capitol Boulevard had been used as a Chinese laundry and then was Chin Joe Restaurant. Then in following years to the Trade Dollar Bar, and in 1948, it became the Cub Tavern. The Cub was a landmark in downtown Boise through the 50’s and was able to survive the redevelopment frenzy of the 1970’s. In the late 80’s, through the foresight of Adelia Garro Simplot and Romaine Gailey Hon , the Cub building was saved by the Basque Cultural Center of Idaho, Inc., better known as the Basque Museum and Cultural Center and the Oppenheimer Development Corporation. They agreed to lease the building to Dan Ansotegui for a restaurant that was originally to be named the Shepard’s Son, but eventually becoming the Gernika Basque Pub and Eatery. Renovation of the “Cub” building was completed in 1990 and the work recognized by Preservation Idaho, being presented an Orchid Award for excellence in preservation. In January of 2008, Dan passed the Gernika torch to long time employee Jeff May. Jeff had been working for Dan at the restaurant since 1999, and at Dan’s other venture, the Basque Market.
3. El Gallo Giro
- Address: No 5285 N Glenwood St, Boise, ID 83714-1331
- Phone: +1 208-321-0355
Come and enjoy El Gallo Giros's freshly prepared items like authentic fish tacos, chicken enchiladas, and pork carnitas, or try a taco buffet and margarita bar while you watch the big game on any of the big screen high definition TVs. They also offer Mexican food catering with full bar service in Ada and Canyon Counties. Visit and let them know how they can serve you! Whether you are in the mood for carne asada, burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, street tacos, tostadas, chips & salsa, fish tacos, or any other type of authentic Mexican food, they can satisfy your craving. Come into one of their three locations in downtown Boise, Meridian, and Garden City, or hire their taco truck catering for your events.
4. Mai Thai Restaurant
- Address: No 750 W Idaho St, Boise, ID 83702-5811
- Phone: +1 208-344-8424
At Mai Thai, the Five-Star Chef takes your dietary needs seriously. He has specifically formulated meal options for those who require meals that are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free. All of their servers have been trained on what items on the menu are already (or can be made) vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. Let them know what you need and they will recommend the best possible options for you to select from. Their mission is to consistently provide their guests with a delicious and remarkable dining experience, through creatively combining traditional and modern styles of Asian cooking. They keep the concept cutting-edge by always maintaining the highest standards of quality, freshness and seasonality of food and drinks. They are proud of where ingredients come from. That’s why they source local, sustainable, and all-natural ingredients from Wagner Farms. It’s a local food cooperative that distributes great local food to restaurants, grocery stores, and directly to you. They also strive to provide impeccable service by demonstrating warmth, graciousness, efficiency, knowledge, professionalism and integrity in their work.
5. Papa Joe's Restaurant
- Address: No 1301 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83706-2902
- Phone: +1 208-344-7272
Papa Joe's was established over thirty years ago and is a Boise tradition for Sicilian inspired pizzas, home style pastas, wine, cold regional beer and a full bar with great comfort! They love hearing stories from customers about how Papa Joe's was their college hangout or the site of their first date, etc.; now those customers are all grown up, and the restaurant has grown with them. They are still casual as the pizzeria you always loved, but so much more! Business hours: 11:00 - 20:00 (Sun - Wed), 11:00 - 21:00 (Thu - Sat).
6. Owyhee Tavern
- Address: No 1109 Main st Boise, Idaho, Boise, ID 83702
- Phone: +1 208-639-0440
Owyhee Tavern is a steakhouse and seafood restaurant, located in the heart of downtown Boise, Idaho. They offer Sunday Brunch, lunch and dinner service. They specialize in the best of Steak & Sea. Owyhee Tavern offers amazing & delicious nightly Chef creations using only the highest quality ingredients.They also have a great selection of seasonal beer, an extensive wine list & unique specialty craft cocktails. Their Happy hour menu is one of the best in downtown Boise, Idaho. They are able to cater and host large personal or corporate events. They pride themselves with a casual fine dining atmosphere with second to none customer service. Visit and enjoy a memorable dining experience that you will not soon forget!
7. Luciano's Italian Restaurant
- Address: No 11 N Orchard St, Boise, ID 83706-1620
- Phone: +1 208-577-6415
Luciano's is Boise's favorite hole in the wall, local Italian restaurant. A casual, yet classy, and affordable Tuscan inspired dining experience featuring scratch made classics from both Northern and Southern Italy as well as a few surprises. Come as you are, and start with a great glass of wine from an extensive but pocket friendly wine list featuring fantastic house wine on tap from Proletariat Wine Company in Walla Walla, WA. Enjoy with your friends & family as you all dine on amazing food in a warm atmosphere, but don't forget to finish your experience with a fine glass of port and a giant slice of our house-made bittersweet Guinness chocolate cake or any of other fabulous desserts. They also promise never to sacrifice the hard work of those who came before them by cutting corners when it comes to tradition, and preparation. That's why you will always find the freshest ingredients prepared the authentic way.
8. Capitol Cellars Restaurant
- Address: No 110 S 5th St, Boise, ID 83702-5949
- Phone: +1 208-344-9463
Capitol Cellars Restaurant opened in Boise, Idaho on March 4th, 2015. Melinda and Skip Smyser, along with daughter, Logan Smyser Griffin created a restaurant that focuses on serving high-quality, local cuisine, a world-class wine list with a full bar, in Boise’s subterranean Belgravia cellar location. The Belgravia, which was built in 1904, is one of Boise’s historical buildings which is reminiscent of Boise’s turn of the century elegance. Capitol Cellars serves Boise’s best business lunch and an elegant-upscale dinner that changes with the season’s bounty, thanks to Executive Chef Kylan McKee. Capitol Cellars has a lovely patio area, which is perfect for lunch, happy hour, or dinner. Come and experience!
9. Leku Ona
- Address: No 117 S 6th St, Boise, ID 83702-5950
- Phone: +1 208-345-6665
Jose Mari Artiach was born and raised in the Basque country, where he resided until emigrating to the U.S. as a Sheep Herder. His love for his homeland, its culture, and especially its food drove him to open Leku Ona in December 2005. The restaurant and adjoining boutique hotel in the heart of Boise’s Basque Block enable Jose Mari to recreate a little bit of home for guests to enjoy. Located on the Basque Block in downtown Boise, Leku Ona offers a selection of casual and formal, inside and outside dining options. Leku Ona offers a variety of Banquet Services for individuals and companies for meetings, events, parties, wedding rehearsals, funeral luncheons or other occasions.
10. Trillium Restaurant
- Address: No 245 S Capitol Blvd The Grove Hotel, Boise, ID 83702-7220
- Phone: +1 208-333-8002
When it comes to fun places to eat in downtown Boise, Trillium Restaurant serves up locally-sourced classic American cuisine in an upscale yet approachable atmosphere. Here, quality, creativity and sustainability are at the heart of every dining experience. At Trillium, they like to keep our initiatives simple: host quality and creativity within plates and atmosphere & proudly incorporate locally sourced, seasonal ingredients wherever possible. The Trillium team is proud to work with these local producers: Sweet Valley Organics, Gaston’s Bakery, Ballard Family Dairy, Ferranti Fresh Pasta, Purple Sage, Cloverleaf Creamery, Clear Springs Foods, AgriBeef Co., Brush Creek Creamery, & Riverence. Trillium is proud to offer three FREE hours of valet parking when you dine with us. Simply pull into The Grove Hotel’s portico and let the valet know that you will be dining with Trillium. The Grove Hotel is located at 245 S Capitol Blvd, and the entrance is located off of Front St.
Above are the 10 best restaurants in Boise County, if you have the opportunity to visit Boise, do not forget to visit these restaurants to enjoy the food and share your feelings below.