Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies, but these are our favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Car rentals are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you! We always use Expedia's easy to use platform for comparing hotels. To keep cell service while traveling, we always use Airalo’s easy eSIM’s (no installation required). For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the America's and Europe, and Klook for tours in Asia. Just in case, Safetywing is what we use for travel insurance. Lastly, our packing list for any international or domestic travels.
Planning Your Boise Food Tour
Where to Stay + Getting Around
If this is your first time visiting Boise, and you really have no idea where to start, let me help. We recently visited for a few days and wrote out our entire Boise itinerary, from where to eat to where to stay and what to do in between. Personally, I recommend staying at a hotel downtown, we stayed at Hotel Renegade. It's cozy in a classical way, located right downtown and is very walkable to a lot of the restaurants on this list. For restaurants a little ways from downtown, we recommend taking an Uber, which are common in Boise. All of ours picked us up within 10 minutes, so there wasn't much wait time either. Plus, a lot of the downtown restaurants don't have much parking, so it's easier if you don't have to park.
Do I Need Reservations?
For most of the restaurants on our list, you shouldn't need a reservation. You can expect a more casual atmosphere with walk-in service. If you're visiting during a major event or special holiday then I would call ahead just in case, otherwise for restaurants that do need reservations, we've added that information into each restaurant's description. We did a bit of research and worked directly with Visit Boise before compiling this list and visiting each restaurant in Boise, so you know you're getting an expert opinion! *Pro Tip : If you're planning to do a bit of walking downtown, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Our Favorite Tours in Boise :
-> Payette River Whitewater Rafting -> Spuds & Spokes Biking Food Tour
15 Best Restaurants in Boise, Idaho
1. Bacon, Downtown Boise, $$
We visited this spot on one of our last days in Boise, which in hindsight is a good thing because we might have went every morning if we'd gone our first day. If you didn't guess, the entire theme is Bacon, and they're open daily from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There's a bacon walkway, bacon decor, and the entire menu seems to revolve around bacon. We ordered the Bacon Shots (5 different types of Bacon, 4 strips of each), the Bacon Cinnamon Roll (topped with bacon), and the Big Biscuits and Sausage Gravy (no bacon, but delicious). Unexpectedly, I was also really impressed by their cold brew.
2. Spud Daddy, Downtown Boise, $
As one of Boise's newest restaurants, Spud Daddy is essentially a baked potato bar on steroids - and what better place for it than in Idaho. You walk in and begin with a giant, plain baked potato before choosing what kind of butter you want (they have 3 options). We both went with the garlic butter, which is their most popular option. Then you can choose what kind of toppings you want. They have bacon (of course), ham, melted cheese, shredded cheese, alfredo sauce, onions, broccoli, and lots more. Because there's so many options and it's completely customizable, the options are really endless. I got bacon, shredded cheese, and alfredo sauce based on their recommendation and it was delicious. *Pro Tip : Their potatoes are giant. If you like smaller portions you could probably split one potato between two people.
3. The Highlander, Downtown, $$
Located inside the Hotel Renegade, this rooftop is perfect for appetizers and drinks. We ended up getting their "Birdcage Flight for Two", which includes 3 appetizer options (as long as they have a little birdcage by them on the menu). We tried the Wagyu Sliders, the House Made Guacamole, and the Smothered Artichoke. The views are great, and on a nice day it's the perfect spot to enjoy the weather and some good eats! 4. Ansots, Basque Block, $$ Ansots is one of the most recommended restaurants to visit in Boise, and is located on the Basque Block. This family owned restaurant has been part of the Basque community in Boise for over a century, and they focus on serving small plates like tapas (pan con tomate is my favorite!) and of course are famously known for their chorizos.
5. Blue Collar Coffee Co., Downtown, $
Also located inside the Hotel Renegade, this small coffee shop has delicious pastries and breakfast sandwiches, as well as a tasty twist on a London Fog. They call it "One Wish Willow" and it has some blueberry and lavender flavoring added to it. There's spaces to sit inside, but it's also perfect for breakfast on the go. 6. A Cafe, Downtown, $ A few blocks down you'll find A Cafe, a cute breakfast cafe serving various kinds of toasts, scrambles and sandwiches. Their motto is to keep things simple, and similar to Blue Collar Coffee Co. they provide indoor seating with a few outdoor seating options as well.
7. Certified Kitchen & Bakery, Hyde Park, $$
Located in Hyde Park there's actually quite a few different cafes in the area, but a very specific option why we recommend Certified Kitchen & Bakery - and that's their cookies. Don't get me wrong, their Signature Egg Sandwiches were amazing too and we can see why there seemed to always be a line, but we were completely blown away by their Starchip Cookie. Unfortunately we didn't have time to go back for some of their other cookie flavors, but it's definitely a spot we would go out of the way for next time we're in Idaho! If you visit expect it to be busy, and know that spots to sit at can be hard to get.
8. House of the Little Pig, Barber Valley, $$$
We stopped at HLP (House of the Little Pig) on our way to the local Idaho Shakespeare Festival because it came as a recommendation from a few different people. Their dine-in restaurant is a bit more upscale than a few of the other restaurants on our list, and their dishes are primarily served family style. If you've never been in before the staff will explain how much to order, but we were told about 3-5 dishes would be good for 2 people. We tried the Fingerling Potatoes, the Endive Salad, and the Ferg's Fabulous Fungi Mushroom Pasta. Each dish surprised our tastebuds and had combinations we'd never tried before - like whipped goat cheese with pistachio. We ended with their Assorted Cookie Trio - and although Tyler loved the chocolate chip cookie, I was head over heals for the rose shortbread cookie. 9. Bluebird Social, Greenbelt, $$ Located on the Greenbelt of Boise, this new gathering spot on the river encourages community through live music, events, food and drinks. They host all kinds of events throughout the Summer, and have rotating food trucks scheduled that you can check on their calendar. A majority of their seating is outside, so if it's bad weather they're known to close, just check their website before you go.
10. Rosa Garden City, Greenbelt, $$
Also located on the Greenbelt is Rosa Garden City. We actually biked here as we explored the Greenbelt and it was the perfect lunch stop! We tried their Rosa Burrito and their Taco Plate with 3 of their most popular tacos - the carne asada, the chicken, and the carnitas. 11. Madre Boutique Taqueria, Greenbelt, $$ Further South along the Greenbelt is Madres Boutique Taqueria, another restaurant focusing on strengthening community bonds through hospitality and good food. They're known for their fusion style tacos, their delicious quesabirria, and of course their margaritas.
12. The STIL, Downtown + Multiple Locations, $
Boise's most popular ice cream stop is hands down The STIL, an abbreviation for the "Sweetest Things in Life". They have all kinds of unique flavors - like their "Curious George" which combines banana and chocolate. They also offer dairy free, gluten free, and "boozy" options if you're looking for something unique. With multiple locations throughout Boise, they even have a spot inside the Boise Airport.
13. Goody's Soda Fountain, Hyde Park, $
The next spot on our list is a classic and has been around since 1997. Goody's Soda Fountain has all kinds of sweet treats, from candies to chocolates to shakes and ice creams - and all of their ice creams and chocolates are handmade. We stopped here for a peanut butter malt after hiking Camel's Back nearby, and it was the perfect post-hike snack.
14. Idaho Candy Company, Downtown, $
Although not technically a spot to eat, the Idaho Candy Company is somewhat food related, so I felt like it needed it's own spot on the list. Known for their candies, chocolates and toffees - and of course the famous "Idaho Spud". This building is where it all started, and still houses some of their original equipment. You can pick up a few of their candy bars, and some fun souvenirs - like the matching potato shirts we got while in Boise.
15. Baraboo Supper Club, Downtown, $$$
The last restaurant on our list is the Baraboo Supper Club, located on the first floor of Hotel Renegade in downtown Boise. Even though reservations are recommend, we walked-in without them and were seated right away. Although their known for their prime rib, we tried their Jumbo Lump Crab Cake (so tasty), their Roasted Citrus Chicken and their Sauteed Prawns, and their Cake in a Jar for dessert (also so tasty!).
Watch Our Boise Adventures Here!
Coming Soon!
Other U.S. City Blog Posts :
-> 30 Best Things to Do in New York City -> First Timer's Guide to Stillwater, Minnesota -> A Fall Guide to Bar Harbor, Maine
Pin this Boise Food Guide for Later!
|
Hi, we're Deborah & Tyler!
After our first move to Alaska, we decided to take a gap year and visited 30+ countries on a budget of $100 a day. This blog shares our best budget saving travel tips & international itineraries.
Our Ultimate Guides!
Hundreds of hidden gems to use in real time. Including places to stay & eat. 
\\\ Our blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\
Categories:
All
|
|
© COPYRIGHT 2026. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PRIVACY POLICY |