Dining and Drinking

Growth in Boise has brought a myriad of dining options. Downtown brims with restaurants from eclectic coffee houses to Mexican eateries. Diners can select from more than 60 restaurants and never leave the downtown area. Brewpubs have sprung up around town, offering not only Northwest microbrews but delicious vittles as well.

Downtown

The elegant Gamekeeper Restaurant and Lounge has been a Boise tradition for years. Another downtown restaurant, Angell's Bar & Grill, serves up steak with a twist, as well as pasta and chicken dishes. The Cottonwood Grille serves fresh beef and fish from behind picture windows with tree-lined views.

Although not known for its huge servings, Desert Sage rewards its diners with original cuisine and beautiful presentations. It is a good example of the simple elegance that can be found at many of the downtown restaurants. Brick Oven Bistro, near the Boise Center on the Grove, also caters to a sophisticated clientèle.

Original cafes can be found throughout the downtown area, tucked up and down the streets. Many roll in and out of town quickly, but some like the Brick Oven Bistro have been around for years. Another Boise favorite, Moon's Kitchen, offers unforgettable milkshakes and, as its motto explains, it "never met a calorie it didn't like."

Also downtown, is the historic Eighth Street Marketplace with many restaurants surrounding its thick brick walls. Nearby is Rick's Cafe American, named after Humphrey Bogart's joint in Casablanca.

For a more upscale Italian dining experience, head to the Grove Hotel and its signature restaurant, Emilio's. Sharing in the Italian restaurants' roots is Tapas Mediterranean Bistro. Serving Spanish appetizers and entrees from its third-floor setting, the restaurant gives diners a view of downtown. Spanish speakers will also feel at home at the many Mexican restaurants scattered throughout the Boise Valley. Named after Mexico's largest lake, Chapala serves hearty helpings of Mexican dishes. Another successful Mexican restaurant is Cafe Ole, hosting the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in Idaho.

Downtown's North End

Another North End Area treasure, Hyde Park, offers itself to visitors like a gift ready to be unwrapped. Coffee houses, used bookstores, galleries and delicious restaurants make this neighborhood a must for any visit to Boise. Richard's Across the Street, a French bistro-inspired restaurant, and Lucky 13, a popular pizza place, are a sampling of the diverse Hyde Park cafes.

Boise's dining and drinking options can't be pigeonholed. You can travel the culinary world during your Boise stay, stick with the traditional steak-and-potatoes, or sample rich microbrews.

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