The 30 Best Restaurants in Boise, Idaho

Idaho’s City of Trees (Boise was originally called Les Bois, or “wooded” in French) was once considered a hidden treasure for its low cost of living and easy access to mountains, rivers, and forests. In recent years, the state’s capital and largest city has seen an influx of visitors and new residents. Longtime locals may complain about traffic (both on the roads and hiking trails) and higher home prices, but newcomers have also brought diversity and excitement to the area’s restaurants.

In 2023, the city celebrated Idaho’s first (and so far only) James Beard Award winner, chef Kris Komori of Kin, while Amano, 30 minutes west in Caldwell, earned a spot on the New York Times’ list of best restaurants. These are just a few standouts among the Boise chefs, bakers, and bartenders who have garnered national acclaim. Within a few downtown blocks, a mix of architectural styles — ranging from glass-and-steel skyscrapers to romanesque revival — provide the backdrop for an incredibly varied restaurant scene: Basque chorizo, Southern barbecue, craft beer and cider, creative tacos, lamb grinders, handmade pasta, and Afghan pastries. You don’t have to stroll far to find meals from Eastern Europe, Ethiopia, Cuba, and Burma too.

Scott Ki is a former editor and writer for Edible Idaho and an ex-reporter for Boise State Public Radio and the Idaho Business Review. His work also has been carried by the Idaho Press, Idaho Statesman, NPR, and the AP.

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