From lush, green forests to sparkling alpine lakes, ancient volcanic lava fields, granite peaks, charming mountain towns, and rural reservoirs – IdahoIdaho, in the United States, is a mosaic of stunning outdoor landscapes and limitless adventure. And while Idaho is known as the traveler’s dream, it is less known that it is also a destination for food and wine lovers. Great food is intrinsic!
Did you know that three chefs from Idaho and a baker from Boise were named semifinalists for the James Beard Restaurant e Chef Awards in 2022? The James Beard Award is the highest honor in the culinary world and is like the Oscars for chefs.
The Best Restaurants of North Idaho
Northern Idaho is soaked in the charm of the Pacific Northwest. For outdoor enthusiasts and joyful travelers, there’s plenty of food around every corner. For an adventurous meal, head to the The Cedars Floating Restaurant – the only floating restaurant in the region. Ever wonder what it’s like to dine atop a 600-ton artificial island? Don’t be afraid—you can find out. Located at the headwaters of the Spokane River just outside Coeur d’Alene, this local staple serves only the finest meats and freshest catch. Menus rotate seasonally to reflect the best ingredients and locally sourced offerings.
In the heart of a once-thriving mining community in northern Idaho, visitors are once again enriched—not with silver, lead, and zinc, but with homemade pies. Mae’s Market in Smelterville – in fact – is gaining a reputation as a place to buy delicious homemade food products. One in particular has been growing in popularity: pear pie, with a light taste, making it a great choice for a festive meal or summer picnic.
The Best Restaurants of North-Central Idaho
There’s no pause for scenery and snacks in North Central Idaho! Located along the Idaho/Washington border, there is the Lodgepole Restaurant – North American Kitchen a Moscow. Here, the food is as beautiful as it is delicious. Every dish is a celebration of the beauty of the Pacific and the Inland Northwest. The restaurant of Alex e Melissa Barham seeks the finest quality ingredients, prioritizing sustainability and locality; it constantly strives to work with people who are passionate about their products.
The mindset is based on the simple concept of “from scratch”: all products arrive unprocessed, proteins arrive whole, and all bread is baked in-house, allowing chefs to care for every ingredient at every stage of preparation. A restaurant that has given up the famous tips (those from the American system, so different from ours!), thus creating the possibility to offer security and consistency to the team who work diligently to make Lodgepole a special experience.
The Pie Safe Bakery & Kitchen a Deary, a town of 500 inhabitants east of Moscow, offers pies, baked goods, sandwiches, and wood-fired pizza. Their pies are often seasonal, with fresh strawberries or Huckleberry in summer, and traditional pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies very popular during the autumn holidays. Curious customers also visit because of the unique and renovated space that was once an auto body shop on the corner between First e Main in Deary.
Tip. Visit Colter’s Creek Winery. You can sip and savor dozens of craft wines from grapes grown in the Lewis-Clark Valley vineyards. With two tasting rooms in Moscow and Juliaetta, Colter Creek is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of the best wine in Idaho.
The Best Restaurants in Southwest Idaho
The Southwest Idaho is a mecca of cultural and culinary diversity. Here, visitors will find a long, proud, and legendary tradition of delicious dining experiences. In the town of Cascade is located the restaurant of the North Shore Lodge and Resort. Guests here can enjoy unlimited access to rural backcountry recreation, with a mountain hike or relaxing at Warm Lake. Regardless of the adventure, the restaurant offers a selection of homemade pies, locally sourced steaks, and fresh vegetables. But if feeling bold, it’s good to try the Captain Kirk Burger risking the chance to be immortalized in the “Captain Kirk Book“.
Further south, more in the capital Boise, a robust and lively dining scene thrives. You experience something different from anything else you have tasted in the USA, at Bar Gernika. This historic bar is a landmark in Boise Block located in the heart of the Basque quarter. You relax after a day exploring Boise with a glass of wine and an order of croquettes, lamb stew, or Basque peppers.
The Ansotegui Inchausti family has been part of the Basque scene in Idaho for over a century.Ansots is owned and managed by Dan with his wife Tamara and daughter Ellie Ansotegui. They make a variety of chorizos, marinated solomo, and Basque bacon to enjoy. In their restaurant, they offer small plates, Basque and Spanish wines, natural Basque cider, and espresso coffee as they recall from their travels, real or imagined, in the Basque Country. Dan Ansotegui has been involved in Boise’s food scene for more than 40 years, opening both Bar Gernika in 1991 and the Basque market in 1999. Recently, he has been involved in Txikiteo known for its delicacies and tapas. Dan received recognition from the James Beard Foundation.
West of Boise, in the town of Caldwell is the restaurant Amano with traditional artisanal Mexican cuisine in a lively and modern setting. The dishes are carefully and honestly prepared to provide the smell and taste of Mexico. The emphasis is on “handmade”: from tortillas using nixtamal corn, sourced from ancient grains in Mexico; to dishes highlighting Idaho’s local harvest and honoring all the hands that prepared it; to craft cocktails and small-batch agave distillations; to local craft beer and wine from the Snake River Valley. Chef-owner Salvador Alamilla, native of Michoacán, Mexico, was nominated by the James Beard Foundation in 2022 .
The Best Restaurants in Southern Idaho
Just two hours southeast you reach Southern Idaho. Here, ancient forests begin to fade and give way to dormant volcanoes, powerful waterfalls, and rolling lava fields. Take a trip to Shoshone Falls. Towering 64 meters high, this waterfall stands taller than Niagara Falls. Ideal is ordering a meal to enjoy under the falls at one of the area’s picnic tables. Hagerman’s Snake River Grill prepares American delicacies and seafood using only fresh ingredients and seasonal spices.
The Best Restaurants in Southeastern Idaho
Entering Idaho High Country you’ll find large water basins dominating the entire region. From Devils Creek a Deep Creek, Daniels, Crowther Reservoirs. There is no limit to fishing, swimming, boating, and bird watching. The Portneuf Grille & Lounge is located at the Riverside Hot Springs Inn & Spa in Lava Hot Springs and offers an atmosphere in what once was the historic pastry and sandwich shop of the hotel, while the dining room is set in the original antique carriage house. The menu in this historic hot springs location is inspired by fresh hand-cut fish cuisine or the classic Northwest steak.
The Best Restaurants in Eastern Idaho
This eastern region of the state is the ideal gateway to the two national parks of Teton and Yellowstone. Eastern Idaho is overwhelmingly beautiful and breathtaking: from the Teton and Swan valleys to Idaho Falls and Island Park, it is an adventure experience in nature. At Forage Bistro and Lounge in Driggs, Lisa e Christian Hanley combine their skills to bring the best food and service to the Teton Valley. While Christian runs the kitchen and puts the finishing touches on every entrée, Lisa manages the guests and the wine list and creates the constantly changing dessert offerings.
The Best Restaurants in Central Idaho
Central Idaho is located at the heart of the state and represents all the things Idaho offers. The food perfectly captures the essence and dedication of the locals in delivering fresh and locally sourced ingredients. In Sun Valley, in the beautiful mountain town of Ketchum the Sawtooth Club offers a unique blend of classic American steaks, fresh seafood, and game. It’s not really a “club” as the name suggests, but more like a funky western saloon bar with a full menu and great food. Their dishes go far beyond the traditional steakhouse: it’s refined casual dining. Many appetizers are open-flame cooked over wood and all are prepared with a singular creative flair. The wine list offers a wide selection of reasonably priced wines. The atmosphere is comfortable and warm, intimate yet lively. The lovely outdoor patio is popular from late May through September. At the bar, you can relax around the large central fireplace and enjoy a bite, a craft cocktail, one of 20 wines by the glass, or one of 10 international craft beers on tap. Ernest Hemingway used to sit at The Sawtooth Club and talk with people. In this congenial atmosphere he felt he could step away from the pressures of a crazy world and truly write about life as he had done in the past.
Heading north towards Salmon to find two of the best spots: Junkyard Bistro e Shady Nook Supper Club and Lounge. From Junkyard you can enjoy one of the best chicken salads and mushroom soups in the world. At Shady Nook, we highly recommend trying the local rainbow trout or the bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Spend the day exploring the Salmon-Challis National Forest, and relaxing with great food in this picturesque mountain town.
