Spend a Weekend Eating and Drinking in and Around Boise

Created in partnership with Hello Meridian and The Traveling Spud.

After more than a decade of exploring Idaho, I’ve watched the greater Boise area’s food scene grow from a handful of standout restaurants into a culinary destination worth building a weekend trip around. My foodie friend Katie and I spent two days eating our way through Boise and Caldwell, visiting some of the restaurants, wineries and bars that show how the area’s food story is evolving without losing sight of its roots.

Start in Downtown Boise

Ansots is one of the best introductions to the city’s Basque cuisine. The restaurant is a repeat James Beard honoree—chef-owner Dan Ansotegui has been named a Best Chef: Mountain Region semifinalist three times, and the restaurant was named a finalist for Outstanding Hospitality. Start with croquetas, which come out hot and crispy, and they’re best paired with a beer. The Basque chorizo is a favorite and is less crumbly than Mexican chorizo. If you are new to Basque food, ask about the most popular dishes, and be willing to try something new. You will find the dishes are simple, approachable and flavorful.

Dinner at The Avery is a must. Set inside the hotel of the same name, the restaurant has a sophisticated, romantic and historic feel. Chef Cal Elliott brings Michelin-starred restaurant experience to The Avery’s French-forward menu, which changes with the season. Begin with the Little Eggs appetizer, featuring sturgeon caviar, potato, crème fraiche and house-smoked fish, paired with a cocktail. We both tend to gravitate toward the fresher items on the menu, such as crispy baby artichokes, beet and goat cheese salad or mixed greens. If the pistachio soufflé is available, save room.

Just a few steps away, Stardust offers brunch every day but Wednesday. The space has a polished 1950s feel, and the kitchen elevates familiar comfort-food dishes built around locally sourced ingredients, with creative flair to match the atmosphere. Try the Belgian waffle, lobster benedict and cast-iron frittata. The brunch cocktail menu is just as much a reason to linger.

Burgers and fries show up on plenty of Idaho menus, but here they aren’t afterthoughts. Beef and potatoes have long been central to Idaho’s food identity, and some of the best meals in the state are built around these ingredients.

Bittercreek Alehouse is a great stop if you’re looking for delicious pub food. Burgers, fries, cheese bites and smoked trout salad all delight diners, and if you glance at the menu, you’ll see local sourcing throughout. Grab a beer on the patio, and watch the city move by.

Follow the Sunnyslope Wine Trail

Boise isn’t the only spot for your culinary exploration. About 45 minutes west of downtown, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail adds a different layer to the area’s food and drink scene. The Snake River Valley’s volcanic and alluvial soils, elevation and climate show up in the wines, giving the region a growing identity of its own.

One of the easiest ways to explore Sunnyslope is to book a day with Snake River Wine Tours. The wineries are spread out, and a guided tour lets you settle into the experience without worrying about driving or timing for each stop. There are dozens of wineries to choose from, but these four offer a strong first look.

Koenig Vineyards is one of the most picturesque spots in the area with grapevine views, and a European-style setting. The barrel room is a draw, but the courtyard, fountain and open valley views are where guests tend to settle in. The syrah leans jammy and fruit-forward, making it an easy choice when deciding what to bring home.

SCORIA Vineyards feels quieter and more intimate. The staff knows the wine deeply, and the experience has an insider feel, especially if you are visiting with a guide who can help shape the tasting. The lineup leans into malbec, syrah, and grüner veltliner. A wine flight and charcuterie board for two is the move here.

Built directly into the hillside, GEM 73 is large in scale with views that carry across the valley. We walked the property with the owners and talked through the vision with the architect. The goal is upscale but still approachable, with spaces designed for people to gather, stay, and move through different types of tasting experiences. Expansive barrel rooms, private tasting spaces, and a sensory room built specifically for blending and tasting wine all point to a winery with big ambitions.

Devil’s Bedstead is clearly designed for a slower pace. You may find blankets in the chilled barrel room and tables set up for people who bring their own picnics. Open Friday through Sunday, it was created by experienced wine producers who wanted a smaller production and laidback vibe. People settle in and stay. The cabernet from Fraser Vineyard is the obvious order.

Make Time for Amano

While you’re in Caldwell, Amano is a must-visit. It’s been featured in The New York Times, and chef-owner Salvador Alamilla won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain Region. It is one of the clearest examples of why Idaho’s food scene is being noticed.

What stands out is how seriously Amano takes its ingredient sourcing. Seafood comes through Fairweather Fish out of Caldwell, and non-GMO corn is sourced through Masienda, which supports indigenous farmers who have grown and protected the crop for generations.

The menu reflects that same intention and artistic creation. L.A. Birria tacos that people drive miles for. Mole verde that makes you rethink cauliflower. Short rib tatemada that falls apart the second your fork hits it. Quesadilla de comal with squash blossom and roasted salsa. Esquites roasted corn is deceptively simple, but everyone orders it. Guacamole con hierbas, served with fresh tortilla chips, is not the version you expect, which is part of the point. If you’re looking for a little spice in your cocktail, order El Macho. If you want something closer to a margarita, go with La Piña.

Keep Exploring

We’ve only mentioned a handful of places, but there are plenty more to explore. Alyonka Russian Cuisine, in Boise, brings in recipes used for generations and serves them without pretense. Saltbrush, also in Boise, pairs an impressive ambience and substantial cocktail program with rotating dishes centered around Idaho’s best seasonal ingredients. Coa del Mar, in Eagle, offers a seafood menu that feels unexpected this far inland. Bar, Please!, has helped push Boise’s drink scene into the national conversation, earning a James Beard nomination for Best New Bar in 2026, while Thick as Thieves and The Sick Stag are building the kind of cocktail culture people plan nights around.

When you visit, you’ll find a destination dedicated to its roots and ingredients. Mix in the influx of talented chefs, and you have a food scene that won’t stay under the radar much longer.