Boise and Beyond
Food scene
Some of Boise's best in a rapidly changing (for the much better) food scene.
Janjou has twice been nominated for a James Beard Award and was a semi-finalist in 2016 (nominated in 2020, but awards were suspended due to pandemic). It is a French-inspired bakery walking distance from The Red Door Cottage. As of early December it is open for business and on-line orders are always available. It's pricey, but very worth it. Closed Monday-Tuesday.
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Janjou Pâtisserie
1754 W State StJanjou has twice been nominated for a James Beard Award and was a semi-finalist in 2016 (nominated in 2020, but awards were suspended due to pandemic). It is a French-inspired bakery walking distance from The Red Door Cottage. As of early December it is open for business and on-line orders are always available. It's pricey, but very worth it. Closed Monday-Tuesday.
A nano pub located in the North End , Cloud 9 is Idaho's only organic brewery. Open noon-9 for now and closed Mondays.
53 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cloud 9 Brewery
1750 W State StA nano pub located in the North End , Cloud 9 is Idaho's only organic brewery. Open noon-9 for now and closed Mondays.
Frequently voted Boise's best Mediterranean food, Mazzah has great lentil soup, falafel, shawarma, gyros, etc. Located in the North End, order on-line for delivery or pick-up, or it has a patio and is large enough to have a fair number of indoor tables if you are looking to dine-out.
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Mazzah Mediterranean Grill
1772 W State StFrequently voted Boise's best Mediterranean food, Mazzah has great lentil soup, falafel, shawarma, gyros, etc. Located in the North End, order on-line for delivery or pick-up, or it has a patio and is large enough to have a fair number of indoor tables if you are looking to dine-out.
Another James Beard semi-finalist, the Modern Bar, located in the Modern Hotel in downtown Boise. It has great food, wine and cocktails. Due to Covid 19 and its very limited space, it has closed for now.
Modern Bar and Restaurant
1314 W Grove StAnother James Beard semi-finalist, the Modern Bar, located in the Modern Hotel in downtown Boise. It has great food, wine and cocktails. Due to Covid 19 and its very limited space, it has closed for now.
Amazingly creative tacos. Do not miss the Flower Power (fried cauliflower) Taco. One of their most popular items and one my almost carnivore-friend orders every time, (after stealing half of mine the first time I took him there). Despite its name, there's lots more than tacos on the menu, including live music.
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The Funky Taco
801 W Bannock StAmazingly creative tacos. Do not miss the Flower Power (fried cauliflower) Taco. One of their most popular items and one my almost carnivore-friend orders every time, (after stealing half of mine the first time I took him there). Despite its name, there's lots more than tacos on the menu, including live music.
James Beard semi finalist 2023. You can do the prix fixe dinners or grab noodles and craft cocktails or local beer/wine at the bar. Kim isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a movement, giving back to the community in a number of ways.
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KIN
999 W Main StJames Beard semi finalist 2023. You can do the prix fixe dinners or grab noodles and craft cocktails or local beer/wine at the bar. Kim isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a movement, giving back to the community in a number of ways.
Paddles Up Poké
237 N 9th StGreat sandwich shop with a variety of house made lemonade. Especially good for vegans/vegetarians
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Lemon Tree Co.
224 N 10th StGreat sandwich shop with a variety of house made lemonade. Especially good for vegans/vegetarians
Quirky neighborhood bar with indoor and outdoor games. Bring cash because they don’t take credit cards. And they only serve wine, beer and cocktails in bottle or cans.
Little Dutch Garden
1910 S Owyhee StQuirky neighborhood bar with indoor and outdoor games. Bring cash because they don’t take credit cards. And they only serve wine, beer and cocktails in bottle or cans.
Delsa's Ice Cream Parlour
7923 W Ustick RdOld style ice cream shop with lots of seating.
Casanova Pizzeria
2431 Fairview AvenueWood fired pizza close to the cottage.
James beard semi finalist in 2023, this is Mexican food like you’ve probably never had. Craft cocktails, vegetarian/vegan options, both traditional and modern take on Mexican food. While there take a stroll around Caldwells revitalized downtown including a bandstand, fountain in summer/skating rink in winter, cute stores, public art.
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AMANO
702 Main StJames beard semi finalist in 2023, this is Mexican food like you’ve probably never had. Craft cocktails, vegetarian/vegan options, both traditional and modern take on Mexican food. While there take a stroll around Caldwells revitalized downtown including a bandstand, fountain in summer/skating rink in winter, cute stores, public art.
A refugee builds a James Beard nominated restaurant. It is casual, very affordable and staffed by the nicest people. Come prepared to eat Ethiopian food the traditional way, with your hands. At State and 35th
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Kibrom's Ethiopean & Eritrean Food
3506 W State StA refugee builds a James Beard nominated restaurant. It is casual, very affordable and staffed by the nicest people. Come prepared to eat Ethiopian food the traditional way, with your hands. At State and 35th
The District Coffee House
219 N 10th StGreat coffee just a few blocks away.
Another immigrant, another James Beard nominee (2022). When nominated, the four Afghan sisters who opened the bakery had never heard of James Beard. A downtown cafe is supposed to open in 2023.
Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe
6911 W Fairview AveAnother immigrant, another James Beard nominee (2022). When nominated, the four Afghan sisters who opened the bakery had never heard of James Beard. A downtown cafe is supposed to open in 2023.
Sightseeing
The Greenbelt is a 25 mile path following the Boise River through Boise, Garden City and Eagle. It is shared by pedestrians and cyclists year round and in summer it is easy to float the river. Tubes and life jackets can be rented at the start and there is a bus that will transport you from the take-out in Ann Morrison Park back to the put-in at Barber Park. There are also several ponds for water sports including a surf wave! Standup paddle boards and kayaks are easily rented nearby.
128 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Boise River Greenbelt
Boise River GreenbeltThe Greenbelt is a 25 mile path following the Boise River through Boise, Garden City and Eagle. It is shared by pedestrians and cyclists year round and in summer it is easy to float the river. Tubes and life jackets can be rented at the start and there is a bus that will transport you from the take-out in Ann Morrison Park back to the put-in at Barber Park. There are also several ponds for water sports including a surf wave! Standup paddle boards and kayaks are easily rented nearby.
Located approximately 1 hour from Boise is Banks, Idaho, the put-in for most South Fork rafting adventures. Several local outfitters runs trips in summer, though many locals have their own rafts and kayaks and run the river year round. The South Fork has Class III and IV rapids but is still suitable for kids.
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Payette River
Located approximately 1 hour from Boise is Banks, Idaho, the put-in for most South Fork rafting adventures. Several local outfitters runs trips in summer, though many locals have their own rafts and kayaks and run the river year round. The South Fork has Class III and IV rapids but is still suitable for kids.
An hour from Boise, Idaho City is a former gold mining town with historic buildings, great ice cream and a private hot springs resort where you can soak, eat and get a massage. An easy day trip from Boise and on the way to several cross-country/snowshoeing trails.
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Idaho City
An hour from Boise, Idaho City is a former gold mining town with historic buildings, great ice cream and a private hot springs resort where you can soak, eat and get a massage. An easy day trip from Boise and on the way to several cross-country/snowshoeing trails.
The family home of a local man/artist who was deaf and never learned sign language or to speak and who used mostly found items to create thousands of pieces of art.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
James Castle House
5015 Eugene StThe family home of a local man/artist who was deaf and never learned sign language or to speak and who used mostly found items to create thousands of pieces of art.
I-Center Center For Birds of Prey
5668 West Flying Hawk LaneBoise River Raft & Tube Rentals
4049 S Eckert RdIdaho Black History Museum
508 Julia Davis DrIdaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
770 S 8th StBoise Farmers Market
1500 Shoreline DrSaturdays 9-1. Not dog friendly
The Springs
3742 ID-21Great gardens and music events from spring through the summer
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Isityalo seBotanical se-Idaho
2355 N Old Penitentiary RdGreat gardens and music events from spring through the summer
Not really a Shakespeare festival anymore as generally only one production a season is a Shakespeare play with the rest being musical theater, but a great venue. Grab a box, a seat or general admission on the grass and bring a picnic if you’d like.
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Idaho Shakespeare Festival
5657 E Warm Springs AveNot really a Shakespeare festival anymore as generally only one production a season is a Shakespeare play with the rest being musical theater, but a great venue. Grab a box, a seat or general admission on the grass and bring a picnic if you’d like.
Capital City Public Market
827 West Main StreetSaturdays 9-1