Guidebook for Boise
Food Scene
Starbucks
1797 W State StGreat location just down the hill. On the pricey side, but always a great value. Generous patio area is great for watching activity along the busy Boise Greenbelt. www.cottonwoodgrille.com
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Cottonwood Grille
913 W River StGreat location just down the hill. On the pricey side, but always a great value. Generous patio area is great for watching activity along the busy Boise Greenbelt. www.cottonwoodgrille.com
Simple Italian Food at very reasonable prices. Service has always been top notch. www.papajoesboise.com
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Papa Joe's
1301 S Capitol BlvdSimple Italian Food at very reasonable prices. Service has always been top notch. www.papajoesboise.com
NOBODY has better roasted beans then the Flying M. Incredibly quirky gift shop also which is great because the lines can be long. Consistently a packed house. I highly recommend taking a bag of the house blend back with you. www.flyingmcoffee.com
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Flying M Coffee House
500 W Idaho StNOBODY has better roasted beans then the Flying M. Incredibly quirky gift shop also which is great because the lines can be long. Consistently a packed house. I highly recommend taking a bag of the house blend back with you. www.flyingmcoffee.com
This local shop is excellent for snacks and gifts. Several restaurants in town use their products in their recipes. I suggest the maple cayenne pepper pecans. De-lish! www.citypeanuts.com
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City Peanut Shop
803 W Bannock StThis local shop is excellent for snacks and gifts. Several restaurants in town use their products in their recipes. I suggest the maple cayenne pepper pecans. De-lish! www.citypeanuts.com
The BEST chocolate ever. My recommendation are the Aztec truffles. To die for. A little on the spendy side, but this shop is a real treat. Pun intended. If you tend to be sensitive to sugar, this shop makes excellent sugar free chocolate. www.thechocolatbar.com
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Art Haus Bar
999 W Main StThe BEST chocolate ever. My recommendation are the Aztec truffles. To die for. A little on the spendy side, but this shop is a real treat. Pun intended. If you tend to be sensitive to sugar, this shop makes excellent sugar free chocolate. www.thechocolatbar.com
High quality food and drinks on an affordable budget. Not your local college pizza joint. Enjoy a glass of wine and some terrific food while watching the crowd below from the 2nd story. Baked Goat Cheese with Fire Roasted Tomatoes & Chicken Arugula Basil Salad are my "sure things" and rarely do I stray. www.flatbreadpizza.com
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Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria
800 W Main StHigh quality food and drinks on an affordable budget. Not your local college pizza joint. Enjoy a glass of wine and some terrific food while watching the crowd below from the 2nd story. Baked Goat Cheese with Fire Roasted Tomatoes & Chicken Arugula Basil Salad are my "sure things" and rarely do I stray. www.flatbreadpizza.com
Gosh, I'm thinking of how to describe this restaurant. It's more of an experience. Fine modern dining by reservation only, as it seats only about 20 people. Very creative, contemporary food using local and northwest sources. I took pictures of everything, it was absolutely beautiful. Each course of the prefix menu is described by a member of the staff before your savor it. Truly a memorable dining experience. www.stateandlemp.com
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State & Lemp
2870 W State StGosh, I'm thinking of how to describe this restaurant. It's more of an experience. Fine modern dining by reservation only, as it seats only about 20 people. Very creative, contemporary food using local and northwest sources. I took pictures of everything, it was absolutely beautiful. Each course of the prefix menu is described by a member of the staff before your savor it. Truly a memorable dining experience. www.stateandlemp.com
SOOO much to see at this restaurant. This place is worth just walking around. Large, lavish art pieces worth striking up a conversation to say the least. Check out their bathrooms. I don't think I've ever suggested that before. Their comfortable rooftop bar (no food served up there) is a great place to sit back and enjoy an adult beverage. Whether you sit out on their patio or inside, make sure you order table side made guacamole for an appetizer and the fried ice crema lollipop tree for dessert. Some of their entrees tend to be as extravagant as their art. Great happy hours too! www.barbacoa-boise.com
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Barbacoa Grill
276 Bobwhite CtSOOO much to see at this restaurant. This place is worth just walking around. Large, lavish art pieces worth striking up a conversation to say the least. Check out their bathrooms. I don't think I've ever suggested that before. Their comfortable rooftop bar (no food served up there) is a great place to sit back and enjoy an adult beverage. Whether you sit out on their patio or inside, make sure you order table side made guacamole for an appetizer and the fried ice crema lollipop tree for dessert. Some of their entrees tend to be as extravagant as their art. Great happy hours too! www.barbacoa-boise.com
Want the BEST burger in town? Fork. When you see their delicious menu, you will question why I would ever suggest getting a burger here. But, trust me. I've eaten A LOT of burgers. Maybe it's their rosemary parmesan fries that put me over the edge. Their desserts are excellent too, most known for their butter cake. Nom Nom! www.boisefork.com
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Fork
199 N 8th StWant the BEST burger in town? Fork. When you see their delicious menu, you will question why I would ever suggest getting a burger here. But, trust me. I've eaten A LOT of burgers. Maybe it's their rosemary parmesan fries that put me over the edge. Their desserts are excellent too, most known for their butter cake. Nom Nom! www.boisefork.com
LOVE this place! Come as you are. Super casual and healthy food. "Peace in a box" they say. Rice bowls and salads with delicious sauces. I always order the Chicken or Salmon Low Carb Bento Box (no rice, double the steamed veggies). Zen sauce is my personal favorite. www.zenbento.com
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Zen Bento
1000 W Main StLOVE this place! Come as you are. Super casual and healthy food. "Peace in a box" they say. Rice bowls and salads with delicious sauces. I always order the Chicken or Salmon Low Carb Bento Box (no rice, double the steamed veggies). Zen sauce is my personal favorite. www.zenbento.com
Need a bit of a sugar rush? Don't we all. Check out Guru's menu online. You may get diabetes just looking at it...but it's SO worth it. They even offer vegan donuts. www.gurudonuts.com
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Guru Donuts
2826 W Main StNeed a bit of a sugar rush? Don't we all. Check out Guru's menu online. You may get diabetes just looking at it...but it's SO worth it. They even offer vegan donuts. www.gurudonuts.com
Drinks & Nightlife
Great bar/lounge for the more sophisticated crowd. Their 21 & Cup Coffee Bar has excellent coffee martinis. My personal fav is the Chilled Espresso Martini. Many special occasions have been celebrated here. Comfortable seating areas, great music, & pool tables. www.boisesbestbars.com/amsterdam
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Amsterdam Lounge
609 W Main StGreat bar/lounge for the more sophisticated crowd. Their 21 & Cup Coffee Bar has excellent coffee martinis. My personal fav is the Chilled Espresso Martini. Many special occasions have been celebrated here. Comfortable seating areas, great music, & pool tables. www.boisesbestbars.com/amsterdam
Shopping
Every Saturday, downtown local vendors display and sell their craft whether it's food or art. Follow your nose to fresh kettle corn and donuts made on site. While your at it, pick up a little something for dinner and a fresh bouquet of flowers. This market, unlike the other, also has vendors who sell art as well. I've bought Idaho stemware made from wine bottles, beautiful cutting boards, and jewelry here too. A great way to meet some locals. 9am-1pm www.capitalcitypublicmarket.com
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Capital City Public Market
827 West Main StreetEvery Saturday, downtown local vendors display and sell their craft whether it's food or art. Follow your nose to fresh kettle corn and donuts made on site. While your at it, pick up a little something for dinner and a fresh bouquet of flowers. This market, unlike the other, also has vendors who sell art as well. I've bought Idaho stemware made from wine bottles, beautiful cutting boards, and jewelry here too. A great way to meet some locals. 9am-1pm www.capitalcitypublicmarket.com
Just like the other downtown market, this one features fresh food from local vendors every Saturday. This market focuses mainly on food. Located in a large downtown parking lot, Boise Farmers Market showcases produce, herbs, pastries, jerky, and other Idaho grown and made food products. www.theboisefarmersmarket.com
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Boise Farmers Market
1118 Shoreline DrJust like the other downtown market, this one features fresh food from local vendors every Saturday. This market focuses mainly on food. Located in a large downtown parking lot, Boise Farmers Market showcases produce, herbs, pastries, jerky, and other Idaho grown and made food products. www.theboisefarmersmarket.com
Quirky, yet convenient. We personally don't shop here, but it's worth noting that it's a short drive away.
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Trader Joe's
300 S Capitol BlvdQuirky, yet convenient. We personally don't shop here, but it's worth noting that it's a short drive away.
Arts & Culture
Stunning outdoor amphitheater is located next to the Boise River for the most spectacular evening of entertainment. Recently featured in TIME magazine. Showcasing both Shakespeare and non-Shakespeare plays, your night will certainly be memorable with these fine actors. I am continued to be amazed every time we go (we have season tickets). Take your picnic dinner, some wine and rent low-back chairs and relax under the stars while watching the performance. They also have a Café Shakespeare for dining (we like to splurge and buy dessert). www.idahoshakespeare.org
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Idaho Shakespeare Festival
5657 E Warm Springs AveStunning outdoor amphitheater is located next to the Boise River for the most spectacular evening of entertainment. Recently featured in TIME magazine. Showcasing both Shakespeare and non-Shakespeare plays, your night will certainly be memorable with these fine actors. I am continued to be amazed every time we go (we have season tickets). Take your picnic dinner, some wine and rent low-back chairs and relax under the stars while watching the performance. They also have a Café Shakespeare for dining (we like to splurge and buy dessert). www.idahoshakespeare.org
Boise's old (really old) penitentiary, Idaho Botanical Garden features seasonal events and Outlaw Field Concert Series. Check out their website for big name music talent! Savor Idaho is a huge food and wine event that will knock your socks off. It sells out every year. Penitentiary tours were featured on Ghost Adventures on The Travel Channel. Scary! Tours to the public are also offered. Paranormal investigations continue. I have to admit, it's quite creepy. Beautiful to walk through for any occasion, but even more spectacular during the Winter Garden Aglow (starting Nov). www.IdahoBotanicalGarden.org
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Idaho Botanical Garden
2355 N Old Penitentiary RdBoise's old (really old) penitentiary, Idaho Botanical Garden features seasonal events and Outlaw Field Concert Series. Check out their website for big name music talent! Savor Idaho is a huge food and wine event that will knock your socks off. It sells out every year. Penitentiary tours were featured on Ghost Adventures on The Travel Channel. Scary! Tours to the public are also offered. Paranormal investigations continue. I have to admit, it's quite creepy. Beautiful to walk through for any occasion, but even more spectacular during the Winter Garden Aglow (starting Nov). www.IdahoBotanicalGarden.org
Parks & Nature
www.ridgetorivers.org is an EXCELLENT website to view all of the local trails the Boise foothills has to offer (totaling 190 miles). Trails vary in difficulty, length, and bike or dog friendly. The website will give you up-to-date information on trail conditions. Our foothills have something for everyone! (Never mind the physical address given on this post, as it was automated.)
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Ridge to Rivers Partnership
3188 Sunset Peak Rdwww.ridgetorivers.org is an EXCELLENT website to view all of the local trails the Boise foothills has to offer (totaling 190 miles). Trails vary in difficulty, length, and bike or dog friendly. The website will give you up-to-date information on trail conditions. Our foothills have something for everyone! (Never mind the physical address given on this post, as it was automated.)
Mostly paved, the 25 miles of the Boise Greenbelt is a great way to get outdoors. The tree lined path guides you through parks, the Boise River, and other beautiful natural areas. Our greenbelt stretches from one end of the city to the other. We have seen many deer and other wildlife while on the Greenbelt. Rent a bike and tour our great city or go for a leisurely stroll. I bet you'll be coming back! www.parks.cityofboise.org/parks-locations/parks/greenbelt (Never mind the address on the map, as it automatically generated.)
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Boise Greenbelt Trail
Boise Greenbelt TrailMostly paved, the 25 miles of the Boise Greenbelt is a great way to get outdoors. The tree lined path guides you through parks, the Boise River, and other beautiful natural areas. Our greenbelt stretches from one end of the city to the other. We have seen many deer and other wildlife while on the Greenbelt. Rent a bike and tour our great city or go for a leisurely stroll. I bet you'll be coming back! www.parks.cityofboise.org/parks-locations/parks/greenbelt (Never mind the address on the map, as it automatically generated.)
Owned by the city of Boise, Boise River Park is home to the Wave Shaper. Kayakers go here to hone in their skills. Really fun to watch! Directly across the Boise Greenbelt is Quinn's pond. Here you can swim, float, fish, kayak, paddle board or sunbath on the sandy beaches. Rent all your sports equipment at Idaho River Sports adjacent to the pond. The water is very clean and refreshing and is fed by the Boise River. www.boiseriverpark.com, www.idahoriversports.com
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Boise River Park
Boise River GreenbeltOwned by the city of Boise, Boise River Park is home to the Wave Shaper. Kayakers go here to hone in their skills. Really fun to watch! Directly across the Boise Greenbelt is Quinn's pond. Here you can swim, float, fish, kayak, paddle board or sunbath on the sandy beaches. Rent all your sports equipment at Idaho River Sports adjacent to the pond. The water is very clean and refreshing and is fed by the Boise River. www.boiseriverpark.com, www.idahoriversports.com
Entertainment & Activities
www.boiseweekly.com This is a terrific website to see what is going on in our city on a weekly basis. It gives concert updates, restaurant reviews, and other local shenanigans. It proves that there is never a dull moment here.
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Boise Brewing
521 W Broad Stwww.boiseweekly.com This is a terrific website to see what is going on in our city on a weekly basis. It gives concert updates, restaurant reviews, and other local shenanigans. It proves that there is never a dull moment here.
If you haven't noticed already, almost everywhere downtown will you see a Boise State University logo. We are very proud of our Broncos. Our football team is a member of the Mountain West Conference and is featured on ESPN. If you are lucky enough to be in town during a game, you should definitely try scoring some tickets. Go Big Blue! I have to admit tailgating might be a sport in and of itself. :) www.broncosports.com
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Boise State University
1910 W University DrIf you haven't noticed already, almost everywhere downtown will you see a Boise State University logo. We are very proud of our Broncos. Our football team is a member of the Mountain West Conference and is featured on ESPN. If you are lucky enough to be in town during a game, you should definitely try scoring some tickets. Go Big Blue! I have to admit tailgating might be a sport in and of itself. :) www.broncosports.com
Sports on ice?! We have that too! Hockey games are held at Century Link Arena. Watch the gloves fly! www.idahosteelheads.com
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Idaho Steelheads
233 S Capitol BlvdSports on ice?! We have that too! Hockey games are held at Century Link Arena. Watch the gloves fly! www.idahosteelheads.com
Floating the Boise River is a great way to keep cool on hot summer days. Park your car at Ann Morrison park (or ride your bike from the Boise Gem, we are SO close) and take the shuttle up to Barber Park. There you can rent a tube, raft or kayak. Sit back and enjoy the gentle ride as you pass through some great scenery along the river. As many as 100,000 people float the river every year! www.barber-park.com
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Barber Park
Barber ParkFloating the Boise River is a great way to keep cool on hot summer days. Park your car at Ann Morrison park (or ride your bike from the Boise Gem, we are SO close) and take the shuttle up to Barber Park. There you can rent a tube, raft or kayak. Sit back and enjoy the gentle ride as you pass through some great scenery along the river. As many as 100,000 people float the river every year! www.barber-park.com
Old School theater playing second run movies. This place is a fantastic experience and we highly recommend it. You can order drinks and choose from a very nice selection of hot entrees. They even offer espresso drinks to keep you from falling asleep in their comfortable chairs.
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The Flicks: Rick's Cafe Americain
646 W Fulton StOld School theater playing second run movies. This place is a fantastic experience and we highly recommend it. You can order drinks and choose from a very nice selection of hot entrees. They even offer espresso drinks to keep you from falling asleep in their comfortable chairs.
Essentials
Local company that is employee owned, hands down the best deal in town and very very busy. Shop here and you'll save at least 25% over the bigger chains (expect to bag your own groceries). We don't buy beef here though as the quality is lower than the bigger chains.
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WinCo Foods
110 E Myrtle StLocal company that is employee owned, hands down the best deal in town and very very busy. Shop here and you'll save at least 25% over the bigger chains (expect to bag your own groceries). We don't buy beef here though as the quality is lower than the bigger chains.
Traditional big chain grocery store. Albertsons' first store is here in Boise and the companies headquarters are here... but pricey compared to WinCo.
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Albertsons
1650 W State StTraditional big chain grocery store. Albertsons' first store is here in Boise and the companies headquarters are here... but pricey compared to WinCo.