Waterfront restaurants are the perfect night (or day) out once warm weather hits, which is why we’re fortunate to have so many here in Idaho! But what about dining right on the the water instead?
While there are dozens of unassuming yet delicious dining spots in the state that can whip up a fantastic meal, sometimes that “wow” factor is what you need to make a dining experience unforgettable. Check out the spots across the state where you can tuck in within an arm’s reach of a beautiful, sparkling river or lake.
- The Cedars Floating Restaurant, Coeur d’Alene
Cedars Floating Restaurant/Facebook
anthony montanaro/GoogleMaps
Cedars Floating Restaurant/Facebook
wisteriabarb/TripAdvisor Idaho’s oldest floating restaurant is more than just fine dining with a view–the entirety of this rustic wooden restaurant floats right on top of the lake. It even has a 360-degree dining deck where you can (almost) literally feed the fishes. Or just watch them jump and frolic while you enjoy a meal of steak, seafood, and luxurious chocolate desserts. Nothing complements a plate of Cedar-Plank Salmon quite like the gorgeous waves of Lake Coeur d’Alene!
Address: 1514 S Marina Dr. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Floating Patio, Bayview
Lina A./Yelp
Stephanie P/Yelp
Stephanie P/Yelp Tucked away on the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille, this floating bar and grill offers scenic bay views unlike any other in North Idaho. And the best part? You don’t even have to get out of your (house)boat to order a drink or grab a hot meal… you can pull right up to the window! Rather than just the patio, this entire restaurant floats, making it the perfect quick stop for a sandwich or one of the Patio’s famous Tropical Trash Cans during your day on the water. Plus, the location is great for sitting in the sun and admiring the lake and boats that pass by.
Address: 34128 N Lakeside Ave. Bayview, ID 83803
- The Floating Restaurant, Hope
Floating Restaurant in Hope/Facebook
Floating Restaurant in Hope/Facebook
Floating Restaurant Management/Yelp The little community of Hope is a fantastically gorgeous jewel on Lake Pend Oreille that is nothing short of stellar when it comes to lake views and fabulous waterfront living. The Floating Restaurant in the Hope Marina boasts the best of the region when it comes to epic sunsets over the water and the perfect setting right on the water–rather than next to it. Try an Elk Tostada or their famous Sunday brunch!
Address: 47392 ID-200. Hope, ID 83836
- Bridge Street Grill, Stanley
TripAdvisor
Diana V Hurd/Bridge St. Grill/Facebook
Gregg P/TripAdvisor
Bridge St. Grill and Cabins/Facebook The charming small town of Stanley has always been treasured for its breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains and gorgeous waterfront setting along the Salmon River. Bridge Street Grill takes these picturesque scenes to a whole new level with a deck that not only has a stunning views of both, but sits right on top of the water to offer delightful breezes coming off the water and the soothing sounds of nature as well. Dreamy!
Address: Salmon - Challis National Forest, ID-75, Stanley, ID 83278
- The Sandpiper, Idaho Falls
The Sandpiper Restaurant/Facebook
Diane Z/Yelp This welcoming, homestyle steak and seafood joint on the Snake River is a throwback to the great restaurants of yesteryear–no frills, all deliciousness. A deck right on the edge of the water seals the deal with the delightful waterfront views Idaho Falls is known for. Our recommendation: don’t skimp on the baked sweet potato! It comes with a honey butter and brown sugar/cinnamon mix that is simply divine.
Address: 750 Lindsay Blvd. Idaho Falls, ID 83402
- The Floating Green Restaurant, Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene Resort
Garrett Ziegler/Flickr Serene views overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene are hard to beat, especially with the world famous Floating Green just off the shoreline. Dining at the Floating Green Restaurant is just as unique and lovely as hitting a drive on the green itself… except with delicious food as your reward, no matter what time of day you have a tee time. A savory selection of Northwest inspired cuisine made with farm fresh ingredients means an unforgettable meal with a view. Reservations required.
Address: 115 S. 2nd Street Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814
- Forty-One South, Sagle
Forty-One South/Facebook
Kaley H/Google Maps
Forty One South/Facebook The “most beautiful small town in America” is home to some pretty incredible restaurants, but it’s hard to beat the combination of rustic cabin charm and lakefront magic of Forty-One South. This high-end dining gem is romantic, cozy, and luxurious all in one, with ceiling-high windows to enjoy the expansive views of Pend Oreille from inside, or a shaded deck over the water to enjoy the magic up close–your choice.
Address: 41 Lakeshore Dr. Sagle, ID 83860
- Harbor Grill & Event Center, Boise
Harbor Grill & Event Center/Facebook
Harbor Grill & Event Cetner/Facebook
Harbor Grill & Event Center/Facebook Sitting on Silver Lake with two floating docks, three outdoor patios, and a tiki bar, sports bar, martini bar, and more, you might find a slight more emphasis on dranky-dranks than eats here. But that doesn’t stop this hidden gem from turning out grass-fed, organic dishes and serving them up literally right over the water. Bonus: live entertainment that goes beyond Friday night music. Maybe fire acrobatics?
Address: 3000 N Lakeharbor Ln. Boise, Idaho 83703
For more delicious dining options with a view, check out these “Hidden” Rooftop Restaurants.
Cedars Floating Restaurant/Facebook
anthony montanaro/GoogleMaps
wisteriabarb/TripAdvisor
Idaho’s oldest floating restaurant is more than just fine dining with a view–the entirety of this rustic wooden restaurant floats right on top of the lake. It even has a 360-degree dining deck where you can (almost) literally feed the fishes. Or just watch them jump and frolic while you enjoy a meal of steak, seafood, and luxurious chocolate desserts. Nothing complements a plate of Cedar-Plank Salmon quite like the gorgeous waves of Lake Coeur d’Alene!
Address: 1514 S Marina Dr. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Lina A./Yelp
Stephanie P/Yelp
Tucked away on the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille, this floating bar and grill offers scenic bay views unlike any other in North Idaho. And the best part? You don’t even have to get out of your (house)boat to order a drink or grab a hot meal… you can pull right up to the window! Rather than just the patio, this entire restaurant floats, making it the perfect quick stop for a sandwich or one of the Patio’s famous Tropical Trash Cans during your day on the water. Plus, the location is great for sitting in the sun and admiring the lake and boats that pass by.
Address: 34128 N Lakeside Ave. Bayview, ID 83803
Floating Restaurant in Hope/Facebook
Floating Restaurant Management/Yelp
The little community of Hope is a fantastically gorgeous jewel on Lake Pend Oreille that is nothing short of stellar when it comes to lake views and fabulous waterfront living. The Floating Restaurant in the Hope Marina boasts the best of the region when it comes to epic sunsets over the water and the perfect setting right on the water–rather than next to it. Try an Elk Tostada or their famous Sunday brunch!
Address: 47392 ID-200. Hope, ID 83836
TripAdvisor
Diana V Hurd/Bridge St. Grill/Facebook
Gregg P/TripAdvisor
Bridge St. Grill and Cabins/Facebook
The charming small town of Stanley has always been treasured for its breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains and gorgeous waterfront setting along the Salmon River. Bridge Street Grill takes these picturesque scenes to a whole new level with a deck that not only has a stunning views of both, but sits right on top of the water to offer delightful breezes coming off the water and the soothing sounds of nature as well. Dreamy!
Address: Salmon - Challis National Forest, ID-75, Stanley, ID 83278
The Sandpiper Restaurant/Facebook
Diane Z/Yelp
This welcoming, homestyle steak and seafood joint on the Snake River is a throwback to the great restaurants of yesteryear–no frills, all deliciousness. A deck right on the edge of the water seals the deal with the delightful waterfront views Idaho Falls is known for. Our recommendation: don’t skimp on the baked sweet potato! It comes with a honey butter and brown sugar/cinnamon mix that is simply divine.
Address: 750 Lindsay Blvd. Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Coeur d’Alene Resort
Garrett Ziegler/Flickr
Serene views overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene are hard to beat, especially with the world famous Floating Green just off the shoreline. Dining at the Floating Green Restaurant is just as unique and lovely as hitting a drive on the green itself… except with delicious food as your reward, no matter what time of day you have a tee time. A savory selection of Northwest inspired cuisine made with farm fresh ingredients means an unforgettable meal with a view. Reservations required.
Address: 115 S. 2nd Street Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814
Forty-One South/Facebook
Kaley H/Google Maps
Forty One South/Facebook
The “most beautiful small town in America” is home to some pretty incredible restaurants, but it’s hard to beat the combination of rustic cabin charm and lakefront magic of Forty-One South. This high-end dining gem is romantic, cozy, and luxurious all in one, with ceiling-high windows to enjoy the expansive views of Pend Oreille from inside, or a shaded deck over the water to enjoy the magic up close–your choice.
Address: 41 Lakeshore Dr. Sagle, ID 83860
Harbor Grill & Event Center/Facebook
Harbor Grill & Event Cetner/Facebook
Sitting on Silver Lake with two floating docks, three outdoor patios, and a tiki bar, sports bar, martini bar, and more, you might find a slight more emphasis on dranky-dranks than eats here. But that doesn’t stop this hidden gem from turning out grass-fed, organic dishes and serving them up literally right over the water. Bonus: live entertainment that goes beyond Friday night music. Maybe fire acrobatics?
Address: 3000 N Lakeharbor Ln. Boise, Idaho 83703
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
