We visited a lot of restaurants in 2016 – a lot. I consumed endless amounts of calories for your dining infotainment, and now we’ve rounded up some of the best and most unique foodie gems from 2016. From epic dining experiences at the most unique locations in Idaho to the most beautiful views and even nationally-recognized restaurants, these are a few bucket list-worthy, must-try eateries you won’t want to miss this year,.. plus a few extra thrown in for good measure! In no particular order, here is your Idaho Dining Bucket List for 2017:
- Idaho’s Most Haunted Restaurant
White Horse Saloon, Grill, and Hotel/Facebook
Can Pac Swire/Flickr Spooky stories abound at this restaurant/hotel in Spirit Lake. Whether dining in or grabbing a room for some shut-eye, you’re sure to have a paranormal incident or two at this historic saloon!
Address: White Horse Saloon - 6248 W Maine St, Spirit Lake, ID 83869
- Idaho’s Best Beachfront Restaurant
Trinity at City Beach/Facebook
Trinty at City Beach/Facebook Truth be told, it’s just about impossible to find a bad spot in Sandpoint. But for Idahoans who crave waterfront views, a private sandy beach, and amazing food and drinks, Trinity at City Beach is hard to beat. Of course, even when the weather turns cold, the picturesque views don’t stop!
Address: Trinity at City Beach - 58 Bridge St. Sandpoint, ID 83864
- The Best Grilled Cheese in Idaho
Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese
Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese/Facebook Wings, BBQ, poutine… no matter your culinary craving, guaranteed Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese in CdA has a sandwich to satisfy it, along with your need for cheese.
Address: Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese - 1735 W Kathleen Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
- Best Local Wine Bar
Jock T./TripAdvisor
Self-serve wine is a dream come true for many. This hidden gem in Wallace combines the magic of a wine machine with the deliciousness of rustic-chic eats in a totally charming setting.
Address: The Fainting Goat - 516 Bank St, Wallace, ID 83873
- The Airport Runway Restaurant
Warbirds Cafe/Facebook
Warbirds Cafe/Facebook For a truly unique dining experience, Warbirds Cafe offers stunning views of something you wouldn’t expect: dozens of small Teton Aviation planes taking off and landing just a few yards from your table. Add in the opportunity to take your delicious meal up to the clouds, and you have one spectacular hidden gem!
Address: Warbirds Cafe - 675 Airport Road, Driggs, ID 83422
- The Oldest Restaurant In Idaho
The Snake Pit in Enaville, Idaho/Facebook
The Snake Pit in Enaville, Idaho/Facebook Idaho’s oldest restaurant has quite the history. Established in 1880, this local favorite has lasted more than a century for good reason: a rustic, neighborhood vibe, delicious homemade eats, and one particularly famous dish that will test your culinary limits.
Address: The Snake Pit - 1480 Coeur D’Alene River Rd, Kingston, ID 83839
- The Pizza So Hot You Have to Sign a Waiver to Try It
Flying Pie Pizzeria/Facebook
Flying Pie Pizzeria/Facebook Heat-seekers, rejoice. Idaho is home to one of the hottest mainstream dishes you can get your hands on, but it only comes around once a year. Are you brave enough to try the Triple Habanero in 2017?
Address: Flying Pie -1326 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706 (multiple locations)
- Idaho’s One and Only Bustaurant
Auggies Drivin Diner/Facebook
Auggies Drivin Diner/Facebook We all know that food trucks are often the hidden meccas of foodie culture, but sadly tend to go out of season when winter hits. Not the case with Auggies! Here, you get all the deliciousness of fresh, creative truck fare with the perks of in-house dining because the bus is also a 80s-themed diner. How awesome is that?
Address: Auggies Drivin Diner - 62 Highway 2. Oldtown, Idaho
- The Best Steak in Idaho
Wolf Lodge Steakhouse/Facebook
wildernesswendy/TripAdvisor With a long reputation for plate-sized, perfectly cooked steaks that will rock your meat-loving world and a cult following that brings people from all over the country, the Wolf Lodge is ready to make your carnivore dreams come true even outside of summer grilling season.
Address: Wolf Lodge - 11741 E Frontage Rd. Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
- The Historic Train Car Restaurant
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Kathleen O./Yelp For yet another unique dining locale, how about a vintage train car? Serving up delicious Mexican fare on the outskirts of Sun Valley, this special train restaurant is a can’t-miss for rail-lovers everywhere.
Address: La Parrilla - 280 6th St W, Ketchum, ID 83340
- One Of America’s Top 100 Restaurants
State & Lemp/Facebook
State & Lemp/Facebook It isn’t often that local Idaho restaurants top national lists, but one elegant gem off of State St. in Boise has been quietly making a name for itself on America’s Top 100 list for two years running, competing with the likes of celebrity chef restaurants in New York, LA, and Miami.
Address: State & Lemp - 2870 W State St, Boise, ID 83702
- The Quirkiest Restaurant in Idaho
Lauren O./Yelp
jennifer durban/Flickr It seems no matter where you turn in Wallace, you’ll find something unique, retro, and totally eclectic. The Red Light Garage–home of one of the best huckleberry shakes in the state–is also a one-of-a-kind neighborhood treasure that is quite literally brimming with culture, antiques, and collectibles. So much so, that it dangles from the ceiling as well!
Address: Red Light Garage - 302 5th St, Wallace, ID 83873
- The Restaurant at the Edge of the World
Elevation 486/Google Maps
Elevation 486/Facebook Dine at the edge of the state’s most beloved river canyon and drink in views of the Magic Valley, Twin Falls’ treasured waterfalls all up and down the canyon wall, and the man-made beauty of the Perrine Bridge.
Address: Elevation 486 - 195 River Vista Pl, Twin Falls, ID 83301
- The Best Pizza in Idaho
Sachie52/TripAdvisor
Fire Artisan Pizza CdA/Facebook Culture-wide, pizza is all about preferences. Some like it hot, some like it crispy with just a hint of charred edge to add some flavor, while still others want their Italian pies so smothered in cheese that it literally drips. Fire Artisan has earned a national reputation for making pizza so straight-up amazing that you’ll love it no matter your usual style.
Address: Fire Artisan - 517 Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
- Best Neighborhood Restaurant - Boise
Saint Lawrence Gridiron/Facebook
Saint Lawrence Gridiron/Facebook Pub food, homestyle classics, and creative, modern dishes alike all get a neighborhood flair at this local eatery. There’s something truly incredible about the atmosphere here that takes the already on-point cuisine up a notch and keeps you coming back for more.
Address: Saint Lawrence Gridiron - 705 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702
- The Best BBQ in Idaho
Anthony D./Google Maps
susan C./TripAdvisor BBQ season never truly ends for those who love the mouth-watering combination of slow roasted meat, charred edges, and saucy deliciousness. Big Hole BBQ in the Teton Valley has made a name for itself with fresh rolls, multiple sauce options, drool-worthy mac and cheese, and roottop dining to boot. Does it get any better?
Address: Big Hole BBQ - 22 W Center St, Victor, ID 83455
- Idaho’s Best Floating Restaurant
The Floating Restaurant in Hope/Facebook
The Floating Restaurant in Hope/Facebook Tucked away on the Hope Marina and away from the hustle and bustle of its larger city counterparts, the Floating Restaurant in Hope offers truly incredible views while you dine on the water. A sunset glistening over the serene waters will keep you coming back time after time.
Address: The Floating Restaurant - 47392 ID-200, Hope, ID 83836
- The Best Finger Steaks in Idaho
Jawueline HArtung/Google Maps
The Dutch Goose/Facebook Finger steaks are an Idaho cult favorite, and nearly every restaurant across the state has some version of them. While it was darn near impossible to pick a favorite, the Dutch Goose won our hearts over. But fyi, they have some delicious eats there even outside of our favorite side dish!
Address: The Dutch Goose - 3515 W State St. Boise, Idaho (multiple locations)
- The Best Burger in Idaho
Brakeman American Grill
Brakeman American Grill/Facebook Ah, burgers. Another American classic, yet so driven by personal preferences. Are you a greasy, charbroiled lover? A piled-so-high with toppings you can’t take a normal bite-type burger-lover? Maybe you prefer flat-top grilled? Doesn’t matter. You’ll love everything the Brakeman dishes out.
Address: Brakeman American Grill - 27 N Main, Victor, ID 83455
- Best Neighborhood Restaurant - Sun Valley
The Powerhouse/Facebook
The Powerhouse/Facebook Casual, Idaho-style eats, a backyard BBQ atmosphere, and a unique themed interior all add up to a comfortable dining experience that’s hard to resist.
Address: The Power House - 411 N Main St, Hailey, ID 83333
It was quite the challenge to narrow this list down to 20 entries, and there are some truly fabulous dining destinations that had to be left off. We might just have to do a Part II just to cover even more of our favorites!
White Horse Saloon, Grill, and Hotel/Facebook
Can Pac Swire/Flickr
Spooky stories abound at this restaurant/hotel in Spirit Lake. Whether dining in or grabbing a room for some shut-eye, you’re sure to have a paranormal incident or two at this historic saloon!
Address: White Horse Saloon - 6248 W Maine St, Spirit Lake, ID 83869
Trinity at City Beach/Facebook
Trinty at City Beach/Facebook
Truth be told, it’s just about impossible to find a bad spot in Sandpoint. But for Idahoans who crave waterfront views, a private sandy beach, and amazing food and drinks, Trinity at City Beach is hard to beat. Of course, even when the weather turns cold, the picturesque views don’t stop!
Address: Trinity at City Beach - 58 Bridge St. Sandpoint, ID 83864
Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese
Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese/Facebook
Wings, BBQ, poutine… no matter your culinary craving, guaranteed Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese in CdA has a sandwich to satisfy it, along with your need for cheese.
Address: Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese - 1735 W Kathleen Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
Jock T./TripAdvisor
Self-serve wine is a dream come true for many. This hidden gem in Wallace combines the magic of a wine machine with the deliciousness of rustic-chic eats in a totally charming setting.
Address: The Fainting Goat - 516 Bank St, Wallace, ID 83873
Warbirds Cafe/Facebook
For a truly unique dining experience, Warbirds Cafe offers stunning views of something you wouldn’t expect: dozens of small Teton Aviation planes taking off and landing just a few yards from your table. Add in the opportunity to take your delicious meal up to the clouds, and you have one spectacular hidden gem!
Address: Warbirds Cafe - 675 Airport Road, Driggs, ID 83422
The Snake Pit in Enaville, Idaho/Facebook
Idaho’s oldest restaurant has quite the history. Established in 1880, this local favorite has lasted more than a century for good reason: a rustic, neighborhood vibe, delicious homemade eats, and one particularly famous dish that will test your culinary limits.
Address: The Snake Pit - 1480 Coeur D’Alene River Rd, Kingston, ID 83839
Flying Pie Pizzeria/Facebook
Heat-seekers, rejoice. Idaho is home to one of the hottest mainstream dishes you can get your hands on, but it only comes around once a year. Are you brave enough to try the Triple Habanero in 2017?
Address: Flying Pie -1326 S Broadway Ave, Boise, ID 83706 (multiple locations)
Auggies Drivin Diner/Facebook
We all know that food trucks are often the hidden meccas of foodie culture, but sadly tend to go out of season when winter hits. Not the case with Auggies! Here, you get all the deliciousness of fresh, creative truck fare with the perks of in-house dining because the bus is also a 80s-themed diner. How awesome is that?
Address: Auggies Drivin Diner - 62 Highway 2. Oldtown, Idaho
Wolf Lodge Steakhouse/Facebook
wildernesswendy/TripAdvisor
With a long reputation for plate-sized, perfectly cooked steaks that will rock your meat-loving world and a cult following that brings people from all over the country, the Wolf Lodge is ready to make your carnivore dreams come true even outside of summer grilling season.
Address: Wolf Lodge - 11741 E Frontage Rd. Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Kathleen O./Yelp
For yet another unique dining locale, how about a vintage train car? Serving up delicious Mexican fare on the outskirts of Sun Valley, this special train restaurant is a can’t-miss for rail-lovers everywhere.
Address: La Parrilla - 280 6th St W, Ketchum, ID 83340
State & Lemp/Facebook
It isn’t often that local Idaho restaurants top national lists, but one elegant gem off of State St. in Boise has been quietly making a name for itself on America’s Top 100 list for two years running, competing with the likes of celebrity chef restaurants in New York, LA, and Miami.
Address: State & Lemp - 2870 W State St, Boise, ID 83702
Lauren O./Yelp
jennifer durban/Flickr
It seems no matter where you turn in Wallace, you’ll find something unique, retro, and totally eclectic. The Red Light Garage–home of one of the best huckleberry shakes in the state–is also a one-of-a-kind neighborhood treasure that is quite literally brimming with culture, antiques, and collectibles. So much so, that it dangles from the ceiling as well!
Address: Red Light Garage - 302 5th St, Wallace, ID 83873
Elevation 486/Google Maps
Elevation 486/Facebook
Dine at the edge of the state’s most beloved river canyon and drink in views of the Magic Valley, Twin Falls’ treasured waterfalls all up and down the canyon wall, and the man-made beauty of the Perrine Bridge.
Address: Elevation 486 - 195 River Vista Pl, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Sachie52/TripAdvisor
Fire Artisan Pizza CdA/Facebook
Culture-wide, pizza is all about preferences. Some like it hot, some like it crispy with just a hint of charred edge to add some flavor, while still others want their Italian pies so smothered in cheese that it literally drips. Fire Artisan has earned a national reputation for making pizza so straight-up amazing that you’ll love it no matter your usual style.
Address: Fire Artisan - 517 Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
Saint Lawrence Gridiron/Facebook
Pub food, homestyle classics, and creative, modern dishes alike all get a neighborhood flair at this local eatery. There’s something truly incredible about the atmosphere here that takes the already on-point cuisine up a notch and keeps you coming back for more.
Address: Saint Lawrence Gridiron - 705 W Bannock St, Boise, ID 83702
Anthony D./Google Maps
susan C./TripAdvisor
BBQ season never truly ends for those who love the mouth-watering combination of slow roasted meat, charred edges, and saucy deliciousness. Big Hole BBQ in the Teton Valley has made a name for itself with fresh rolls, multiple sauce options, drool-worthy mac and cheese, and roottop dining to boot. Does it get any better?
Address: Big Hole BBQ - 22 W Center St, Victor, ID 83455
The Floating Restaurant in Hope/Facebook
Tucked away on the Hope Marina and away from the hustle and bustle of its larger city counterparts, the Floating Restaurant in Hope offers truly incredible views while you dine on the water. A sunset glistening over the serene waters will keep you coming back time after time.
Address: The Floating Restaurant - 47392 ID-200, Hope, ID 83836
Jawueline HArtung/Google Maps
The Dutch Goose/Facebook
Finger steaks are an Idaho cult favorite, and nearly every restaurant across the state has some version of them. While it was darn near impossible to pick a favorite, the Dutch Goose won our hearts over. But fyi, they have some delicious eats there even outside of our favorite side dish!
Address: The Dutch Goose - 3515 W State St. Boise, Idaho (multiple locations)
Brakeman American Grill
Brakeman American Grill/Facebook
Ah, burgers. Another American classic, yet so driven by personal preferences. Are you a greasy, charbroiled lover? A piled-so-high with toppings you can’t take a normal bite-type burger-lover? Maybe you prefer flat-top grilled? Doesn’t matter. You’ll love everything the Brakeman dishes out.
Address: Brakeman American Grill - 27 N Main, Victor, ID 83455
The Powerhouse/Facebook
Casual, Idaho-style eats, a backyard BBQ atmosphere, and a unique themed interior all add up to a comfortable dining experience that’s hard to resist.
Address: The Power House - 411 N Main St, Hailey, ID 83333
What’s the best food you’ve ever eaten in Idaho, or your favorite unique location? Let us know! 2018 will be here sooner than you think!
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