As Boise continues to grow as rapidly as ever, many restaurants have opened downtown and the greater Boise area. Among them is Tavoláta, a new Italian restaurant that opened downtown in November 2023. With other locations in Seattle, Spokane, and Redmond, the Washington-based chain recently brought their inexpensive yet luxurious feel to the Lucy building just outside the Basque block. On their menu is a plethora of pasta dishes: Rigatoni, Campanelle, Pappardelle, and Fettucini, as well as a deep collection of meat plate appetizers and seafood entrees.
Little Pearl Oyster Bar is also among these new restaurants, joining the 8th Street menagerie of meals with its seafood-focused menu (open from 4:30 – 9 pm from Tuesday through Saturday) and diverse selection of unique cocktails served at the bar (open from 4:30 – “late” according to the owner). As per many reviews, Little Pearl fills the hole in the Boise market for seafood options. Bacquet’s, another seafood-focused restaurant also opened recently, joining the same niche. However, where Little Pearl prides themselves on their oysters as well as their addition to the growing Boise nightlife, Bacquet’s claim to fame is their fabulous whole fish dishes and the French inspiration behind their courses and appetizers. While more expensive than the previous restaurants, customers testify to the quality of their food, and that the high price point is quite worth it.
Another new restaurant sprouting from a well-established chain, Percy – a classy and expensive “upscale polished american” restaurant – recently opened on Myrtle Street across the street from the Idaho History Museum. Percy is owned and managed by WHG, the same group that owns many other restaurants in the Boise area, such as the Wylder, Certified Kitchen & Bakery, and Wyld Child. Their dinner menu includes an assortment of short rib sandwiches and steaks, as well as a diverse selection of pastas. Not to be ignored, Percy also boasts a deep desert menu, included but not limited to cheesecakes and sundaes.
Alongside the new openings, a couple of restaurants have reopened recently after COVID-related complications. Among them is High Note Cafe, a cheap brunch option focused on vegan and plant based sandwiches and soups. Further, High Note prioritizes sourcing all of their food locally and preparing it to order from scratch. Similarly re-opening after covid, the Boise Bite food truck has returned to its station outside of Telaya Wines in Garden City. Co-owners Zach and Julia Greatting moved to Boise from Chicago, with a dream to bring their favorite local cuisines with them. Boise Bite uses daily rotating menus, ensuring a different experience every time you visit.
The culinary landscape of Boise is ever-evolving, with new restaurants constantly enriching the dining scene. From the arrival of Tavoláta, offering a taste of Italian luxury, to the seafood-focused delights of Little Pearl Oyster Bar and Bacquet’s, the city is experiencing a boom in dining diversity. Whether it’s a quick bite or a fine dining experience, Boise’s restaurant scene has something to satisfy every craving and palate, quickly turning it into a destination for food lovers near and far.
