15 Restaurants in Boise, Idaho with Patios
Nothing is better than patio season in Boise, Idaho! As a Boise local, we look forward to the warmth of spring and summer after the long winter months because it means we can finally eat outside again. There are a ton of restaurants in Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley as a whole that offer fun outdoor dining spaces. Take a walk down 8th Street in downtown Boise between Bannock and Main and you’ll find them lining both sides of the street!
Enjoying a yummy meal and/or drink on a bright restaurant patio is the perfect thing to do in Boise in the summer. Below, I rounded up 15 of the best restaurants in Boise with patios where you can have a great al fresco dining experience. I shared where each restaurant is located as well as their current hours of operation as of publication (be sure to double check on their website directly or on Google). There’s an interactive Google map at the end of the post to help you plan your next meal!
15 Restaurants In Boise, Idaho With Patios
Bacon • 9th Street, Downtown Boise
Bacon is one of the most popular spots in Boise for breakfast or brunch! You’ll especially love it if you’re a bacon fan! They offer a wonderful shaded outdoor patio nestled between buildings along 9th Street in downtown Boise. I highly recommend the bacon shots—a taster featuring five different flavored bacon (spicy hot is my personal favorite). Lunch options are also available. Bacon also offers a full bar and is open for breakfast and brunch 7 days a week.
Barbacoa • Parkcenter Blvd, Southeast Boise
Barbacoa is a Boise favorite among people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other special events! (My brothers almost always choose to come here for their birthdays when they know my parents are paying, haha.) It’s a fun, upscale restaurant featuring a patio overlooking Parkcenter Pond with a beautiful view of the foothills in the distance. During happy hour from 4 to 6 pm, all drinks are buy one get one free. Get the tableside guacamole to start and finish your meal with the cotton candy! Barbacoa is open daily for dinner at 4 pm.
Bardenay • Grove Street, Downtown Boise
Bardenay is one of our absolute spots at any time of day (but they do brunch exceptionally well) and features a wonderful outdoor space! It’s a lovely spot to dine outside with lots of shade and greenery. It’s one of my go-to recommendations for folks new to or visiting Boise! If you come for brunch, don’t forget a mimosa and/or Mexican coffee cocktail (Korri’s favorite). Bardenay is open for brunch on Sunday mornings and lunch, dinner, and late night 7 days a week. There is also a location in Eagle, northwest of Boise, and that spot also has a lovely patio.
Bar Gernika • Grove Street, Downtown Boise
Bar Gernika is busy every time I go by it! It’s located on the Basque Block just down the road from Bardenay at the corner of Grove Street and Capitol Blvd and features authentic Basque pub fare (soups, salads, sandwiches) and wine. Their outdoor patio is always bustling in the evenings! (Side note: Did you know that Boise’s Basque population is second to that of actual Basque Country?! Be sure to catch the Basque Festival if you visit in late July!) Bar Gernika is open for lunch Wednesday through Saturday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
Caffé Luciano’s • Along the Boise River, Garden City
Luciano’s is one of our very favorite Boise restaurants, and they opened a second, smaller location in Garden City right along the Boise River and the greenbelt! At this spot, they offer classic Italian flavors with their selection of sandwiches, pasta, and flatbread pizzas. Their patio overlooks the Boise River and is close to the Whitewater Park where folks surf on the river! Caffé Luciano’s is open daily for lunch and dinner except on Mondays.
Cottonwood Grille • River Street, Downtown Boise
If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, check out Cottonwood Grille! It’s nestled along the Boise River in downtown Boise and has a lovely outdoor patio below the towering cottonwood trees. Taste a selection of cuisine made from local products (including beef, berries, beer, and wine). Cottonwood Grille is open for Sunday brunch as well as lunch and dinner daily.
Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria • Bown Crossing, Southeast Boise
Flatbread is the perfect spot in southeast Boise to sit on the patio (there’s an outdoor fireplace, so you can even enjoy it when it’s cool outside!) and enjoy a pizza and fun drink. I love the pick-two lunch menu and usually go for a pizzetta (small pizza) and mac and cheese! It’s located in Bown Crossing, which is a sort of mini downtown that features other restaurants as well as local shops to browse. It’s a popular spot to stop after floating the river when you go back to Barber Park to pick up your car! Flatbread is open daily for lunch and dinner. There is a second location in Eagle.
Fork • 8th Street, Downtown Boise
Fork is known for their unique and local cuisine and is another local fan favorite! This is another spot I like to recommend to visitors. The dinners I’ve eaten at Fork have been fantastic, and they have such a beautiful patio situated at the corner of 8th Street and Idaho; 8th Street is open to foot traffic only, and it makes a great stroll at any time of day with lots of other restaurants and local shops. You’ll find so many other great places to eat on 8th Street, so you really can’t go wrong! Fork is open for weekend brunch and lunch and dinner daily.
Hilltop Station • Highway 21, East of Boise
Looking to get out of town? Head east on Highway 21 towards Idaho City and you’ll drive right by Hilltop Station. Except, I recommend not driving by—stop in for a bite to eat on their outdoor patio! They have a wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, finger foods, and pizza to choose from. If you’re headed into the mountains, pick up snacks and liquor in their store! The Hilltop Station restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and lunch Friday through Sunday. The general store is open daily.
Lucky 13 • Harris Ranch, Southeast Boise
Lucky 13 is a staple in the Harris Ranch neighborhood and features yummy pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. The patio is huge and lined by trees, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a meal outdoors. It’s also located next to The STIL, so be sure to grab a scoop of ice cream after your meal! Lucky 13 is open daily for lunch and dinner (note that while the bar is open late on weekends, the kitchen closes at 10 pm).
Saint Lawrence Gridiron • Bannock Street, Downtown Boise
If you’re looking for fun and exciting flavor combinations with a Southern flair, you’ll love Saint Lawrence Gridiron. This is a fun, cozy space located downtown that opens into the patio (next to their meat smoker!) in the warmer months. The ambiance in the evening is top notch! Saint Lawrence Gridiron is open for weekend brunch, lunch Tuesday through Friday, and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
Sockeye Alehouse • 36th Street, North Boise
Sockeye Alehouse features one of the the largest outdoor patios in Boise at over 4,000 square feet! It’s such a perfect location near the intersection of 36th Street and Hill Road, right at the base of the Boise Foothills. Grab yourself a local beer (brewed at Sockeye!) and indulge in classic pub fare, like the crispy chicken sandwich that Korri and I ate. It was delicious! And the fries are also incredible. Sockeye Alehouse is open daily for lunch and dinner and features all day happy hour on Mondays!
Tavern at Bown • Bown Crossing, Southeast Boise
Tavern at Bown offers upscale American cuisine (plus sushi) as well as a Sunday brunch. They have a beautiful outdoor seating area; in the evening, it’s shaded from the sun! I typically go for a classic breakfast with eggs or French toast for brunch. They also have great burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and salads (the salmon niçoise is my favorite). I don’t eat sushi but my family likes their sushi, too. Tavern is open for brunch on Sundays, lunch Tuesday through Saturday, and dinner Tuesday through Sunday (sushi is available for lunch or dinner Tuesday through Saturday).
Willowcreek Grill • Vista Avenue, Boise Bench
Willowcreek Grill is one of my mom’s favorite spots when she’s in town visiting! Located on the Bench not too far from the airport, this restaurant is co-located with Raw Sushi, so you can order from Willowcreek’s extensive menu of American cuisine or opt for sushi. There is a small patio that is the perfect plan to chill on a summer evening. Willowcreek Grill is open daily for lunch and dinner except for Sundays.
Wyld Child • Latah Street, Boise Bench
Wyld Child is the brainchild of the Wylder Hospitality Group, who also owns two of our other favorite restaurants in Boise (The Wylder and Certified Kitchen). Located on the Boise Bench, they offer a small menu of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and greens (plus beer and wine) and an outdoor seating area with picnic tables! Push & Pour (a coffee shop) and The STIL (an ice cream shop) are located next door, so it’s the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch. Wyld Child is open daily for lunch and dinner.