Gotta go to the Boise Airport and not sure what to eat? For such a compact airport, BOI serves up some surprisingly decent grub that’ll make your layover or pre-flight wait a whole lot more bearable. Whether you’re a meat-lover, veggie enthusiast, or just need something to wash down with an Idaho craft beer, I gotcha covered.
1. Big City Coffee & Café
This local favorite brought its downtown magic to the airport, and thank goodness they did. Their breakfast sammies are the stuff of legends, especially when you’re facing a 6 AM flight and need something substantial. The portions are Idaho-sized, meaning you won’t be hungry again until you land in whatever big city you’re heading to.
Order this: The Cowgirl Breakfast Sandwich with a side of their ridiculously good potatoes. Their coffee is strong enough to wake the dead, which is exactly what you need at stupid o’clock in the morning.
2. Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery
Yes, an actual distillery in an airport. While they can’t actually distill on-site (FAA might have some thoughts about that), they bring their spirits from their downtown location. It’s a sit-down joint where you can pretend you’re not about to be crammed into a metal tube with 200 strangers.
Order this: The Idaho Bison Burger paired with one of their house-made cocktails. Their huckleberry martini is basicly the unofficial state drink of Idaho.
3. 13th Street Pub & Grill
Feelin’ like some comfort food that’ll stick to your ribs through that turbulence? This place has got pizza that’s way better than it has any right to be for an airport. The crust is crispy yet chewy, and they don’t skimp on the toppings.
Order this: The Bronco Pizza (a nod to Boise State) with their local brew on tap. It’s hearty, satisfying, and beats whatever sad sandwich they’re gonna try to sell you for $15 on the plane.
4. Parrilla Grill
For those who ain’t about that meat life, Parrilla offers some solid veggie options that don’t feel like an afterthought. Their Baja-inspired menu has enough variety to keep things interesting while you’re people-watching at your gate.
Order this: The Veggie Burrito – it’s massive and filled with fresh ingredients that’ll make you forget you’re eating airport food. They’ll also make pretty much anything vegan if you ask nicely.
5. Einstein Bros Bagels
Look, sometimes you just want something reliable. When you’re rushing to catch that connection and don’t have time to sit down, Einstein’s will hook you up with a decent bagel sandwich that travels well.
Order this: The Veg Out on an everything bagel. It’s simple but effective fuel for your journey, and you can grab it quick when you’re running late because you spent too long at security.
6. Smashburger
Yeah, it’s a chain, but hear me out. Sometimes you just want a greasy, delicious burger before being deprived of decent food for hours. Their Idaho-specific menu items give it a local touch that makes it feel less chain-y.
Order this: The Idaho Burger with rosemary garlic fries. The fries alone are worth writing home about, which is saying something for airport food.
7. Cross Grain Brewhouse
This place is all about showcasing Idaho’s surprisingly robust craft beer scene. With rotating taps featuring local breweries and a menu designed to pair perfectly with whatever you’re drinking, it’s the ideal spot to kill time during a delay.
Order this: A flight of Idaho beers with their pretzel bites. Those little carb bombs with beer cheese are what I imagine heaven tastes like after a long day of traveling.