Stuffed doughnuts and a 1920s speakeasy: Visit Yelp’s top-10 rated new Boise restaurants

Boise’s burgeoning food scene is always continuing to grow, and this winter is no different.

Yelp has tracked the top ten-rated new restaurants recently opened in the Treasure Valley, from downtown Boise to Eagle and Meridian.

Curious to check some of them out? The Idaho Statesman has compiled a list of new restaurants in the area, so you don’t have to find them yourself. Scroll below to read about each location and a map showing their locations.

Boise

Wyld Child - 13 S. Latah St.

Located on the Boise Bench, Wyld Child specializes in burgers and provides a “curated beer and wine list at an approachable price point–executed exceptionally well,” according to the restaurant’s website.

“After hearing all the buzz about Wyld Child, we gave it a try for lunch one day,” Reid V. wrote in a Yelp review. “We split a burger and sweet potato fries. Both were very good. This is not a cheap meal though. Fun atmosphere outside as well.”

Within 72 hours of opening, the restaurant was sold out of chicken and had to close temporarily, owner David Rex told the Statesman in late September. Wyld Child soon reopened and has thrived since.

Thai Bistro - 590 E. Boise Ave.

A recent addition to southeast Boise, Thai Bistro is the latest addition to Boise offering southeast Asian food, replacing the recently-closed Thai Bistro.

“Second time now ordering Pad Thai from here. I’m going to put them up there with, if not, the best pad Thai in town,” Joe E. wrote in their review. “Carry out order, very fast and absolutely delicious. Good portion size, spice level was great.”

Co-owner Todd Wagoner told the Statesman that Thai Bistro’s prices are “mid-to-high range if you look at all of the Thai restaurants in town. But our portion sizes are very ample.”

Gatsby - 280 N. 8th St.

Across the alleyway from Freak Alley Gallery, you can find a unique speakeasy with a distinct 1920s feel. But there’s a catch:

You need a password that changes daily to get in. Luckily, you can get it by calling a number on the cocktail bar’s website.

“We want to transport you back into the ‘20s,” co-owner Will Primavera previously told the Statesman. “The cocktailers will be wearing flapper dresses. The guys are wearing the vests with the ties and arm band. The music will always be ‘20s, ‘30s.”

Yelp reviewers have described the cocktail bar’s atmosphere as “to die for” and a “true speakeasy experience.”

Pho Nomenal - 10548 W. Fairview Ave.

Pho Nomenal replaced the space previously owned by Pho Tay in November.

Quick service, friendly and very clean. It has a welcoming environment and easy to reach being along a main road,” Yelp user David S. posted. “The food was served quick, large portions and all tastes fresh and with very good flavor.”

The restaurant’s signature meal is pho dac biet, which is a beef noodle pho that includes rare steak, brisket, beef meatball and tendon.

Yonutz Boise - 8637 W. Franklin Road

Yonutz is a growing chain that chose Boise as one of its first locations in the nation.

If you’re looking for a spot to grab dessert, Yonutz combines doughnuts and ice cream into what they call a “smash doughnut.” According to a previous Statesman story, Yonutz cuts a glazed doughnut in half and crams it with a scoop of ice cream and any assortment of toppings you could imagine.

“This place is unique and has different options like mini donuts, donuts with ice cream, just ice cream, or even shakes,” John D. wrote on Yelp. They have cute little tables for kids, so it is very kid friendly with all the fun eating options too.”

Meltz Extreme - 6565 W. Fairview Ave.

Imagine grilled cheese with sharp cheddar cheese, buttermilk fried onions, barbeque pulled pork, and mac n’ cheese. That’s an option at Meltz Extreme, and it’s called The Oinker.

Meltz Extreme was founded in Coeur d’Alene in 2012 and has finally made its way to the Treasure Valley. The Coeur d’Alene location ranks 4.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp, and the Boise location is not far behind with four stars.

“This place will forever ruin your late-night, made-at-home grilled cheese,” Kelli T. wrote on Yelp. “I thought I made a pretty mean grilled cheese at home, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat anything but Meltz again. I tried their Oinker based on the recommendation of a friend and I was not disappointed!”

Eagle

Holy Cow Idaho - 1396 E. State St.

Holy Cow Idaho already had an existing location in Nampa, and it’s now extending its reach to Eagle. And just like the Nampa restaurant, the Eagle restaurant will focus on creative hamburgers and give you plenty to think about.

The signature burger — the Holy Cow burger — costs $22, but you won’t be disappointed; it features two 1/3-pound grass-fed beef patties, double bacon, American cheese and Holy Cow fry sauce, all served between two grilled cheese sandwiches.

The restaurant has slightly less stomach-consuming options, such as classic bacon cheeseburgers and wings.

Meridian

Dave’s Hot Chicken - 3450 N. Eagle Road

Dave’s Hot Chicken is based in California but made its first big expansion leap to Boise in early December.

When the restaurant labels itself as hot chicken, it means it — the hottest level of spice is made from the Carolina Reaper Pepper and requires customers to sign a waiver to order it, according to previous Statesman reporting.

“The food was really good; I ordered the two sliders meal with two different spice levels,” Yelp user Tameka G. wrote. “My favorite was the mild. I loved the crispiness slaw and the sauce. The fries were excellent too.”

Vons Chicken - 950 E. Fairview Ave.

Another new chicken restaurant in Meridian, Vons Chicken specializes in Korean fried chicken, giving a new meaning to KFC.

While serving a wide variety of Korean-flavor-inspired chicken wings, the restaurant also has an item that stands out on the menu: Cheese Buldak. The dish features spicy boneless chicken topped with melted cheese and rice cake on a bed of onions.

“Koreans, they have this obsession with cheese,” Joseph Kim, son of owners Paul and Vivian, previously told the Statesman. “It’s been a new thing in Korea, kind of. Anything with cheese on top.”

Star

PROOF Craft Pizza and Cocktails - 9759 W. State St.

PROOF specializes in craft pizzas such as their Fall Harvest, Hot Italian and Pep in your Step pizzas, but also prides itself on fresh salads, shared plates and cocktail menu.

“PROOF is the restaurant you can relax in and enjoy our outstanding fresh house made food like our unique stone baked pizzas, signature entrees, fresh salads, shared plates and large appetizer menu,” the restaurant states on its website. “The menu at PROOF will change seasonally and focus on regional ingredients, sourced locally.”

Yelp users have described the new restaurant as a “cozy open concept restaurant.”