The “see or be seen” patio beckons yielding into a cooler yet bright lofty interior with an old world feel. The expansive bar and welcoming energy prepare you for an excellent, locally-sourced meal. What else do you need? bardenay.com

Finalists: Fork boisefork.com, Paddles Up Poké paddlesuppoke.com

BEST BAKERY

PASTRY PERFECTION

Stumble back to a 1940s old-school bakery cafe where the carbs are too cool for school and the cakes, cookies, Danish, and bread are fresh out of the oven. Go already. Take a grandparent. Have a coffee, stay a while. pastryperfection.com

Finalists: Janjou Pâtisserie janjou.com, Zeppole zeppolebakery.com

BEST BASQUE

BAR GERNIKA

Put away a Solomo, Lamb Grinder, and throw down some croquetas and you will be looking just like a well-fed local in no time. Make sure to wash it all down with their Kalimotxo drink and Basque rice pudding for dessert. bargernika.com

Finalists: Epi’s A Basque Restaurant episabasquerestaurant.com, The Basque Market thebasquemarket.com

BEST BBQ

Bodacious Pig Barbecue 

Joel and Tricia Anderson know their ‘que. Pit master Joel has more than a decade of experience smoking meats. He takes care of the back of the house while Tricia, with a background in culinary arts, takes care of the front. bodaciouspig.com 

Finalists: BBQ4LIFE bbq4life.net, GOODWOOD BARBECUE RESTAURANT goodwoodbbq.com

BEST BISCUITS

BISCUIT & HOGS

Go hungry and not dieting, please. Chicken and waffles, eggs every way to Sunday. Biscuits and fat stacks and French Toast, and did we say biscuits? Dear lordy Lord, thank you for making bacon. biscuitandhogs.com

Finalists: Capri capriboise.com Tupelo Honey tupelohoneycafe.com

BEST BREAKFAST

THE GRIDDLE

People stand and wait in line to sit and eat breakfast here. Why? Because Pecan Crepes with Bacon Caramel, a two cream cheese-filled crepes entree topped with chopped Pecans and homemade bacon caramel sauce lives there. thegriddle.com

Finalists: Goldy’s goldysbreakfastbistro.com, Joe Momma’s Breakfast Eatery joemommaseatery.com

BEST BRUNCH

BACON Boise 

Candied bacon and loads of bacon variants are a huge part of the fun, but go sit in a tree-filled New Orleans-style courtyard and observe the beautiful people go by as you eat some righteous cinnamon buns piled high with…bacon. baconboise.com

Finalists: Fork boisefork.com, Huck House Brunchette brunchette.com

BEST BUFFET

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY

Big buffets, snappy salad bars, popping pizzas, and loads of socially distanced space for big families to free roam their kids equals “show me the buffet” delirium where you go, grab, sit, eat and repeat the process. And it’s all affordably delicious. idahopizzacompany.com

Finalists: City Buffet citybuffetboise.com, Madhuban Indian Cuisine madhubanindiancuisine.com

BEST BURGER

BOISE FRY COMPANY

Bison burger? Beef burger? And how many kinds of French fries to accompany? You have entered the carnivore zone where casual dining meets perfectly wrought meat sandwiches that make you glad you live in Boise. boisefrycompany.com

Finalists: Big Jud’s bigjuds.com, Sid’s Garage sidsgarage.com

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH

Tie: BARDENAY RESTAURANT & DISTILLERY, COTTONWOOD GRILLE 

Bardenay rocks for casual flair, and Cottonwood Grille is where more conservative deals likely go down. Pick your spot, and know wherever you go the food will be great with ample space to wheel that deal. bardenay.com, cottonwoodgrille.com

Finalist: Fork boisefork.com

BEST CALDWELL RESTAURANT

AMANO

High-functioning Mexican gourmet farm-to-table fabulousness plus craft cocktails made with no sugary fake mixers! Can we suggest their addictive Baja Fish Tacos served with special Habanero pickled dressing to start? You won’t miss California anymore. amanorestaurante.com

Finalists: Indian Creek Steakhouse indiancreeksteakhouse.com, Paddles Up Poké paddlesuppoke.com

BEST CATERING COMPANY

KANAK ATTACK CATERING

Tiki Polynesian cuisine meets your belly in Kanak Attack. The attention to authentic flavors is spot on. Loads of options: You can order Michael’s Luau to Hawaiian Pit BBQ or play super safe and get the Idaho BBQ. kanak.co

Finalists: Life’s Kitchen lifeskitchen.org, Wild Plum Events wildplumevents.com

BEST CHINESE FOOD

YEN CHING RESTAURANT

The General’s Mushrooms, perfect NYC-style old-school egg rolls, dim sum galore and plenty of noodles, rice, and assorted proteins combined in the town’s go-to best Chinese spot. Great cocktails too. yenchingboise.com

Finalists: Golden Star facebook.com/goldenstarboise/, Red Pavilion Mandarin Cuisine redpavi.com

BEST CURBSIDE/CARRY-OUT/DRIVE-THRU

WESTSIDE DRIVE-IN

Baked potatoes made of ice cream? The best fried tidbits like onion rings, pickles and French fries anywhere? Burgers, dogs and even gourmet high falutin’ prime rib… and it’s great? Sign us up, in our car please. To go. westsidedrivein.com

Finalists: Big Bun Drive-In bigbundrivein.com, Chick-fil-A chick-fil-a.com

BEST DELI/SUB/SANDWICH SHOP

LEMON TREE CO.

Sandwich making as an art and a calling is where Lemon Tree stands. They appeal to a wide swath—Vegans to not so vegetarian—all rave about Curried Bahn Mi sammies to their PB&J, as specialty sandwiches and well crafted lemonades make lunchtime fun. lemontreeboise.com

Finalists: Cobby’s cobbys.com, Hugo’s Deli hugosdeli.com

BEST DESSERT

The STIL

The STIL folks create small batch ice cream flavors from real Idaho dairy, in creative and ingenious creamy vegan options from oat and coconut, plus their amazing and famous booze infused creations for the grownups. ilovethestil.com

Finalists: Crumbl Cookies crumblcookies.com, Janjou Pâtisserie janjou.com

BEST DINING EXPERIENCE

BARBACOA GRILL

Enter the dark expansive building, be seated at a comfy table. You look out and see water and then feel eyes following you. A righteous grill menu with appetizers galore is handed to you. The night is young. You still have to check out their famous bathrooms. barbacoa-boise.com

Finalists: Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafood chandlersboise.com, KIN kinboise.com

BEST DINNER UNDER $10

TIN ROOF TACOS

Two Texas sisters created this homesick hometown spot to get a proper taco fix. Fresh ingredients and the right size to sample an assortment, before you know if you will be fixin’ to try them all. Y’all don’t forget the queso and chips. tinrooftacos.com

Finalists: Cupbop cupbop.com, Tango’s Empanadas tangos-empanadas.com

BEST DOUGHNUT SHOP

GURU DONUTS

Plain Jane donuts are the best and we are tired of them being all gone when we get there. Just get a classic Guru chocolate or a myriad of inventive cleverly named fried dough delights, chase it down with one of their righteous lattes. Rinse. Repeat. OM. gurudonuts.com

Finalists: Country Donut & Egyptian Cuisine and Market restaurantji.com/id/boise/country-donut-/, D.K. Donuts m.facebook.com/pages/DK-Donuts/115725705123441

BEST EAGLE RESTAURANT

BARDENAY RESTAURANT & DISTILLERY

The distillery and restaurant are doppelgangers of the Boise downtown location, but with a really different warm and inviting vibe and the familiar menu and cocktail creations that keep this place humming all the time. bardenay.com

Finalists: Coyne’s Restaurant & Bar coynesrestaurant.com, Crave Kitchen & Bar cravekitchenbar.com

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA GRILL

A huge menu, friendly comfortable vibe and space for the children to be themselves, you have arrived at the perfect pizza and family spot for so many food options. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something. smokymountainpizza.com

Finalists: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers redrobin.com Yogurtz Grill yogurtz.webflow.io

BEST FARM 2 FORK RESTAURANT

FORK

Fork puts it right on the wall where you enter the cool building, all the ingredients sourced from local vendors and artisan dairies, cheesemakers and bakers. Their menu reflects the bounty of Idaho’s sustainable farms that take pride in their produce and products. boisefork.com

Finalists: Bittercreek Alehouse bittercreekalehouse.com, The Lively thelivelyboise.com

BEST FINE DINING

CHANDLERS PRIME STEAKS & FINE SEAFOOD

Rex Chandler said: ‘When we opened in Boise in 2007, I surmised that it would be better to be a prime steakhouse that serves good fish than a seafood restaurant that serves a good steak. … I’ve seen it change and evolve. Often, I spend as much money on seafood as I do on meat…”chandlersboise.com

Finalists: Barbacoa barbacoa-boise.com, Petite 4 eatatpetite4.com

BEST FOOD TRUCK

MAD MAC

Start with the mother five-cheese sauce then add some proteins and toppings galore for clever combos and serve this Mad Mac dish in a handy to-go cup, and you have one of the tastiest lunch or dinner-to-go meals in the city. madmacboise.com

FInalists: Coned Pizza conedpizza.com, Kilted Kod thekiltedkod.com

BEST FRIES

BOISE FRY COMPANY

The humble French fry has so many possibilities, and BFC has explored them all with different frying oils (duck fat is a revelation) to cuts of potato and types of potato yielding everyone’s go-to comfort crisp dippable favorite. #addictive boisefrycompany.com

Finalists: Brixx Craft House brixxcrafthouse.com, Highlands Hollow Brewhouse highlandshollow.com

BEST FROZEN TREAT

FANCI FREEZ – BURGERS AND SHAKES

The cool outside patio with the drive-thru lane always popping means one thing: They know how to serve up the soft serve and cool drinks along with diner staples like burgers and fries. The kids love this place, it’s easy to find, and the reputation since 1947 is well earned. fancifreez.com

Finalists: Stella’s Ice Cream stellasicecream.com, The STIL ilovethestil.com

BEST GLUTEN-FREE

LEMON TREE CO.

You’ve searched high and low for a gluten-free zone where the food tastes great, the options plentiful and even those in your circle who can do the gluten say, “wow-this tastes amazing.” Lemon Tree is that happy magical place to satisfy us all. lemontreeboise.com

Finalists: Álavita alavitaboise.com, Paddles Up Poké paddlesuppoke.com

BEST INDIAN FOOD

MADHUBAN INDIAN CUISINE

A killer buffet and all the classics, from paneer to pakoras with entrees served with Indian basmati rice. Order your curry dish “Mild, Medium, Boise Hot, New York Hot, and Bombay Hot.” You may also ask from number 1 to 5 spicy, too. madhubanindiancuisine.com

Finalists: Bombay Grill bombayboise.com, Taj Mahal Homestyle Indian and Pakistani Cuisine tajmahalofboise.com

BEST ITALIAN FOOD

LUCIANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Old school Tuscan-inspired family style Italian restaurant Luciano’s is another “get there early” spot where locally sourced classics and portions exceed expectations. lucianosboise.com

Finalists: Álavita alavitaboise.com, Gino’s Italian Ristorante-Bar ginosmeridian.com

BEST JAPANESE FOOD

KYOTO JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Kyoto is a favorite Teppanyaki and sushi restaurant here in town. Chef Remy and the other chefs demonstrate their knife and fire skills while cooking from-scratch meals for you table-side Wednesday through Sunday. kyotoboise.com

Finalists: Fujiyama fujiyamaboise.com, Sakana Japanese Sushi & Steak sakanaid.com

BEST KOREAN

CUPBOP IDAHO

Cupbop owners Jung Song and Dok Kwon had a vision, along with tasty sweet potato noodles and a 1-10 spice ranking for a bowl of guaranteed delish. Mark Cuban invested and this Utah-based company is expanding like crazy. cupbop.com

Finalists: Gangnam Restaurant gangnamrestaurantid.com, Magnificent Garden themagnificentgarden.com

BEST KUNA RESTAURANT

ENRIQUE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Happy hour menu from 3-5 Tuesday to Friday, Thursday through Saturday drink specials and fresh ingredients for the past 24 years makes Enrique’s a solid choice, but plan ahead as it’s always busy. enriqueskuna.com

Finalists: Latte Da lattedakuna.com, Rice Works riceworksboise.com

BEST LATE NIGHT DINING

PIE HOLE

The hungries can come late in the evening and luckily there’s a special slice of pizza just for that, Pie Hole is a seven-day a week Boise institution, with one nearby the BSU campus too. They know what they’re doing. pieholeusa.com

Finalists: Bittercreek Alehouse bittercreekalehouse.com, Reef /places.singleplatform.com/reef/menu

BEST LOCAL COFFEE SHOP

FLYING M COFFEE

Coffee crafted with love, wit and wisdom and a side of local art? Yes, and there’s even a cool gift shop and great greeting card selection so you can buy locally made jewelry, plus books, socks and more while munching on a house-made pastry. flyingmcoffee.com

Finalists: Alchemist Coffee alchemistcoffee.com, Push & Pour pushandpour.com

BEST MEAL FOR THE MONEY

TIN ROOF TACOS

Order up some street tacos and queso, perhaps a beer on tap and catch up on the game, or simply enjoy the outdoor patio shaded by trees and thank the Texas taco sisters for thinking of Boise to set up shop. tinrooftacos.com

Finalists: Casablanca Cuban Grill casablancacubangrill.com, Das Alpenhaus Delikatessen alpenhausdelillc.com

BEST MEDITERRANEAN

MAZZAH MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

Mazzah’s Gyro is perfection, their dolmades made with love and their plates and salads are something to OPA! about. Since the Greek festival cannot go on indefinitely, we always have Mazzah when the Hellenic food craving hits.

Finalists: Sofia’s Greek Bistro sofiasgreekbistro.com, The Goodness Land Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Food Restaurant thegoodnessland.com

BEST MERIDIAN RESTAURANT

EPI’S A BASQUE RESTAURANT

Rich family history defines Epi’s, named for Maria Epifania (Epi) Lamiquis-Inchausti but this review sums it up: “The food was outstanding. Succulent entrees, fresh crusty bread, family-style side dishes and green apple bread pudding… We felt truly lucky to find Epi’s…” episabasquerestaurant.com

Finalists: Biscuit & Hogs biscuitandhogs.com, Kahootz Steak & Alehouse kahootzsteak.com

BEST MEXICAN FOOD

ANDRADE’S RESTAURANTE MEXICANO

Go for the classics, but never skip their cheese fondues, a version of Queso Fundido, an addictive cheese filling with grilled vegetables or chorizo, served with fresh handmade flour tortillas that will change you forever. Plan ahead, the spot is always packed. andradesrestaurant.com

Finalists: El Gallo Giro gallogiroboise.com, Jalapeno’s Bar & Grill jalapenosidaho.com

BEST MIMOSA

GOLDY’S BREAKFAST BISTRO

It’s a MAN-mosa baby for Goldy’s, a generous pour of a variety of mimosa variations, but do try their house Goldy’s Sunrise Mimosa, a blend of fresh orange juice, mango, guava and a touch of cranberry. goldysbreakfastbistro.com

Finalists: Blue Bench Brunchette brunchette.com/menu, Huck House Brunchette brunchette.com/menu

BEST NAMPA RESTAURANT

BRICK 29 BISTRO

Brick 29 Bistro comfort classic and culinary experience is a locally-grown masterclass of the freshest ingredients with fun chef takes, including a no miss Deconstructed German Cake. Steaks, seafood appetizers and a menu sure to please all. brick29.com

Finalists: Holy Cow Idaho! holycowidaho.com, Paddles Up Pokè paddlesuppoke.com

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

WEPA CAFE

Owner Art Robinson tells us: “Our signature dishes are Pernil, a slow roasted pork shoulder that marinates in garlic and oregano and Arroz con Pollo, a chicken and rice casserole dish that is the definition of comfort food. Another is Mofongo, which is mashed green plantain that we mix with Chicharrons and garlic butter. Delicious!” wepaprcuisine.com

Finalists: Coyne’s Restaurant & Bar coynesrestaurant.com, The Lively thelivelyboise.com

BEST OUTDOOR DINING

THE SANDBAR PATIO BAR & GRILL

Shareable dishes like tapas platter, Surf Shack Tacos or Veggie Rolls are perfect to enjoy at their outdoor patio bar and grill located along the stunning Boise Greenbelt and the Boise River. riversideboise.com/feast/sandbar-patio-grill/

Finalists: Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery bardenay.com, Cottonwood Grille cottonwoodgrille.com

BEST PIZZA

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY

The right thickness of crust, the myriad of toppings and the fun way they get you in to sample all of their pizzas is why Idaho Pizza Company always has a packed lot during lunchtime and dinner. idahopizzacompany.com

Finalists: Flying Pie Pizzeria flyingpie.com, The Wylder thewylderboise.com

BEST POKé

PADDLES UP POKÉ

Their legendary bestseller is the Bogus Basin, fresh tuna, salmon, crab, Piranha sauce, avocado, seaweed salad, cucumber, ginger, onions, crispy onions, Unagi sauce, spicy aioli, green onions, tobiko, and sesame seeds. Ask for it in a bowl, sushi burrito, or make it a salad. paddlesuppoke.com

Finalists: Brixx Craft House brixxcrafthouse.com, Poké Bowl pokebowlmeridian.com

BEST RIBS

GOODWOOD BARBECUE COMPANY

Daily lunch specials, perfect onion rings and a righteous appetizer menu, coleslaw and creamed corn Texas-style, southern-style lemonade, and the best melt-in-your-mouth barbecue around, do not wear tight-waisted pants to this Boise gem. goodwoodbbq.com

Finalists: Bodacious Pig Barbecue bodaciouspig.com, Rib Shack Barbecue ribshackbbq.com

BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

CHANDLERS PRIME STEAKS & FINE SEAFOOD

Lighting, live jazz, and perfect service: Rex Chandler said: “Service is our hallmark...The cuisine has to be excellent… The difference in the restaurant businesses is the level of service and hospitality and that sincere feeling of warmth and welcoming in a professional manner.” chandlersboise.com

Finalists: Barbacoa Grill barbacoa-boise.com, Melting Pot meltingpot.com

BEST SALAD BAR

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY

A reasonably priced fresh fun spot to get your veggies on along with a nice slice of pizza. This local family restaurant has amazing deals at lunch and a fully tricked-out salad bar old-school style with lots of everything. idahopizzacompany.com

Finalists: Lock, Stock & Barrel lsbboise.com, Tucanos Brazilian Grill tucanos.com

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

FRESH OFF THE HOOK

It's a little slice of Seattle mixed with a dash of San Francisco and a pinch of Alaska, tossed together with some Key West for an amazing seafood experience ... right here in Boise, Idaho! The seafood tastes so fresh you'll swear the back door opens onto the ocean. Fish fan faves include: Alaskan Cod, Salmon or Halibut fish and chips or their famous fish tacos. Take it from owner Gary Andrew: "You will love our fresh seafood – Guaranteed!" freshoffthehookseafood.com

Finalists: Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafood chandlersboise.com, Lucky Fins Seafood Grill-Meridian luckyfinsrestaurant.com/bestmeridianseafoodrestauant

BEST STEAKHOUSE

CHANDLERS PRIME STEAKS & FINE SEAFOOD

Rex Chandler said it best: “I think our Delmonico — which is the filet, but with the bone in—gives you not only the tenderness of the filet — but all the texture, all that sinew that connects the filet with the bone is where all the flavor is. And it just is really yummy. A real specialty cut.” chandlersboise.com

Finalists: Barbacoa Grill barbacoa-boise.com, Texas Roadhouse texasroadhouse.com

BEST SUSHI

YOI TOMO SUSHI AND GRILL

Did someone say “all you can eat Sushi?” Why Yoi Tomo did and the price is right at under $32 a person for all.the.sushi. Plan ahead, as it is always busy. yoitomo.us

Finalists: Fujiyama Japanese Restaurant fujiyamaboise.com, Sakana Japanese Sushi & Steak House sakanaid.com

BEST THAI FOOD

PAD THAI HOUSE

The place is always packed for good reason. Fresh Thai classics and inventive Thai dishes are all part of the daily servings. You must order the Pad Thai or their Keto dieter’s delight, the chicken or beef Larb Salad. boisepadthaihouse.com

Finalists: Mai Thai Restaurant maithaigroup.com, Sa-Wad-Dee Thai Restaurant sawaddeethai.com

BEST VEGAN FOOD

LEMON TREE CO.

An excellent vegan and veggie selection with creative sandwiches like Massaman Curry Bahn Mi and a beet salad made with vegan feta cheese that is a bestseller. Don’t forget to order a lemonade. lemontreeboise.com

Finalists: Mai Thai maithaigroup.com, Wild Root wildrootcafe.com

BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD

KIBROM’S ETHIOPIAN & ERITREAN FOOD

Kibrom places a heavy emphasis on farm-to-table fresh vegan and vegetarian cuisine, as you explore the spices and flavors of East African cuisine and Ethiopian and Eritrean food made by a local family. kibromsfood.com

Finalists: Lemon Tree Co. lemontreeboise.com, Wild Root wildrootcafe.com

BEST WINE LIST

BODOVINO

Order a charcuterie platter and Bodovino’s tasting tour of the world and enjoy a sampling of 144 bottles of wines by the glass through their Wine Emotion machines, or choose from over 200 wines by the bottle. bodovinoevents.com

Finalists: Chandlers Prime Steaks & Fine Seafood chandlersboise.com, Swirl Wine Shop & Lounge swirl-wine-shop-lounge.business.site