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Restaurants, Bars, Markets & More

We’re blessed here in North Idaho. Even though we’re a fraction of the size of big cities like Seattle, LA, or New York, I’d put many of our restaurants toe-to-toe with ones there any day. Here is a list of my favorites restaurants, pubs, wine bars, coffee shops, bakeries, and specialty markets. Check back regularly as I will update the list as I discover new ones. Feel free to suggest additions or report any broken links/permanently closed businesses.

Breakfast Spots

If you love a good breakfast or brunch, you’ll definitely want to check these places out. Some are open for lunch and dinner as well.

  • Elmer’s – Traditional American fare and one of the few places to get a German pancake/Dutch baby. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Jimmy’s Down the Street – Diner favorites including the gut-busting Texas platter and the pecan roll made famous by Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Open for breakfast and lunch.
  • Le Peep – Breakfast and lunch with a view of the Spokane River.
  • Michael D’s Eatery – Diner favorites open for breakfast and lunch. Be sure to order the zucchini bread.
  • The Stupid Cow of Hayden – Open for breakfast and lunch. Be sure to read the back of the menu for fun “stupid cow” stories.
  • Chompers – Open for breakfast and lunch. This place is always hopping and has limited seating so be prepared for a wait. It does have a nice park next door where you can pass the time until your table is ready.
  • Old European Restaurant – American and Central European breakfast fare, including aebelskivers and Austrian coffee.

Lunch & Dinner Spots

These places are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week unless otherwise noted.

  • 315 Cuisine – A quaint place inside the Greenbriar Inn with an inventive and diverse menu of tapas and main dishes. They also have an equally creative cocktail menu and the setting is decorated with an eclectic mix of art and furnishings. They also cater. Open for dinner, Wednesday to Sunday.
  • Angelo’s Ristorante – Organic Italian restaurant, steakhouse, and seafood with farm-to-table traditional Italian dishes. They also cater. Open for dinner, Monday to Saturday.
  • Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery – Northwest cuisine and a great cocktail menu. When the weather’s nice, dine on the patio overlooking Riverstone Park and Pond. Open for lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch.
  • Bluebird Midtown Eatery – Pub classics and more served in a warm and friendly environment. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Café Carambola – Latin American flavors, including vegetarian options. They also cater. Open for lunch, Monday to Friday.
  • Candle in the Woods – More than just a meal, Candle in the Woods is a dining experience featuring 12-24 course prix-fixe menu, each paired with an outstanding wine. Dining is family style with only one seating per evening at 6pm. Open Wednesday to Saturday. Reservations required. This is a once-in-a-lifetime type dining event. Located in Athol.
  • Cascadia Pizza Co – Wood fired artisan pizzas, salads, and wings with locations in Coeur d’Alene and Rathdrum.
  • Cochinito Taqueria – Fast-casual taqueria serving Mexican tacos and the like. They also cater. Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday to Sunday. Located in Hayden.
  • Embers by the Lake/Embers by the Green – Wood fired artisan pizzas with locations overlooking Hauser Lake and the Highlands Golf Course.
  • Hudson’s Hamburgers – A Coeur d’Alene institution owned by the same family since 1907. They serve simply and simply tasty hamburgers and cheeseburgers (pickles and grilled onions are the only optional topping) and delicious pies (no fries) and they only take cash. Open from 9:30 to 5:15, Monday to Saturday and 11 to 3 on Sundays during the summer.
  • Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen – Southern-inspired comfort with a creative twist. Rated #35 on Yelp’s “Top 100 US Restaurants for 2024.” Open Wednesday to Friday for lunch and dinner and weekends for brunch and lunch.
  • Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese – Fast casual “extreme” grilled cheese, soup, and homemade potato chips. My favorite is the “Oinker”, a BBQed pulled pork and mac & cheese creation. Open Monday to Saturday.
  • Moon Time – Pub favorites and more. Open late. Live music on Thursdays.
  • Nadine’s Mexican Kitchen – Creative Mexican dishes with generous portions. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Located in Rathdrum.
  • Olympia Restaurant – Greek food. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
  • The Porch Public House – Pub fare in a quaint little place in the quaint little town of Hayden Lake with a view of the Hayden Lake Country Club golf course.
  • Radicci Italian Bistro – Upscale Italian cuisine and a great wine list. Dine al fresco in the summer or snag a table by the fireplace in the winter. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Located in Hayden.
  • Rancho Viejo – Traditional Mexican restaurant with all your favorites plus margaritas and more. Located in Hayden.
  • Relic Smokehouse & Pub – Brisket, ribs, and all your other BBQ favorites plus live music.
  • Satay Bistro – From the outside, it’s not much to look at, but this not so hidden gem is quite possibly the best restaurant in town with a classy, upscale vibe, fantastic wine list, and American fusion menu that looks almost too good to eat but tastes better. Satay is definitely one of our local restaurants that I’d put up against any New York or LA place any day. The also cater. Open for lunch, Monday to Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday.
  • Seasons of Coeur d’Alene Fresh Grill and Bar – casually upscale grill and bar with great drinks, a seasonally changing menu, friendly staff, and live music. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Sedlmayer’s Resort & Restaurant – historic restaurant on Spirit Lake serving a variety of American cuisine. Live music in the summer. Open weekends for lunch and Thursday to Sunday for dinner.
  • Shiki Sushi Bar – Sushi, teriyaki, and hibachi served in a casually upscale atmosphere.
  • Stella’s on the Hill – A great place with an unbeatable view of The Coeur d’Alene Resort golf course and Lake Coeur d’Alene from high atop Potlatch Hill. Happy Hour menu and live music or other entertainment most nights, Monday to Friday, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  • Syringa – Sushi and teriyaki. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
  • The Chicken Shanty – Quality fast casual restaurant serving chicken tenders alongside inventive dipping sauces. Try the dragonfruit sauce!
  • Tomato Street – Lively Italian restaurant that will remind you of the place you went as a kid.
  • Tony’s on the Lake – Casually upscale Italian-inspired cuisine in one of Coeur d’Alene’s historic buildings with a view of one of the quieter sections of the lake.
  • Vicino Pizza – Wood fired artisan pizzas. Located in Riverstone.
  • White House Grill – Eastern Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Must love garlic! Located in Post Falls.

Wine Bars & Breweries

Some of these have great food menus and could have been listed in the above section but they are especially known for their wines or beers.

Coffee

  • Coeur d’Alene Coffee Co – A great space to meet friends or have business meetings. Next door is the Innovation Collective co-working space that hosts a variety of networking events throughout the week and at various hours of the day. Open 6am-5pm.
  • LYFE Coffee – Another great coffee shop that encourages networking, entrepreneurship, and community. Open 7am-4pm (3pm on Sundays) plus live music from 7-9pm, Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Terre Coffee – Three locations in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. Enjoy the beautiful photos of Cinqueterre adorning the walls while you sip your cappuccino.

Bakeries, Desserts & Ice Cream

  • 32 Below Frozen Yogurt & More – Two locations in Coeur d’Alene with plenty of toppings to enhance a variety of frozen yogurt flavors. Also offers “boozy floats” and other frozen adult concoctions.
  • Bakery by the Lake
  • Bear Paw Cookies
  • Birdie’s Pies – Selling a variety of both sweet and savory pies in sizes ranging from bite-size to full-size. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Located in Hayden and Post Falls.
  • Gelato by the Lake
  • The Village Bakery – Cakes, cupcakes, and other confections including custom orders and wedding cakes. Located in Hayden.
  • Breaking Bread – Fresh bread and pastries plus sandwiches and other lunch items. Check out their reader board for a fun or inspiring new quote every week or so.

Specialty Markets

  • Fisherman’s Market – fresh seafood to take home and prepare plus a poke bar and fish & chips.
  • Migliore Olive Oil – gourmet olive oils, balsamic vinegars and other gourmet culinary treats.
  • Pilgrim’s Market – Locally owned organic market selling fresh produce, meats, seafood, bakery items, and other grocery products plus a deli and juice bar.
  • Tim’s Special Cut Meats – Butcher located in Post Falls

Farms & Ranches

Food doesn’t get fresher than this! Find these farmers and ranchers at the Kootenai Farmers Market or visit them in person and support the locavor movement.

Hymas Family Farm

Caterers

While several of the above restaurants also cater as noted, these businesses have no brick and mortar location and only cater.

Cheer’s Celebration Co – Large charcuterie boards for 20+ people that look so artistic you almost hate to eat them.

Outside Kootenai County

These restaurants are a bit of drive but well worth it, especially if you’re visiting some of the surrounding counties on a day trip.

  • The Fainting Goat – Artisan pizza place in Wallace.
  • Hydra Steakhouse – One of the best steakhouses in North Idaho.
  • Red Light Garage – A fun place to grab a burger while visiting Wallace. Decorated wall to wall with license plates, old political campaign signs on other antiques and trinkets.
  • The Snake Pit – Idaho’s oldest restaurant, opened in 1880 (ten years before statehood!). Decorated with early mining-era antiques and photos. Live music on occasion. Located a few miles north of Kingston in Enaville.