Patio Season Isn't Over: Outdoor Dining Around the Treasure Valley to Enjoy Before it Gets Cold
There is a small window in the Treasure Valley when outdoor dining might actually be better than it is in the middle of summer.
The afternoons are still warm, but the intense summer heat is beginning to ease. Cloudier days, cooler evenings and a little breeze make sitting outside with dinner or a drink much more appealing than it was when temperatures were pushing triple digits.
Of course, Idaho weather can change quickly. Before cold evenings and winter weather eventually send us back inside, here are a few Treasure Valley patios and outdoor dining spots worth enjoying while we still can.
Outdoor Dining Around the Treasure Valley
The Boardwalk | Garden City
If everyone in your group wants something different, The Boardwalk might be one of the easiest options.
Located directly along the Boise River Greenbelt, The Boardwalk Plaza combines several restaurants and drink options with ample outdoor seating overlooking the river. Current options include Spitfire Tacos + Tequila, Ground Rules, Descanso on the Greenbelt and other food and drink concepts throughout the plaza. Descanso itself is drinks focused, but guests can order food from Boardwalk restaurants directly to their seats. Boardwalk
This is less of a traditional restaurant patio and more of an outdoor dining destination, which is part of what makes it fun.
Best for: Groups, casual date nights, families and anyone who wants choices.
Make more of it: The Greenbelt runs right alongside the property, so this is an easy place to pair dinner with a walk.
Green Acres Food Truck Park | Boise
Green Acres Food Truck Park is another good choice when nobody can agree on what to eat.
Located along the Boise Greenbelt, Green Acres is an outdoor food truck park with a rotating lineup of local trucks, drinks and live music. There is also a bar serving beer, wine and cocktails, along with permanent food and drink vendors. Green Acres Food Truck Park
There is one important reason to visit this one soon: Green Acres is seasonal and is currently scheduled to close for the year on October 18. Green Acres Food Truck Park
Best for: Families, groups, casual lunches and people coming off the Greenbelt.
Go soon: This is exactly the kind of outdoor spot that disappears once the season changes.
The Sandbar Patio Bar and Grill | Garden City
For a patio where the setting is a big part of the experience, The Sandbar - Patio Bar & Grill sits along the Boise River and Greenbelt at The Riverside Hotel.
It is a seasonal outdoor restaurant with food, drinks and live entertainment, and its riverfront location makes it especially suited to these last comfortable outdoor evenings.
This is the place on the list for the person who doesn't just want outdoor seating. You want to actually feel like you went somewhere to sit outside.
Best for: Drinks by the river, date night, friends and live music.
Bardenay | Eagle
Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery | Eagle gives you a more traditional sit down restaurant experience while still taking advantage of the weather.
The Eagle location sits between the Boise River Greenbelt and one of the Eagle River development's ponds, with a patio overlooking the surrounding scenery. Bardenay serves lunch and dinner throughout the week, along with weekend brunch. Bardenay
This would be one of our picks when you want an actual dinner out rather than a food truck or counter service experience.
Best for: Date night, lunch, brunch or dinner with friends.
Eight Thirty Common | Meridian
For a Meridian option that doesn't require heading to The Village, Eight Thirty Common is right in downtown Meridian near Generations Plaza.
The gastropub has a large outdoor patio along with a full menu and cocktail program, making it an easy option for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch.
The location is also part of the appeal. You can eat outside and then walk around downtown Meridian rather than making dinner the entire outing.
Best for: Casual date night, friends, brunch or a downtown Meridian evening.
Sid's Garage | The Village at Meridian
For a Meridian option that doesn't require heading to The Village, Eight Thirty Common is right in downtown Meridian near Generations Plaza.
The gastropub has a large outdoor patio along with a full menu and cocktail program, making it an easy option for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch.
The location is also part of the appeal. You can eat outside and then walk around downtown Meridian rather than making dinner the entire outing.
Best for: Casual date night, friends, brunch or a downtown Meridian evening.
The Tower Grill | Nampa
This might be one of the more unusual outdoor dining spots on the list.
The Tower Grill sits at the Nampa Municipal Airport with a patio overlooking the runway. You can have breakfast or lunch outside while watching planes take off and land nearby. The restaurant specifically highlights the patio as a fun option for families with kids who enjoy watching the airplanes. www.thetowergrill.com
The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, rather than dinner, so think of this one as a weekend morning or afternoon outing.
Best for: Families, aviation fans and a breakfast or lunch that's a little different.
Rembrants | Eagle
Rembrandts is another Eagle option, but with a completely different atmosphere.
Located in a converted historic church in downtown Eagle, Rembrandts operates as a bistro, coffee shop and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Its menu and hours make it an easy choice for everything from morning coffee and brunch to lunch or dinner.
This is a nice option if you want your patio outing to feel a little slower. Grab breakfast or coffee, sit outside, then spend some time wandering downtown Eagle.
Best for: Brunch, coffee dates, lunch and a slower weekend morning.
Pick a Patio Based on the Mood
If you don't want to overthink it, start here.
If you're looking for... | Try... |
Lots of food choices | The Boardwalk |
Food trucks and a casual atmosphere | Green Acres |
Drinks along the river | The Sandbar |
Sit down date night | Bardenay |
Downtown Meridian | Eight Thirty Common |
Dinner plus something to do afterward | Sid's Garage |
Something fun with kids | The Tower Grill |
Brunch or coffee outside | Rembrandts |
Enjoy the Outdoor Season While It Lasts
Patio season in Idaho doesn't end on a specific date.
Some years we get beautiful afternoons well into October. Other years, one windy cold front arrives and suddenly everyone is wondering why they thought eating outside was a good idea.
That is what makes this little stretch of early fall worth taking advantage of.. bring the light jacket.. order something good, and sit outside while you still can!
There will be plenty of time to eat indoors once winter gets here!
House of Palmer | Idaho Real Estate
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