This October, Boise invites locals and visitors alike to lean into a very Boise thing: coming together over food! As the trees shift to gold and crisp air drifts in, the Downtown Boise Association (DBA) returns with its 15th Taste of Downtown festival from October 17–26, offering ten days of curated menus, social hours, and $14-or-less specials highlighting the city’s vibrant restaurant culture. It’s a moment to taste both the flavors and the generosity embedded in downtown Boise’s culinary heart.
🟢 Where To Eat (During Taste of Downtown & Beyond)
Here are five standout participants you should keep an eye on (menus go live October 17 at downtownboise.org/TASTE). Note: many offers are time‑ and day‑specific, so double-check before heading out.
photo: Tripadvisor
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Red Feather Lounge
Expect a refined bar + lounge feel. Their $14 special: fennel-braised pork belly, served with peach mostarda and bitter greens. -
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Even fine dining enters the festival. Their $14 special features a pork chile verde sandwich made with locally sourced whole black pig from Kuna. -
Leku Ona
A playful pick: “Bacon shots & Bacon Bloody Mary” — a nod to local ingredients and a fun twist on brunch-style indulgence. -
The Brickyard
Sweet and savory both get love: choose an ice cream pie (Peanut Butterfinger, Cookies & Cream, or GF Tin City Road) or build your own ice cream flight for $14. -
Owyhee Tavern
Their rotating $14 lunch special is a solid way to hit the festival mid-day while keeping your evening options open.
photo: owyheetavern.com
Bonus: you’ll also find Melting Pot participating with any cheese or chocolate fondue on their menu priced at $14 per person (minimum order 2).
A few tips for navigating Taste of Downtown:
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Many menus are additive to regular offerings, meaning you can try the $14 special in addition to what’s already on the menu.
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Shared menus change by day, so plan ahead and make reservations where possible.
🔵 Where To Stay
Photo: cshqa.com
Inn at 500 Capitol
For an immersive downtown experience, consider staying at Inn at 500 Capitol. This boutique, four-diamond hotel sits in the heart of Boise’s cultural district and offers cozy fireplaces, in-room fireplaces, and an in-house restaurant (Hemlock).
The Avery Hotel
If you prefer historic ambiance, The Avery Hotel is another excellent choice. A restored 120-year-old property, it operates with a French brasserie and a gastro-tavern in its footprint, bridging past and present in downtown Boise.
🟡 Where To Play
Taste of Downtown offers more than just dining, it’s a chance to move with the heartbeat of Boise:
photo: visitboise.com
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Evening strolls in the Grove/Front Street corridor become tastings in motion — hop between restaurants, bars, and cafés.
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Art & gallery crawl: many downtown galleries and shops will extend hours to catch the dining traffic, making it easy to pair meals with discovery.
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Cultural neighborhoods: wander the Basque Block or 8th Street, where restaurants, bars, and local producers often overlap and benefit from the festival’s momentum.
