Pasta The Sauce Please? Your Map To The Best Italian Restaurants In Boise

Boise, the capital of Idaho is known for their absolutely gorgeous parks, breathtaking views of over 3,000 miles of lakes, amazing museums, and plenty of outdoor activities. It’s a city that caters to all who make their way across the state, not just with their calming atmosphere, but also the incredible restaurants. However, today is the day for pastabilities, to find some of the most wonderful Italian restaurants in Boise!

Need a present for the foodie in your life? Well lucky for you GiftYa has got you covered! They offer virtual gift cards to restaurants, online stores, and so many other outlets all across the U.S. Surprise your loved ones with a virtual gift card by going onto the GiftYa website or using the app, and follow their very easy guide to treat someone in your life! Plus you could get a virtual gift card for some of the restaurants listed below!

Treat yo’ self or someone special in your life to a GiftYa card today!

Luciano’s

Casual, classy, and a classic “hole in the wall” Italian restaurant in Boise! 

Image courtesy of the Luciano’s Instagram page.

11 N Orchard St | Boise | lucianosboise.com

A local hotspot in the heart of Boise, Luciano’s is all about making their food from scratch. With an affordable Tuscan-inspired dining experience, while serving authentic Italian classics from both Northern and Southern Italy. A warm atmosphere that focuses on your enjoyment from food to drinks.

You can start with an appetizer like Lucci’s Stuffed Mushrooms, which are mushroom caps filled with their spicy italian sausage, fresh herbs and garlic, and oven baked with alfredo & mozzarella. Then, you can browse through their many pasta dishes, varied entrees, and selection of specialty pizza options!

Luciano’s truly is a unique experience, as when you step through their doors it does live up to the “hole in the wall” name, but still offers that elevated dining experience with their decor and impressive selection of wines, oils, and vinegar displayed on shelves. A perfect place to come to with family or friends!

“I have gone to Luciano's for my birthday two years in a row (both years that I have been local to Boise). 

In terms of ambiance, the place is pretty small and it has a hole in the wall type feel which to me, makes it feel cozy and often indicates the food will be amazing (I was correct).” -Yelp Review

Alavita

A cozy brick-walled eatery, offering delicious dishes made with fresh ingredients.

807 W Idaho St | Boise | alavitaboise.com

Fresh food made with local ingredients? Alavita’s is the Italian restaurant for you. They believe in the uncomplicated when it comes to their mouth-watering foods. Alavita procures many of their ingredients from the Treasure Valley, Northwest, and afar, to create “Locally Inspired Italian.” Dishes that are bursting with flavor, paired with a truly creative array of cocktails.

Their pastas are made fresh every day using locally sourced eggs and flour. From ravioli, carbonara, tagliatella, and more, to short ribs, roasted half chicken, porterhouse steak, you won’t go hungry at Alavita’s!

The dining experience is truly unique with their interesting decor, comfortable booths, and eccentric chandeliers at every table. Alavita’s is here to bring something different to the normal everyday “let’s go out for dinner” motif.

“It was delicious and just what we were expecting. Squid ink pasta was so delicious my boyfriend almost ordered a second serving. With that in mind, the portions are decently sized for one person. The place is on smaller side so I do suggest getting a reservation.” -Yelp Review

You can purchase a GiftYa Gift Card for Alavita’s here.

Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant

Outdoor or indoor dining, this spot is all about a cozy atmosphere and good food.

1301 S Capitol Blvd | Boise | papajoesboise.com

Just down the hill from a train depot, Papa Joe’s Restaurant is a beautiful building that offers not just Italian food but has an espresso/coffee shop and wine nook! They also offer catering and have their own banquet area, so it’s safe to say Papa Joe’s has got all the ins and outs of a fine Italian restaurant. 

They might be known for their pizza, but Papa Joe’s has a wide variety of dishes ranging from chicken piccata, risotto, eggplant parmesan sandwiches, soups, salads, and more! Plus their bar offers many different styles of drinks of your choosing!

“Well the evening was just sweet. The owner was on hand to actually help and the waitress Kara was lovely. Food was plentiful and delicious. Really wonderful evening spent by the fireplace and having a quality time at dinner.” -Yelp Review

Cucina Di Paolo

Order ahead or come in to be served, something exciting is always waiting for you!

1504 S Vista Ave | Boise | cucinadipaolo.com

Established in 1993 by Paul and Mary Jean Wegner, Cucina Di Paolo has gone back to its roots: baked lasagna and chicken pot pies! Everything is made with love at Cucina Di Paolo, with flavorful food and a friendly staff too! Mary Jean loves to bake and she offers customers tasty treats that change based on her inspirations. The desserts will often be different every week or so, but you can be assured that each one will be amazing.

The restaurant is very small and cozy with only a few chairs available, so it’s a great spot for takeout. Rest assured though, they make sure to prepare their meals so everything is still fresh and delicious by the time you get home!

“Great local restaurant in Boise, ID! Super fast service when we called for takeout and very friendly staff. The food was incredible and fairly priced. We had the three sausage fettuccine and the roasted butternut squash ravioli and would recommend it to anyone!” -Yelp Review

Richard’s

With a staff that is “best in town” this restaurant is here to bring you an extraordinary dining experience.

Image courtesy of the Richard’s Instagram page.

500 S Capitol Blvd | Boise |richardsboise.com

Owner and award-winning chef, Richard Langston built his restaurant with one goal in mind: integrity. Food ingredients are sourced locally when possible and ready to bring out as many flavors as it can with each bite. Not only will you get amazing food, but they also offer a large selection of wine! Recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2018, Richard’s is a great place to have an outstanding meal paired with amazing wine. 

Perfect for a family outing or a romantic night out, Richard’s setting is great for either, with a modern atmosphere that feels inviting as soon as you step through their doors. They have weekday breakfast, brunch, and lunch options, along with their many dinner options, you will have trouble choosing between all of their delicious food. Also remember to pair a wine with your meal!

“Best brunch ever! We were shocked by how delicious this was! I ordered the SHAKSHUKA and wow! Also my bottomless mimosa was filled over and over right on time! Our server, Danielle, was also great! She was fun to talk to!” -Yelp Review

You can purchase a GiftYa Gift Card for Richard’s here.

The Stuffed Olive

A modern restaurant serving up a variety of Italian favorites in a relaxed environment.

Image courtesy of The Stuffed Olive Facebook page.

404 S Eagle Rd | Eagle (Right Outside Boise) | thestuffedolive.net

Walking into The Stuffed Olive feels a bit like an upscale bistro, with its elevated atmosphere and modern decor. However, it’s very much the opposite of that, with a laid back ambient feel that makes for a great place to meet a friend for lunch. 

The owner and chef, Liz, established The Stuffed Olive in 2005 wanting to offer traditional Italian cuisine with everything made in-house. That means every aspect of each meal is made from scratch, from salad dressing to pasta sauces. Eating at The Stuffed Olive gets you fresh flavors thanks to the professional touch of Chef Liz.

Sandwiches, salads, pasta, house specialty dishes, and other entrees, The Stuffed Olive has a mix of all different delicious foods. They also offer varied menu items including gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options, making sure to have something for everyone!

“I took my husband on Saturday to celebrate Father's Day to this restaurant and we had a great experience. He ordered a Lasagna that he said it was the most delicious Lasagna he ever had. I order a Salmon and it was excellent!

The service was great! We definitely recommend this Italian restaurant to everyone!” -Yelp Review

Louie’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant

Over 52 years of tradition with the goal of doing traditional recipes the best.

Image courtesy of the Louie’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant Instagram page.

2500 E Fairview Ave | Meridian (Right Outside Boise) | louiespizza.com

Established in 1965, Louie Mallane created the now beloved restaurant Idahoans know and adore. Rising early, whether to make the sauces, desserts, or pasta, Louie’s has been making the “real thing” for over 50 years. 

Lunch, dinner, speciality pizzas, or pans of pasta, Louie’s has got you covered with its array of menu items. They provide dishes such as Balsamic Chicken, Calabrese Pappardelle, regular ol’ lasagna, and plenty more. Crafting the perfect dishes so you can feel like you’re at home even when out on the town at Louie’s.

“This was our first time here, and it was amazing! The food tasted excellent, and was priced more than fair. The service was great too. I had the gluten free pizza, and it was so good.  The crust was very tasty, and not greasy like other places. Looking forward to coming back again soon!” -Yelp Review

Vincenzo Trattoria

Delivering authentic Italian cuisine in a nice casual environment. 

6970 W State St | Garden City (Right Outside Boise) | vincenzotrattoria.com

Born in 1947, Vincenzo grew up spending a lot of his time visiting his family restaurant in Italy owned by his grandfather, learning all about Italian cuisine. Moving to America and wanting to bring traditional flavors that you can only find in Italy to our palates, Vincenzo opened several Italian restaurants.

The restaurant is cozy and casual, perfect for hanging out with friends or spending time with the family. Vincenzo Trattoria can get pretty busy so we recommend making a reservation before you go. Their menu is vast, with options including but not limited to, Penne Alla Vodka, Romana, Lasagna Bolognese, homemade desserts and more, Vincenzo Trattoria will leave you wanting to come back for more!

“Loved this little Italian Restaurant! Our friends were in town and picked Vincenzo Trattoria based on the reviews. It did not disappoint...very authentic food and hospitality! We all had a delicious dinner and great wine. We will be back....Mr Vincenzo takes great pride in his restaurant and it shows” -Yelp Review

Let’s Recap:

• Italian food is comfort food. Cheese, bread, pasta, pizza, and more, the list can go on forever. 
• Every meal offers contentment, flavor, and a pleasurable experience if done right. 
• Italian restaurants in Boise, especially these places, offer great food made with local ingredients.

So whether you go to just one or all of these establishments, you won’t be disappointed with the variety these spots have to offer!