How many times do you dream of getting out of the house to hit up a local Italian restaurant in Boise? Or, let’s be real. How often do you dream about Italian food in general?
Your mouth is probably watering by now, thinking about steaming pizza, garlicky pasta noodles, and an appetizer of bruschetta or delicious Italian meatballs.
If it wasn’t watering one second ago before reading that sentence, it probably is now. Lucky for you, there is so much amazing Italian food in Boise that you can check out. You can even make a challenge out of trying out all of them!
Whether you’re a local and want to try something new or are visiting the area for a few days, you won’t want to miss these Italian restaurants.
Ready to start going to each one? Check out this article for your guide to the best Boise Italian restaurants!
Cucina De Paolo
If you’re looking for a neighborhood classic, Cucina De Paolo should be added to your go-to Italian restaurant list. Not only can you go into the restaurant for a quick meal, but you can even take a lasagna or a chicken pot pie to go and bake it when you feel like it. Say hello to endless Italian meals for the rest of the week!
But wait, there’s more! There are two entire deli cases full of delicious desserts that you can eat in or take home with you!
If you’re in a rush, but really want to eat your meal at the restaurant, you can call ahead for them to start preparing it for you. You can’t say many restaurants do that for you! Again, this just shows that it really is a neighborhood classic.
You can even check to see what desserts they are serving each week online before you head in to grab one. Since they switch every few weeks, you may want to know what desserts they offer before you head over.
Reviews say that you need to try the chicken meatballs. If you’re having a party or friends over, you can’t go wrong with the 12 piece lasagna for $44.
If you’re craving Cucina De Paolo, make sure that you go on a day that it’s open! They are not open Sundays through Tuesdays. The rest of the week, they are open from 11am-7pm.
The address for Cucina De Paolo is 1504 S. Vista Ave.
Álavita
For a romantic or “night out” vibe, Álavita is the perfect place to go. The open kitchen, unique decor, and the central U-shaped bar creates a relaxed, yet fun vibe.
You may even start to think that life is just better there…and that may be because the name itself means “to life.”
The owners of their restaurant want you to feel as though you are having the best life there, celebrating all life has to offer with your friends and family over a hearty Italian meal.
The meals are made fresh, in-house daily. And as the seasons change, so does the menu. Because of this, you could go several times a year and feel like you are at a completely different restaurant!
If you go this time of year, you’ll want to try the Short Rib Gnudi, the Pan-seared Chilean Sea Bass, and the Pistachio Cannoli for dessert. If you’re into calamari, you’ll definitely want to try it out at Álavita. The Pappardelle with spicy pork sausage and broccoli or the Tagliatelle with pork bolognese are other great options if pasta is your thing!
Can’t get enough of the pasta while you’re there? You can take home a freshly made pasta and sauce kit! You’ll be able to enjoy Álavita whenever you feel like it.
Since they’re only open in the evening for dinner, taking a freshly made pasta and sauce kit out would be the perfect option for lunch during the week!
The address is 807 W. Idaho Street.
Luciano’s
Much like the other restaurants on this list, Luciano’s also makes their food from scratch every single day. Although that may not be setting this restaurant apart on this list, it definitely sets a restaurant apart from so many others that don’t make food from scratch.
Whether you want comfort food to satisfy your cravings or want a healthier option to keep up with your diet, you can get the best of both worlds at Luciano’s. Try out the seafood linguine if you’re feeling adventurous, the fettuccine Alfredo if you want comfort, or zucchini noodles and salmon if you’re going the healthier route. Whichever mood you are in, the steamer clams and the Lucci’s Italian salad are great options.
There’s also the classic Italian comfort food, mozzarella sticks and spinach and artichoke dip, which you can indulge in while you wait for the rest of your meal to come. And, of course, pizza is always an option if you choose to go to Luciano’s.
Make sure to pair one of your meals with a savory glass of Italian wine. You may even want to pair a different glass of wine with each part of your meal – the more, the merrier, right?
If you want to go to Luciano’s to enjoy some of the best Italian food in Boise, Idaho, head on over to 11 North Orchard Street.
Asiago’s
For over 20 years, Asiago’s has been one of the more popular Italian restaurants in Boise, Idaho – and for good reason! Even though they have been around for a while, Asiago’s has kept up with the times. While still serving delicious Italian meals full of creamy sauces and tender meat, Asiago’s has made sure to offer a plethora of Venetian options.
Asiago’s believes in fresh ingredients, food made from scratch, good company, and even better meals. Over the years, they’ve been serving some of the best Italian food in Boise.
If you’re vegetarian, you definitely will not go hungry at Asiago’s. Try out the Brussel sprouts with roasted beet and goat cheese, the Funghi (mushrooms in a champagne sauce), or the Bolzano. There are so many other options to choose from as well!
And of course, if you’re not a vegetarian, there are plenty of options out there! You can indulge in gnocchi, fettuccine alla salmon, lasagna, steak, or seafood risotto. There’s something for everyone.
Asiago’s is only open for dinner during the week and on the weekends.
The address for Asiago’s is 1002 W. Main Street.
The Wylder
If you’re looking for an upscale pizza restaurant experience, the Wylder can give you exactly that but more. It has pizza, but also dinner options that seem a bit out of the ordinary for a traditional Italian restaurant like fried chicken and crispy Brussel sprouts.
You can order a traditional red pizza or branch out with a white pizza of your choice. If you do, try the Honey Badger! It’s a white pizza with Italian sausage, caramelized onion, spicy honey, and ricotta cheese.
Try one of our classic cocktails with your pizza for a really fun twist on pizza night! You don’t even have to wait for nighttime to roll around – The Wylder is now open for lunch, too!
Head on over to 816 W Bannock St, Ste 310 to have a delicious, Italian lunch in Boise.
Vincenzo Trattoria
Not only does Vincenzo Trattoria have some of the best types of Italian food in the city, but it also has a story worth hearing.
Vincenzo grew up on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, a gorgeous cliffside town full of colorful buildings and delicious food. After spending years in his family’s restaurant, he came to have a love for good food and good company.
After moving to Los Angeles, Vincenzo decided to start his own restaurant in the United States. His cooking has even been named some of the best, most authentic cooking in Los Angeles.
As Vincenzo grew older, he wanted a slower pace of life, so moving to Boise was the ideal move. And once here, he opened a new restaurant. Hence, Vincenzo Trattoria was born.
The name was given to his restaurant on purpose because it loosely translates to “a casual dining experience.” It’s the perfect place to enjoy good food and spend time with family.
So what should you eat here? The options are endless! You’ll want to try the Rigatoni Alla Siciliana, the Quattro Stagioni pizza, and the dessert.
You won’t be left hungry from Vincenzo Trattoria.
The address for this laid back, casual dining experience is 6970 W. State Street.
The Front Door
The Front Door is more of a pizza place/traditional pub and bar. Prices are cheap and food is good here! They also have nightly specials that change based on the day of the week.
For instance, on Friday and Saturday nights, there’s an option to pair a slice of pizza and a beer for just $4.50. Even when there aren’t specials or a happy hour, you can purchase a large 22″ pizza for less than $20, even with toppings that you want!
If you’re feeling like a night on the town without getting too fancy, the Front Door is a great option for your dinner plans! You can start out the night with Italian nachos and wings, try out the Mac & Cheese pizza, and enjoy a salad on the side.
The Front Door is located at 105 S. Sixth Street in Boise.
Papa Joe’s
Not to be confused with Papa John’s, Papa Joe’s is one of the top-rated Italian restaurants in Boise, Idaho. The best part is that a few years ago, Papa Joe’s renovated to create Papa’s Cup of Joe to give a separate experience for a coffee bar and wine bar.
You can enjoy a classic Italian espresso or an Italian wine in the coffee nook, or you can enjoy your time eating a slice of Sicilian pizza.
Whether you come to Papa Joe’s to enjoy a cup of coffee on the patio in the morning or want to enjoy a slice of pizza later for dinner, the eclectic restaurant will give you all of the Italian vibes you need.
While you wait for your chicken parmesan or traditional spaghetti and meatballs, you can enjoy an appetizer of bruschetta or meatball poppers. You may even want to try the stuffed dates and the jalapeño Cesar salad if you’re extra hungry.
If you choose to go Papa Joe’s, you won’t have to pay more than $20 for an entree, a pizza, or anything else! It’s the perfect place to go for a cheap date night!
Head on over to 1301 S. Capital Blvd to enjoy a night out.
Guido’s Original New York
The name says it itself – if you’re craving a traditional slice of New York pizza, you may want to try Guido’s Original New York. Open for both lunch and dinner, it’s a great option to satisfy your pizza craving.
You can walk into the pizza shop and order a slice or two of your favorite New York-style pizza pies, or you can try out an entirely new type of pizza. Choose between a white pizza, cheese, or cheese and basil and then add on all of the toppings you’d like!
The best part of going to Guido’s is the prices. You’ll only be paying $2.75 for a slice! You could get 3 slices for under $10 – say hello to a delicious meal without breaking the bank!
The address for Guido’s Original New York is 12375 W Chinden Blvd Ste. G.
Flatbread Neapolitan Pizza
The owners at Flatbread Neapolitan Pizza love to stay authentic to traditional Neapolitan pizzas while also innovating and channeling their very own creativity.
With 800 degree wood-fire stoves, a unique industrial look to the restaurant, and a cozy atmosphere, you’ll be sure to love the restaurant as much as you love the food.
Not only does Flatbread Neapolitan Pizza cook up some of the best pies in town (both in Downtown Boise and Boise Crossing), but they also stay involved in the community. You’ll often see them get involved with nonprofits. It’s a pizza place you can truly feel good about!
So they stand out, clearly. But what sets this pizza apart from the rest?
For starters, the appetizers are great on their own. Try out the balsamic glazed chicken wings or the baked goat cheese. You can then move onto an entree of ricotta gnocchi or delicious lasagna.
Have a cocktail or a beer during happy hour to save 30%! Isn’t it great when places offer deals like that!?
And of course, there’s always the pizza. In fact, Flatbread Neapolitan Pizza is certified by the Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN certification). That basically means that their pizza is the real deal.
History of VPNs
So what is a VPN certification? Why is this so special?
Flatbreads were the dish of homeless people in Italy, and someone mistakenly called a flatbread a pizza. Because of this, there was some obvious backlash, not allowing flatbreads to be called pizza. It wasn’t until the 17th century that this type of pizza became the real deal.
And the craziest part about Verace Pizza Napoletana certifications? Only a few restaurants all around the United States have this certification. Here’s what it means for ingredients:
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- Finest milled flour
- San Marzano Tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella with cow’s milk or buffalo’s milk
- Natural yeast
- Fresh basil
So you’ll want to try it. And you may even want to branch out and make your pizza Keto while you’re there!
Ready to go? Head on over to 800 W. Main Street in Boise.
And once you choose what you want for dinner, you can order up one of our craft cocktails while you wait.
Spitfire Pizza
Spitfire Pizza is a hip pizza joint with both craft pizza and craft beers. They specialize in deep dish pizza – Chicago style.
Start off your visit to Spitfire Pizza with some spicy meatballs and a pesto bread. Depending on what you feel like, you could try out a BBQ salad or a meatball sandwich (or any of the other sandwiches, for that matter) as your meal. If you feel like pizza, try out one of our famous deep dish pies!
Choose from a Chicken and roast garlic Alfredo pizza, Margarita, or a veggie pie. Pair it with a crisp, cold beer to have the perfect meal!
The address is 2450 S Vista Ave. Keep in mind that they are closed on Tuesday’s until further notice.
Wiseguy Pizza Pie
Maybe you’re not looking for a traditional Boise Italian restaurant, but instead, want to be teleported to a different place. A place that you may think of when Italian comes to mind — New York.
But without actually going there. Instead, you can hit up one of our three Idaho restaurants, one of which is in Boise.
At Wiseguy, we like to do it the New York way, bringing the best hand-tossed dough right to you. Not only that, but the sauce is made daily. Each pizza is made to a crisp perfection in our stone deck ovens.
Talk about YUM!
If you’re into more than just a pizza and want to pair it with a craft beer, we wouldn’t resist. In fact, we want you to enjoy your pizza with a beer in hand! With over 10 draft beer options, you’ll be sure to have a happy belly (and maybe even a beer gut after you eat here a few times).
Whether you want to build your very own pizza with all of your favorite toppings or choose from one of our famous pies, you will leave wanting to come back tomorrow. And the best part is, you can! And you can even try a different pizza from our list.
We recommend the Sad Guy, Dirty Bird, and the BBQ Bird, but of course, every option is good. If you aren’t feeling pizza, we also have salads for a healthier option or sandwiches to satisfy a different type of carb-craving. There is also the option to try out cauliflower pizza crust for a few extra dollars.
If you choose to come to our restaurant and try out the food, you don’t have to worry about spending more than $27 on a large pie. We know that pizzas are really getting up there in price, and we want to make sure you can enjoy the pizza without worrying about your bill later on.
Oh, and we like to stay up with the times. We’re just hip like that. So follow us on Instagram.
And we’ll see you at 570 Main Street soon! Put it in your map. And press go!
The Best Italian Food in Boise, Idaho
You probably didn’t originally give much thought to the fact that Boise, Idaho may have some good Italian restaurants. But the fact is, there are too many delicious spots to have Italian food in Boise to keep count!
Whether you want to enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza, a Keto pizza, healthy Italian options, or a cheap slice, there are options for you.
By starting with this list, you’ll be hitting up some of the best Italian restaurants in Boise. You’ll be putting together your own recommendations in no time.
If you’re ready to start testing out the different Italian restaurants, you can start by ordering some delicious pizza online! C’mon – you can’t say no to a classic pepperoni pie or to the Fun Guy! Your cravings will be satisfied in no time.
And then tomorrow you can start checking off the rest of the list. (Or come back to us if you so choose!)
