17 COEUR D’ALENE RESTAURANTS TO PUT ON YOUR MUST-TRY LIST
Located in North Idaho, Coeur d’Alene (CDA) is a city famous for its majestic natural beauty. The resort town boasts a sparkling lake and mountain ranges that attract people who want to PLAY in nature. But after you’re done skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, or biking, visitors are often left wondering…where are the best places to eat in CDA?
As the population of this relatively small city continues to grow, the food scene in CDA is becoming more varied. From food trucks to Sushi, barbecue to pizza, breweries, and specialty coffee—the restaurants in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, offers something for everyone.
As someone who lives 45 minutes from Couer d’Alene, in the beautiful resort town of Sandpoint, we’ve been coming up to CDA to try out all of the restaurants in Coeur d’Alene. We’ll continue to update as we try more delicious spots in the city.
Here’s our list of 17+ CDA restaurants to visit the next time you’re looking for where to eat in Couer d’Alene.
READ NEXT: After you’re done eating, find fun activities in our article about 25 amazing things to do in Coeur d’Alene and the best things to do in Coeur d’Alene with kids.
17 Of The Best Couer d’Alene Restaurants
We don’t have a lot of photos of each restaurant because we find it very hard to take photos once the food is in front of us. We want to eat right away! To see video of the restaurants, check out the reel we did in collaboration with Visit Idaho. While you’re there, give us a follow on Instagram!
Also, while Coeur d’Alene has recently had a big boom in population growth, most of the CDA restaurants are run with a small-town vibe and will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. We suggest you double-check to see if they are open and if there are different hours based on the season.
Beverly’s
Known as one of the best restaurants in Idaho, Beverley’s is a fine dining upscale eatery famous for its 5-star cuisine, exceptional customer service, and spectacular views.
Located on the 7th floor of the Coeur d’Alene Resort, the restaurant serves Northwest cuisine, plated perfectly and cooked to perfection. The menu includes meat and seafood dishes, such as filet mignon, wild Alaskan salmon, and truffle honey fried chicken. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.
Beverley’s is also home to floor-to-ceiling wine displays and a wine cellar that boasts one of the most extensive collections in the Northwest. The restaurant’s sommelier is always on hand to help you pick the perfect wine to pair with your dish. The restaurant also offers wine tours.
For those looking for a more romantic experience, Beverley’s also offers guests the option to book the Lakeview for Two dining experience. This experience allows you to enjoy an exclusive menu of four courses while taking in some of the best views of Coeur d’Alene.
Last but certainly not least, patrons can visit the Lakeview Lounge after lunch or dinner for cocktails, jazz music, and more picturesque lake views.
Best For: A Romantic meal, Special occasions
Cedar’s
Have you ever wanted to visit a floating restaurant? Buoyed by over six thousand pounds of concrete encased in styrofoam, Cedar’s is one of Idaho’s premium floating restaurants.
Founded in 1965, the restaurant floats at the meeting point between Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River. Along with breathtaking views, Cedar’s is famous for its quality and locally sourced food and exceptional customer service.
Menu items include a variety of fresh fish, seafood, prime rib, aged steaks, and much more. It is also the best place to try Northwest staples like Cedar Plank Salmon or a Biergarten Filet. Each entree includes the choice of one of the many side dishes in their premier 18-foot salad bar. The restaurant is also home to an extensive wine selection and a full-service bar.
Cedar’s is one of the restaurants in Coeur d’Alene that offers a truly unique dining experience.
Best For: Romantic Meal, Special Occasions
Cafe Carambola
Enjoy a fresh blend of flavors at Carambola, a small casual lunch-only eatery that serves various dishes inspired by Latin America. The cafe has limited seating, so you might have to wait for a table or take your food to go.
Carambola is the brain child of the husband and wife team, Carlos and Colomba, who originally hail from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The owners opened Carambola as a way to recreate and serve dishes from their native Mexico as well as other Central and South American countries.
The result is a menu full of fresh ingredients, mouth-watering dishes, and unforgettable flavors. The eatery also serves quick bites, healthy options, and vegan/vegetarian dishes.
Along with serving delicious food, the owners also host Culinary and Cultural experiences in Mexico. These week-long tours in Oaxaca and San Miguel de Allende offer visitors the chance to explore these regions with a local.
Carambola is one of the best CDA restaurants if you want to enjoy the flavors of Latin America.
Note: They get BUSY. Sometimes there is a line out the door. The line moves quickly, but if you want your choice of options, get there early because they often sell out of popular items.
Best For: Take Out, Casual Lunch
Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen
Is there anything better than a home-cooked meal? If you’re craving some home comfort cooking, then the best restaurant in Coeur d’Alene to visit is Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen.
This family-owned and operated restaurant is famous for its incredible food, southern charm, and superb customer service. The restaurant somehow manages to be hip and welcoming at the same time.
Izzy’s takes comfort food to an entirely new level. Menu staples that will leave you craving more include their Apple Whiskey Chicken, Peach Bourbon BBQ Burger, and Izzy’s Chicken Dinner. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options and several gluten-free dishes. The servings are LARGE. You won’t leave feeling hungry.
Izzy’s also hosts Happy Hour on most days of the week and brunch (which includes bottomless mimosas) on Sundays.
This is one of the CDA restaurants that will surely feed your soul and stomach. It’s a small restaurant with limited seating, so it’s best to reserve a spot beforehand or be prepared for a long wait.
Best For: Sunday Brunch, Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Date Night
Honey Eatery and Social Club
An eatery and bar, Honey Eatery and Social Club offer patrons seasonal bistro food, live music, and a full bar.
From 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, diners can visit the Eatery, an all-day diner that serves classic American fare. Open seven days a week, they have breakfast, lunch, and dinner options that can be ordered no matter the hour. Craving buttermilk waffles at 8 pm? Or a cast iron mac and cheese for breakfast? No problem. Regardless of your craving, the Eatery provides you with unique flavor combinations cooked to perfection.
When we went, we really enjoyed the roasted butternut squash soup that features pears, Aleppo pepper, and maple marshmallow. How does one say no to marshmallows and soup?
On Thursdays to Saturdays from 7-11 pm, patrons can enjoy the speakeasy vibe of the Social Club located under the restaurant. The Club offers a variety of small plates and transcending cocktails. It is also home to events that include weekly music performances, special events, monthly comedy shows, and much more.
The Honey Eatery and Social Club is one of the best CDA restaurants to visit if you are craving breakfast for dinner or looking for an evening of music and cocktails.
Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Craft Cocktails, Night out with Friends, Date Night
Meltz
Craving a grilled cheese sandwich? How about one that has been completely reinvented? Delivering edgy flavor combinations, Meltz has turned the classic grilled cheese sandwich on its head. As a result, it is one of the more unique CDA restaurants you can visit.
Meltz offers a wide variety of sandwiches, which fall under three main categories, Oozy Classics, Uncommon, and Extreme grilled cheese creations.
Some of the sandwiches have even won awards! The Ultimate Meltz won the 2014 National Grilled Cheese Invitational. This sandwich is chock full of cheeses like gorgonzola, provolone, goat, mozzarella, and white cheddar. Other distinctive sandwiches include The Oinker, PotSticker Meltz, and the Cubano.
However, if nothing tickle’s your fancy, Meltz also offers a create-your-own option. Choose from various toppings, including vegan and vegetarian options, like Beyond “beef” and vegan/dairy-free mozzarella.
They can get busy, so if you want to save time, order online to cut down your waiting time.
Best For: Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Families, Take Out
Moon Time
The concept behind Moon Time is simple: creative and delicious food paired with various microbrews at an affordable price and in a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere. Moon Time is all about traditional food and ales.
Moontime is a local favorite in Coeur d’Alene and has been in business since 1996. The menu serves American classics with just enough flair to make it their own. Noteworthy dishes include 74th St. Gumbo, Mediterranean lamb burger, marinated pork soft tacos, and prosciutto ravioli.
On Thursdays, the restaurant also has a live music night, which features artists from all over the country.
Best For: Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Beer Lovers
Hudsons
Sometimes a burger is all you need, and if you’re craving one, then there is no better place than Hudsons Hamburgers. A contender for the best burger in Idaho, Hudsons is always popping up on famous “best of” lists.
Hudson’s story goes back five generations, all the way back to 1907. That is the year that Harley M. Hudson set up a tent and started to sell his burgers. Today the Hudsons have perfected the craft of creating the ultimate hamburger, and it shows.
Simplicity at its finest, the burgers are basic but delicious. This no-frills hamburger (or cheeseburger) includes a made-to-order fresh patty, lightly toasted bun, sauce, pickles, and onion—that’s it. Also, don’t expect fries with that order. Instead, make sure to save some room for some homemade pie.
Hudsons is one of the oldest CDA restaurants, and its simple yet tasty hamburgers, down-to-earth atmosphere, and affordable prices make it one of the most popular places to eat in CDA.
Whenever we visit CDA, there is always a long line at Hudsons, so plan accordingly!
Best For: Casual Lunch, Early Dinner, Hamburger Lovers, Take Out
Roots Wood Fire
Still a hidden gem in Coeur d’Alene, Roots Wood Fire is a pizzeria serving wood-fired pizzas. The secret to their delicious pizzas is a 34-year-old sourdough starter and an in-house tomato sauce cooked “low and slow” for six hours. You can build your own pizza, but with tasty options like mushroom and onion and smoked chicken pizza, you can save yourself time and order straight off the menu. We loved their date and bacon pizza and would definitely get it again. They also offer a gluten-free crust at an additional charge.
Although the focus is pizza, the restaurant does offer tasty salads, like a Waldorf Salad that comes with apples, grapes, celery, arugula, walnuts, creamy apple vinaigrette, and gorgonzola cheese.
If you are craving an artisanal pizza made with fresh ingredients, Roots Wood Fire is one of the best restaurants in Coeur d’Alene for Italian fare of the pie variety.
Best For: Pizza lovers, Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Take Out
Capone’s Pub & Grill
Capone’s offers classic pub food with a family-friendly sports bar vibe. The impressive part, however, is the sheer variety and volume of what they offer. Starters include classics like chicken wings, baked potato skins, sliders, and Idaho nachos. For the main course, the restaurant serves an endless choice of wraps, burgers, grinders, and house pies.
On top of all this, Capone’s also offers pizzas, sandwiches, and wings of the month specials, which are anything but boring. One of their creative dishes includes the Korean Tang Pizza, a Korean BBQ base with orange citrus pulled pork, red onions, and much more.
Did we also mention that they have a dog menu? If you are traveling with a dog, this might be one of the only CDA restaurants that will allow you to eat alongside your pooch.
Along with being spoiled for choice in terms of food, Capone’s is also quite famous for its beer and cocktails. It offers over 40 revolving taps along with classic and specialty cocktails.
Best For: Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Sports Bar Vibe, Beer, Family Friendly
Satay Bistro
Offering an American fusion menu, Satay Bistro is known for its flavourful dishes, fresh ingredients, and inventive dishes.
The upscale casual restaurant provides guests with a fantastic culinary dining experience. We were pleasantly surprised by this restaurant located in a fairly nondescript strip mall portion of CDA. It’s an eclectic menu where you’ll find bacon brussels with smoked gouda next to curry tiger prawn skewers. Sidenote: I credit Satay Bistro with getting my five-year-old son to try shrimp and love it! In addition, the menu offers locally-sourced beef and seafood options, as well as soups, fusion marinades, and pasta made from scratch.
Along with a carefully curated menu, the restaurant also offers an extensive wine list with a focus on regional wine.
For us, Satay Bistro is one of our favorite places to eat in Coeur d’Alene.
Best For: Date Night, Upscale Lunch, Upscale Dinner
Paragon Brewing
If you are looking for fantastic craft beer in a welcoming, family-friendly environment, look no further than Paragon Brewing.
As you probably can tell from the name, Paragon is a brewery. But what you probably don’t know is that it is a 2,000-square-foot brewing facility that offers some of the best craft beer in North Idaho. The beer is the main event of Paragon, but they also serve fantastic pub food.
Let’s start with the beers. Beer lovers can choose from various options, including blonde, hefe, IPA, amber, stout, scotch ale, and much more. Each beer perfectly pairs with one or more of the classic pub food dishes they offer. Noteworthy menu items include scotch eggs, fish and chips, paragon chicken sandwich, and the smoked chicken pot pie. There are also beer-infused menu items like beer cheese soup, beer mac and cheese, and a beer float.
They also have a fantastic outdoor seating area for the warmer months.
Best For: Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Families, Craft Beer Lovers
READ NEXT: Check out other fantastic breweries in Idaho with our list of 14 Fantastic Breweries in Boise, Idaho.
Syringa Sushi
If you’ve got a yearning for a sushi restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Syringa Sushi is where you want to head.
An extensive menu offers everything from sushi, tempura, noodle/rice dishes, salads, donburi, soup, and more. The sushi restaurant runs young and hip, so you can expect loud music and close quarters. The food is worth it, but come summertime and weekends, the place is popping, so if you don’t manage to snag a reservation or show up early to get on the list, you can expect a good wait.
The restaurant also has a sake list, which offers different types of sake from various regions in Japan.
Best For: Lunch, Casual Dinner, Date Night
Vine and Olive CDA
Small yet delicious plates, a dynamic social scene, and an extensive wine and craft beer selection are why Vine and Olive CDA is the perfect spot to relax and unwind.
But we aren’t the only ones that think this way. Not only was Vine and Olive CDA voted the Best Wine Bar 2019 by Business Journal, but it also nabbed the title of the best place for a Girls’ Night Out.
This Eatery and Wine Bar has elegantly simple and chic decor with a focus on European-inspired dishes with local, seasonal ingredients. Everything is made in-house, including the pasta, which for many is a must-have.
Offering a more seasoned menu than your typical CDA restaurant, you can dine on fresh oysters, a Nicoise salad with pistachio-crusted tuna, or wild boar pappardelle with wild boar bacon.
And, of course, each dish can be perfectly paired with a good glass or bottle of wine. Each server is incredibly wine-knowledgeable and eager to help you choose the right glass for you.
Best For: Foodies, Upscale Causal Lunch, Upscale Casual Dinner, Date Night, Girls Night Out
Collective Kitchen
Collective Kitchen is an innovative, locally-owned upscale gastropub that offers North American comfort food at affordable prices.
For those craving a hearty breakfast, the restaurant has an extensive morning menu that includes staples like french toast, omelets, eggs benedict, and bagels.
However, the star of the show is their variety of social plates, burgers, wings, and street tacos. They also serve vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Drool-worthy menu items include their bacon jam burger, coconut prawns, steamed clams, and maple leaf duck breast.
Along with great food and drinks, Collective Kitchen offers an intimate dining setting along with friendly and attentive customer service, making it one of the best places to eat in CDA.
Best For: Casual Breakfast, Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner
Crown and Thistle
If you’re in North Idaho and getting a hankering to check out a traditional British pub, there is no better place than Crown and Thistle. Inspired by British pub decor, the place is dark and cozy, with tucked-away booths and leather couches that invite you to drink a pint and linger for a while.
The menu has British fan favorites like scotch eggs, fish and chips, Guinness short rib pie, and Bangers & Mash. On the weekends, the bar also serves a full English breakfast until noon that includes classics like fried eggs, baked beans, and housemade black pudding.
Crown and Thistle also have its own resident wurstmeister that makes all of the sausages by hand, in-house, and from his own personal recipe book.
Along with fantastic British-style pub fare and various amazing beers on tap, the restaurant also holds several events, including live music and pub quizzes.
A great restaurant in Coeur d’Alene to visit if you love the ambiance of a true British pub.
Best For: Traditional English Breakfast, Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Pub Atmosphere
Crafted Tap House + Kitchen
Crafted Tap House + Kitchen is an industrial-style gastropub that serves a menu of incredible dishes made fresh daily, along with sixty-two rotating taps of local and international beers.
Everything on the menu at Crafted is made from scratch with primarily locally sourced ingredients. The process starts bright and early at 5 am as the chefs prep the recipes for the day.
The result is a mouth-watering array of dishes, all of which have a unique name. Like the Rockafella Y’all, a green onion Belgian waffle served with buttermilk fried chicken. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.
Once you’ve ordered, flag down a member of their bar staff to order an accompanying beer. Each staff member is trained through the Cicerone Certification Program and is quite the beer expert.
In the winter they offer six igloo domes for eating outside with seating for up to eight people. Each igloo has a cozy fireplace and twinkling lights, making for a fun unique experience in Coeur d’Alene. There is a steep reservation fee for each igloo, so it’s not a cheap night out.
Best For: Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Date Night, Beer Lovers
Midtown Bluebird
Midtown Bluebird is a beloved spot for residents of Couer d’Alene. Its comfy atmosphere, lovingly crafted food, and variety of drink options make it a perennial favorite. The owners, Viljo and Autumn Basso, are no strangers to the restaurant scene in Coeur d’Alene, having been the original owner of Garnet Cafe as well as owners of the previously mentioned restaurant, Syringa Sushi.
This midtown eatery serves classics and a good portion of small plates like spinach dip, potato salad, mac-n-cheese, poutine, and fresh oysters. Other menu items include tasty choices like parmesan halibut, shoulder steak, and paella.
Midtown Bluebird also has a large selection of wine, bubbly, and beer both on draft and in a bottle.
Best For: Casual Lunch, Casual Dinner, Date Night
Wellness Bar
While not your typical Coeur d’Alene restaurant, Wellness Bar is a smoothie bowl and juice place that also offers already packed salads and a toast bar. It’s the perfect spot if you want a healthy and fresh option for breakfast or lunch. We loved their bagels and would gladly eat there every day for lunch!
Best For: Healthy Eats, Take Out, Casual Breakfast, Small Lunch
Final Thoughts: The Best Restaurants in Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene might be small, but its food scene is growing yearly. While pub fare is the standard here, many CDA restaurants have branched out to offer various cuisines and dishes that cater to every palette.
As a result, we hope this article on the best restaurants in Coeur d’Alene will help you find exactly what you are looking for while visiting this enchanting town.
READ NEXT: Check out 15 great restaurants in Sandpoint, Idaho, Coeur d’Alenes neighboring city down the way.
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