Follow instagram @HelloMeridian for a delicious look at Meridian’s food scene.
by Natalie Plummer @hellomeridian
Rice
228 E PLAZA ST, EAGLE
We love Rice in Eagle for many reasons, but mainly we like being able to choose from many different Asian dish types – from Indian Influence, Thai, Chinese, and Japanese – all in one modern establishment. Not to mention a fantastic outdoor patio. Spot-on appetizers from dumplings to sushi to spicy wings. And the drink menu is huge! They are most famous for their Thai Basil Lemon Martini. It’s won many local favorite awards. Wednesday nights they have $4.99 drinks for the ladies along with specialty dishes just served those nights. We highly recommend the crispy spring rolls, the General Chicken, the India Chicken Makhani, and the Las Vegas sushi roll. They have ample vegetarian options, including gluten-free menu items. Happy Hour is 4-6 Monday – Saturday.
Bowl of Heaven
435 S EAGLE RD, EAGLE
We crave Bowl of Heaven and their famous açaí bowls. Still not sure how something this healthy can taste like such a splurge! The açaí berry is the base for all of their bowls. They mix in fresh, frozen, and exotic super-fruits and after a quick turn of the blender….heaven in a bowl. No Ice. No Dairy. No processed sugars. You choose your toppings like granola, fresh fruit, coconut, nut butters, and honey. They have smoothies, fresh juices, and soups as well. And a sidenote, they have a great meeting room in the back of their shop. Would be a cool place for Mom’s night out or study group. We love having healthy delicious options so close! Our favorite is the Peanut Butter Bowl.
Village Coffee
THE VILLAGE AT MERIDIAN
Is there any place in the Treasure Valley with a better view to sip your joe and people watch than Village Coffee? Nope. There isn’t. It helps that their drinks are consistently good, as are the locally made pastries. You’ll have a hard time finding better hot chocolate anywhere. The staff is extremely friendly and even though it’s located in one of the busiest areas in town, the indoor and outdoor seating areas are so large and comfortable, you’re still able to find your few minutes of Zen. Don’t miss their huge indoor and outdoor fireplace.
Little Kitchen Pastries
433 N MAIN ST, MERIDIAN
You can find this darling little bakery and café on Main Street right by Meridian City Hall. It’s owned and run by the cutest couple who decided they wanted to spend their days sharing their passion of baking. Little Kitchen Pastries is most known for their enormous cinnamon rolls and pecan rolls, although their croissants are a close second. Their newest item is the “Cruffin”- a croissant baked in a muffin tin. They also sell cakes, quiche and braids. Their shortbread cookies are delectable. The secret is they add potato chips! They also have a full coffee selection. An adorably quaint, locally-owned establishment, we recommend getting there early. They tend to sell out.
Big Daddy’s BBQ
1551 W CHERRY LN, MERIDIAN
Great BBQ in Idaho! It’s a real thing and you can find it at Big Daddy’s BBQ. The owner, Hoss, is a master at his craft, slow smoking all his meat, even the burgers! Speaking of burgers, they are half beef, half pork and that combo makes them as flavorful and juicy as you can imagine. All the rubs and sauces are housemade. We like getting the combo plates with brisket, pulled pork, and smoked turkey. And then a side of ribs! The garlic mashed potatoes and bacon mac and cheese are their ultimate comfort foods. We recommend dousing all of the meat in the Carolina vinegar and then taking your pick from the sweet or spicy barbecue sauces.
Le Coq d’Or
176 S ROSEBUD LN, EAGLE
We talk about Eagle’s magnificent Chateau des Fleurs often on our page. It is such a spectacularly beautiful contribution to the Treasure Valley. The Chateau’s Restaurant, Le Coq d’Or, reflects all the Chateau’s glamour. Le Coq d’Or specializes in authentic European countryside cuisine – local garden to table French – Mediterranean and modern European dishes. The restaurant’s ambience is ever elegant and romantic, with live music Fridays and Saturday. On our last trip we dined on Filet mignon with green peppercorn sauce, potato au gratin and seasonal vegetables. Exquisite. Though the coq au vin is worth the trip alone, the wine selection is one of the best in the Valley. Along with the phenomenal service, every detail of this restaurant fits the majesty of the location. This is where you should be planning your anniversary, birthday, or Holiday gatherings. And we haven’t even mentioned the Chateau’s Afternoon Tea!
Casa del Matador
THE VILLAGE AT MERIDIAN
We used to travel to Boise to dine at Case del Matador on a regular basis, so when we saw they were opening a location in Meridian we were overjoyed. The food has a made from scratch element, combined with bursts of spectacular flavor you’re not expecting. Our favorite chips and salsa in town. Even the taco salad, which so often can be a bland affair, is an over-the-top experience. And we love that it’s such lovely ambience both inside the restaurant and on the patio. It’s a great place for drinks and for sharing some of their enormous nacho plates.
Idaho Pizza
VARIOUS LOCATIONS
We go to Idaho Pizza Company EVERY WEEK. Every single week. Not kidding. We love their pizza. And even more, we love their pizza lunch buffet. We get the $7.99 lunch special that includes all-you-can-eat pizza, soda, and one of the best salad bars in Meridian. And, the kids buffet cost $.50 per year of age. So if you have a five year old, they can eat all they want for $2.50. We love the new Simplot pizza with bacon, green onions, and Idaho potatoes. When you come in, ask them to “drop a number 1” which is a pineapple and chicken pizza with white garlic sauce. Our favorite. It’s just about the most family friendly restaurant in town.
Grant’s Neighborhood Grill
1835 W CHERRY LN, MERIDIAN
We joined together in a collective shout of joy when Grant’s Neighborhood Grill opened. This farm-to-table restaurant is unlike anything we have here in Meridian. We’ve tried several things on the menu and everything is absolutely decadent. This salmon with brown rice quiche was particularly amazing. Almost all of the food is local, even the meats and dairy. Not kidding, they only have a mini freezer in the back. The chef has an eclectic and rich cooking background, and it shows in his dishes. They have a fantastic wine list, and a BOGO happy hour and beautiful outdoor seating, Weekend brunch should be a priority. Try their specialty Monte Cristo, made from French toast which is deep fried. It’s like a donut sandwich with jelly..and mustard. Top it with powdered sugar and we are pretty sure it’s humanly impossible for one person to eat the entire thing. Or go more traditional with Eggs Benedict on house-made biscuit, pit ham, poached egg with house-made hollandaise sauce. Brunch also offers Mimosas, Screwdrivers, and Bloody Mary’s.
Oak Barrel of Eagle
1065 E WINDING CREEK RD, EAGLE
Oak Barrel of Eagle is a relatively new restaurant to the area, but it already has an established following. Choose the lounge for a more casual meal (accompanied by live music on Friday and Saturday), the expansive outdoor patio, or the beautiful and stylish main restaurant. The entire menu is made in house and from scratch. Come in for drinks and a tapas platter, or a delicious dinner. We especially enjoy the High Country Idaho Trout with fingerling potatoes and asparagus and Hunter’s Style Chicken with roasted garlic mashers and sautéed mushrooms. Even with the large portions, there were no leftovers.