I grew up in Coeur d’Alene and know this city very well. Despite its small size, Coeur d’Alene has a lot of great places to eat that would impress even the most serious foodie. I have eaten my way through this city time and time again and it seems to get tastier every year.

Here is a list of my top 10 favorite restaurants in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho that you should definitely try when you visit. I’ve organized them by Lunch, Casual Dinner, and Fine-Dining, ranking each category from favorite to least favorite. Enjoy!

***UPDATED- AUGUST 13, 2021

Lunch

#1 Café Carambola

I’d have to say that Café Carambola is my favorite restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, period. I always eat here at least once when I’m in town. It is owned by some family friends, Carlos and Columba, the sweetest couple, originally from Mexico. They have a deep passion for Latin food. Columba is the head chef and Carlos is the face of the restaurant. They make the tastiest Latin food that is healthy too. I’ve never tasted anything like it anywhere else. Tortas, quesadillas, soups, and on Fridays, tamales. I love their salads, especially the bowtie pasta salad and the tomato avocado salad. They are so fresh and delicious. Their hibiscus tea is a must try too. They are only open from 11-3 PM Monday-Friday. I’d recommend getting there as close to 11 AM as possible as they run out of some of the best menu items very early in the day. Café Carambola a must-try when in Coeur d’Alene!

610 Hubbard Ave. #110

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#2 Hudson’s Hamburgers

I remember when I first took Nate to Hudson’s Hamburgers when we were dating. He ordered a hamburger, and then he ordered some fries. The lady said, “Sorry, but we don’t have fries.” Nate couldn’t believe that a hamburger place didn’t have fries and honestly, I had forgotten myself. It was a humorous moment because in our minds hamburgers and fries just go together. We felt like it was odd to have one without the other.

Hudson’s Hamburgers has been open since 1907 and is very popular often with a line out the door in the prime summer months. Their hamburgers are simple, made the old fashioned way just like they’ve always made them. No lettuce or tomato, just cheese, pickles, and onion. But man, are they good. They have great flavor and are perfectly executed. Don’t forget to add their spicy sauce! This hamburger with a cold soda equals the perfect lunch. And if you are craving something sweet, they also sell pie by the slice. Not homemade, but good nonetheless. Hudson’s closes early every day, around 5:45 PM.

207 Sherman Ave.

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#3 Midtown Bluebird

Midtown Bluebird is always a great choice. The people that own Midtown Bluebird also own other great restaurants in the area- Syringa and Monarch. They are making a hit in the Coeur d’Alene restaurant scene. While Midtown Bluebird is open for dinner, I prefer their lunch menu, which is completely different from their dinner menu. We’ve loved everything that we have ordered at Bluebird for lunch. The house-made pickled fruit and vegetables appetizer was really fun and delicious. All of their sandwiches are great, especially the patty melt. They even feature some Asian dishes on the menu like the bibimbap pictured below, but overall, Bluebird is a modern American restaurant with some creative flair. They have a great wine and beer list too with a decent happy hour, and their service is always exceptional.

816 N. 4th St.

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#4 Caruso’s Sandwiches and Artisan Pizza

If you need a quick local lunch place that is healthy and delicious, Caruso’s is a great choice. They make mouthwatering sandwiches, and they are huge! I love the Godfather sandwich with turkey, beef, bacon and provolone on a chewy sourdough roll. I’d say it’s the best sandwich in town! I always find myself craving it! I love their salads too when I need something extra nutritious but filling. They also make pizzas with their homemade dough, and all of their soups are made from scratch. I often get Caruso’s to-go and take it downtown for a picnic lunch by the lake. It’s a family business, and you can see the love in their food and in their employees. Don’t miss their fun sodas too made with agave and real vanilla!

202 W. Ironwood Dr. A

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Casual Dinner

#1 Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen

There’s a new restaurant in Coeur d’Alene that you need to try. It’s called Izzy’s Comfort Kitchen and I’d say it is my favorite restaurant in Coeur d’Alene for a casual dinner. I’ve eaten at Izzy’s more times than I can count, and I’m always very impressed. They make American comfort food that leaves you feeling all warm and cozy inside. Their macaroni and cheese with the pickled red onions and bacon is to die for. Their fried chicken made me actually like fried chicken, (I’ve never been a huge fan!), and their chicken strips were some of the best I’ve ever eaten. And don’t even get me started on their chicken sandwich. That is a must! We ate it three times one week. It’s that good. I love their daily drink specials like bottomless mimosas on Sunday, (kids eat free on Sunday too!) and 1/2 off all wine bottles on Wednesday. Every day they have a happy hour from 2-5 PM with 1/2 off appetizers and $3 off glasses of wine! Grab a group of girlfriends and head to Izzy’s!

726 N. 4th St.

#2 Crafted

There is a reason why Crafted has over 1,500 positive reviews on Google. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Coeur d’Alene not only because of the creative and fun food but also because of the atmosphere. Crafted is the perfect place to go and chill with friends. I love their chicken and waffles dish with the huckleberry sauce and black pepper syrup. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Don’t miss their signature sweet potato fries with the blue cheese fondue or their house-made pretzel with the 5-cheese and beer dipping sauce. So good. They also have sixty-two rotating taps from breweries everywhere including some local favorites.

523 Sherman Ave.

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#3 Moon Time

If you want a restaurant with a laid back feel and delicious food for a reasonable price, Moon Time is the perfect choice. My parents and I will often visit when I am home because it is a place that we can all agree on. I love a good homemade veggie bean burger and Moon Time makes a great one. They also have a favorite Thai dish called, “Swimming Angel” that is so tasty. It’s the only thing that Nate and my dad order when they go. Moon Time is located in downtown Coeur d’Alene, but they also have two other locations with the exact same menu that we love as well- Porch Public House located in Hayden, and The Elk located in Spokane. No matter which location you visit, you are sure to have a great experience. Their beer selection is great too!

Moon Time- 1602 E. Sherman Ave. #116, Coeur d’Alene

Porch Public House- 1658 E. Miles Ave, Hayden

The Elk- 1931 W. Pacific Ave, Spokane

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#4 Capone’s Pub & Grill

I love scouting out restaurants that I’ve seen featured on Food Network or any other famous cooking and travel show. Capone’s was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri in 2010 on their “Wings and Things” episode. Capones is the perfect place to watch the big game and hang with your friends while enjoying yourself over some good eats and their wide beer selection, forty-one to be exact. Capone’s is loud and energetic, bustling with energy at all times of day. They are most popular for their boneless chicken wings, their Tommy’s pastrami sandwich, and their Idaho Nachos served on waffle fries. You also can’t go wrong with their Memphis Pizza made with pulled pork and roasted red peppers. Definitely not the healthiest restaurant in Coeur d’Alene but quite possibly the most satisfying.

751 N. 4th St.

Fine-Dining

#1 Beverly’s

Beverly’s is my top choice for fine-dining in Coeur d’Alene. It is the nicest restaurant in the area and perfect for celebrating special occasions. The thing that makes it stand out is the location. It is located on the 7th floor of The Coeur d’Alene Resort right on Coeur d’Alene Lake. The gorgeous lake and mountain views enhance the dining experience, ranking it a step above other restaurants. The food is expensive for the area, seafood focused, with a delicious lobster macaroni and cheese and seafood paella, but I’d argue that it’s worth every penny. They also have non-seafood menu items including fillet minion, bison burger, and my all time favorite, the truffle honey fried chicken, pictured below. Make sure to start your meal with an orange roll, such a yummy twist to the regular dinner roll. I recommend the baked brie appetizer with pickled apples and jalapeño honey. They also have one of the most extensive wine collections in the Northwest. Don’t miss their Sunset Dinner from 5-6 PM, with a starter and an entreé for only $20! It’s the best deal in town.

115 S. 2nd St.

#2 Cedars

My favorite thing about Cedars and why I’d recommend it to anyone visiting the Coeur d’Alene area is the location. Cedars is the only floating restaurant in the area, floating on the beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, right off of the Spokane River. It is Idaho’s first floating restaurant and is buoyed by 600,000 lbs. of concrete encased styrofoam! When you dine you can enjoy the gorgeous views of the mountains and water that surrounds you. It is breathtaking! Cedars is known for their seafood and steaks. The Biergarten Filet Mignon is their signature dish, serving it since 1965. Their 18-foot salad bar is fresh, the perfect compliment to your entree. With great service, delicious food, and a prime location, you can’t go wrong eating at Cedars.

1514 S. Marina Dr.

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Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy eating through this list when you visit the beautiful town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho! I’d love to know your favorite restaurant in Coeur d’Alene in the comments below.