Coeur d'Alene's Top Restaurants For Great Idaho Food

Capone’s is a pub — with two other locations in Idaho — with a fun and friendly atmosphere. It’s decorated with sports memorabilia where family and friends can gather to feast on tasty pub fare. Some highlights from the extensive menu include Tommy’s pastrami sandwich piled high with pastrami, pickles, brown mustard, and provolone, and the pizza Capone, which is topped with red sauce, mozzarella, Italian sausage, and a variety of fresh veggies on the pub’s award-winning pizza crust. Also featured are specials, numerous microbrews on tap, plus many handcrafted cocktails.

The Cedars Floating Restaurant is a dining establishment located on the water where Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River meet. While the restaurant has changed hands over the years, it has been serving meals since 1965 and features Pacific Northwest cuisine, national and international wines, beer, and cocktails. Catering to meat and seafood lovers, menu highlights include the prime rib served au jus, horseradish, a baked potato, and seasonal vegetables, or the cedar plank salmon and crab accompanied with organic fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and béarnaise sauce. With indoor and outdoor seating, diners will appreciate the beautiful views of the lake while savoring their meal.

Situated on the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Tony’s on the Lake is a restaurant featuring Italian-inspired cuisine. The D’Alessandro family owns this dining establishment, and their Italian roots are reflected in the menu’s items. Serving dinner seven days a week, gastronomes can dine on mouth-watering seasonal fare, such as funghi fritti or portabella ‘fries’ with black truffle aioli; gnocchi con gorgonzola, which is a house-made potato dumpling in a gorgonzola cream sauce; and a dish of breaded eggplant with pesto ricotta, Parmigiano, and mozzarella served over spaghetti pomodoro known as melanzane. There’s indoor and outdoor seating with stunning views of the lake.

Best Sandwich Shack is a fast-casual venue that was chosen by Zagat as the purveyor of the best sandwich in Idaho. Delicious Philly cheese steak sandwiches are served seven days a week out of a little trailer parked on Best Avenue. Highlights from the menu are the Mushroom Pepper Jack Cheese Steak, which includes a half-pound of thinly sliced steak and the Buffalo Chicken Philly with chicken breast, grilled onions, sweet peppers, white American cheese, spicy Buffalo wing sauce, and ranch dressing.

Named after the carambola or starfruit, Cafe Carambola is a delightful little eatery specializing in ‘Nuevo Latino fusion’ cuisine. The menu is bursting with big flavors and many of the dishes available — salads, soup, sandwiches, quesadillas, and wraps — come in half or full size, which allows diners to try more than one item if they prefer. Tasty options include the Incan quinoa salad with quinoa, kañiwa, sweet corn, radishes, cucumber, and queso fresco dressed with a tomatillo-herb dressing and the el cubanito sandwich with garlic drizzle, mustard, pineapple salsa, pickles, Swiss cheese, and pulled pork. Try one of the house-made agua frescas for a refreshing drink option.

The Fork at Lakeside is a fine-dining establishment specializing in New American cuisine. Featuring fresh seafood, mouth-watering steaks, and vegetarian and gluten-free options, the menu will appeal to both foodies and rookies. Notable choices include the spicy halibut tacos on white corn tortillas; the herb-encrusted lamb with ratatouille and red pepper polenta; and the grand fork, which is a 12 oz. ribeye served with garlic-herb butter, asparagus, and gorgonzola wild mushroom sauce. Reservations are recommended.

Inspired by English pubs, Moon Time serves flavorsome dishes and cold microbrews. The creative menu features appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and house specialties. The Mediterranean lamb burger with a rosemary-infused patty topped with goat cheese, oregano pesto mayo, and grilled vegetable relish is a particular highlight, and the Cajun ravioli, which is shrimp and andouille sausage-stuffed ravioli with a jambalaya cream sauce, is also highly recommended.

A meat lovers’ paradise, Wolf Lodge Steakhouse is a Western-themed restaurant which serves generous portions. In addition to steaks, the menu also features appetizers — if you are feeling brave, try the Rocky Mountain oysters — and fresh seafood. Highlights from the menu include the 24 oz. porterhouse steak and lobster tails, both of which come with potato or vegetables.

The Garnet Café is a farm-to-table breakfast and brunch venue in the Midtown neighborhood. Popular with both locals and out-of-towners, this cafe sits in a renovated cottage with a warm and inviting ambiance. Open Tuesday through Sunday, it features typical American breakfast fare plus some innovative choices. Notable options include: spaghetti (yes, for breakfast!) with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, basil, chilli flakes; herbed goat cheese served with eggs and toast; and the fried pork steak topped with gravy and accompanied by two eggs. The lemon curd is also delicious and worth trying on your toast.

Syringa — named after the Idaho State flower — is a restaurant serving sushi and Japanese cuisine. Diners can visit this tasty gem during the week for lunch and dinner plus Saturday night for dinner. With an extensive menu featuring many small plates, entrées, sushi, and other options made with the freshest ingredients available, there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste at this cozy cafe. Some particularly delicious choices include teriyaki chicken served over mixed vegetables; the vegetarian bento with ginger-marinated grilled tofu over mixed vegetables and inari; and the R&K roll, which is a tempura roll topped with albacore and onion relish.