Top Dine-In Spots in Idaho Falls

If you’ve just finished walking the green belt, keep walking just one block to get to the Bee’s Knees. This hole-in-the-wall restaurant, located in the Fairbridge hotel on Lindsay Boulevard, will surprise you with a fun atmosphere and delicious menu. The seating is limited, so we suggest coming here for a late lunch or early dinner to secure a table.

Bee’s Knees serves a variety of dishes, including burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and other tasty entrees. They switch up their specials often, too, so there may be something new to try every time you come! If you get a side with your meal, try the house salad; it is the perfect blend of lettuce, tomato, bacon bits, and everything else that makes an appetizing salad. If you get a drink with your order, try their house special, the “Bees Knees” made with vodka, milk, and honeycomb. With their amazing menu, you can feel confident that whatever you order will be delightful!

If you are in the mood for breakfast food, Smitty’s Pancake & Steak House is the perfect place to satisfy your craving. You’ll find the eclectic restaurant just off of Broadway Street, a few blocks from the green belt and the downtown area. With its beautifully bold blue walls, Smitty’s Pancake & Steak House is welcoming and truly does feel like a home. Their recently renovated dining room will help you feel comfortable as you enjoy a delicious meal.

Smitty’s has incredible breakfast food. They serve your favorites, like waffles and biscuits and gravy, as well as crepes, a breakfast burger (it’s as odd and delicious as it sounds), and a fan favorite, German pancakes. They serve breakfast all day long, along with a variety of lunch and dinner options, like burgers, steak, and wraps. You are sure to come out of Smitty’s Pancake & Steak House feeling full and pleased with your delectable meal.

This 50s style restaurant not only gives you a rocking meal, but it also gives you a fun experience as you sip your milkshake and listen to the jukebox. If you’ve ever wanted to try time travel, just stop by Dixie’s Diner for some old fashioned food and fun. Dixie’s Diner is on Channing Way, in the heart of Idaho Falls and close to Mountain View Hospital. The retro leather booths, the neon lighting, and the bar with old fashioned bar stools makes you want to enjoy every meal at Dixie’s Diner.

Besides the atmosphere, the food at Dixie’s Diner is well-worth the visit. Their house-made corn beef on a Reuben sandwich or their home-battered fish-n-chips are sure to make your mouth water. Since they are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there are many options on the menu to satisfy your palate. If you are ever in the area, swing by for a traditional American meal, and a milkshake, of course!

For many, the grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup combination is a classic comfort food option. Manwaring Cheese is a firm believer in the combo, which is why they serve delicious grilled cheese, with your choice of their homemade cheese, on sourdough bread with a bowl of thick, rich tomato soup. Since grilled cheese isn’t the only comfort snack, they also have a cute, little gelato station with a variety of flavors to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Their shop is beautifully modern, with subway tiles as far as the eye can see, swinging wicker chairs, and glass windows to admire their cheese-making equipment. Located just across the railroad tracks from downtown, this shop is a must-stop for a lunch or dinner meal. If you aren’t hungry enough for a meal, come enjoy their gelato or delicious cheese curds. They have cheese available to purchase too, so you can snack on excellent, fresh cheese from home. Check out our article about Manwaring Cheese!

If you are looking for a fine-dining experience in Idaho Falls, the Copper Rill is an excellent choice. Their menu offers refined American food like steaks and seafood. While you may be paying more than you would at an ordinary steak house, the price is fair for each of the wonderfully rich and flavorful dishes prepared at the Copper Rill. We recommend trying their baked brie for your appetizer which will pair excellently with their wine options.

The entrees, like pork rib eye, chicken wellington, or steak, are all savory, mouthwatering options. You truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. The same goes for their dessert menu--some of their popular desserts are Madagascar vanilla bean creme brulee, New York Cheesecake, and molten chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. The ambiance of the Copper Rill is casual, yet classy, though the staff does prefer if you make a reservation in advance. If you want to make a night special, consider going to the Copper Rill.

For fans of Indian cuisine, be sure to check out the Tandoori Oven. The Tandoori oven is close to the Grand Teton Mall, which makes it the perfect restaurant to enjoy after a day of shopping. However, this is another popular spot with limited seating in its contemporary space, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation--especially for dinner. The Tandoori Oven serves fan-favorites like butter chicken and lamb tikka masala--two dishes that pair perfectly with their garlic naan.

The mood in this restaurant is friendly and authentic. From the moment you walk in, the enticing smell of Indian spices will have your mouth watering. Some of the meals here are spicy and you can ask the chef to make some dishes more or less mild. The Tandoori Oven also has many vegetarian options if you prefer not to have meat with your meal. The rich smell and taste of the food at Tandoori Oven will have you eager to come back for more.

Walking around downtown can sure work up your appetite. If that’s the case for you, stop by Pachanga’s Mexican restaurant on A Street. Pachangas has a classic, Mexican feel to it, with bright painted walls and festive banners. As you are seated, the server will bring every table a bowl of classic chips and salsa to enjoy while you explore the menu.

The menu is packed with so many wonderful options, it will be hard for you to decide what to try. Some favorite dishes are their steak fajitas, their carne asada plate, and their pollo fundido, which is loaded with cheese--so consider yourself warned. No matter what you choose, the food is sure to satisfy your appetite. While you are there, try one of Pachanga’s refreshing margaritas. Pachangas has some of the best homestyle Mexican food in Idaho Falls, so be sure to stop by and grab a plate.

Another delicious restaurant you can find while window shopping downtown is The Snake Bite. They serve American bistro dishes like burgers, chicken sandwiches, steaks, and seafood in their informal dining space. With so many options to choose from, you are bound to return and sample some other dishes. Their items are on the pricier side, but the flavors are beautifully fresh and it includes fries or a salad as a side. The exposed brick and fun art makes the Snake Bite welcoming to regulars and new-comers alike. If you plan on stopping in for a bite to eat, be sure to quickly stop by the ATM they have on site as The Snake Bite is a cash-only restaurant.