12 Feast-Worthy Restaurants to Try in Meridian, ID
A diverse menu of eateries beckon, including a pizza cone ... yes, a pizza cone!
From slow-smoked barbecue to homemade Italian dishes and traditional Basque Country creations, the dining scene in Meridian, ID is wonderfully diverse. This means residents and visitors alike are in for a treat, with restaurants to satisfy just about any craving. In addition to beloved classic restaurants, the area is brimming with culinary creativity. Take, for instance, Coned Pizza, which makes a convincing case you should be eating your pizza like you would an ice cream cone. Here’s a sample of restaurants that help define the region’s dining scene:
In This Article
Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar
Serving New American food in a hip space, Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar has everything from pear and roasted beet salads to lemon caper halibut and scrumptious burgers (shown above). The Chocolate Kiss or Key Lime martinis can double as dessert. Twigs also has plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes.
Eight Thirty Common
Located in downtown Meridian, this gastropub has something for everyone. Crave-worthy dishes include the cast iron mac ‘n’ cheese, roasted portobello with a balsamic marinade and the buttermilk brined and fried chicken sandwich. Eight Thirty Common has a dozen rotating taps, plus craft cocktails and trivia nights.
Coned Pizza
You’ve had pizza slices, but how about pizza cones? The founders of Coned Pizza got the idea for this fun concept while at a market in Italy. The pizzeria sells cones like pepperoni or veggie, and premium options like Buffalo chicken or Hawaiian. Each cone is the equivalent of two or three slices of pizza.
Yokozuna Teriyaki
Not only does Yokozuna serve fire-grilled teriyaki favorites like chicken, steak, salmon and pork, but sushi and bubble teas are also on the menu. Yokozuna Teriyaki also caters.
Epi’s A Basque Restaurant
Set in a lovely historic home, Epi’s serves cuisine from Basque Country, which covers north-central Spain and southwest France. The culinary team places an emphasis on fresh food, serving dishes such as ink fish, slow roasted leg of lamb and oven roasted garlic chicken. Save room for the green apple bread pudding or the flana, custard with a brown sugar glaze.
The Empanada Club
Empanadas are the star of the menu, with the traditional style filled with ground beef, onions, boiled eggs and olives. You can also order varieties such as spinach feta and vegan curry. To round out the experience, add a glass of Argentinian wine.
Big Al’s
Big Al’s boasts a big menu with elevated bar food classics, like chicken wings drenched in inventive sauces and gourmet burgers smothered with peanut butter and topped with bacon. The Buffalo chicken dip on the shareable menu is a must-try. It is made up of delicious cheese sauce, savory chicken – and for a kick – green chiles and hot sauce. Big Al’s also has bowling lanes, arcade games and a sports bar.
Lucky Fins
Pair sushi rolls with sake at Lucky Fins. The restaurant is best known for its seafood dishes, which, in addition to specialty sushi rolls, includes baked lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, honey chipotle salmon and beer-battered fish and chips.
Bruchi’s Cheesesteaks & Subs
Choose between cheesesteaks and gourmet subs at the Bruchi’s location in Meridian. From there, add the famous crinkle-cut fries that come with a house sauce for dipping.
Gino’s Italian Ristorante-Bar
Savor southern Italian dishes at Gino’s. This Meridian institution is known for its hospitality (and its cannoli, which has hints of spiced rum and orange). With plenty of dishes bidding to be your go-to order, this is a spot where you’ll want to become a regular.
Big Daddy’s BBQ
In addition to barbecue classics like racks of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, Big Daddy’s puts a barbecue spin on everything, from street tacos to poutine and nachos. The award-winning barbecue joint offers catering, too.
RiceWorks
Located in The Village at Meridian, RiceWorks is an Asian street food restaurant. Start with appetizers like egg rolls and pot stickers and, for the next course, choose between Korean beef, teriyaki chicken or shrimp, veggie stir fry and more.
Give each of these unique restaurants a try, and trust us, you’ll be making return trips to them all again … and again.
