West End gems
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Let's take a lil wander through the West End. This pocket of Boise doesn’t get the attention that it should. A lot of times we are just whizzing by to hop on the connector or head into Garden City, but the West End is full of cool shops and gooood eats. Whether you’re after breakfast, beer, bagels, or bacon clam pizza (iykyk), the West End delivers. Here's 10 West End gems worth checking out next time you’re in the neighborhood – I put them all into a Google Map for you! Good Times Bagels2422 W Main St, Boise Hand-rolled, honey-boiled, and wood-fired — that’s the secret behind Good Times’ Montreal-style bagels. The menu is bagel & cream cheese and bagel sandwiches. There’s everything from a good old-fashioned Lox with pickled red onions and capers to playful creations like the Rizo (chorizo, egg, cheese, zhug) or the GTB.BLT with roasted poblano cream cheese. They also sell spreads by the tub (the spicy honey and churro are my faves) and share a building with Form & Function, so you’ll always get your bagel with a cup of fresh-roasted coffee. Hours: Mon-Sun 7am–2pm West End Food Co1744 W Main St, Boise ​West End Food Co is a little different than your typical restaurant — it’s five spots under one roof. You’ll find Toros Tacos, Mai Thai (yep, the same one that used to be downtown), Pho Tay, Uncle Chai, and Thinking Tacos all sharing the space. Ordering happens either online ahead of time or at the self-serve screens in the lobby, then you pick up at the window. There are a few tables out front if you wanna stay and eat, but it’s more grab-and-go than sit down dining. Hours: Tue–Sun 10am–6pm Gil’s K9 Sports Bar2506 W Main St, Boise ​Gil’s K9 is one of those IYKYK places. The ’70s-looking bar on Main Street is marked by its marquee sign, which on Fridays usually reads: “Crab. 6ish. Yep.” The crab in question is actually more like a mountain, piled high with fresh Dungeness crab dotted with crunchy celery and green onions, ringed with jumbo prawns, and topped with tangy cocktail sauce. Beyond the legendary crab tower, Gil’s is beloved for its weekend brunch, happy hour, stiff martinis, and all the dive bar charm you could ask for. Hours: Sun–Thu 10am–10pm; Fri–Sat 10am–11pm Capri Restaurant2520 W Fairview Ave, Boise ​Capri is a Boise institution. This 1950s diner has been serving up all-day homestyle breakfasts for decades. Think biscuits and gravy, giant cinnamon rolls, dippy eggs, and bottomless coffee. Plus, they always have seasonal specials like their insanely good pumpkin pancakes or huckleberry pancakes. With brick walls, cozy orange booths, and Christmas lights strung up year-round, it’s got all the diner vibes. Out front, Rudy the Rooster keeps watch. The seven-foot-tall bird once perched above Jim’s Coffee Shop in the North End. When Jim’s closed, Capri gave him a new roost. It's a quirky landmark for one of Boise’s best breakfasts. Hours: Mon-Sun 6:30am-2:30pm Casanova Pizzeria2431 W Fairview Ave, Boise ​Casanova Pizzeria has been serving up hand-crafted pies since 2004, first on the Bench and now in the West End. Their take on Neapolitan-style pizza mixes traditions from Naples, New Haven, and New York — thin, crispy, chewy crusts fired in a 700-degree oven, topped with both classics and wild creations. The Clams Casino (with clams, bacon, onion, and garlic) is a local legend, while the Medusa (gorgonzola, pineapple, figs) is a sweet savory dream. They also have salads and sandwiches. Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–8pm; Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun closed Clairvoyant Brewing Company2800 W Idaho St, Boise Housed in a former auto repair shop, Clairvoyant Brewing has a modern industrial feel and a friendly, laid-back vibe. It’s a short walk from Esther Simplot Park and Quinn’s Pond, making it a great stop if you’re out for a paddle or bike ride. The tap list has 13 beers, plus they’ve got a gluten-free beer, cider, seltzer, wine, and NA beers and drinks (like Capri Sun lol). A food truck is out front at least once a week and trivia happens every Wednesday night. It's kid and dog-friendly, too! Hours: Mon–Thu 3–10pm; Fri 1–11pm; Sat 12–11pm; Sun 11am–8pm Graveyard Vintage1736 W Main Street Boise ​Graveyard Vintage is run by two brothers with a passion for picking. Their racks are packed with hand-selected vintage from the 1940s through the ’90s. Band tees, Levi’s, sports jackets, military gear, and plenty of one-of-a-kind finds. The focus is on rare pieces at prices that won’t scare you off, making it one of the best spots in town to score something unique. Hours: Mon–Fri 12–8pm; Sat 10am–8pm; Sun 12–6pm Jam Session Record Shop2516 W Main St, Boise An independent record store where you can spend hours crate-digging, Jam Session is stacked wall-to-wall with vinyl, LPs, CDs, and even cassettes. They carry all genres, but the punk and metal sections are especially strong. Also the owner is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to! Hours: Thu–Sun 12–7pm Realms Arcade109 S 23rd St, Boise ​Realms is a nostalgic arcade where $10 gets you four hours of unlimited play on more than 100 classic and modern games. No quarters required (unless you pay the $10 in quarters, I guess lol). The lineup includes retro pinball, Japanese imports, and consoles from the SNES to the Switch. It’s open to all ages, though minors have to be out by 11pm. Beyond the arcade, Realms doubles as a venue, hosting everything from live music and karaoke to trivia and gaming tournaments. They also have a snack bar and bar with NA and alcoholic bevs. Hours: Tue–Fri 3–11pm; Sat–Sun 12–11pm Clay Collective2418 W Main St, Boise ​Clay Collective is a ceramics studio, gallery, and community hub where you can shop for beautiful handmade pottery and jewelry or get your hands dirty and make your own. They offer weekly group classes in wheel throwing and hand-building, plus fun extras like figure drawing nights and disco-ball-lit date night workshops. Private classes and parties are alsoavailable, from birthdays to team-building events. You can also stop by during shop hours to browse pottery, shop artwork from local makers, or pick up some handmade jewelry by Clay by Shay (my fave). Hours: Shop Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; Classes daily 9am–9pm Ok that's all I got for you! Have you been to any of these places? Reply and let me know! Here's the Google Map again. Thanks for reading! Have fun exploring :) With love from Boise, Marissa
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