My girlfriends and I checked out The James a while back. I remember enjoying their pizza that we shared. I know my husband who is a huge pizza lover would absolutely love their pizza here. So for my birthday, I decided that we should hit up The James for dinner. I had made a reservation for a patio table a couple days ahead of schedule. I really wanted to sit outside with the family and enjoy our meal. Of course the day of my birthday, the weather was windy and cooler. I called the restaurant to see if we couple l could possibly dine inside. The gentleman that helped me over the phone wasn't really friendly but he assured me that dining inside shouldn't be an issue. We had a cute table reserved for us inside. It was pretty chill when we came in. A few people at the bar and another table enjoying their meal. The last time my friends and I were in, it was so busy. I actually appreciate how chill it was tonight. Nothing like enjoying my family and our meal in a calm space. We got some food ordered. We started off with some wings, clam chowder and zuppa tuscono soup. A pepperoni pizza for my husband and I. My daughter got the French dip sammy. I planned on having a little bit of my daughter's sandwich. I have to make sure it's tasty! The wings came out first. They were cooked perfectly! Crispy on the outside but the chicken wing was still tender. The buffalo sauce and ranch were in dipping cups on the side. We all had a few and then soups were dropped off. My husband's clam chowder was money. It was so good! Clams and potatoes through out each bite. My daughter's zuppa was very hearty and spicy. I love the kale in the soup. I had a couple bites but the heat was becoming a little too much for me. Our pizza was hot right out the oven. The cheese was perfectly melty. Plenty of pepperoni slices on the pizza. I appreciate the fact that the crust isn't crazy thick. It's thinner so you're not eating a tone of bread. The crust is crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle. The sauce is not overwhelming in herbs. This joint seriously has some of the best pizza in town! Each slice I had tonight was fantastic! My daughter enjoyed her sammy. I didn't get a chance to snag a bite. I was too busy tearing up our pizza. I did snag a few fries and these folks know how to produce a great fry. We didn't get the gorgonzola fries this time but it will be a must have the next time we hit this joint up. It's been a hot minute since I have had them and I still daydream about them. Our sweet server got me birthday dessert. Chocolate cake with raspberry sauce on it. It was devine. I couldn't tell if the cake was flourless. It was really dense like it was but I didn't mind. It was still so good. I enjoyed the raspberry sauce that came on it. Since the cake was so dense, the raspberry sauce added some brightness to it. As full as I was, I had to make sure my birthday dessert was finished. I'm a sucker for anything sweet no matter how full I am. Tonight's dining experience was great. Our server was sweet and delightful. Our food was killer good. My dessert was banger. And the vibe was chill. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better dinner to celebrate my birthday. I look forward to coming back, sitting on the patio and vibing out while enjoying our food. read more

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This place is great. I'd give them a 5 except that my last visit they had changed the menu and omitted some of my very favorite things, like the poke tower appetizer which was ahhhmazing. Actually they had several wonderful appetizers now gone andI understand the budget with things like that but I can't why the removed the best items. *wah wah wahhh* Staff is super friendly but you do have to walk up steep stairs to sit, so don't go post surgery lol. Their French dip is great, I've had several friends love the burger and the fish n chips. And any soup I've had there is good. salads are good, not fabulous The fries are on the thick side, and not undercooked so those are yum except once I got some weird fries so I asked what the deal was and they said those were like emergency backup fries lol Super chill whisky bar setting, they have a Oaxacan mixed drink made with mezcal that is mmmmmm. It's totally worth a visit. :) read more

The James is hands down home to my favorite burger in Boise. Simple, perfectly cooked, and consistently awesome it's the one I find myself craving. The server also offered some great advice on adding some appetizers for 4 to share. They also make a very solid traditional Old Fashioned. I'm not a huge fan of some of their more creative spins on Old Fashioneds, but if you stick with the classic, you won't be disappointed. One of my favorite parts is the open patio during the warm months great vibe, great people-watching, and an easy place to hang out for a relaxed drink or meal. Overall, The James never misses for me and is always worth the stop. read more

Great Christmas Eve burger and cocktail! Tasty "smash" burger with all the fixings--and I asked for grilled onions to kick it up a notch. Met the friendly owner too! Tip: From the parking lot, enter from the door all the way on the right side and take the elevator up to the restaurant. read more

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I had a blast up in here! (April 2025) I called as they were opening to be sure they were laptop friendly (coming from LA, not every restaurant/cafe allows laptops). Eric (manager?) greeted me upon entering the restaurant. He either recognized my voice or my backpack gave it away. He was very nice, pleasant conversation, checked in to make sure I was being productive while drinking. The entire staff was friendly, I had great service here with Travis and Sam as my bartenders. Super cute place. I love the set up of bar having both an indoor and outdoor countertop. Both sections were comfortable and there are a few power outlets sprinkled throughout the restaurant. The outdoor patio is nice looking down onto the street side. Plenty of umbrellas to shade you from that harsh sun. THE FOOD Fish and chips: score! These were so good. Cooked to perfection, the fries perfectly salted and crisp. I even enjoyed the Cole slaw Cesar salad: it was a good salad, but not a great Cesar salad. To be fair, it was a side salad, so... Chicken Taco: hard pass. Chicken wasn't seasoned and the toppings fell short. *note; I am from Cali, so our taco standards are quite different. THE DRANKS I just did a Negroni tour and I was not disappointed. The bartenders was doing they thang! *Side note; obviously due to my skin color, I did not have a pleasant experience in all places that I visited in Boise. James Kitchen was a wonderful experience. Thank you. read more

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An interesting concept. The small menu consists of tacos, pizza, and burgers. I would say the drinks are definitely the highlight of this place. I had the Perfect Wife which was a delightful (and strong) margarita and the Carijillo which was a delicious coffee flavored drink. For food, I got the Hot Maple Chicken sandwich. It was very messy and I thought lacked flavored. The Idaho Nachos were pretty good. The service is great! We got seated right away and our waitress Kara was fantastic. I think the atmosphere might be better in the summer as when the balcony is open. read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - French Dip - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Cute upstairs bar on Broadway! We sat at the bar and the bartender was really nice and welcoming! Right away she told us about happy hour specials! We did not eat but had a glass of wine in happy hour and really can't beat the price of a glass of wine on happy hour! It's pretty spacious and adequate space between bar stools. Anything in the boxes on the menu is on happy hour. I really enjoyed the ambiance, decor, and staff. Keep in mind if you are at the bar when sun is setting some of the seats the sun will be directly in your eyes. I'd recommend going to The James! read more

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Good drinks, good burgers, friendly staff. Highly recommend the pasta salad! Upstairs patio seating is also a nice touch. read more

I really love The James Kitchen and Bar. The food and atmosphere is casual, but not burger and fries casual. I mean they do have burgers and they do have fries, but they're just more thoughtful about it, if that makes any sense. Their fries will be Gorgonzola fries with a side of sauce or Tuna Tartar (stacked in sauce), or a Bahn Mi pizza. Are you getting it yet? Small menu, big flavor!! They're sandwiches are fantastic for lunch, especially the Prime Rib French Dip! I would love to try their tacos, but haven't had the opportunity yet. Oh, and they have a full bar upstairs! I'm not a drinker, but their cocktails sound really good, and it sounds like Old Fashioned's are a specialty. You can order food to go on when you walk in, but if you want to hang out and eat in, then go upstairs. They have both indoor and outdoor seating....and their upstairs patio is lovely. We've been there many times, as it's a favorite for us, for both lunch and dinner. Give 'em a try. You won't be sorry! read more

Nice upstairs bar with great outdoor seating. Kids are welcome. We had James Burgers and they were excellent. Service was super friendly. We'd go again! read more

I shared the boss pizza with my friend and it was delicious! We both had whiskey sours with egg white top and they were delicious. Friend got the banh mi sandwich and said it was fine but was sad it was on baguette vs traditional steamed bun. Other friend got a gluten free bun and burger and gives it a 7/10. Our waitress was attentive and friendly and even took a picture of us as we were heading on a trip. It's located up stairs with a sandwich shop downstairs and the bathrooms are downstairs. There is an elevator. read more

Great place - the James burger is very good! The ambience is great, and the service is also very good. I'd recommend giving them a try if you haven't read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - James burger with side salad - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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What a great experience for a date night. Made a patio reservation, perfect view for people watching. The margarita pizza was very good and a perfect size to share. The Idaho nachos were very good, the salsa and the avocado cream sauce were very good and had the prefect spice (I would have loved shredded cheese instead of the queso but that's just me) . Now for the drinks. My husband ordered The James because that's his name but forgot he doesn't like bourbon haha, I ordered the perfect wife I tasted both before we swapped and they were both great drinks. Then we got their version of the mule which my husband enjoyed, he loved it, ginger beers aren't my thing. I got the espresso drink I forget the name but omg that was dangerously good I could drink those all night. Now the service, first we were greeted by a very charming man maybe the manager? He was very warm and welcoming. Our server Cara was so sweet and adorable. She was very attentive and patient with my husband insisting he was still working on the food lol even though in the end he agreed to a box for the 2 slices of pizza. Overall a wonderful experience. Next time I need to try a burger. We will definitely be back. This was a great start to our night out downtown. And the drinks were a perfect balance of flavor and alcohol, not too strong but didnt feel like you were drinking all Syrups or fruit or too Much ice. Loved it. read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - The chocolate cake - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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We stopped in for a happy hour on our one night in Boise. Great choice! Amazing craft cocktails. Don't sleep on the Wagyu smash burgers or the Idaho nachos! Excellent service. Fun ambiance. read more

I was in Boise on a business trip and fortunately this place was walking distance from my hotel. These guys have great burgers, great salads and a really welcoming vibe with an attentive waitstaff. I highly recommend this place! read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Prime Rib French Dip sandwich. Just awful. Meat dry and overcooked. Very odd tasting. Fries excellent. Service very good.

As always, the service was great. The food was delicious and the atmosphere welcoming. They also provide gluten free buns for sandwiches. This is the first time we have eaten inside as it is January. In the warmer months the rooftop outside patio is a nice area for dinner. read more

Two of us went for happy hour. Our server, Michael, was great. We ordered the house chardonnay and the blend and both of us were surprisingly delighted with the quality of the wine. We ordered the ahi and shrimp tacos. Both were excellent, especially the ahi. We'll be back. read more

Just so good, food was excellent, great bar scene, and service was off the charts. We did a pre-concert dinner at bar side, promptly greeted and enjoying theFinal Four games in minutes. Drink menu offers a little bit of everything, went with their old fashioned and it was solid. Ordered a fe2 items off the apps side and enjoyed both immensely. Their finger steaks are HUGE but really flavorful and juicy. I wouldn't usually mention the cocktail sauce but it was so unique; chunky, spicy and paired so well with the crunch and savory of the finger steaks. Also had the tuna tartare which was just as great, generous portion of tuna with fresh avocado and mango. Can't wait to go back and enjoy the patio, what a great spot. Kudos to the chef and staff...awesome job! read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - Tuna Tartare - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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The James has a great burger. Great cocktails. Fantastic happy hour. Quaint venue. It's a good spot to get a quick meal before a show at the Morrison Theater. read more

The food here is great for pub food. They prepare everything just a bit better. Service is also on point

That four stars is really a four and a half if I could give it to them! Atmosphere is lovely, clean as a whistle, welcoming and the waitstaff are outstanding! My vodka strawberry and serrano pepper cocktail was unique flavorful and delicious! Such a pretty color too! Now if I can give this particular food product five plus Stars I would give it a humongous 10! The clam chowder! Oh my God! Their version is to die for. It is a New England clam chowder (so cream based) with potatoes, shaved carrots, heavy cream and potatoes and bacon. The texture was silky and beautifully rendered and emulsified, and there was no extra grease or fat involved considering they used bacon, the clams were tender, the potatoes cooked just perfectly, the smokiness of the bacon really complimented the whole dish and it was presented beautifully. I was so impressed with the soup that I will be back just for it! I also ordered a side Caesar salad which was perfectly fine. I'd stay at smidge overdressed and I'm not sure what kind of mayonnaise they were using but it was a teeny, tiny bit too sweet for my taste. I'd love to see a little sliver of anchovy on top of it too. But that's just me! I'm a huge fan of anchovies and I know that not everybody likes them! And to the last dish, the tuna tartare. The tuna was lovely and tender And It quintessentially prepared with black and white sesame seeds and soy sauce, but I couldn't find any Sriracha which is something I love seeing in tuna tartar!! The avocado was beautiful, sliced thin, and fresh and the one thing I would say about the dishes is that the mayonnaise is completely unnecessary. It might just be the style of their tartar, but what I was left with was a dish full of liquid at the bottom with coagulated mayonnaise floating in it by the time I was finished with the dish. I would just leave out the mayonnaise and you would be golden. I personally like my tuna tartare more broken down and then reshaped and molded on top of avocado or an avocado puree of sorts with Sriracha kind of mixed in there. Anyway I don't want to knock it cuz I think this place is great but just wanted to suggest a couple of small things. I'll definitely be coming back here again. I love the atmosphere and I really enjoyed my birthday week lunch. Thank you! read more

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Walked in, sat myself as they told me, was ignored for 30 min, decided to leave. Wasn't even greeted by any server

Had the "prime rib" French dip and could only get through one bite. 21 dollars for a cat food sandwich. Gross for real

Very cute space, the patio area is really nice, not too cramped and lots of good sunlight. Our server was so great, excellent timing, good recommendations and so kind. Big portion sizes for the price and the drinks were delicious. read more

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Love this place. Love the staff. Especially Jen! She read the room, checking on us just enough to make us feel pampered and spoiled during our girls day out. Spent some time on the rooftop patio with my best friend, our books, and the beautiful weather. Drinks were out of this world! Our favorites were The Other Side of Paradise & The Carajillo. Ordered the Gorgonzola fries & Ahi Tartare. Incredible!! We will be back 100%. Thanks James! read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - Delicious drinks & foods - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Great service, everyone is amazing & friendly. Food was great and the upstairs patio is heated & a fun place to have a small event.

We were there as part of a 16 person birthday event. Service was very good. Waitress was very congenial and service was spot on. Food was very good. Had the fish and chips - very good. Wife had the wedge salad with plenty of good bluecheese. We split the dishes. Cocktails were good. Over alll a good experience. read more

Loved their rooftop patio! It has a great view of the stadium and isn't too loud, being right on Broadway. Their small plates were great and my chicken sandwich was excellent! It was piled high with meat. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive. My first drink I ordered off the cocktail menu was underwhelming but they brought me a new drink that was great! The fries could also use some spicing up, pretty plain steak fry. They have a small parking lot in the back and bathrooms are on the first floor while bar and seating are upstairs. read more

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What a nice surprise tucked away on Broadway near Bouse State Campus. With a rooftop bar and balcony. I've been wanting to try this place for a while and finally got to grab a drink and meal. I tried the James cocktail which was a local house twist on an old fashioned. It was tasty and the fig syrup was a nicely added touch and complimented the bourbon choice. I ordered the prime rib french dip with the fries "james" style that added gorgonzola cheese and bacon to the fries. The fries were really good and would have been good without the added extras. The french dip was tasty, but lacking a bit on the meat portion. They layer it on the edge so it looks good, but after you take a bite, it's a lot less on the inside. The caramelized onions were a nicely added touch and brought some sweetness to the sandwich which paired nicely with the Au Jus and provolone cheese. The bread on it though was a solid choice! Well done! Eating at the bar the service was excellent and the feel of the bar area was very inviting. Will have to come back someday when the balcony is opened up and experience the open air. Also, lots of people ordered the pizzas and that might be the hot item there I will have to try next time! read more

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Fantastic experience each time we come here. Located close to the BSU campus and not too far from downtown. Great beverage selections and plenty of tasty food options too. read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

This was our first time coming to The James. As we walked out of the elevator, we were greeted by I'm assuming the manager. He asked us if we wanted inside, the bar, or outside. We chose outside, so he told us to pick wherever and let us go out there on our own. We sat down and a blonde server with sunglasses brought us our menus, no silverware/napkins but returned with two waters. We looked over the menu and then a different blonde came over and asked if we wanted drinks. We said we weren't drinking but wanted an appetizer and entree both to share. I assumed the appetizer would come out before hand, my mistake. We tried drinking our water and mine had a hair in it and my partners had a bug in it. We scooted them to the side. We sat and waited and waited and the server never stopped back by so I caught a different servers attention and asked if we could have bottled sparkling water. Then a different girl brought out both our appetizer and entree at the same time. I was a little surprised so I asked if the appetizer normally comes out before the meal and she said only if your server asks and puts it in the notes. She never asked and I didn't specify, guess that's what assuming gets ya. I would think the server should clarify. After that girl dropping our food walked away we realized we don't have any napkins or silverware, so we sat and waited some more. Then our normal server came up and asked how everything looked. I told her we don't have silverware or napkins and we ordered a sparkling bottled water 10 mins ago from a different server because our waters had hair and a bug. She looked down at the water and said, "oh, ok let me go get your bottled water". Cool. No apology needed, appreciate the great customer service thus far. Once we started eating the fish and chips we realized the fish was very greasy on the inside which made the breading soggy. I understand it's fish and fried but I've never had fish and chips come out that poorly. Our server did come back to check on us but at this point there wasn't much that could be done to save the experience. Then when we were finished eating and waiting to ask for the check, which was probably another 15 mins, we noticed that every table that was getting seated on the balcony was being seated by the manager. Which made us wonder, why did he not walk us to a table and seat us properly with menus and silverware like everyone else was getting. Once again, cool. Finally she comes over with the check and said we comped the bottled water because of the issue. Then she tired to small talk about the weather and what we were doing later. Trying to butter people up or distract them as they are tipping and signing for the check is frowned upon. As we were walking down the stairs the manager, looked over the railing and say, "Bye, you two". I just looked at him and looked away. Not a fan of the place, food, or lack of service. Whoever James is, needs to have a manger checking on tables throughout the service. read more

We go here for dinner often and we always have a great experience, but today I'm reviewing their lunch (sandwiches & salads, etc). I was very impressed with their sandwich selections. I got some turkey pesto type sandwich and it was lovely. Their bread is really fresh with a little bit of a crunch to it. They have several side options to choose from as well. I wish I knew about their sandwiches before lol. I'll be back, and I'll spread the word. They aren't cheap but I had plenty for leftovers. read more

Three of us decided to stop in before going to a play at Boise Little Theater. Love the outdoor patio I was worried that the street nose would be too much but we didn't even notice it. We shared Gorgonzola fries, tuna tartare and finger streak apps. I could live on the fries for the rest of my life!! The cocktails were tasty. Our server was attentive and took great care of us. I'm definitely coming back! read more

I've been here twice. It's definitely elevated bar food with very nice cocktails. It's a trendy bar kind of vibe. The staff is very efficient and professional. Almost every one them are very friendly. Some are a tad indifferent, but not rude! (That counts!) I had a burger on my first visit. Flavorful! And the fries are VERY good. We had a round of deviled eggs on my second visit. If you love deviled eggs, you'll love the ones at The James. My entree (fish tacos) were solidly good. High gourmet? No, but tasty. I really like the espresso martini. So, for its niche, The James is solidly good. read more

First visit tonight in preparation for the Boise BYU game. Place was very busy and we were admittedly in a slight rush. However, wife and I both had the Crispy Chicken Jack sandwich paired with the James Old Fashion. Both were very good. People around us had burgers, salads and the pizza. All looked amazing to us, and we plan to return to try other entrees. The staff was very attentive, even when we were tucked away in the corner getting the final inside seats. Place was very popular! There is an elevator for those that need it to get to the upper floor where the party happens. Bathrooms are on the bottom floor beneath the stairs on both sides. read more

The James Kitchen and Bar - Crispy Chicken Jack - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Really really good food and drinks! Waiter forgot about us but profusely apologized, made sure the rest of the evening was snappy and good, and was overall fantastic. read more

The James is my go to place! Lunch, happy hours, dinners, and anything inbetween. great atmosphere and delicious food. You will not be disappointed. My favorite drink is cobblers mule. Delicious! I would recommend getting a reservation, since this place is getting busy! read more

Ok bar, very average food. Ok ambiance. Service was great. Not worth a return trip if for dinner

Terrible host. Rude and did not honor our reservation, and could not explain a legit reason as to why. We booked a reservation a week before, showed up and intead of a reason he refused to sit us because they messed up and overbooked. Overall felt very unwelcomed and wi'll NOT be going back to this restaurant nor recommending it to other people. The guy who was rude is a bald middle aged man and totally ruined our experience. Terrible rude place!!! read more