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    The Refuge

    3.7 (142 reviews)
    ModerateNew American, Bars
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    The Refuge Photos

    THE REFUGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - The Refuge

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    Melissa H.

    Amazing! Make a bomb extra dirty vodka martini. Yummy! The food is delicious too and the service is great. Ambiance is fun and relaxed. Definitely my vibe... you can just chill and be yourself. Try this place!!!

    a glass of a drink with a lemon garnish
    Wendy K.

    My husband and I actually ended up eating here almost everyday five days in a row! It was next door to our hotel. We were there for my father in laws funeral... Each day we walked over for either lunch or dinner: the service was amazing (kind, perfect, on point), the food was WOW yummy, and the bartending was needed and sheer perfection! There was a sense this place was a locals hangout too. Friendly, upbeat, TVs and pool table. Onion rings and tots are a fav. The burgers and patty melt--classics. And you HAVE to get the cheesecake or chocolate hot fridge cake for dessert... splurge, it's worth it!

    Ribeye. Salmon. Buffalo Wings.
    Logan C.

    The ribeye was good, the salmon was unfortunately overcooked. I believe this was due to it being a thin piece. The buffalo wings were INCREDIBLE. Although VERY busy, service was wonderful at the bar. Their chili is great!

    two glasses of beer on a table
    Jason S.

    Really disappointed in the service and quality of the food. The Dragon with rum was mostly water. The fish and chips were frozen in a bag and then cooked. The service was extremely slow and inattentive. Just overall bad. The appetizers even showed up with the main course.

    Reuben and clam chowder

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    11 days ago

    Really enjoyed The refuge. I had the lamb cheese steak sandwich. It was very tender and sweet.

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    6 months ago

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    2 years ago

    This is one of my local spots in Boise. The chicken wings are in my Top 2 in Boise. Service is great and the people are super friendly.

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    2 years ago

    Very busy, great food, friendly efficient staff. This is a Sports bar so many TV's all around.

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We love this place! Great food and drinks, friendly staff, welcoming and fun atmosphere. Highly recommend!!

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    2 years ago

    Great fish and chips!! Fast service. Friendly staff. Will definitely be back again soon.

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    4 years ago

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    Page 1 of 4

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    The James Kitchen and Bar - Ceaser salad

    The James Kitchen and Bar

    4.3(102 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    The James is hands down home to my favorite burger in Boise. Simple, perfectly cooked, and…read moreconsistently 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.

    This place is great. I'd give them a 5 except that my last visit they had changed the menu and…read moreomitted 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. :)

    Photos
    The James Kitchen and Bar
    The James Kitchen and Bar - Pep pizza with olives

    Pep pizza with olives

    The James Kitchen and Bar - Gorgonzola fries with sauce on the side

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    Gorgonzola fries with sauce on the side

    Percy - Braised short ribs

    Percy

    4.6(262 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$

    Percy is a "hidden gem" for lunch downtown. My wife and I went there last week and I still can't…read moreget over the amazing short rib pasta. They are in a nondescript spot and we almost walked by but thank God we didn't. From the friendly hostess to the attentive waitress to the excellent food, it was a place worth visiting. We started with their spinach artichoke dip with house-made fermented hot sauce (spicy, tangy and delicious). Then I ordered their phenomenal short rib pasta and my wife had a salad that could have fed both of us. The vibe of Percy is a mix of business professional and casual lunch with friends. The music was classics and the decor is refined with huge windows to view the surroundings. If you are ever in the Boise area, I would recommend you get to Percy. It will be worth it.

    Percy is one of the more polished spots in downtown Boise, and overall it delivers a really…read moreenjoyable experience. The food is the highlight ,elevated American dishes that feel thoughtful without being overly complicated. You can tell there's attention to detail, especially with things like the seasonal ingredients. The flavors are well-balanced, and presentation is clean and modern. Service was friendly and professional. The staff knew the menu well and made solid recommendations, the biscuit was good with the smoked butter , wish they were a bit smaller. Grilled artichoke was nice with acidic flavors. Pasta was also good , the steak was cooked perfectly but the charred outside was really bitter. The space itself is stylish and lively, with a trendy, upscale vibe that makes it great for date night or a nice dinner out. That said, it can get a little loud, so not the best spot if you're looking for something quiet or intimate. Prices are on the higher side for Boise, but the quality mostly justifies it, it feels like a "special occasion" kind of place rather than an everyday go-to. Overall, a strong 4-star experience. Good food, good energy, and definitely worth checking out if you want something a bit more refined in Boise.

    Photos
    Percy - Bathroom

    Bathroom

    Percy - Ken's Biscuits (smoked bacon and chives) with maple butter

    Ken's Biscuits (smoked bacon and chives) with maple butter

    Percy - Painkiller

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    Painkiller

    Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery - Boise - Mediterranean app

    Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery - Boise

    4.1(810 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    The service was wonderful. Was immediately seated. I ordered the poke bowl. I felt there was a…read morelonger wait for the food than usual. The presentation was very good. The ahi tuna was fresh. The rest of the ingredients were perfect additions. Never had pineapple but it tasted good. It had outside dining as well.

    This update is ONLY for Fish and Chips...I am putting things under where to find good Fish and…read moreChips! Now, I very much like this place, the new one on Chinden...it's close to home, good service and good cocktails. I have ordered the Fish and Chips here many times...this is a middle of the road things...the Fish and Chips could be a 3, could be a 4...more a 3 1/2 but Yelp doesn't do that! Now my biggest beef with the Fish (get it) is the size of the filets and the temp of the oil they cook them in...too thin of a filet and too hot of oil...result is a very dry and not very flavorful piece of fish. I've had it a few times where it's like eating a crispy leather like thing...way too hot oil and way too dry of a result of the fish...not very appealing. The fries or pretty good, tend to be a little on the hard crispy side as well, very hot oil is my guess (speeds up cooking time)..but not bad. Overall, for fish, do the fish tacos...they are very good! I would pass on the fish and chips, but that's just me! I like large, think filets, light crispy batter that has a crunch and flavor without the grease! Fries, short and thick, good crunch without being dry in the middle... Still very much like this spot but have to add it to the "places not to go for fish and chips in Boise". KT

    Photos
    Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery - Boise
    Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery - Boise - Seared Ahi Tuna Salad

    Seared Ahi Tuna Salad

    Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery - Boise - Red Panda, Ecliptic, and Brushetta app

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    Red Panda, Ecliptic, and Brushetta app

    Trillium

    Trillium

    4.5(331 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$
    Fine dining
    Free parking

    I had the Croque Madame, my wife had the Chicken & Waffles, and we finished with crème…read morebrûlée--hands down one of the best breakfasts I've ever had. The toast on my Croque Madame was incredible. I added a little strawberry jam to each bite and just a touch of Tapatío for an extra kick--absolutely perfect. I also may have stolen a few bites of my wife's hot Chicken & Waffles with lavender honey ice cream and maple syrup... and wow. I couldn't get enough of that either. We were here celebrating our 20-year anniversary and were thrilled to discover this gem tucked away in the Grove Hotel. I'm honestly shocked by how amazing the food is. The service was top notch--John B. took incredible care of us. We even had the chance to compliment the chef and meet Ryan, who made my Croque Madame. Hearing him talk about his experience, his love for cooking, and seeing the precision and care he puts into his work made the meal even more special. It truly shows in every bite. Because of the service, the experience, and the expertise behind the food, we happily left a generous tip--it was well deserved. And for only $18-$20 per entrée, the value is unbelievable. I can't wait to come back and try more items on the menu... although I'm the type of guy who, once I find something I love, it's hard not to order it again. So many great choices--what do I do?! Absolutely loved our experience here. Highly recommend.

    I absolutely hate to make mention of this small point , but I thought it best for management to…read moreknow . We considered meeting family at the Trillium tonight because they happen to be staying at the Grove Hotel . While we waited for thier arrival, we looked at the menu by the entrance . The restaurant was empty, except for two waitresses heavily engrossed in a conversation, one of them , facing us. We then waited by the reservation desk and looked over in the direction of the staff who continued talking . We thought maybe at some point a hostess, or the manager would approach us . We had a quick question as to how late they were serving , we were there around 8:00pm. After no acknowledgement from anyone, and after ackwardly looking around, my wife walked in the direction of the waitresses . One of them broke off to greet us , but we sensed possibly that we may be inconvenienceing her . We asked how late they were open , and the response was appropriate, but slightly distant . My brief thought in that moment was we can all at times have a off day, but it's important to remember that first positive impressions can set the tone for a good customer experience. I have eaten here several times and have enjoyed the food and service , ...I don't expect anyone to stand at the ready for my entrance, however if you want to finish your story with your co-worker , please just remember that customers bring very little expectation other then to just feel welcome when they cross the threshold. Hope this visit was just bad timing on our part .

    Photos
    Trillium
    Trillium
    Trillium

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    The Lively - Steak

    The Lively

    3.9(138 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    This was second time here for an afternoon tea- this time was as lovely as the last. The…read morereservation process? Awesome, via OpenTable, & easily confirmed both afternoon teas needed to be gluten free. The reception? Welcoming! We had option of stairs or elevator. SO appreciated that option! Was having lower pain day so took the stairs, & enjoyed every ounce of ambiance in the way upstairs! Table? Perfectly situated in a sunny window, quieter area- just as requested! Tablescape? Simple & high quality. Really nice touch to have well weighted silverware. Tea selection? A plethora, far beyond standard blah. And our gluten free tray of goodies, though a bit sparse looking in presentation, was all high quality & balanced flavors to perfection. And they were ever so kind to provide complimentary drinks... as they'd been running a tinge behind... so my guest & I enjoyed the most delightful mocktail w/huckleberry shrub... made fully from scratch in house. I will not be waiting 2 years between visits again. I have to say... by far far my fav afternoon tea experience in Treasure Valley (& yes I've done several others, several times ea, at establishments well known in area... left very disappointed every time. ***So having two excellent experiences at The Lively says a lot*** Elegance without pretense, charm without hype. Just my vibe! (That said, yes it's true our waiter didn't seem fully engaged in the experience, & yes it's true I only got one hot water refill (in the tiny tiny kettle) but I think we all know that's probably more about a bit short staffed which happens anywhere, to the best, & I do know they had big wedding reception at venue after our tea seating... & I had reserved the last seating time)

    I don't do a lot of 5 stars, this place earned it for so many reasons!…read more This was a Google find...Googled "most romantic places in Boise" and this was the first place that popped up! Now, this was a Thank You dinner to the most amazing woman in the world so thought went into this! We have tried many nice places around Boise and me being new to town and her knowing everyplace I was surprised when I found out she had never been here! Huge plus, huge expectations for a better than average meal / experience! Everything was damn near perfect! Parking lot next to it, finding street parking on a Friday at 7pm is impossible! Had our table ready, a nice little two person booth by the windows in a beautiful space! This really is a nice room, as you come up the large sweeping staircase, you're greeted by this large open space. Nicely laid out space, not loud at all for the size of the room and the people, well planned! The service was great, drinks near perfect, company unmatched! I had the Black Cod which was perfectly done with a nice crisp skin side to it! She had the roasted chicken which was perfectly done and sweet to the finish! Through this meal I ordered a glass of wine, something Red and good with the fish...a Cabernet perhaps...another spot on match, great glass of wine...soft notes that hit with the fish just right! We did skip the desert, but have full intentions of coming back, soon! KT

    Photos
    The Lively - The Bar Gibbon at The Lively

    The Bar Gibbon at The Lively

    The Lively - Cote de Boeuf

    Cote de Boeuf

    The Lively - The speakeasy

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    The speakeasy

    Graveyard B&G

    Graveyard B&G

    4.8(13 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Despite the name, Graveyard B&G (Graveyard 208 on Facebook) is a comfy popup store. I saw…read morenotifications on Facebook that they would be open during Treefort 2024 but didn't think I would be able to fit it into my schedule. By coincidence when walking around town I spotted it and had to go try. I'm a sucker for biscuits and gravy and these definitely beat what you would find in a Denny's or IHOP by a landslide on the taste and aesthetic scale! It's super filling since there's so many carbs, but the taters (more like small potato wedges) are actually a clever add-in. They add a slight bit of texture to the mushiness of the gravy-soaked biscuits, and potatoes and gravy are already best friends in terms of food pairings. There's also garnish on top (some sort of greens and cheese) that gives it a nice look and extra flavor. Delicious! I didn't think much of the customer service initially aside from thinking they were super friendly. However, I sat down at one of the tables and took my time eating and people watching. So many people came by the store to talk to the chefs with such familiarity that it felt like this popup was its own restaurant and community. It hasn't reached a point of popularity where it's flooded with people, but the more I look back on the experience, the nicer I feel about it. Even after a lot of time had passed and the staff had already helped out so many people, when I left, they called out my name and it made me wish I could go back again. This is one of the best experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. Not because it's spectacular or mindblowing, but because it was great people watching. The food itself was also amazing for late night food-coma inducing munching.

    Food was absolutely bomb! Can't wait to schedule my downtown trips completely dependent on…read moreGravEyards schedule! Need me some more b & g!!

    Photos
    Graveyard B&G - Pop Up is a window outside Zen Bento

    Pop Up is a window outside Zen Bento

    Graveyard B&G - They are located in the carry-out window of Zen Bento

    They are located in the carry-out window of Zen Bento

    Graveyard B&G

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    The Refuge - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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