Less than two hours away from the bustling capital of Boise is the charming small town of Cascade, Idaho, where you can slow down and enjoy a weekend amongst the trees. It’s also a great place to grab a bite while exploring this beautiful part of the state.
This safe haven for nature enthusiasts is jam-packed with outdoor activities ranging from an exciting afternoon of white water rafting on Payette River to a leisurely morning soak in Trail Creek Hot Springs. This year-round destination also offers seasonal adventures like cross-country skiing in the winter at the Tamarack Resort and tubing at Kelly’s Whitewater Park come summertime.
And with so many exciting things to do when staying at a local vacation home, you are bound to work up quite the appetite, so knowing where the best restaurants in Cascade should be high up on your priority list. From local fast food to lakefront restaurants, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
1. The Whistle Stop Cafe
- Address: 109 N Main St, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: Stuffed Ultimate Cheeseburger
- Price Point: $
There is nothing like biting into a juicy burger after a day on the trail, and there is no better place to treat yourself than the
Whistle Stop. Not only are the burgers here some of the tastiest that you will ever experience but they are also stuffed! Just when you think a burger can’t get any better, the Whistle Stop introduces the stuffed burger with stuffings ranging from cheese to spicy garlic sauce.
Not into Burgers? The Whistle Stop is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a large variety of mouthwatering options. Enjoy a buffalo chicken pizza, a 16 oz ribeye steak, biscuits & gravy, and more. The options are endless!
Plus, with a location right on North Main Street, the Whistle Stop is equal parts convenient and delicious.
2. Lakefront Bar & Grill
- Address: 117 Lakeshore Dr, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: Jacked Up Philly Steak Sandwich
- Price Point: $$
If dinner with a view is what you are after, look no further than the
Lakefront Bar & Grill. Located right on the edge of
Lake Cascade, this bar and grill offers more than just a delicious meal. Enjoy wide sweeping views of the lake as you chow down on classic pub food and sip on a local draft beer.
Did somebody say brunch? With plenty of outdoor seating, the Lakefront Bar & Grill takes Sunday brunch to a whole new level. Imagine sitting out on the patio as the warm morning light shines down on Lake Cascade, and a big plate of pancakes does wonders for your tastebuds. There isn’t a better way to start the day!
3. Gramma’s Family Restaurant
- Address: 224 N Main St, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: Huckleberry Milkshake
- Price Point: $
As the name suggests, a visit to
>Gramma’s Family Restaurant will make you feel like you are sitting in your grandma’s house ready to enjoy a home-cooked meal. From the restaurant’s decor of old photographs and shelves lined with knickknacks to the small but comforting menu, everything about Gramma's Restaurant screams “from scratch”.
Make sure to get here for breakfast or lunch because Gramma’s closes their doors at 3 PM every day. But whatever you do, make sure to save room for ice cream! Gramma’s is known for having the best huckleberry milkshake in Valley County.
4. Thunder Mountain Burgers
- Address: 806 S Main St, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: Triple Thunder
- Price Point: $
Sometimes all you really want is a simple, short-order hamburger, and Thunder Mountain Burgers delivers just that. With a hand-written menu consisting of only a handful of options, Thunder Mountain supplies you with burgers, burgers, and more burgers.
Meat enthusiasts can go for the Triple Thunder if they are willing to take on a 1/2-pound patty, and veggie burgers are available to keep the doors open for everyone. Gluten-free buns too! Make it a combo to top off your meal with an order of French fries and a drink but don’t be afraid to swap out your fountain soda for a tasty milkshake!
5. Reo’s Pizza
- Address: 402 S Main St, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: The Firefighter
- Price Point: $
If there is anything that just about anyone can bond over, it’s pizza, and anyone who knows anything about Cascade knows that
Reo’s Pizza has the best. But if the tasty pizza wasn’t enough to draw you in, the affordable prices definitely will!
Choose from various classic and specialty pizzas ranging from just $5 to $9 for a personal 8-inch, or opt for a large pie while still not breaking the bank. There are even lunch specials and a family meal deal to make an already affordable meal much more appealing. What more could you want?
How about an all-you-can-eat buffet or a variety of dessert pizzas? Done and done!
6. Clear Creek Station
- Address: 10694 ID-55, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: Bronco Special OR The Heart Attack Sandwich
- Price Point: $$$
Who doesn’t enjoy the idea of breakfast for dinner?? At
Clear Creek Station, that late-night pancake craving can become a reality. Serving up breakfast all day, as well as a variety of other tasty classics like pizza and burgers, Clear Creek is a one-stop shop for all of your dining needs.
Trying to catch that epic sunset at Lake Cascade but don’t want to be hangry for the big event? Place your order online and take your Hwy 55 Roadkill Pizza with you on your day’s adventure.
Or stay awhile and enjoy live music out on the patio. There is no such thing as a bad option!
7. Palooza Basecamp & Eatery
- Address: 112 N Main St, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: Pan-Seared Salmon
- Price Point: $$
It’s not every day that you find a restaurant that lets you throw axes, so when you stumble upon a place like the
Palooza Basecamp & Eatery, you usually end up staying for a while. Start the night off by enjoying a mouth-watering dish like the pear gorgonzola salad or the pork belly mac and cheese, and stick around to enjoy an evening of axe throwing and handcrafted cocktails.
Besides, the more time you spend here, the more room you will have for a tasty dessert like the cookie skillet or the apple huckleberry cobbler!
8. Cougar Mountain Lodge Restaurant
- Address: 9738 ID-55, Cascade, ID
- Favorite Menu Item: Finger Steaks
- Price Point: $
Who needs a traditional steakhouse when you have the
Cougar Mountain Lodge Restaurant? Idaho is known for a dish called “Finger Steaks,” and Cougar Mountain Lodge has the best! Finger-length pieces of steak are breaded and then fried to create the beef version of chicken tenders.
Don’t knock it until you try it!
Finger Steaks don’t tickle your fancy? Cougar Mountain is also known for having some of the best burgers in the state, with ten different styles available. Just make sure you save room for pie!
