This BACON Boise review is for anyone who sees a menu built around bacon and immediately thinks, yes, that’s my kind of place. BACON is one of the cutest, most on-theme brunch spots in downtown Boise, and they absolutely lean into the name—in the best way possible. From the menu to the merch (I bought a shirt because the prints are actually great), this place knows exactly who it is and doesn’t try to be anything else.
If you’re mapping out your food stops, this pairs perfectly with a downtown wander. We slotted it in alongside other Boise favorites, and if you’re planning a full day, you can see my full review of Alavita Boise for a cozy dinner option later on.
BACON is a casual, crowd-pleasing restaurant in downtown Boise that goes all in on comfort food and bacon-forward dishes. It’s popular for brunch and lunch, especially if you want something filling, indulgent, and absolutely delicious! This is not subtle food. It's unique and fun way to start the morning.
The menu is built around bacon, breakfast classics, hearty plates, and sweet-and-savory combinations that feel indulgent without being gimmicky.
On our last day in Boise, we went hard and ordered the bacon sampler—five different types of bacon, because restraint felt unnecessary here. The bacon was cooked perfectly across the board, and the flavors were genuinely good, not just novelty.
Our favorite was the Cajun blue cheese, which is one of their pantry flavors. It was salty, smoky, and balanced without being overpowering. If bacon were my last meal, I’d honestly die a happy girl.
An honorable mention goes to the perfectly puffed scones with homemade raspberry jelly. They were soft, warm, and exactly the kind of side you don’t realize you need until you’re halfway through it.
While the menu can change, BACON is especially known for:
Bacon-heavy breakfast plates
Burgers and sandwiches
Sweet-and-savory brunch dishes
Classic comfort food with generous portions
Brunch cocktails, including mimosas and Bloody Marys
There’s a solid mix of breakfast and lunch options, which makes it easy when you’re dining with a group that can’t agree on one direction.
The vibe at BACON is lively, casual, and energetic. It’s busy—especially on weekends—and feels more like a social brunch spot than a quiet sit-down meal. Think sweats-and-sneakers energy, fast-paced service, and tables that turn pretty quickly.
If you’re looking for somewhere calm and leisurely, this probably isn’t it. If you want a fun, upbeat brunch with bold food, you’re in the right place.
BACON is located right in downtown Boise, which makes it easy to pair with:
Walking around downtown
Shopping or mural spotting
A casual brunch stop before heading out for the day
It fits neatly into a downtown itinerary without requiring extra planning. If you’re building a morning plan, check out my guide to Anne Morrison Park, the Boise Footbridge, and Julia Davis Park to round out the day with an easy walk after brunch.
Weekends get busy here, especially during peak brunch hours, so expect a wait. Portions are generous, so come hungry. This spot shines most at brunch or lunch rather than dinner.
If you’re visiting Boise and staying downtown, it helps to book accommodations close by. I recommend staying near downtown Boise so you can walk to places like BACON without dealing with parking. You can book your Boise hotel here. If you’re flying in, comparing flights through Skyscanner can make planning the trip itself much easier, especially if your dates are flexible.
BACON is a great choice if you:
Love classic brunch food
Want something hearty and filling
Are dining with a group
Prefer casual, no-frills restaurants
It’s not a quiet café or a health-focused brunch spot. It’s comfort food, done confidently, with bacon front and center.
This BACON Boise review sums it up pretty simply: if you love brunch, comfort food, and the idea of starting your meal with a literal flight of bacon, this place delivers. It’s fun, filling, and exactly what it promises to be.
If brunch is your priority, learn more in my post about Best Breakfast in Boise, where I break down other tried-and-tested spots worth waking up for.
Pack your bags: Bryson City is your next fall trip. Save this now. ✈️
Ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad through peak color, eat your way down Main Street, and end the day in a luxury yurt. Three days here and you won’t want to leave.
Haywood Smokehouse is the BBQ spot that ruins you for every other BBQ spot. Lean brisket so tender it doesn’t need the fat, fried pork ribs you won’t find anywhere else, and don’t sleep on the banana pudding for dessert.
Save this before your next Waynesville or Dillsboro trip 🍖🔥
Booked this Bryson City yurt for the ‘ber months and it’s already my top fall pick this year. 🍂
The Junaluska Yurt sleeps six but feels more like a stylish cabin than a yurt, two real queen bedrooms with actual doors, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Check-in is just a door code texted to your phone, no lobby, no waiting.
The real win is outside: wraparound porch, private fire pit, free firewood, a gas grill, and Smoky Mountain sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, picture all of that with October color on the ridgeline. Heads up, the last stretch in is a gravel road, so skip the low-profile rental, and there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re minutes from Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva for dinner.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. (We actually stayed in the dead of winter and it was still stunning, fall just takes it up a notch.) Full review linked in bio.
Italian food felt like the last thing I expected to find in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains... until I sat down at Ilda in Sylva.🍝
They call it Italian-Appalachian, and that’s not just a tagline. Homemade pasta, craft cocktails, local ingredients pulled straight from the mountains around it, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re two hours from the nearest city. It’s cozy, it’s a little upscale, and it is not a walk-in kind of place, call ahead, because tables go fast on weekends.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. But if you’re already making the trip out to Sylva, this is the one reservation worth planning your day around.
Full write-up, including what to order, link in bio.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
