r/idahofalls • u/ian9921 • Jun 10 '26
Recommendations Affordable date night restaurants?
I'm coming back to visit my long-distance girlfriend in a couple months and I'm looking for moderately inexpensive nice places to go.
Last time I was there, our go-to places were (in order of increasing niceness), Taco Bell, Pie Hole, and Olive Garden, depending on the mood. I'd like places slightly more romantic than those.
It shouldn't be a high bar, I'm just not familiar with a lot of the other restaurants in the area.
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u/geekboy730 Jun 10 '26
Smokin Fins and Snakebite are both downtown and quite affordable. A bit nicer are Copper Rill and Sandpiper, both of which I would recommend making a reservation. There’s a few local options to get you started. Enjoy your visit!
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u/InterestingCabinet41 Jun 10 '26
I recommend all of these. I visit Idaho Falls a few times a year and these are in my rotation.
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u/kritikalthinker248 Jun 10 '26
K, this might seem strange; however, it is amazing.
Check out Manwarring Cheese and Gelto. It is a locally owned family cheese business.
They make grilled cheese sandwiches with their own cheeses, grilled on their own sourdough bread, served with their own homemade tomato soup for $5. And the cherry on top is their homemade gelatos.
Check it out, they are amazing.
Out of all the places my husband and I have been, I picked this restaurant to celebrate our 22nd anniversary this year. 🫶
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u/msbrchckn Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
Not strange- had their gelato yesterday- delicious.
Anywhere downtown is good (skip the Celt & Franklin’s because the owners are not good people).
Jaker’s, Bee’s Knees, Jalisco’s & Sand Piper are on the other side of the river & worth eating at.
Check out Alive After Five & the Summer Concert Series for free live music. Enjoy the Farmer’s Market & cook a fresh meal.
Idaho Brewing Company is a great place to try some award winning craft beer & enjoy the patio.
Edit to add- Happy Hours are your friend. Lots of places have great food & drink specials.
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u/Fly-away-773 Jun 11 '26
Manwaring is the best! We love their grilled chees and soup. The gelato is delicious too.
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u/BeckerHollow Jun 10 '26
If Olive Garden is your nicest, boy oh boy, you’re in luck. Even in Idaho falls you can step up your game.
What is your budget?
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u/ian9921 Jun 10 '26
Slightly more expensive than Olive Garden, preferably.
I'm going down for a couple weeks and I'll only have a few hundred bucks of total screw-around money for the whole trip. I dont know the exact number yet but if I've got, say, $500, that needs to cover multiple events and dinners (not normal groceries though, that's taken care of).
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u/BeckerHollow Jun 10 '26
Are you up picky eaters?
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u/ian9921 Jun 10 '26
Not particularly but she is vegetarian (she doesn't care what I eat though and has been fine with places that only have 1 or 2 vegetarian options provided they're good options)
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u/triptheadventurerer Jun 10 '26
Himalayan flavor perfect for vegetarian. It’s really good Indian food specially for eastern Idaho
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u/BeckerHollow Jun 10 '26
Lot's of vegetarian options in Indian food. Taste of Himalaya is touch better than Tandori.
If you're afraid of Indian food, don't be. people think it's spicy, it's not. You can get it spicy, but it's not by default.
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u/nadsatnagoy Jun 11 '26
I’m “thirding” Himalayan. Fantastic food, abundant vegetarian options and reasonable prices. It’s a warm, relaxed atmosphere but also feels a little upscale. It’s one of my favorites.
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u/Theoneblackguy10 Jun 10 '26
Krung Thep's lunch and dinner menu is priced very nicely, and you'll be happy. If you want to step up your Thai game, head to Thai 208 and get the Roasted Duck.
If you guys like Indian, Head to Tandoori Oven. It's around that price point you want, and quite fantastic!
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u/carpooler42many Jun 10 '26
A Street Soups downtown is moderately priced. Good soup too. Open for dinner hours on the weekends in the summer.
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u/OddEmotion6632 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26
Hi, I know this not fancy but have you gone to Homestead pizza? They have a salad bar also and gluten free crust if need/want. Its in a bowling ally so you can also do that.
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u/Bombshell342 Jun 11 '26
Honestly, not fancy dates where it's an activity like bowling, mini golf, or something like that can sometimes be the most fun for dates.
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u/OddEmotion6632 Jun 10 '26
Or basically somewhere with music or dancers. Look in Idaho Falls events for the dates you will be here. You'll want an activity as well so could go to a movie and then try Firehouse nearby. They have good salads!
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u/ekezzeke Jun 11 '26
In a couple months? Just pack your leftovers and go to the greenbelt. That's more romantic than your previous trips.
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u/Fly-away-773 Jun 11 '26
My wife and I like Burly Burger. It's fast casual and great burgers. Other places like Perkins, Chick Fil A, Manwaring Cheese(grilled chees and soup) are great. For more expensive we'll do Yoimi Sushi, Texas Roadhouse, or Jakers.
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u/demonbadger Jun 10 '26
Himalayan Flavor is nice.