While I wasn’t in Sun Valley Idaho for long, it was certainly long enough to sample a few restaurants, drink more than a few coffees and soak up the sun on the mountain for a couple of days and a hiking trail on another. I wrote about Globus separately, so be sure to check out our review/write up, however there are a host of other scrumptious options for dining in Sun Valley.
As most know who have been there either for skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, Ketchum is the main town in Sun Valley. It has a ski vibe to it overall and its restaurants reflect the local “ski” culture and mountain living. Here’s our top 12 foodie picks for your next visit.
Ketchum Grill on 520 East Avenue. Every local told me that I must eat here and that it was one of their favorite places in town. For 22 years “The Grill” has become a must-have destination meal. Part of its charm is its location and the fact that its situated in the historic Ed Williams House built in 1885, on the corner of East Avenue and Fifth Street.
The Grill receives continued accolades, including being selected one of the “8 Best Ski Town Restaurants” by Snow Country Magazine with “food rivaling Manhattan’s best”. You’ll find house-made breads and desserts, fruit-wood grilled meats, Idaho venison and lamb, fish, small pizzas, seasonal variety, nightly specials and an awarding winning wine list and great selection of micro-brews and desserts.
Rickshaw for Asian, Tapas and Thai food on 460 Washington Avenue. This place is small and very basic in terms of overall ambiance, however the food really is a treat. It’s the kind of place you want to head to when you’re in the mood for delicious Asian tapas in a simple but relaxing environment, not a luxurious and romantic evening out with your partner.
Globus on 291 6th Street East. We did a separate write up on Globus, which is a delicious must visit restaurant that blends natural with an Asian flare. Everything is freshly prepared and delicious and they have gluten free options as well.
Sawtooth Club Restaurant on 231 North Main Street. I spent the evening here as part of a fabulous dinner hosted by Southwest Airlines. It’s not quite a “club” as the name suggests, but more like a funky western saloon bar with a full menu and great food. I loved the ambiance of this place and the bar itself. Their dishes extend far beyond the traditional bar fare — informal fine dining at its best. I’d recommend going for one of their pasta dishes.
Enoteca for great Italian and wine on 300 North Main Street, just down the street from the Sawtooth Club. I loved the ambiance of this place then again I’m a sucker for a great Italian meal. In addition to great pizza, they serve house cured meats, Artisanal cheeses and local honey. If you want ambiance, great Italian food and a big bold red to go along with it, then this is your place.
Boca for Latin American and Brazilian taps on 131 Washington Avenue. The menu is comprised of various tapas plates and also includes a selection of daily cocas (Spanish style flat breads), salads, and entrees. In addition to sourcing wines from the Pacific Northwest, Spain, Portugal, Chile and Argentina, Boca has a full bar with Bar Manager Ryan Sullivan’s craft cocktails created to compliment the bold flavors of Latin cuisine.
We took over several booths for the night and while the food was great and the ambiance “fun” especially in the bar area to the left of the main dining room, our wait was long and disorganized despite the fact that they knew they’d be hit by over 20 people since we called ahead.
The Grill at Knob Hill on 960 Main Street North. I stayed at Knob Hill Inn so had a meal there one night at the bar, which is much more casual than the main dining room. That said, I can vouch for the food – fresh and delicious with a great wine list as well. And, ya gotta love the ambiance!
Konditorei on 211 Main Street. They have great coffee, desserts, ice cream and Eastern European bites. Below is their macaroon and banana bomb.
Dashi for Japanese and sushi on 211 East Avenue for when you’re in the mood for sushi and unusually prepared Japanese dishes. Need we say more?
Lastly, if you are craving a burger, head to Grumpy’s on 860 Warm Springs Road. One other place we feel we need to mention mainly because it offers such great night life and the food is pretty good as well with offerings of game on the menu: Cornerstone Bar & Grill.
Think wild west meets haute cuisine. Recipient of the prestigious AIA Honor Award 2010, the Cornerstone (built in 1884) remains the only building in Ketchum listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Inside its modern decor, you’ll enjoy a seasonally changing array of game, seafood and vegetable dishes, complimented by hand-crafted cocktails and a list of beer and wine that’s both familiar and eclectic. Regular items also include vegan and gluten free dishes and a better-than-you’d-expect children’s menu.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
