Enjoyable and flavorful fast food can be found at Oriental Express. The downtown Chinese restaurant features about 50 items, including sweet and sour pork, Mandarin chicken, seafood hotpot, vegetable dishes and much more. The ingredients are always fresh and dishes are made-to-order. The Shrimp Lo Mein and Volcano Beef with hot sauce are excellent choices. The eatery also offers domestic and imported beers.

A downtown mainstay, this restaurant (French for "The Red Chicken") takes a chapter out of the French sidewalk cafe. However, its food selection isn't strictly European. The menu, which also caters to vegetarians and changes each month, has Creole, African, French and Southwestern influences. On Saturday, sleep in and then head down for brunch, which features quiches, omelets, a variety of fruits and pastries, as well as gourmet coffees. Outdoor seating is scarce, but well worth it if you can claim a chair.

Brick walls and painted arches greet diners as they enter this Boise favorite, located at the historic Eighth Street Marketplace. Opened since 1981, Cafe Ole Restaurant and Cantina brings a little taste of Mexico to Idaho. Diners can munch on Nachitos or Mini Taquitos while waiting for their main course, or try the Chicken Tropicana Salad. Entrees include crispy Chicken Flautas and Camarones Rancheros, grilled shrimp with a homemade sauce. The Arroz Con Pollo En Crema, chicken covered with a jalisco-based cream sauce, highlights the specialties. The restaurant also serves a variety of margaritas and beers.

This local favorite offers one of the best draft beer selections in the area. In fact, there are more than 100 draft and bottled beers at Old Chicago. Pizzas and Italian-style sandwiches highlight the otherwise solid menu. Boise State University, University of Idaho and Chicago sports memorabilia decorate most of the interiors. Many of its patrons are alumni from these universities. Weekend nights are often crowded, and you can expect the game to always be on.

A slice of Japan has landed in downtown Boise. Cowboys now sidle up to the sushi bar for a California roll and wide array of sushi delicacies. This authentic Japanese restaurant, the first one in Boise, serves tasty lunches and dinners. Diners feast on sashimi and teriyaki while enjoying a selection of beverages, both Japanese and American. The restaurant's catering service brings a touch of Japan to special events.

This Mexican eatery provides a quick, healthy and tasty meals for those short on time and looking for value. Quesadillas, roasted chicken, gourmet burritos and fish tacos cater to meat-lovers and vegetarians alike at this Mexican rotisserie. Soft drinks, beer and margaritas complete the meal. All at affordable prices.

One of downtown's newest establishments also happens to be one of the first restaurant and distillery in the nation. Bardenay, which is sailor's slang for cocktail, concocts its own vodka, rum, gin and whiskey. In addition to drinks comes an impressive Mediterranean-style menu. Entrees range from Oyster Fry to Rum Pepper Steak. The Warm Boarshead Pastrami and Corned Beef Reuben sandwiches are especially good. Besides the distillery, the spacious brick-walled eatery features beers on tap served at its long, cherry-oak bar.

Experience Boise's Basque scene at this cozy, charming downtown eatery. Lamb stew, beef tongue (served on Saturdays), chorizo and solomo sandwiches decorate this funky menu. Standard fare exists for the less brave, too. Indulge with a 22-ounce Guinness or a glass of Basque wine. For a taste of Basque, try the croquetas. Tables are sparse, and prized if found. Outdoor seating is also available during the warmer months.

Dishing up Mandarin delicacies for more than 14 years, this casual restaurant has been voted the 'best Asian food' in Boise by locals. Diners select from specialties such as Bao Dumplings, egg rolls or Dry-Cooked Beans. While waiting for their food, customers enjoy the aroma of simmering sauces in this friendly restaurant. Although Mandarin cuisine is the emphasis, there are also Szechuan and Hunan selections.

Images of Humphrey Bogart dance through your head when you relax at this Casablanca-inspired cafe, located in the Eighth Street Marketplace. Connected to the The Flicks, a foreign and independent movie house, the fireplace-accented cafe serves a variety of sandwiches, soups, burgers, lasagna, salads and wraps. Wine and beer lovers choose from 18 wines and 30 beers. If coffee is your thing, then try one of the gourmet espresso drinks. The garden patio is perfect for people-watching while munching on the cafe's trademark chocolate chip cookies.