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Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant and Bar is located at 1301 S Capitol Blvd just down the hill from the train depot. The patio offers a charming outdoor environment right across the street from BSU campus. You can enjoy sitting outside with some comfort food and drink & just watch the world go by. We offer a variety of dining rooms, including a cozy room with stone fire place, a private dining room for groups of 8-10, or a dining hall seating 20+ for your special events. Papa Joe’s was established thirty years ago and has become a Boise tradition for hand made pizzas, home style pastas, Italian wine, cold regional beer and great prices.
Comfy restaurant serving Italian meals along with daily happy hours, a full bar & a patio.
Hours
| Monday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1301 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83706
Phone: (208) 344-7272
Website: http://www.papajoeboise.com/
Menu Photos
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Served fresh made Italian food from our own family recipes. Most of our menu items are available for take out and are also available in Family-Style portions.
Reviews
Skyler McGrath Lakatos
We had the most amazing dinner here! We had just come off the mountain skiing and this was the first time we had papa joes! We came in at 9pm and the man working was the best, most amazing person! He sat us right in this cozy area and turned on the fireplace. It truly was so cute and perfect! He brought us our drinks and food very quickly and they were all so fresh and amazing! The mussels, caprese, salads, pasta all were perfect and the best I’ve probably ever had! Seriously this place is so great, idk why I haven’t come in sooner! We will definitely be back soon to enjoy this great place!
… moreDawn Tower
This place deserves five stars, hands down. Everything from the atmosphere, to the service, to the from scratch menu was perfect. I love the rustic ski chalet feel. The Osso Buco, mushroom ravioli, and mac and cheese were perfection. The brownie Sunday was delectable. Even the house wine was great. We will return next time we are in town.
I really appreciate how kind they were to our five year old as well.
… moreI really appreciate how kind they were to our five year old as well.
Julie Nagel
This building is so unique. This was the happening spot in 80’s and I’m sure it will be again. The new owner is bringing back charm. Lots of parking. Good music. My pizza was delicious and the clam chowder was the perfect creamy with lots of clams.
… moreDani Stephens
My family and I headed to Papa Joe’s today for lunch after we participated at the Kidney Walk at Ann Morrison Park. We were all hungry and very excited to get a good lunch in! It’s been a couple years since I have been to Papa Joe’s. I do remember the last meal I had was really good.
The owner was the only one manning the front today. Both of his servers called out. He was hustling! He was finishing up a table before he was able to sit us. After he wrapped up the table, he got me sat first while I was waiting for the others to pop up. I ordered an ice tea and chilled.
After the rest of my party showed up, we checked all checked out the menu. Everything sounded so good. A majority of my party ordered the chicken parm sandwiches. I decided on the smaller portion of spaghetti and meatballs for lunch.
My husband got a side of clam chowder with his chicken parm sammy. He’s not a big onion guy so I got to work on the soup. It was very good! It was creamy and hearty. There were nice pieces of clams and mussels. The mussels added a nice chewy texture to the soup besides the clams. The potatoes were soft and the croutons added a nice crunchy element. I polished the bowl. The owner was kind and gave me a side salad. It came with their version of Italian dressing. The dressing was creamy and rich. You can taste bits of parmesan in it. The salad was a little wilted but the other toppings were fresh. Dipping the cucumber in the dressing was my favorite.
Our food came out beautifully plated and hot! My spaghetti and meatballs looked tasty! The pasta was nicely coated in sauce and the meatballs were huge! It also came with a buttery chunk of garlic bread.
I only had a couple bites of my spaghetti. The chowder and salad was actually quite filling. The pasta was cooked nicely. The meatballs were hearty and rich. The tomato sauce was fresh and flavorful. It did need a little salt. I did enjoy the sauce but it did have just a hair too much basil for me. But the few bites I did have, it was good.
Everyone polished off their chicken parmesan sammys. I had the rest of my spaghetti boxed up for later. Big props to the owner who man handled customers that were coming in left and right. Guests were sitting outside, in the bar and in the main dining area. Even though it was busy, our drinks were never empty and he never not checked up on us. I’m happy we came in this afternoon for lunch. We left full, happy and we also got to support a local business.
… moreThe owner was the only one manning the front today. Both of his servers called out. He was hustling! He was finishing up a table before he was able to sit us. After he wrapped up the table, he got me sat first while I was waiting for the others to pop up. I ordered an ice tea and chilled.
After the rest of my party showed up, we checked all checked out the menu. Everything sounded so good. A majority of my party ordered the chicken parm sandwiches. I decided on the smaller portion of spaghetti and meatballs for lunch.
My husband got a side of clam chowder with his chicken parm sammy. He’s not a big onion guy so I got to work on the soup. It was very good! It was creamy and hearty. There were nice pieces of clams and mussels. The mussels added a nice chewy texture to the soup besides the clams. The potatoes were soft and the croutons added a nice crunchy element. I polished the bowl. The owner was kind and gave me a side salad. It came with their version of Italian dressing. The dressing was creamy and rich. You can taste bits of parmesan in it. The salad was a little wilted but the other toppings were fresh. Dipping the cucumber in the dressing was my favorite.
Our food came out beautifully plated and hot! My spaghetti and meatballs looked tasty! The pasta was nicely coated in sauce and the meatballs were huge! It also came with a buttery chunk of garlic bread.
I only had a couple bites of my spaghetti. The chowder and salad was actually quite filling. The pasta was cooked nicely. The meatballs were hearty and rich. The tomato sauce was fresh and flavorful. It did need a little salt. I did enjoy the sauce but it did have just a hair too much basil for me. But the few bites I did have, it was good.
Everyone polished off their chicken parmesan sammys. I had the rest of my spaghetti boxed up for later. Big props to the owner who man handled customers that were coming in left and right. Guests were sitting outside, in the bar and in the main dining area. Even though it was busy, our drinks were never empty and he never not checked up on us. I’m happy we came in this afternoon for lunch. We left full, happy and we also got to support a local business.
shawn maples
This is now one of my favorite places to go when in Boise. Great location, easy to get to and not impacted by all of the road construction all around down town. The building is a historical landmark with a great past dating back to the early 1930s. I challenge you to find a 90 degree angle anywhere in the restaurant. The service is excellent and you will be well taken care of by really friendly locals that are really nice to visit with. The food selection is amazing. Fresh, flavorful and perfectly prepared to order. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu and if you like a great pizza then look no further. The Bar Tenders turn out great drinks and are always fun to talk with and take the dining experience to another level. The price point on menu items is very affordable. If you are attending an event at the Morrison Center this is absolutely the place to go before any event, the center is literally one block to the east and downtown Boise is a short walk north just across the river..
… moreBenne Fitzs
Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant delivers a dining experience that hits you with flavor from the very first bite. The moment your plate arrives, the rich, inviting aroma of their tomato sauce makes its presence known—a deep, robust fragrance that promises authenticity and comfort. That promise is kept with every forkful.
The sauce itself is a masterclass in balance: bold yet smooth, with a concentrated tomato essence that lingers in the best way. There’s a hard-hitting, rustic depth here—likely the result of slow simmering and a generous hand with herbs—that wraps each bite in warmth.
Then there’s the meat. Whether in the tender meatballs or the hearty ragù, Papa Joe’s somehow coaxes out a distinct, almost signature flavor. It’s savory and seasoned to perfection, with a gentle whisper of smokiness and a richness that suggests careful sourcing and time-honored preparation. The texture is just right—juicy without being greasy, satisfying without being heavy.
Pair all this with perfectly cooked pasta, a uniquely yet superior offering of mouth watering bread, and the kind of service that feels like family, and it’s no wonder Papa Joe’s stands out. This isn’t just Italian food—it’s an experience steeped in tradition and delivered with unapologetic flavor. SIX STARS out of five stars!
… moreThe sauce itself is a masterclass in balance: bold yet smooth, with a concentrated tomato essence that lingers in the best way. There’s a hard-hitting, rustic depth here—likely the result of slow simmering and a generous hand with herbs—that wraps each bite in warmth.
Then there’s the meat. Whether in the tender meatballs or the hearty ragù, Papa Joe’s somehow coaxes out a distinct, almost signature flavor. It’s savory and seasoned to perfection, with a gentle whisper of smokiness and a richness that suggests careful sourcing and time-honored preparation. The texture is just right—juicy without being greasy, satisfying without being heavy.
Pair all this with perfectly cooked pasta, a uniquely yet superior offering of mouth watering bread, and the kind of service that feels like family, and it’s no wonder Papa Joe’s stands out. This isn’t just Italian food—it’s an experience steeped in tradition and delivered with unapologetic flavor. SIX STARS out of five stars!
Buggy
I posted this review on yelp as well. The service was okay and our server was nice although quite loud. The wait was a while for even our appetizer and my food of choice the chicken carbonara it was overcooked low quality boxed dry pasta with butter some freezer burnt chicken and bits of bacon very bland and tasted like just overcooked box pasta. My boyfriend got the chicken Parmesan which was also overcooked not only the noodles but the chicken to the point of being burnt at the ends it had a very sweet watery marinara sauce and the chicken was over breaded. They said a salad would come with each meal but it never made it to our table during our time there. For an Olive Garden or Luciano’s price point the quality of the food was lacking. We spent over 60$ and it was not worth it very upsetting date night for us. After we paid our server then gave us our leftovers completely sideways in a bag covered in marinara sauce?
… moreRyan Harmon
I can’t say enough positive things. I came in with a friend that recently had a stroke and is non-verbal. Patrick the owner was so welcoming and helpful! His knowledge of Boise and the food was incredible. The pizza is something I’ve never experienced. I don’t know what “pizza” is now. All the others places called pizza just don’t compare in the slightest, their crust is to die for! Toppings fresh. The cook Matt is so prideful as he should be with the amazing quality of food their serve! The Sagehen Bbq chicken is my personal favorite and recommendation.
… moreJeremy Mcneely
Yes, it was ok. This place is like if i went to olive garden, it was good, but it need a little flavor to the food my wife’s was not good had to add salt to it the meatballs was more bread and pepper. The only thing that was good was the appetizer with the vinegar on it
… moreT. H.D. (Afrikanbeauti)
Really a solid 4.5
Here’s why.
Lovely atmosphere. Kinda kitchy like a Italian version of crackers barrel with decor. Cozy areas near a fireplace and log cabin feel (exposed logs).
Artichoke dip with crostini delightful hint of lemon and cheese and smooth.
Italian wedding soup was meh broth was good seasoned well but no little pastinis in mine.
Chicken marsala great, lovely and garlicky but sadly not salt and pepper. After I seasoned with crushed red pepper flakes and table salt (not my fav to do after food is cooked), it sang. I would have like more mushrooms and a tad less cook on the chicken.
Brownie was wonderful personally could do without chocolate sauce. Hence the 4 not 5 stars.
Friends had the (1) mushroom ravioli and a (2) chicken parm with no complaints. Foccacia came with all and was tender and seasoned well.
I will come back to try other dishes.
I would love it if they had a fra diavolo but not many places have seafood dishes here in BOISE.
It was solid. Wonderful front of house and server. He (not sure if owner or just manager) even visited our table to check in. Very nice. Just the amount right of attention not too much and not too less.
Kept our water filled and table cleared.
Did not visit the bathroom to comment on that.
… moreHere’s why.
Lovely atmosphere. Kinda kitchy like a Italian version of crackers barrel with decor. Cozy areas near a fireplace and log cabin feel (exposed logs).
Artichoke dip with crostini delightful hint of lemon and cheese and smooth.
Italian wedding soup was meh broth was good seasoned well but no little pastinis in mine.
Chicken marsala great, lovely and garlicky but sadly not salt and pepper. After I seasoned with crushed red pepper flakes and table salt (not my fav to do after food is cooked), it sang. I would have like more mushrooms and a tad less cook on the chicken.
Brownie was wonderful personally could do without chocolate sauce. Hence the 4 not 5 stars.
Friends had the (1) mushroom ravioli and a (2) chicken parm with no complaints. Foccacia came with all and was tender and seasoned well.
I will come back to try other dishes.
I would love it if they had a fra diavolo but not many places have seafood dishes here in BOISE.
It was solid. Wonderful front of house and server. He (not sure if owner or just manager) even visited our table to check in. Very nice. Just the amount right of attention not too much and not too less.
Kept our water filled and table cleared.
Did not visit the bathroom to comment on that.