So you’ve decided to seek out seafood in Meridian. Will you find places that feel like they’re trying a bit too hard? Possibly. Are some spots more about the scene than the scallops? Sure. But you’ll still enjoy an exceptional meal if you know where to go.
IMPERIUM
$$ | (208) 820-8224 | WEBSITE
Imperium might seem like just another trendy spot for meat lovers and keto dieters, but it’s actually a sleek space where you squeeze in next to fellow diners and savor some grilled scallops. The chef adds a personal touch to every dish, and you might notice people trying to catch a glimpse of him working his magic. But honestly, who cares? All you really want is to enjoy that smoked bacon tomato dish or a keto-friendly wagyu option while surrounded by the aroma of sizzling skewers. (Am I right?)
Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant
$$ | (208) 922-5169 | WEBSITE
Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant is the go-to spot for Mexican food in Meridian. It’s a great place to enjoy a family dinner, celebrate a special occasion, or just grab a tasty meal any day of the week. They also do a taco buffet on Tuesdays and are open for lunch and dinner daily, but we like this restaurant best on relaxed evenings when we can savor a combo ground beef enchilada and chili relleno and catch up with loved ones.
Even though the space is pretty spacious (with beautiful, clean decor throughout), it gets busy on weekends, but the atmosphere never gets too loud.
El Tenampa Mexican Grill & Cantina
$ | (208) 888-4089 | WEBSITE
Open for years now, El Tenampa is a bustling, authentic Mexican grill with a vibrant cantina vibe on a busy Meridian street. You might need to wait for parking during peak hours, and it can get crowded—but if you’re craving real Mexican flavors, it’s worth it. Don’t bother asking for a menu recommendation from the staff. You won’t need one.
Just settle into the friendly atmosphere, watch them prepare fresh guacamole right at your table, and dive into generously portioned classics like the shrimp-packed Siete Mares or the massive Mucho Macho Burrito tailored to satisfy big appetites.
Lucky Fins Meridian
$$ | (208) 888-3467 | WEBSITE
Lucky Fins Meridian works for a quick lunch between errands, big celebration dinner, and everything in between. At the bar, the casual space with high-top tables will probably be filled with people who recently decided that chain seafood spots are too predictable, enjoying $16 fish and chips and mango shrimp tacos. In the dining room, there’s a clean, accommodating space with just enough room to focus on some exceptional, memorable seafood.
Join the regulars who know to make Friday reservations, and eat and relax until you’re ready to head home. Also, if you’re looking for a restaurant in Meridian to mark a special occasion, this would do the trick.
Fresh Off the Hook
$ | (208) 322-9224 | WEBSITE
From the team behind some of Boise’s favorite spots, Fresh Off the Hook is a charming place tucked away in a shopping center. The seafood is fresh and satisfying as comfort food, the room is filled with nautical decor and vibrant colors, and the servers like Shellbi wear casual uniforms that wouldn’t seem out of place at a seaside cafe. If you want great seafood in Meridian but don’t want to deal with stuffy fine dining, it’s one of your best options.
Just be sure to arrive early, or you might have to wait for a table.
KJ’s American Grille
$ | (208) 887-6722 | WEBSITE
Some buffets feel like a chaotic food court, and others resemble a sad hotel breakfast spread. But if you want a buffet that’s actually a buffet, choose KJ’s American Grille. The spacious spot offers good value with its lunch and dinner options, featuring excellent dishes like the Malibu chicken dinner made with real chicken breast, smoked ham, and cheese.
It’s a welcoming place to enjoy a generous salad bar, and while they do serve breakfast items like terrific coffee and tasty selections, eating isn’t mandatory—you could just come for the soft serve station. The friendly service and accommodating atmosphere make it a solid choice, even if the buffet can sometimes be hit-or-miss.
O Crab Seafood and Bar
$$ | (208) 378-8080 | WEBSITE
O Crab Seafood and Bar is a comfortable seafood spot in Meridian from the same folks behind some of the area’s popular boil joints. Along with big screens over the bar showing games like the Super Bowl, there’s a kitschy dining room that fits the casual style. They make a few standout dishes like the praised calamari appetizer and oyster shooters, plus boil offerings with clam and scallop that customers plan to try. The steak gets mentioned as being on par with pricier places.
It works for a straightforward dinner with attentive, friendly service or as a more relaxed alternative to fancier seafood restaurants in town.
Coa Del Mar
$$$ | (208) 605-0000 | WEBSITE
Coa Del Mar is in the heart of Meridian, and it’s exactly the sort of place you’d expect to find there. This seafood restaurant is beautiful and inviting, and it attracts the sort of people who appreciate romantic dates and late happy hours. The nautical-inspired space is light and airy, with many pretty details and light-colored tones.
They don’t take reservations, so it might take a bit for a table to open up—but if you’re looking for a pleasant atmosphere, a friendly server like Mykle, and some generally good food, this place is worth a visit.
Tucanos Brazilian Grill
$$ | (208) 343-4300 | WEBSITE
Tucanos Brazilian Grill is a Brazilian restaurant in Meridian that happens to have a very impressive salad bar—and that’s really why you come here. The whole place is upbeat and welcoming, and the dining area feels like a livelier version of a family gathering spot, complete with attentive staff and a positive atmosphere. Expect a crowd on weekends, and maybe even a wait if you arrive late on a Friday or Saturday.
El Tenampa
$ | (208) 375-8044 | WEBSITE
Meridian is full of restaurants that are perfect for people who want predictable chain food or would like to act like they do. El Tenampa is not one of those restaurants. This is a lively, warmly designed, consistently welcoming Mexican-inspired spot where you can gather over amazing dishes and vibrant atmosphere. The table side guac is top-tier, and the live music on Fridays is a local classic.
Coyne’s Restaurant & Bar
$$ | (208) 609-5550 | WEBSITE
If you’re after a chill evening with great food and drinks, you’ll appreciate Coyne’s. There’s no stuffy fine-dining vibe here, but you’ll find a comfortable upscale brewery atmosphere, a large outdoor patio, and professional staff who make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. Around a dozen handcrafted cocktails are available, and you can enjoy them alongside dishes like Peruvian Chicken or Sea Bass with pesto and gnocchi.
(They’re also known for their fabulous pork chop and prime ribeye.) Although the full menu is excellent, we prefer using this place for a relaxed dinner with friends. The service is perfect and very kind, but don’t be surprised to see people who just finished a long work week unwind with amazing desserts throughout the night. You’re in Meridian, after all.
Kahootz Steak & Alehouse
$$ | (208) 895-9861 | WEBSITE
Kahootz Steak & Alehouse is a classic steakhouse that becomes a local favorite on weekends. Swing by on a Saturday evening, and you’ll likely find regulars enjoying the welcoming atmosphere. Once you settle in, you can either relax with the pleasant music at a comfortable volume or chat with the cheerful and attentive staff like Lo. It can definitely get lively, but isn’t packed on weekdays, so feel free to bring a friend here on a Wednesday.
Ahi Sushi Bar
$$ | (208) 938-3474 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving both fresh sushi and a great sake selection, Ahi Sushi Bar is the spot for you. Get the kalani roll, which is fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, and pair it with the winding creek tempura roll that features crispy tempura and a hint of sweetness. The sake doesn’t taste very strong at first, but it’ll complement the meal perfectly and put you in the right (relaxed) mood for when this place inevitably fills up with regulars enjoying the attentive service.
Garibaldis Garden City
$$ | (208) 370-5241 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a Mexican restaurant that has neighborhood-favorite energy, a salsa flight that surprises, and a menu that feels like it was made by someone who actually cares about flavor, head to Garibaldis Garden City. This cozy spot has an efficiently designed interior, warm lighting, and lots of people enjoying themselves even though the space is pretty compact. This is the kind of place that feels like a compromise between going out for a fancy dinner and grabbing a casual meal.
You can eat something better than bland tacos, but you can also relax in an atmosphere that feels like a friend’s lively dinner party that you happened to be invited to.
Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar
$$ | (208) 288-4488 | WEBSITE
Hook & Reel is a cross between a family-friendly seafood shack, a lively Cajun boil spot, and a relaxed neighborhood bar. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something more casual than the upscale places downtown, but it’s also a worthy destination on its own. You might just come here for drinks, but once you see the huge menu, you’re going to want to get some snow crab legs, buffalo wings, and fried shrimp (yes, even the kids will love it).
Tavern at Eagle Island
$$ | (208) 994-5577 | WEBSITE
Great food, friendly staff, and a vibe that feels like a family reunion. That’s what you’ll find at Tavern at Eagle Island. This spot is welcoming, it has comfortable booths, and it’s perfect for when you want to have a relaxed, enjoyable meal with the kids. The Fish and Chips are worth every penny, and servers like Alec and Emma make sure your glass is never empty.
Sure, the music gets loud near the bar on weekends, and some dishes run a bit high—think around $18 for the steak grinder—but the quality and service make it a solid choice for lunch or dinner.