Bar Gernika

Unfortunately, we had a very bad experience here today. We had a large group of 11 people which understandably can be a bit overwhelming at times and we try to take that into account when finding a restaurant. We were very excited to try this restaurant as we have heard good things and spend a lot of time at the other basque restaurants. When we first walked in we were relieved to see that the restaurant was almost empty! It went down hill from there though. We were immediately treated poorly. The server was outwardly rude and obviously annoyed that we were there. We sensed this and tried to offer to help move tables together to try and take some of the burden off and we were met with harsh words. We were honestly taken back, since most of us have worked in The service industry we try to be good customers. It was so bad that we decided to walk out. The cook followed us out and apologized but the outright rudeness from the servers made us feel completely unwelcome. Luckily the restaurant across the street was happy to serve us and we had a wonderful meal.

Awesome. Simply awesome. If you have ever been to a bar/restaurant just down the street of the statehouse in Boston called Sevens …this is the long lost twin. Real good memories and this place just does everything well.

I visited Bar Gernika on my final night in Boise. The hustle and bustle of the Friday night crowd was apparent, but I was greatly kindly and led to high-top once a table came open. The restaurant may not be bright and chic, but its heart pours out from every nook and cranny. I started with their daily soup - a creamy, umami-packed mushroom bisque that was so good I inhaled before I even got my beer (or took a picture). For dinner, I had their Basque chorizo sandwich with a side of traditional croquetas. The chorizo was deeply spiced with a kiss of heat, complemented by the sweetness of the grilled onions and pimientos. The croquetas were piping hot and perfectly crisp - try them with the tangy Tiger sauce in bottles on each table! All of this was appropriately washed down with a local nut brown ale. Needless to say, I left with both my heart and belly full. The staff all clearly care deeply about the food and the customers - especially the chef who works endlessly over a hot stove, yet still finds time to bring you your food with a genuine smile. If you're in Boise looking for a taste of Basque food, I implore you to go give Bar Gernika an evening of your time.

A fantastic little restaurant with excellent food. The outdoor seating and service was lovely. The croquetas are very authentic and delicious and I loved my braised lamb sandwich.

Bar Gernika is an absolute gem! The customer service is top-notch – the staff is friendly, attentive, and makes you feel right at home. The food is incredible, with each dish bursting with flavor.

The food here was absolutely excellent for a small bar/dive-like place, One cook in a small open kitchen behind the door turning out solid food. I spoke with the cook, she is clearly proud of the job she does and should be. The Solomo was tender flavorful and the baguette was the perfect mix of crunchy outside and airy bread. We had that with the soup of the day which was a delicious cup of lamb chili. Not too hot, but filled with spice flavor. Rich and delicious. We also had the Lamb Grinder which was delicious with plenty of slow cooked tender lamb with grilled onions, peppers, Swiss cheese and Au Jus, Sort of a cross between French dip and cheese steak. The croquettes were amazing. Lots of beer and wine choices and attentive service. Check this place out.

Bar Gernika is a Boise staple and a must visit for anyone in town. The food always delicious. I highly recommend the lamb grinder and croquettes. The bread is perfect for a sandwich and the best fries in town. Seating is limited inside and there's no reservations so be prepared to wait or sit at the bar for smaller groups. There's plenty of great drinks to choose from and the service is always excellent. The location downtown and in the heart of the Basque District is perfect.

Very nice, quaint place for a small meal and some good drinks on tap. Staff was super friendly and knowledgeable and helped us feel like we were the only people there. Sometimes 5 stars aren't enough for the pleasant atmosphere the team created!

Highly recommend Bar Gernika in the Basque Block of Boise. Very good Lamb Grinder with au jus sauce sauce as well as delicious tiny croquetas. The beer menu was a very pleasant surprise as well as the had many imported beers on tap. Also appreciated the convenience of it being located adjacent to Boise Centre. Highly recommend if looking for a place with culture and convenience near downtown and walking distance to everything worth seeing in the immediate area.

My first time visiting the Basque Block and we stopped in here. It was less crowded than some of the other Basque places with a smaller space, less food options, and more of a low-key bar vibe. We grabbed a drink each and split a Basque sausage sandwich with a side of croquettes. The sandwich was a bit simple (just bread and protein) but the sausage paired well with the Grey Poupon. The croquettes were round which I wasn't expecting, but nice and crunchy outside and creamy inside. The waiter was kind enough to split our snack into two plates. They had quite a variety of Basque style ciders, or sidras, that I would be willing to try if we come back.

Solid spot in downtown Boise. Good tap list, solid food selections, and smiling staff.

The food here is no frill, good bar food. I ordered the Lamb Grinder which is pretty much a French Dip with cheese and lamb. The lamb was tough, but the dish was well seasoned. The toughness and dryness could have been reduced if the meat was chopped a bit. The croquettes were really good. I loved how the acidic sauce balanced the heaviness of the croquettes. It was soft and creamy in the middle. The Lamb Stew was extremely rich and had depth in it. The flavors were on point, but the Lamb was dry. Perhaps use a fattier cut of lamb. Service here is beyond fantastic and the staff was very friendly!

Great little Basque restaurant in downtown Boise. Food: 5/5. The food is always amazing. The croquetas are phenomenal and the fried peppers are delicious! Kalimotxo (coke and wine) is also a classic and tasty. We had the chicken sandwich and spicy lamb grinder. Both really good. Service: 3/5. I've had some great service, but the last time we were here the service was not so great. Our waiter was very inattentive and we had to wait 30 minutes from the time we finished eating to the time we finally got the check. We eventually had to ask another staff member for our check. Atmosphere: 4/5. The inside is very small so it can take a while to get seated. The patio is also somewhat small but can be a good vibe in good weather. Kid Friendly: 2/5. I saw some kids on the patio, which is fine, but I would not recommend this restaurant for kiddos. Overall, we love Bar Gernika and will definitely be again! It is such a great local gem!

Rudest staff I've encountered. A disgrace to the service industry. I left in protest an will never return. Immediately went across the street and had the opposite experience. The young man working here on July 10 at 6pm should be fired! He closed the door in the face of other customers.

An afternoon snack of 10-deep fried croquetas (butter, onion, chicken, flour and milk) served with sweet & sour Louisiana Tiger sauce. You can use Tabasco for spcie. The texture was excellent... crispy, yet easy to cut with the side of a fork. Big croquetas fan! I also got an Isastegi cider, which is a very dry Basque cider that didn't have much flavor. Don't recommend this cider. Wasn't impressed with the service at all. Sat outside on a beautiful day and there were 1-2 other tables filled. The server dropped off the menu and came back a full 10-minutes later. Perhaps it was super busy inside. She delivered the food and drink, but never appeared again. I waited and waited, but eventually asked another server for my bill, which he brought. Wish I were hungrier because they have a ton of other seemingly good/original things on the menu.

I always make a stop here for the croquetas. Don't ask, just go order them. The peppers are great too along with great beer options. The guys at the bar had me cracking up And we learned the basque word for bar hopping- chiquiteo

A pretty cool place in Boise. Brought some food for my trek back to California. It was good, tasty and well enjoyed.

I'm very glad I trusted Reddit when searching for food options in Boise. I've never had basque food before so I definitely didn't know what to expect. My colleagues and I all agreed this was the best meal we had on our trip. I would give Bar Genika 5 stars but had to remove a star for the insanely long wait time on food and service. Clearly, they were extremely understaffed. We waited longer than usual for a table because they couldn't bus the tables and close out guests in time. We sat at a dirty table outside for over 15 min with 2 servers walking past us before they finally cleared the table. Don't get me started on the wait on our food. If you're ordering an appetizer, basically just order enough that you'll feel somewhat full cus our entrees took even longer to come out. Nonetheless, the wait was worth it. I would give this place another chance due to our server who was clearly trying to remediate the understaffing fiasco. Ok, food. Appetizers: Croquetas and shishito peppers. Those Croquetas, just wow. They can visit my dreams anytime. The shishitos were good too. Entrees are basically your choice of lamb stew or a grinder which is lamb or chicken. I ordered a grilled chicken one but got a lamb. Not regretful, the lamb was not gamey whatsoever and had lots of flavor since I requested the spicy option. Grinders are basically your protein on a fancy baguette with an au jus on the side. Salad dressing had a garlic vinaigrette which was also delectable. Yummy, elevated basque pub food. Whatever you order here, will most likely be delicious.

AMAZING lambwhiches and the croquettes with the Tiger sauce are DElicious. Jeff and his wife are slaying it on the grill and the vibe with the low brow lounge music is PERFECT. A great place to pass the afternoon or evening.

My 1300th review of 2022 and it lands on this fantastic meal in Boise. I had learned earlier that Idaho has a huge population of Basque immigrants who came here in the 1800s to work in the mines. Many of them settled as sheepfarmers, bringing their experience from Spain to the Idaho Territory. And with it, their culture and food. So this neighborhood in Boise is chock full of Basque restaurants and even a Basque cultural center. I love Iberia and Basque food, having been to Madrid twice and also Bilbao https://www.yelp.com/user_details_reviews_self?userid=hWDybu_KvYLSdEFzGrniTw&review_filter=location&location_filter_city=Bilbao&location_filter_state=BI, Palma and Barcelona as well as Porto and Lisbon. It's my favorite region in Europe and so I was excited to get a taste of their great food here in, of all places, Idaho. I was warmly greeted and shown to a table and presented a menu. I opted to just have a dinner of appetizers this evening and it all arrived together. Perfect. Blistered shishito peppers (spicy but not hot) dusted in salt, tiny croquettes and a plate of three different Spanish cheeses with a bowl of olives and a fresh bread. Oh, my. It was absolutely perfect and definitely took me back to my last trip to Spain. Great food. Service was also fabulous and the atmosphere in this small place was cute and eclectic and quite warm. If you're looking for an impressive date night, this is it. And yes, it's a Diners, Drive-In and Dives feature https://www.dinersdriveinsdiveslocations.com/bar-gernika-idaho.html with a picture of Guy Fieri on the wall. [Review 17779 overall - 53 in Idaho - 1300 of 2022.]

16 ounce kalimoxto and some great conversation can make any day better, especially if it's in a bar with an old school atmosphere like this one. In a family trip to Boise we desperately wanted to visit the Basque block for a dine around to experience some of this historic culture. It's as alive now as it was back then, woven into the tapestry of this modern city in a way that everyone knows of it, knows those establishments preserving it and knows of the special experiences you can only have with those people who are keeping it alive and thriving for all of us to appreciate, celebrate, and perpetuate. Bar Guernika is one such place with staff who are true stewards of the Basque community. I rolled in as a solo diner, unsure of what awaited me, but a friendly smile immediately welcomed me and made me feel right at home. The best way to experience culture is through food, and at Bar Guernika, you will feel transported back in time to simpler days when all one needed was a glass of wine or beer and some hearty eats to make any day better. As such, there's a small menu of wine and beer here, no full bar, and a small selection of great simple eats as well. Don't let that deter you. You're not here for a gourmet experience. You're here to experience Basque hospitality, which starts with wine, and since that goes with everything, you can eat whatever you want from the menu. The croquettes are special but the lamb grinder is the way to go! Eating and drinking as they would have, in a place they would have gathered brings this culture to life, and it is absolutely something you need to experience for yourself. Highly recommend this place to escape the norm!

This place has a great wine selection, and a healthy rotating tap. with awesome IPA's to choose from... The service and atmosphere is outstanding...should you choose, there is always intellectual conversation with the bartenders and staff. Super cool laid-back people. And by far THE HIGHLIGHT ON THE MENU....the Croquetas...made with butter, flour, chicken, onion & battered up to fry... the best Croquetas, I've ever had in my life! Like a piece of heaven, these things will melt in your mouth. They are simple and delicious. But down-right naughty....Cuz your gonna crave them in your sleep! I actually come once a week, and with their fair low prices...you will wanna come too! This place is no joke...you are welcome!

Wonderful little Basque style cafe/pub. Autentico and charming. Service was fine!Classic basque offerings integrate with local beers and favorites. Food was outstanding, calm casual vibe! eskerrik asko!

This place is nice and the food is ok, but it's NOT BASQUE.... No basques work here and there is virtually nothing on the menu that is truly basques....

I am here right this very second sitting at the bar. I am from California walked off the street because it looked cool and quirky. It is both. Great selection of eels and beers insiders and they will give you samples before you buy. Smells great because they also make really good food. I will be back.

Loved the food. Very tasty and hot. Beer was cold and crisp. Service was great, ambiance was warm.

Someone recommended coming here. Sat for 15 minutes waiting for service. Another party came and sat at a dirty table next to us, at which point servers came and cleared their table and got drink orders. After seeing them receive drinks, and place orders, with us still not being greeted we left.

A friend took me years ago. I liked it. Then years later I was at a conference and walked across the street for a pint. I still liked it. The next day I walked back over. Before I could order, the bartender had my beer already poured. He knew what I wanted. Now THAT is service. The food is great too. Next time I'm in Boise, I'll stop by to day hi and I'll be knocked off my feet if my beer is already waiting for me.

Great tuna melt and fries!! They only have beer and wine but they have vodka seltzers I. Various flavors. Love this little hole int the wall a stones throw from The Grove!

It is a casual beer pub named after the city in Autonomous Biscaya known as Guernica. Guernica is historically the seat of the parliament, whose executive branch is located in nearby Bilbao. It is best known both as the scene of the April 26, 1937 bombing of Guernica, one of the first aerial bombings (by Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe), and as the inspiration for Pablo Picasso's painting Guernica, depicting the effects of that outrage. Stopped in for a Pilsner and a solomo sandwich (Basque-style pork loin with pimentos on crusty bread) with cheese croquetas. Left knowing everything was, once again, right in the world.

Overnight at the Grove across the street when I'm in town for work and just found out about this small Basque serving pub across the street. I only had the chance of trying their croquetas and a really delicious high ABV stout that made me eat all my to go croquetas right at the bar. The bartender was nice and cook was great too. I enjoyed the vibe of the place.

I've dined at Bar Gernika a couple of times now, and without exception everything I've eaten here has been wonderful! Tip: They've got quite a number of unique and tasty beers available on draft - I recommend you try one.  Their wine selection is quite good as well :-) So far, my go-to favorite are the croquettas - try an order and I suspect you'll be as pleased as I was. Over and above the food and the beer, the atmosphere is fun, and their staff is friendly and hard-working - what's not to like?

The Chorizo Sandwich is great! Go on sooner than later before the Chorizo is gone. Their supplier is changing. Just go! Great selection of beer and a very friendly group to be with.

Stopped in for a quick and delicious drink. Even on a snowy Tuesday night, this place was packed and jumping! Can't wait to go back!

Best French fries I've ever had. Friendly service. Nice outdoor patio. Croquettes we're yummy too.

Oooh. This food is yummy! Terrific menu and great service. Croquetas are a must-try, and the sandwiches are very tasty. The dine-in area of this historic building is small, but there's a patio if you like to eat outdoors. We had a great experience and will definitely go again.

Great service and fresh tasting food. The lamb grinder was a bit bland but you may order it spicy, will try that next time. The tomato bisque was ok and better with some of the tiger sauce which was bought sauce, not made here. The fried chickpeas in the salad were a welcome crunch and garlic vinaigrette was nice. Cider in draught was ok and the beer on draught as well. The croquettes were very soft inside but I wasn't getting the feeling of basque flavors. Overall the food was good but I must say, nothing jumped out as basque flavors. I'd give a 3.5 if I could but can't do half stars.

Found this place bc of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. We got the crowuetas and lamb grinder, and their garbanzo potato soup. Everything was great! Not a big place but definitely a gem in the heart of downtown Boise

Best food and best service every time I come to Boise. This family restaurant is a must visit. The fresh well thought out meals and the most comfortable and detailed service are always show stoppers. A bonus are the best french fries I can find anywhere. I travel a lot across the US and some abroad and there are none better. Thank you owners Jeff and Steph for your continued hard work in keeping Gernika alive and relevant for so long and Matt for your long committed and always great service.

This has one of the coolest spots in Downtown. The food itself was really poor, especially when the other Basque restaurants do a better job. Great place for a glass of wine, but that is about it.

Perfect spot to get a quick bite downtown, chill bar atmosphere, inexpensive and always great food!

So, let's talk Chili. It's a special, so its not on the menu, but if you see it on the blackboard, you DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS. Its the Chipotle Lamb Chili. Get it. Okay, now thats out of the way. Quaint and awesome elbow nook pub that is the definition of Basque in Boise. The perfect balanced Kalimotxo (not too much wine, not too much soda), and the best crocettas in town. I've also experienced the best cheese platter in town here, on a different occasion. They have rotating brews on tap, nice house wines, and let's do some more crocettas .

Bar GerNEEKah! Our waiter where we were sitting outside was nice, friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. Absolutely great fries. Interesting beers. Loved the cork/pour spout that poured the dry hard cider sideways. The Chorizo Supreme was SO satisfying!

This place is delicious! I got the Spicy Lamb grinder with the croquettas and it did not disappoint. I saw pictures all over Yelp and had to try it too! I called ahead and it only took about 10 min to whip up! The au jus was delicious, the bread soft yet a small crunch on the outside and the meat was so good! The croquettas were a perfect little side (kind of like a fried ball of mashed potatoes) so overall a heavy, but worth it meal

First time visitor. Buddy said to check it out, was good. Small inside, seating outside. Ton of parking.

Stopped in for a drink and an appetizer recently and very much enjoyed our experience! We ordered the peppers and the croquettes which were both very good. We will definitely be back to check out more of this area very soon!

Great place for Basque chorizo sausage. The lamb stew is delicious. It's fun to sit on the patio. Fun place.

Great local restaurant with yummy food and drinks. A hole in the wall but worth checking out if you want a different experience.

After much research we decided to try Bar Gernika. I want to say first, I am familiar with Spanish foods and tapas. So going in I was just hoping it might be a pleasant surprise. And it absolutely was. The atmosphere would remind you of the small rustic bars that serve good beer and food in Spain. We ordered the croquettes and Spanish tortilla to start. You should use the sauce that sits on the table. Vinegar Chile sauce. Then we ordered the chorizo sandwich with sweet red pepper n onion sauté. Perfect! The chorizo doesn't have that strong flavor some might but extra good. We also ordered the Salomo sandwich with sautéed red peppers. A little salty but otherwise very good. For dessert we ordered the flan and rice pudding. What a great way to end the meal. But let me emphasize...order croquettes! In fact order double order. Omg!! I almost forgot the soup! The soup was more like this delicious, rich stew. Wow depth of flavor! Beans, shredded meat, tomatoes. So yum!

Best tuna melt in town, friendliest bartenders, and definitely don't miss out on the croquettas.

Great local bar. Would recommend everything particularly the solomo sandwich. My one complaint is there is nothing gluten free besides rice pudding and wine. Which makes it a great desert place!

Service was great, timely, and friendly. Food was great and they have a nice selection of drinks. Great pace for lunch and dinner or just enjoying drinks and appetizers with some friends!

Found this gem after learning about Boise's infamous Basque culture and cuisine. Bar Gernika offers traditional Basque fare in a quaint bar setting. I highly recommend the Lamb Grinder and Croquetas. The Lamb Grinder is a savory sandwich with slices of tender lamb, grilled onions, mushrooms, peppers, swiss cheese, and lamb dip. Their deep fried croquetas were made with flour, butter, onion, chicken, and milk. Crunchy and satisfying. They had an impressive list of beer and I really wanted to try a dessert but I was so full from this meal. To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. Great staff and wonderful food.

Great little place to grab a bit at Happy hour. The atmosphere is nice and laid back. The food has amazing flavors. Will be stopping by again when we are downtown.

We went here for dinner the other night and it was incredible. We ordered the croquettes to start and oh my God these are insane!! The crunchy outside and creamy inside make these irresistible. We ordered the lamb stew with a side of fries and both were delicious. Also, their prices are great! If you have not been here, go soon, you will not be disappointed.

We went here based off the recommendation of a friend since we are visiting from out of town. We had to wait a good while (30 + min) for food after a long hot day at the zoo. It was pretty busy and they only had one cook, they said. We ordered the lamb melt, the cheese melt and tuna melt and all were sub par. Super dry bread, the cheese was already hardening from sitting too long, and the tuna was still cold. I ended up putting ketchup on the tuna melt to make it go down easier. I remarked that I make a better tuna melt sandwich, to which my daughter emphatically agreed. My son said the lamb tasted like beef and it had zero flavor. I took a bite and agreed. The croquettes were tasty to my 3 year old, I thought they were interesting, but nothing too exciting to write home about. The French fries tasted average. The wheat lager I got was gross and I ended up sharing it with the hubby. I guess I don't like German beer. ‍ Overall, we spent $77 plus tip for 5 meals and we wouldn't come again. Seems like a lot of locals like this joint, so they have that going for them. If you're adventurous, feel free to give them a try and come up with your own conclusion.

This is my girlfriend's & my go to place. Small, but terrific food & drinks at great prices. Love the lamb.

Went there with friends to eat before a Steelheads hockey game. Service was okay, food was the same; just okay. The lamb stew was lacking, lacking lamb. it was beef, and was stringy meat. If one desires true Basque food, look elsewhere. This isn't the place.