Sandpoint, the county of Bonner County, Idaho and its largest city, takes pride in its many beautiful attractions.

The Selkirk, Cabinet, and Bitterroot mountain ranges surround this city that’s tucked on the shores of the striking Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s biggest lake.

Sandpoint is home to popular tourist spots, including Idaho’s largest ski resort, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint City Beach, and Bonner County Historical Society and Museum.

In the past few years, the city of Sandpoint has received various recognitions, including "Most Beautiful Small Town" by Rand McNally and USA Today.

Discover the city’s magnificence by visiting wonderful attractions and trying out thrilling outdoor activities.

Don't forget to include eating, as the city is home to numerous restaurants that will satisfy your cravings.

Here are the 15 best restaurants in Sandpoint, Idaho:

Spuds Waterfront Grill

If you’re after the best soup and sandwiches, look no further than Spuds Waterfront Grill, located on North First Avenue in Downtown Sandpoint.

Its delicious food will amaze you, whether it’s soup, sandwich, salad, French toast, or baked potato.

When you visit, order their potato soup, famous Capistrano sandwich, or signature salads like Caesar salad.

Besides serving generous portions of good food at a low price, the restaurant’s excellent service is impressive.

Spuds Waterfront Grill also has many gluten-free options, perfect for those with special dietary requirements.

Your deck dining experience is even more delightful with the scenic marina views.

Trinity at City Beach

Overlooking the lovely Lake Pend Oreille, Trinity at City Beach is a must-try restaurant when visiting Sandpoint.

Whether you've come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you should try their bestsellers.

Order classic breakfast dishes like potatoes, eggs, or toast, then try pecan-crusted chicken salad for lunch and cedar salmon for dinner.

Trinity at City Beach’s specialties include pulled pork enchiladas, corn and crawfish chowder, eggs benedict, and grilled Caesar salad.

You might also love their entrées like prime rib, roasted half chicken, pan-seared scallops, and trout dore.

Complete your upscale American meal with their famous bacon Bloody Mary with Bakon Vodka, or indulge in a preferred refreshing cocktail or a glass from their impressive wine list.

They also have gluten-free options to cater to customers with dietary requirements.

At Trinity at City Beach, you can enjoy a premier lakefront dining experience with charming water views, live music, and entertainment.

The Hydra Steakhouse

When it comes to steaks, there’s no other place like The Hydra Steakhouse.

Specializing in serving the best steaks in the city, this spot also offers other irresistible dishes, from breakfast to dinner.

Get energized with must-try items, including prime rib, filet mignon, New York Strip, top sirloin, rib eye, and more.

If you find it hard to choose from their extensive, detailed menu, you can ask for their specials to make your selection easier.

If you’re craving a delicious sandwich or burger, sink your teeth into their signature dishes like the jalapeño bacon cheeseburger, bacon blue burger, and chicken sandwich.

Moreover, they offer a full-service bar where you can enjoy some of their specialty, in-house crafted cocktails.

Conveniently located near the marina, The Hydra Steakhouse has a laid-back vibe ideal for hanging out with friends and indulging in some of the city’s tastiest foods and drinks.

Baxters on Cedar

At Baxters on Cedar, you’ll enjoy delicious food in a cozy atmosphere with exposed brick walls and high ceilings.

Located on Cedar Street, this eclectic place serves hard-to-miss stellar menu items.

These include lobster roll and meatloaf sliders for appetizers, jumbo lump crab cake and halibut with peach salsa for entrées, and spinach salad and lobster chowder for soup and salad.

Meanwhile, harvest pear and brie cheese bruschetta, prime rib, and gyro are also must-tries.

End your meal on a sweet note by ordering the gastropub’s unrivaled dessert—the key lime pie.

With Baxters on Cedar’s splendid food presentation, not to mention the delectable tastes, you’ll satisfy both your appetite and social media feed.

MickDuff’s Brewing Company

Brothers Duffy and Mickey Mahoney established MickDuff’s Brewing Company in 2006 because of their fondness for handcrafted beer.

While this brewery is famous for handcrafted beers, it’s also a restaurant offering great menu selections.

At this family-friendly brewpub, you can have a house-made cup or bowl of beer cheese soup served with knot tree porter, three different kinds of cheese, and bacon.

Otherwise, you can order their fried calamari strips served with house-made cocktail sauce or slow-roasted French tri-tip dip with melted Swiss cheese on a locally made French roll served with au jus.

Come to this popular spot with your friends and enjoy flavorful house-draft root beers, live music, and fun events.

You can find MickDuff’s Brewing Company on North Second Avenue.

Joel’s Mexican Restaurant

For your dose of authentic Mexican cuisine, head to Joel’s Mexican Restaurant, located on Church Street.

Start your day with the highly recommended fish tacos, breakfast burritos, or jalapeño poppers.

Carne asada burritos, bean and rice, shrimp tacos, and potato tacos are also excellent options.

Moreover, you can try their gluten-friendly and vegetarian dishes if you have special dietary requirements.

If indoor seating is full, outdoor dining is available at this Sandpoint staple.

Besides its commendable service and friendly staff, you’ll enjoy Joel’s Mexican Restaurant’s reasonable prices.

With the many folks lining up at this restaurant, it’s undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in the city.

Second Avenue Pizza

If you’re craving pizza, look no further, as Second Avenue Pizza on South Second Avenue awaits your visit.

Enjoy house-specialty pizzas like Canadian bacon topped with mushrooms and your choice of tomatoes or pineapple.

Their calzones, sandwiches like Italian focaccia, or salads like shrimp salad are mouthwatering.

If you want to try something new, you can create your own combo at this pizzeria.

Their good draft beers make a perfect pair with your food, too.

With Second Avenue’s homey environment, you’ll enjoy bonding with your family or hanging out with friends after a long busy workday.

Secret Thai Cafe

If you want to discover Thai cuisine, visit Secret Thai Cafe on Cedar Street.

It may be small, but it has a casual ambiance with great and fresh food worth checking out.

Start your meal with fried spring rolls with sweet chili sauce or wonton soup filled with pork or shrimp, vegetables, and spices.

For the main dish, try their Pad Thai chicken—thin rice noodles served with green onion, bean sprouts, and egg and topped with ground peanuts.

Try their bowl of avocado green curry with shrimp, too.

Secret Thai Cafe also serves gluten-free, egg-free, and dairy-free options.

The Fat Pig

If you haven’t tried fusion cuisine yet, stop by The Fat Pig, located on Cedar Street near Farmin Park.

While you can try Korean BBQ chicken tenders, their duck nachos with duck confit and belly bits is the best option for snacks.

For a light meal, you can order a bang bang cauliflower salad or sink your teeth into satisfying juicy burgers like the fat pig burger and veggie burger.

Braised coconut chicken, pork ramen, or Italian meatloaf are outstanding choices for entrée.

Have a glass from their impressive selection of rotating craft beer or wine list to complete your meal.

With a comfortably hip industrial atmosphere, The Fat Pig has an outside patio with live music.

This gastropub is ideal for a casual dining experience.

Eichardt’s Pub Grill & Coffee House

Eichardt’s Pub Grill & Coffee House’s cozy and lively atmosphere makes it the best place to hang out with friends.

The restaurant is dimly lit, and you’ll notice many tap handles decorating the ceiling.

Moreover, the live music isn’t too loud, perfect enough to enjoy a conversation.

The fun won’t be complete without excellent menu selections, including parmesan zucchini wrap, chicken marsala, smoked wild salmon artichoke dip, and their famous garlic fries.

Their house specialties are a must-try, too.

Enjoy sitting at the bar with friends as you enjoy a drink from their lineup of superb craft beers.

Great coffee also awaits you at Eichardt’s Pub Grill & Coffee House, located on Cedar Street.

Connie’s Cafe & Lounge

Connie’s Cafe & Lounge dates back to the 1950s when it started out as a Conoco gas station with a five-seat lunch counter.

It has become a charming spot featuring warm-toned wood and brick walls, dark wood and metal furniture, dim lighting, and indoor and outdoor seating.

With its great atmosphere, you’ll enjoy good food and drinks.

Some of its specialties include a juicy vegetarian burger and eggs benedict (Canadian bacon topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce on a toasted English muffin, served with your choice of potatoes).

The historic restaurant also offers sumptuous lunch or dinner meals with the popular prime rib dip served with au jus and horseradish sauce.

However, feel free to peruse their full menu if you have other cravings.

If you’re interested in trying Connie’s Cafe & Lounge, you can find it on Cedar Street.

Panhandle Cone & Coffee

Craving delectable ice cream?

Head to Panhandle Cone & Coffee, located on North First Avenue.

Their delicious handcrafted ice creams are irresistible.

Whether it’s buttermilk huckleberry, strawberry lime and avocado, or just plain chocolate, your preferred flavor will brighten your day.

They also have flavors depending on the season, like roasted strawberry and peach mango habanero in the summer or Bailey’s and Nutella in the spring.

Moreover, you can try their espresso and flavorful baked goods.

Arlo’s Ristorante

Arlo’s Ristorante is a New York-style Italian restaurant nestled on South Second Avenue, feeding satisfied customers for nearly 20 years.

On your visit, order the garlic bread made with their famous garlic butter, chicken or seafood fettuccine alfredo, or bruschetta.

Specialties from the sea include spaghetti with white clam sauce and seafood abbondanza, while farm specialties include saltimbocca and piccata.

Italian cheesecake or cannoli are among the best desserts you’ll have here.

Apart from those, Arlo’s Ristorante also has live music on the weekends and nightly dinner specials.

Since seating capacity is limited, you can book to reserve a space.

Thai Nigiri Restaurant

Thai Nigiri Restaurant is a contemporary Pan-Asian dining spot where you can enjoy delicious Thai food.

The sushi lunch special combo menu offers sumptuous selections, including shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and tempura California.

Try some popular Thai dishes, including pad Thai—thin noodles with your choice of meat, eggs, scallions, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts with house-special pad Thai sauce.

Another must-try is the yellow curry with your choice of meat, pineapples, coconut milk, onions, carrots, and potatoes.

If you haven’t tasted tom yum soup and Thai fried rice, this is the best time to do it!

Can’t wait to try Thai cuisine?

Find Thai Nigiri Restaurant on North First Avenue.

Matchwood Brewing Company

Located on Oak Street, Matchwood Brewing Company has an indoor and large outdoor patio and a laid-back ambiance.

Its relaxing vibe makes it an ideal place to chill out while enjoying lunch or casual dinner.

This neighborhood brewery’s menu changes seasonally.

However, you might find pulled pork totchos, shrimp ceviche tacos, chipotle fish tacos, waffles and whipped cream, and Reuben on their menu.

No worries if you have kids with you, as this place is kid-friendly, with food suitable for them.

If you have ample time or looking for a place where you can have a good time with friends or relatives, consider visiting this spot and enjoying a beer with great live music.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a great place to visit and explore, don't miss the beautiful city of Sandpoint.

You'll have one of the best experiences and memories with the city's host of exciting attractions.

Don’t forget to dine at these best restaurants in Sandpoint, Idaho, on your vacation!