7 Places to Eat in Priest Lake Idaho
Priest Lake is considered Idaho’s Crown Jewel and once you visit, you’ll see why. This 19-mile-long lake is surrounded by the incredible Selkirk Mountains and everywhere you look appears to be out of a postcard. There are year-round adventures in Priest Lake and always something going on. But more than just the stunning vistas and outdoor recreation, is the food! From fine dining with a view, to a restaurant sitting on top of a waterfall, to a bar with a seedy past, this region has some incredible and unique restaurants! Here are 7 places to eat in Priest Lake Idaho.
Elkins Resort
If you’re looking for lakeside views, award-winning food, and delicious drinks, look no further than Elkin’s Resort. The ambiance here is rustic classy. The beautiful restaurant surrounds a large stone fireplace and the Trapper Creek Bar has live music and is an Idaho icon. Outside of the restaurant, walk along the sandy shores of Priest Lake in the summertime, or enjoy the large bonfire pits in the winter. The Blackened Prawns were unlike anything I’ve ever had and the New York Strip Steak with the Elkin’s Cracked Pepper Sauce was the perfect winter meal. And don’t forget to try their famous Huckleberry Daiquiris when you come, summer or winter, you can’t go wrong!
Cavanaugh’s at Priest Lake
Dinner with a view! Cavanaugh’s at Priest Lake offers the ultimate lakeside dining experience. With beautiful sunset views and large patio seating, this place has a year-round wow factor! In the wintertime, the two wood-burning fireplaces make for a cozy atmosphere and the menu offers good old-fashioned comfort food to warm your insides. I highly recommend the grilled cheese and tomato soup combo.
Ardy’s Cafe
There’s nothing better to kick off a day of adventure than a hearty breakfast. Ardy’s Cafe has some of the best breakfast burritos and French toast. But it’s the Chicken Fried Steak that was the star here at Ardy’s. The cafe also has loads of Priest Lake Souvenirs and Huckleberry products to take home with you.
The Moose Knuckle
Right down the street from Ardy’s Cafe is The Moose Knuckle - the ultimate in small-town bars, but with amazing food! While most dive bars offer simple bar eats, The Moose Knuckle surprised me with their incredible pizza and burgers. The Idaho Nachos are a staple here and the cheese curds come with a delicious spicy honey sauce. In the summertime, enjoy the large outdoor patio with flat screen tv’s. Every time we visit Priest Lake, this is our first stop!
Hill’s Resort
If you’re looking for fine dining in North Idaho, you gotta check out Hill’s Resort. This beautiful restaurant overlooks Priest Lake and offers an amazing culinary experience. We started with the Brie and Garlic appetizer and then enjoyed a perfectly cooked steak and salmon. Their large wine list and beautiful views will pair well with any meal.
The Falls Inn
What could be better than a bar with waterfall views? How about a bar and restaurant that sit ON TOP of a waterfall? Yep! The Falls Inn in Priest River is famous for their giant loaf sandwiches and waterfall views. Complete with ice cold beer and a pool table, this bar is a hidden gem in North Idaho.
Millie’s
Dating back to 1943, Millie’s began as a bar and brothel with a seedy history. No longer a “knocking shop”, this bar is a Priest Lake must! With live music and food ranging from bar bites to wood fired pizza’s and grilled salmon, there’s something for everyone here at Millie’s!
When people think of Priest Lake, I’m sure they think of the lake, the mountains, and the incredible adventures, but what surprised me was the variety of dining options here. No matter what your taste or budget may be, you’re bound to find something you love. And when you’re ready to burn off all of those delicious calories, check out Winter Adventures in Priest Lake.
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This blog and video were sponsored in part by a grant from North Idaho Tourism Alliance and Idaho Tourism.