Basque Market Review

We had a lovely evening at the Basque Market! Because of covid, we sat outside on their patio which has some propane heaters; it was perfect. The owners Tara and Tony, and their daughter Itxaso, were very welcoming, warm, and friendly and made sure everything was perfect.

We had pinchos, the croquetas, the paella, and the green peppers, and everything was delicious! They also have a great selection of wines by the glass that went extremely well with the food. They also have wine bottles at great prices, which you can either buy to go or drink them on site after you pay a reasonable corkage fee, which we did.

Overall, this was a fantastic experience and can t wait to visit again!

Love this place! Amazing food. Take one of the classes! Super fun.

Great 1st Thursday tapas and Wednesday/Friday noon paella.

I have gone back and forth on weather or not to leave a review. At the end of day I have been in the service industry for almost 20 years. I feel like this needs to be said.
My mom and I went to the Basque Market for the first time on June 1st. I had been to several events through out the years where the Basque Market catered the event. I have always been pleased with the food. I was excited to take my mom there...some thing new to us. We are both long time residents of Boise (since 2001) but have yet to go in and try what the Basque Market has to offer. Before we walk in we see several reader boards boasting about their lunch specials. My mom and I read one about some sort of chicken sandwich special and by mistake we thought it was the Basque Markets. So my mom and I walk in....we werent sure if it was "seat yourself" or "order at the counter" needless to say there were 3 female employees standing at the front. We were not acknowledged for several minutes. Finally one of them asked if she could help me. I let her know we were new costumers. We had never been in before. She seemed very put off by that statement. At that point I was hoping she would be delighted by new customers and was wanting to show off the Basque Market.I hoped to hear about the food speicals or what the Basque Market has to offer. No such luck again she was put out... We asked if we could sit outside. She said " yes if there is a table open" in a very snarky tone. Then she "said wait what do you guys want?" Again I said we are new do you have a menu or food speicals. I'm really reaching at this point with her....
She said "we only serve paella on Fridays" I said to her "no chicken sandwich special?" she gave me this look and said "no we only serve paella" then she proceeded to walk us outside and "school" us on the different restaurants next to the Basque Market. I let her go...she was hell bent on making us feel stupid rather than welcome. I just let her talk. I know downtown Boise very well and heaven forbid we mistake a reader board for the wrong restaurant. At that point we left and went over to Bardenay where we were felt welcome and had a delicious meal.
I currently work at a local restaurant in Boise. My favorite thing in the world is new customers. I love to tell them about our food and our local ingredients we use. I truly love to show off my restaurant to new costumers.
I know as a long time resident we may be put off by the growth Boise is going through, and all the new people coming in. I get it, BUT new and regular customers is how businesses survive.
We wont ever be back in to the Basque Market I do hope for future new costumers who come in that they wont be treated the way we were.

I think this is a perfect place, with good food, including lunch. Service was terrific. I did go at about 2pm, though.

What an experience. We had paella for the first time, they cook it right out on the street so everyone for blocks can smell it. The tapas are a must, great family atmosphere.

The Basque Market is a great place to learn about the rich Basque culture of this area. We tried some Basque cuisine; the cheese croquettes were great! Back in 2009, The Basque Market held a function for our convention where they use a gigantic paella pan and cooked for hundreds of people! Apparently they do this at least once a week during the warmer seasons. This last time I was at the market I bought a Basque cookbook. I can't wait to try some recipes.

Great place to eat & shop if Basque is your thing. It's a great addition to have in Boise!

Best food in America. Spanish and basque. The waiter is so nice and so knowledgeable. I came here with a Spanish person, who says its amazing.

We really enjoyed our little lunch at this charming market. In addition to some very hard to find condiments, they offer a range of beautiful items the cooks in your will be sure to enjoy. The staff was both helpful and friendly.. Be sure to try the Rice Pudding.

Amazing tapas at affordable prices. Don't miss this place if passing through Boise.

Basque food is fantastic and this is the place to get the real ingredients.

I want to pack this place up and bring it back to Wisconsin with me! Excellent food, fun atmosphere, and some of the kindest staff I ve ever met. Plus, a delightful selection of Spanish/Basque wines. Absolutely worth your time!

Small shop so get in early or call ahead if you are looking for one of their quickly selling items. One of the pluses at the Basque Market is the knowledgeable person who always seems to be on site; no pretentiousness exhibited when I ask newb cheese (etc.) questions.

Wow! Way over rated! I feel sorry for people who think this paella is delicious. I could do better at home. Horrible mush with hardly any seafood in it. The food was cold, mushy, and overpriced. I want my money back!

Cute little place with all the best of Spanish cuisine and wines!

I had never had tapas before...very good, and great service!

Food was ok. A bunch of the food wasn t on the menu tho, also what do you think tapas are.

Very tasty - we had a variety of different things. The almonds and olives were my favorite, though the sangria was very good as well. I'm not sure what was on the small sandwich I tried, possibly some kind of puree made from olives? It was delicious though, wish I'd had room for another. I'd never tried flan before and was pleasantly surprised. I'll definitely go back next time we're in Boise.

We drive many angry hours for one such experience but the staff. It was not kind we bought a paella dishes and decided to arrive and leave paid then the man arrived who coso the most kind fuel. They did not serve us the paella Very cold

We came here for one of our first meals in Idaho, the food and atmosphere was so amazing. The staff was great even though we took over your restaurant with our party of adults and children. The tapas were fantastic and very affordable. We will definitely be returning on our next visit.

Attended the cooking class. Great food and met some really nice people.

The paella on Wednesdays is great, definitely recommend trying it.

There food was so fresh, and so yummy... Unlike the other two Basque restaurants on that block this place lived up to the Basque standards,

Everything that we had here was world class...

Very cool place with a great selection of tapas and a small world market. Great selection of small bites and matched wines. Paella served regularly. Small menu of cheese plates and fun items. Friendly staff to help with any questions. Prices were fair and location was perfect in the Basque area. Overall great find that I will return too.

Good selection of Basque food, wine and serving pieces.

Very good place to have a glass of wine. We had the wine sampler and liked their selections so much we bought a couple of bottles. The food was delicious, the tortilla with mushrooms, and the meatballs were very good. We are definitely going back!

I came here with a friend and they were basically ignoring me and my bff. The waitress left hair in our food and took our bread when we pointed it out. Later on they were incredibly bitchy towards my pregnant friend. Horrible place to eat.

Just another example.of Boise's legacy of accepting people from other lands. What is brought in culturally in the way of foods, customs, dress, becomes accepted as their unique contribution. Many more are still venturing out from their respective states and countries and landing in Boise. I recently saw a T shirt that said I live in Idaho, but I still love Connecticut. I hope they bring a part of their Connecticut roots and graft them to Idaho.

Incredibly friendly staff, strong drinks from YouTube trained bartender along with the best lamb shanks I've tasted in quite a while. Worth a trip.

This atmosphere is great and the food delicious. We go for the pintxos (the basque version of tapas). Serving sizes are small as are the prices so you can get a big variety without breaking the bank. If you ve never had basque food, you need to try this. You won t be disappointed.

This is a great atmosphere, the food is amazing and it is definitely a unique experience here in Boise. The Basque culture is amazing part of our Boise community. I also have to give the staff some additional thank you!!!. After I purchased my food, I accidentally dropped some of my food on the floor. The staff was very friendly and helpful and to my surprise gave me the dish that dropped. I would highly recommend this restaurant!!!

Great lunch spot! We also love their cooking classes.

My wife and I had an incredible experience there for First Thursday. We tried delicious wine, ate delicious food, and enjoyed the atmosphere! The staff was extremely attentive and went above and beyond to give us a fantastic night!

I bought two group cooking classes as a gift for my mom and signed up to the paella class on April 19th. We were really excited to go together, but the night before my grandmother spent the whole night in the hospital with pneumonia. My mom stayed with her and didn't get any sleep. My mom said she was really tired and asked me to see if we could switch days. I told The Basque Market about our extenuating circumstances and they did not seem to care at all. They said they could not let us attend another group lesson.

Paella was very good on Wednesday. The only thing I didn't like is that I got less meat then other customers because the portions aren't exact but I did want more meat. Wine was good and you can try before you buy and the selection of Pinxtos/Tapas was good! Very kind people and a nice way to spend your lunch relaxing and eating!

The tapas & paella is so good, and the wine selection is excellent. Great place to bring company visiting from out of town, or just a get together with friends.

Great resturaunt with a fantastic atmosphere and friendly people!

One of the most unique lunch experiences I've had in the states. Incredible. Great food. Fun atmosphere. Good people. Excellent

This is a must stop on any visit to Boise. I usually come for the fresh made paella, currently served Wednesday and Friday at noon. You can watch it be prepared right outside the market. I would recommend coming at least a half hour in advance. Try their wine slushy sangria, topped with red wine, beware of brain freeze. If you come the last weekend in July there is a Basque festival. Live music, food and drinks. The market is small inside but there is seating outside.

LOVE this place. Tapas were very good, wines were excellent!

Lysa was very helpful and it was a wounderdul experience.

I enjoyed this place. My server Jr. was a real knowledgeable guy. Will definitely be going back.

Great time with friends good food great service friendly atmosphere only one thing I didn't care for the cheesecake all else was great

A place you must visit if you come to Boise. Come hungry.

Amazing food and knowledgeable, caring staff. Love that they have community tables.

While the food was tasty, the price is a little too high for tapas. Service was a little slow and lacking, despite the fact the place wasn't full.

Small market, cozy, with a cafe for excellent small bites, sangria, and wine.

On Wednesdays & Fridays transport yourself to the Basque country on your lunch hour while never leaving Boise. Sample a variety of seasonal tapas: asparagus salad, jambon croquetas, brie and fig jam, olives, grilled peppers, and more. Top it off with a delicate bit of chocolate mousse. Dine community-style at benches and enjoy the cameraderie of local people. Lovely experience.

Great little market filled with all kinds of Basque goodies and very friendly staff. I will be back for the paella

Great food, good people in a good easy going atmosphere. Great tapas and paella

Great little Tapas joint and market. Definitely hit the Paella made on the street and sit outside if the weather permits. Absolutely loved it here

Great authentic Basque/Spanish tapas. Fresh-made paella on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon. Excellent selection of Basque/Spanish wines and gourmet grocery goods. Delicious (sour) Basque cider on tap.

If you can make it here for a tapa happy hour, buy a bottle of wine and park it.

Who doesn't love tapas. Numbering about 16,000, Boise's Basque community is one of the largest such communities in the United States.

We had one of the best meals that we have had anywhere in the world last evening at the Basque Market. The venison tenderloins were fabulous served with a fabulous black eye pea dish. The primi of calamari steak frites and the beautiful dessert, all served with just the right wines made a lovely evening. The service could not have been better.

Some of the most delicious and inspired dishes in Boise!

Good experience; the staff was friendly; and many of the products are from the Basque Country or local Basque Community.

An absolutely wonderful shop, old world feel deli with great selection of Spanish and Basque food specialties.

Paella is the best we've ever had. The croquetas are little delicious finger fried bites with savory filling of your choice. Its fun to try and figure out which ones you ordered. They call it the croquetas roulette for a reason. We also had ham and cheese bocadillos along with some tapas. Love the basque cider. No yeast needed to brew. Super crisp and clean to wash everything down. Great selection of Spanish and Basque grocery items. Many wonderful wines. Highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!

Great ambiance sitting outside in the warm sun, getting paella off the giant pan, and snacking on pintxos. Makes me really want to go to Spain

Very good food at very reasonable prices. Excellent paella and tapas. I would recommend the lunch paella or early dinner. It is more moist and fresh. Also early means you will get some and possibly a table. This is a very small place with communal dining. Paella is lunch Weds and Fri and dinner Thurs. Regular menu is daily. Beer and wine from Spain! plus great locals.

Been here 3 times and every time the food and presentation is phenomenal. Just go and bring your appititght

The sangria was delicious. We just did a very lite lunch and just got a few items from the small plates lunch buffet. The service is great and we'd definitely return

Our first experience with paella and not only was the food delicious the atmosphere and people were very friendly. Our first real dine out since Covid and it was perfect!

Very Satisfying experience from the minute I walked in, to the last moment trying to force the final morsel down my throat. Very attentive and knowledgeable server! Not knowing the culture or the type of foods to order, the waiter was a plus as he knew exactly what we should order and what we would find enjoyable. The experience was great.

Appetizers we had the Olive dip, the cheese dip and then this really good bacon sweet paradise dip that they made especially for that day, I think it contained goat cheese. Oh my goodness with the baguette it was wonderful. For the main course. Braised pork loin you can see the picture it was topped with a great balsamic vinegar and it was delicious. Bread was freshly baked.

You are missing out if you do not pop in here. I highly recommend this place. Price is super reasonable

Went in between lunch and dinner menus. Got some cheap and delicious tapas from the happy hour list and picked up a few basque goods from their small market area.

I did the paella class with my bestie and it was so much fun! Tony and Tara have a great mix of teaching how to make paella and how to have a great time while doing it. We had a wine tasting at the start and more wine throughout (what else do you need, really?). And of course the paella was delicious, but that's to be expected because if you've ever eaten at the Basque Market, you know their food is delicious. Highly recommend!