City Cast Boise logo

Indian Food Festival & Some of Boise's Best Pho

Posted on August 25, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Blake Hunter

Blake Hunter

The annual festival raises funds for Association for India's Development (AID), an international group advocating for sustainability and social justice in India. (AID Boise)

The annual festival raises funds for Association for India's Development (AID), an international group advocating for sustainability and social justice in India. (AID Boise)

The Indian Food Festival is returning to Julia Davis Park on Saturday. It’s only from 5-7 p.m., so order your food ahead of time — but if you don’t order online, you can get food, you might just have to wait in line.

There will be Bollywood music and henna tattoos, and tons of food options.

I recently asked readers for their favorite pho places in town; here are the recommendations:

  • Pho Nomenal
  • Pho Le. Jayne: “Pho Le on Broadway has the best beef Pho in town by far.”
  • Pho Real. Paula: “This list would be incomplete without including Pho Real! It’s truly amazing. The broth! The fresh veggies! The incredibly welcoming but chill and friendly vibe! Dine-in or take-out, it’s a must. 🍲” Beck also recommended Pho Real, along with their Taro Boba.

Before we go, it’s (already?) pumpkin spice latte season at Starbucks! While we can all go for a big chain coffee from time to time, I’d love to shout out some of your favorite fall season drinks from local coffee shops if you have them.

Where’s Your (Local) PSL?

Share article

Hey Boise

Thank you Boise, we’ve loved the conversation we’ve been having with you for the past three years. City Cast Boise and Hey Boise have suspended operations. Our last newsletter and podcast episode was Oct. 24, 2025.

Food & Drink

See All
Food & DrinkSeptember 26, 2025

Boise's Best New Restaurants and Bars

Here’s what’s new, and what's taken a final bow.

Slow by Slow has expanded, and changed its aesthetic. It’s worth checking out! (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Food & DrinkSeptember 15, 2025

Best Chicken Wings in Boise

Just in time for Boise State football season, our City Cast Boise podcast sat down with contributor Matthew Melton to ask the hard questi...

Directly above shot of mango habanero chicken wing appetizer on a wooden plate with celery and ranch dressing.
Food & DrinkSeptember 12, 2025

Insider’s Guide to Boise’s Best Soups

Minerva Jayne recently came on the City Cast Boise podcast to break down some local favorites with executive producer Frankie Barnhill.

Ginza’s dumpling soup. (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Food & DrinkAugust 15, 2025

Huckleberries: Where to Get a Taste of the State’s Official Fruit

Idahoans guard their huckleberry patches for good reason. You can still find some, though — including at a festival this weekend.

Closeup of huckleberries on the vine.
Food & DrinkJuly 28, 2025

Inside the Basque Market’s Iconic Paella Ritual

Tony Eiguren and his wife “fell into” owning the Basque Market 19 years ago, and their twice-weekly paella cooks on the market patio have...

Paella brings people together all around the world, including on Boise’s Basque Block. (Jon C. Hodgson - BasquePhotos.com)
Food & DrinkJuly 18, 2025

Let Boise’s Dumplings Take You Around Asia

Dumplings are versatile and delicious, and we’re lucky to have a diverse range of takes on the dish here in Boise.

The dumplings below will take you to five different corners of Asia with distinct takes on the dumpling. Above are the Afghan dumplings from Sunshine Spice Cafe. (Blake Hunter / City Cast Boise)
Food & DrinkMay 16, 2025

Inside Caffé Sorrento, Boise’s Favorite New Italian Bakery and Sandwich Shop

Now Emma and Tony Curcuru, accompanied by their six-month-old daughter, the couple has turned their two mobile businesses into brick and...

The small Curcuru family has made a name for themselves with the new Caffé Sorrento — and six months in, they’re already relocating. (Courtesy Caffé Sorrento)
Food & DrinkMay 9, 2025

Boise’s Can’t-Miss Summer Food Festivals

I know, it’s still spring, but with the hot weather this weekend — it’s not too early to start planning the food you’ll enjoy this summer.

A plate of Basque food, fizzy drink in the back.

The latest in Boise

AnnouncementsOctober 24, 2025

Goodbye from City Cast Boise and Hey Boise

City Cast Boise and Hey Boise have suspended operations.

illustration of skyline with the capitol building, trees, and hot air balloons with "we heart boise"
Boise's BestOctober 21, 2025

Essential Rules for Surviving Boise

In Boise, you need good footwear, a curiosity for breweries, and political resilience. Here are some of the essential rules for surviving...

Cheers to thriving in Boise — or getting closer to it! (Nicolas Micolani / Getty)
Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Jimmy Hallyburton, District 6, Incumbent

Hallyburton faces perhaps the most challenging path to reelection, with former City Council member Lisa Sánchez running to unseat him, an...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Lisa E. Sánchez, District 6, Challenger

Sánchez’s return to city hall would be remarkable, as her exit was marked with contention and a lawsuit. But that’s in the past: Her resu...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Josh Ellstrom, District 2, Challenger

Ellstrom is a home physical therapist and political newcomer with his eye trained on political neutrality. He’s challenging West Bench in...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

How Boise City Council Candidates Set Themselves Apart

Three council seats are up for election on Nov. 4. Early voting starts today, so here's what Boiseans need to know for the city council e...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Colin Nash, District 2, Incumbent

Colin Nash is an incumbent but this is his first time seeking a council seat at the ballot box. In 2023, he was appointed to fill a seat...

Local CivicsOctober 20, 2025

Meet the 2025 Boise City Council Candidates: Jordan Morales, District 4, Incumbent

Morales is unchallenged in his bid for a second term representing District 4 and East Boise. Luckily, he was still kind enough to fill ou...