Fantastic! Here's this tiny, adorable little Russian cafe just doing their thing. And, it's comforting, warm, and inviting. We were warmly greeted upon entering and enticed by their very intriguing menu. We ordered a Hibiscus Tea to start with, which was sweetened with honey, and just lovely. For lunch, we had the infamous Pelmeni and I couldn't get enough! Order with broth and don't forget to dip these little dumplings in sour cream. We also got the Lamb Plof...served up hot, full of comfy vibes, and loaded with flavor!! Honestly, based on our experience, you can't go wrong here. Haven't tried real Russian food, made from scratch, yet? You're missing out!!! Going back for that Stroganoff... read more

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Went there to eat recently with wife and grandson as were a bit disappointed truthfully, especially after Guy's glowing review on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The Pelmani were on the bland side, I'm not sure they could be described as flavorful. The Lamb Plof, technically an Uzbek disk not Russian, was sadly lacking in an essential ingredient, lamb. There were very few pieces in the dish, five to be exact, and they were overcooked, tough and flavorless. I could never have identified them as being lamb if I hadn't know what they were supposed to be. I wanted to try the stroganoff, but was informed that I could not get it with boiled potatoes, the traditional Eastern European and Russian way. Instead I was told I could have egg noodles, seasoned rice or buckwheat. Buckwheat is a traditional accompaniment, but not a favorite of mine, and while rice is used in some traditional Russian dishes its not extremely common, especially with stroganoff. Egg noodles typically are not considered a traditional side in Russian cuisine. I ultimately decided on the vareniki, which we all decided was actually the best dish of the evening. The filling of potato and mushroom was perfect and have excellent flavor. The only downside to the dish was the dumpling dough was a little underdone, and could have been cooked another minute or two. Still, with the butter and sour cream and the excellent filling, they were the highlight of the evening. All restaurants have an off night, just a fact of life. Based on the vareniki we will give Alyoka's another shot one night. I'd love to try the stroganoff, but I'd prefer it the traditional Eastern European way, not the Americanized way. I would love to see solyanka and morozhenoe added to the menu. read more

10 outta 10 nothing less! Must tries are the Beef Stroganoff, Pelmeni (Russian dumplings WITH the soup) and the Honey Cake. Seating is extremely limited so I recommend making reservations if you're going on a Friday or Saturday evening. read more

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Everything was very tasty and my biggest problem was my ability to eat it all ;) Borscht, crepes with savory ingredients tasted great and were freshly prepared. Great parking around and inside cozy seating too. Server was friendly as well as owner/chef Alyona. This is going to be my go to place whenever I'm in Boise read more

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was featured on diners, drive ins, and dives. russian cuisine. very cute spot. not a lot of room if you have a big group. only one server, but he was very fast. food made to order, so it did take a little longer. read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - pelmeni with soup - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

We got take out as vegetarians and the staff was so helpful and the food is better than anything we've had in ages. We had the borscht, pelmeni, blini (YUM), chebureki and carrot salad (a do not miss from me!) We are charmed, and highly recommend this place to locals and visitors alike! read more

Eating here felt like being welcomed into someone's clean home and having them cook you a meal. The food was delicious. Highly recommend the shuba and the borscht. 10/10 will definitely be visiting again. read more

This place is amazing. Best Russian food I've had in 15 years. I'm not from Boise but if I was I'd eat here at least monthly. Was there by myself so could not try everything. The chicken meatball noodle soup is great, but the sturgeon kebab with Brussels sprouts is a must-have. The seasonings and the mustard sauce really make it. It takes awhile to prepare but it's worth the wait. The hibiscus iced tea is a great complement. And the Royal poppyseed cake with chocolate topping is an insane dessert. Make room for it. read more

This Russian restaurant has such delicious food. I'm impressed every single time. I love the vareniki. read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

A traditional Russian restaurant is not an every day thing, especially in Boise ID! This was a group date night with friends, none of whom had been here before but all were excited to try it. This is a small restaurant but not in a bad way. The room was not too loud, didn't feel crowded and over-all had a good feel to it! I will say we were seated in the front, don't know if I would have felt the same in back but can't knock it either. The service was fantastic! We were served by one of the owners and she was so knowledgeable and spoke with true passion for the dishes they had and the stories that went along with them! These were dishes she was connected to, which is how a restaurant should be, home cooking, cooking that comes from life experiences..family. We had an array of dishes, all which she recommend and I don't know if I would have changed any of them! I feel bad that I don't remember what they all were but again, she recommended them...ask your server! As I am writing this, I just changed it from 4 to 5 stars! Could not think of one reason not to do 5! Price was good, service was perfect, food and flavors were fantastic...definitely earned all 5 stars! Highly recommended great for a quiet date night spot...or a night out with friends! KT read more

Fantastic Russian food, the chicken is amazing, meat dumplings great. Service was some of the best

authentic! Stroganoff has all the traditional side selections, including buckwheat. Good portion but pretty spendy. Also have tried chicken soup, it's pretty good. Broth is great. Meatballs weren't my fav. Chicken kabobs well seasoned and cooked. Salmon blinis are yum!. Get the caviar with them. I Want to try the borscht soon. It looked quite good (yes I look at other patrons' meals sometimes) Desserts, again pretty spendy but house made and yum. We got the royal poppyseed cake and shared between 3 and it was plenty. Also pretty delicious. The frosting in the middle is more of a custard, not too sweet, just as described on menu. Service is rather slow but they make sure you are taken care of. She said they do *2 seatings* - so they'll have 2 parties of 4+ booked at same time with 1 waiter and no back - could be smoother for all if they staggered it a bit. Very small establishment and during winter, no outside seating so if more than 2, I suggest reservation. They had us make one for 3, and several tables were empty the entire time, so it appears they like to keep a few for walk ins, which is nice. Nice feel, quaint- Bathrooms are super clean!! that tells me they pay attention. read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Chicken kabob. - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Amazing food, good service and quaint atmosphere for lunch or quiet date night. Good wine list with nice cuhoices from the region. read more

So we found this amazing restaurant through a referral from our waiter at Eggman. By the way a must dining experience. I have never tried an authentic Russian restaurant. The food and service was fantastic. And you HAVE to order a piece of honey cake OMG! Will be back. read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I was skeptical about this cuisine, but it speaks to my heritage, so a friend suggested we try this spot. It was kind of small, but it was comfortable. The parking lot was also small, but someone was leaving as we pulled in, so we got lucky. Service was kind and very attentive. We had a reservation and were seated right away. The menu was small, but well thought out. We started with a bottle of red wine as we made our selections. My friend chose the lamp plof and of course, I selected the beef stroganoff. I didn't try my friend's dish, because I was enjoying my dish so much! Our server checked on us periodically, but didn't bother us too often, it was perfect. I enjoyed this place very much and I'm sure you will too. read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Get the pelmini! Alyonka makes your feel like you're eating with your family. It's a small space but brings big flavor! The honey cake was perfect consistency and not too sweet. Be sure to make a reservation for dinner! read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Pelmini - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Alina Russian Restaurant off State has out of this world food. They were featured on the TV show Diners in Dives and we had to go there. The Pelmeni Dumplings in a Broth and the Beef Stroganoff brought back memories of my childhood and I literally broke down crying while trying to eat them. The honey cake that they make their will blow your mind. The owner Alina, is the sweetest lady you ever met. I guarantee if you go there, you will not be disappointed. I do not guarantee much of anything. I know I shouldn't. Prove me wrong. Oh, and by the way, it might be the cleanest place I've eaten in and all of Boise. Matter fact I would say it was the cleanest place. I've eaten in all of Boise. Very quaint and an area in the back for a Romantic dinner. The outdoor patio is nicely set up and who cares when you're eating the food that has been prepared by possibly the best chef in Ada County. https://alyonkarussiancuisine.com/ read more

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Stopped by for a lovely dinner here recently. I hadn't been to this building since it was State & Lemp and was excited to try Alyonka who took over the space. I'm so glad I did! My dining companion and I stopped by on a Saturday evening for a leisurely dinner. The space is intimate, but in warmer months they have a big, beautiful patio for outdoor dining. We opted to dine inside and while intimate, we were quite comfortable with our table for two right by the window. We started off with some wine (lovely) and then I opted for the chicken shish kebab. The chicken was nicely charred and delicious. It comes served with seasoned rice, sauce, and marinated carrot salad. All was flavorful and delicious. For dessert, I opted for the lemon mousse, which was outta this world. The mousse itself is perfectly lemony and comes topped with vanilla bean whipped cream and fresh berries. The vanilla bean whipped cream balanced out the tanginess of the lemon perfectly. The service was friendly and accommodating. Get to it! read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Chicken shish kebab - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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Everything we tried was amazing. There is a salad sampler and a dessert sampler we would 100% recommend so that you can try many dishes as they are all so good. The dumplings and chicken meatball soup were also fantastic. The owner is sweet and helpful, yet does not rush you at all. Can't wait to go back! read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Dessert sampler - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Everything was awesome! The owner chef is Russian and every wonderful bite is authentic! We shared a lovely selection of appetizers, salads and mains, ending with an assortment of splendid desserts! The day was perfect for eating outside on the terrace! read more

Came here for lunch yesterday after wanting to try it for so long! It did not disappoint. We did the belini platter for lunch and a salad taster. Everything tasted extremely fresh and clean. The lunch didn't leave me feeling bloated or yucky from gross seed oils. Everything was so beautifully presented. Our mocktails were delicious as well. Nothing beats the honey cake! The poppy seed cake definitely is worth a taste too but for me and my family it's all about that honey cake. I definitely want another slice! I will 100% be coming back to Alyonka. Service was a bit slow but it didn't ruin our experience at all. We enjoyed our week day lunch. Now I just want to come back for dinner! read more

Tasty food and good service. I love their special ice tea and desserts. Will definitely go back when I am in town.

Never had Russian Food before so we thought we would give this place a try. We started with the Salad Sampler Plater, which allows you to pick any three of the salad offerings, We had the Burrata Salad and Elena's Favorite Beet Salad. The Burrata salad is arugula, toped with tomatoes, red onion, sweet peached, with creamy burrata and drizzled with pesto, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. It was unique combination that truly complemented each ingredient. The Beet Salad was my favorite , boiled beets with Russian pickles, combined with garlic, mayo and toped with toasted pecans. Our third offering was Shuba, which is potatoes, smoked salmon, carrots and beets with a light touch of mayo which was unique to say the least. For our Entrees, I was torn between the Pelmeni and the Beef Stroganoff, the Pelmeni won hands down. These are handmade Russian Style Dumplings with a seasoned beef and sour cream. My wife opted for the potato pork loin roast, a traditional dish usually only served at Easter in Russian. It is amazing slow roasted pork and potato dish that was moist and tender, the potato's were caramelized and could squish them with a fork easy. For dessert we had the Royal Poppy Seed Chocolate Ganache Cake, a super moist cake layered with a sweet fluffy frosting. Of course Russian Hot Black Tea for drinks to really too the dinner off.Alyonka Russia Cuisine is a small but mighty restaurant, serving up comforting Russian Classics with very fresh ingredients. A very intimate atmosphere, excellent services and very welcoming and warm hospitality. read more

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Stopped by here for a family dinner and was not disappointed! My husband and I had not had much Russian food prior to dining at Alyonka (just some food our Russian friends made), but we were very inspired to try this place in their honor. We got the chicken noodle soup and borscht. Both were fresh, flavorful, and served warm (especially the chicken noodle soup). Everything tasted like a home cooked meal, not like some restaurant soup that feels like it was microwaved from a can. To top off the soup, we had some of the ganache cake which was sweet without being too sweet. Service was very attentive, friendly, and felt sincere. Ambiance was also quite inviting; even though it was packed inside, we got to sit under heat lamps outside and have some fresh air. There were even blankets outside to keep patrons warm. read more

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This place is incredible! The food is fresh and you can tell it is made with love. It is a treat for your taste buds! The owner and staff are wonderful people. Highly recommend!!! read more

Inside out: the place is -so clean- I genuinely love the aesthetic and everything was so organized it was beautifully cute. Ample parking for its size, an adorable outdoor patio to boot! The service: top tier, we spoke with the owner and a younger gentleman too who came in later, he was so kind and friendly. My grandma was so thrilled because at 90 she got to try new things! Food: it was delicious, I've never had any of of it, my husband and grandma split some meat dumplings and my husband loved them. I had borscht soup that I can't stop thinking about. I genuinely want soup in the summer it was so good. The desert was incredible, every option was tempting, and we were so full we split one cake of the royal poppyseed - perfect and not too sweet. I dream about this cake. Overall, I highly recommend it- just be aware the price is a bit surprising - but very very worth it. read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Entry - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

This was my second time trying Russian food. My dish was fantastic! We will definitely be eating there again in the future.

This is a great little Russian restaurant. The food is great, the service is good, it does get loud inside but overall it's a great spot. If we're back in Boise we will be back here. read more

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My new favorite restaurant in Boise. The food and dessert is amazing! The service was amazing and the young lady was very sweet and helpful. read more

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Where to begin on this magnificent dining experience. The food is incredible, everything is fresh, and has the best complex, yet clean flavors. The service is supurb. Elena the owner is delightful, as are all of the staff. Alyonka is the real deal, such an incredible atmosphere. Every appetizer and dish we tried was amazing, the honey cake literally left me speechless, it was divine. 10/10 no notes. read more

The borscht was delicious and addictive. It was rich in vegetables and creaminess. It's one of the best soup I've had! The stroganoff was tasty too- the beef was tender and the sauce complimented the pasta very well! Staff were friendly and attentive. It offered me a great experience with Russian cuisine! read more

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We walked in around 6:15 without a reservation, and we were seated despite the fact the table was reserved for a 7:30 reservation. We were very appreciative to be accommodated. Despite the time crunch, we didn't feel rushed. We ate and still had time left over. Service was great! The food came out at a good pace. Everything was delicious. The place felt cozy. It is a small restaurant. The decor is simple yet, inviting. The plum lemonade and the hibiscus iced tea was delicious. The honey cake was delicious too. The owner/chef was welcoming and warm. read more

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If you have obtained any sort of cooking skills in your life, you'll come to find how easy and cheap beef stroganoff is as well as dumplings are to make from scratch.... So these guys charging you $30 per plate is theft; extremely overpriced and you do not leave full. Caviar appetizer was okay, but I think the dish should be filled full of caviar. I also felt rushed by the server to order as well even when the restaurant wasn't busy. I believe it's the only Russian style food restaurant around so I guess they use that to overcharge their food. It was a new experience, but I don't like spending $80 on food for two people and not leaving full. This was just one appetizer, dumplings, and Lamb Plof. I had 6 small pieces of lamb and the rest was filled in with couscous and we stuck to water. Picture is of the caviar appetizer. Other reviews have said they are extremely inconsistent with how many dumplings they put into each dish and I can confirm. We will not be back. read more

Alyonka Russian Cuisine - Caviar - Russian Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Easily in the top 10 best restaurants I've ever been to. Everything we tried was incredibly fresh and unique. The staff was incredibly kind and passionate. They clearly love their job. The salad platter and chicken noodle soup are a must and please save room for the honey cake and lemon mousse! Everything has a lightness to it that leaves you feeling great after the meal like amazing home cooked food. We loved it so much on our visit to Idaho that we came here twice to try more things on the menu. This place is special. read more

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Food and service were both amazing. It's a small place with nice outdoor seating as well. Casual without being pretentious stuffed pepper was delicious. Blini was delicious. Pelmini were amazing. The Pavlova for dessert was incredible. It is not an inexpensive restaurant, but it is very much worth it. read more

Food is outstanding. Service is excellent. I have been 3 times in the past two months. It is expensive, but the quality of the food is worth the price. read more

Came into town for a quick weekend and the Thriple D came on with a special for a Boise Russian restaurant. It looked so good. We went the next night for dinner. Dog friendly, and the food was AMAZING read more

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The food was excellent. We have been meaning to eat here for quite a while. We had the beef stroganoff, chebureki and Pelmeni. Will definitely be back. read more

Excellent food! Wonderful service! Authentic Russian dishes! Our favorites were the Gouda spread, dumplings and the desserts were out of this world. Some of the best I've ever had! read more

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Food was excellent. Good service. Hibiscus tea was a nice treat. Burrata salad was really good as well