The STIL is not a typical Boise ice cream shop. Along with inventive flavors like salted caramel with honeycomb candy and strawberry basil, it offers ice cream flights and pairings with craft beer and wine.
The downtown Boise shop, whose name stands for The Sweetest Things In Life, has built its menu around small-batch ice cream, unusual flavor combinations, and plenty of dairy-free choices. Even the flavor names are designed to stand out, with creations such as Phat Mints, Marky Mark and the Crunchie Bunch, and When In Rome.
But the beer and wine pairings may be the biggest surprise. They turn a simple ice cream stop into a tasting experience that gives adults another reason to linger over dessert.
How The STIL Came to Be Boise’s Own Ice Cream Story
Two friends, a gap in the market, and a whole lot of passion for real ingredients – that is the origin story of The STIL, which stands for The Sweetest Things In Life. In 2017, Dan Sell, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, moved to Boise and asked his friend, local native Kasey Allen, where families could find truly creative, locally focused ice cream.
When neither of them could name a spot that checked all those boxes, the idea was born.
Rather than rushing the concept to market, Allen and Sell spent considerable time perfecting recipes at home before transforming their vision into a real business. Their flagship location opened in July 2017 at 786 W Broad St, Boise, Idaho 83702, right in the heart of the lively BoDo district.
The goal was always to create something uniquely Boise’s own, a gathering place tied to community and quality. That original dream has clearly stuck, and the shop has grown into one of the city’s most beloved destinations.
The Flavor Menu That Refuses to Play It Safe
Forget vanilla versus chocolate. At The STIL, choosing a flavor is genuinely the hardest part of the visit, and also the most fun.
The rotating menu features handcrafted scoops with names like “Marky Mark and the Crunchie Bunch,” a salted caramel base packed with honeycomb candy, and “Phat Mints,” where real mint leaves are cold-steeped in the cream base for 24 hours to deliver a fresh, natural flavor that artificial mint simply cannot match.
Seasonal offerings keep the menu dynamic and exciting throughout the year. You might find “Afternoon Recess,” a Nutella pretzel blend, or “StrawBizzle,” a bright strawberry basil combination that surprises with every bite. “When In Rome” pairs lemon with olive oil in a way that somehow works beautifully.
Each flavor name ties back to a memory, a feeling, or a moment – reinforcing the shop’s core belief that ice cream is about more than dessert. It is about connecting people to the sweetest things in life.
Real Ingredients, Not Shortcuts
One of the first things you notice when tasting a scoop here is how genuine everything tastes. The STIL has built its reputation on a firm commitment to real, high-quality ingredients rather than artificial flavorings or manufactured shortcuts.
When peanut butter ice cream is on the menu, actual peanut butter goes into the base. When coffee is the star, real espresso provides that deep, roasted flavor.
The cold-steep method used for their mint and lavender flavors is a perfect example of this philosophy in action. Culinary-grade lavender flowers, sourced locally, are steeped in the cream base for a full 24 hours, producing a flavor that is genuinely floral rather than synthetic.
This level of care extends to every batch produced on-site, where small-batch production allows the team to maintain precise quality control. The result is ice cream that tastes vibrant, fresh, and unmistakably handmade – a quality that becomes immediately obvious from the very first bite you take.
A Dairy-Free Menu That Earns Its Own Standing Ovation
For anyone who has experienced the quiet disappointment of scanning a dessert menu only to find one sad sorbet as the sole dairy-free option, The STIL is a revelation. The shop dedicates serious attention to its plant-based lineup, offering multiple vegan and dairy-free scoops that are crafted with the same creativity and care as their traditional options.
“Cookies with Grandma” is a fan favorite in the dairy-free category, featuring a rich coconut milk base loaded with cookie pieces that deliver a genuinely indulgent texture. Other plant-based options have included “Coffee Date,” “Man With the Yellow Hat,” and “Raspberry Beret,” each designed to stand on its own merits rather than simply serve as a substitute.
Visitors who are lactose intolerant have raved about finding ice cream here that actually tastes like the real thing, not a compromise. The shop also keeps gluten-free options plentiful, making it one of the most inclusive dessert destinations in the entire Boise area.
Ice Cream Flights: The Best Way to Be Indecisive
When the menu is this good, choosing just one flavor feels like a small injustice. That is exactly why the ice cream flight format at The STIL has become one of its most talked-about features.
A flight lets you sample several micro-portions of different flavors in one sitting, turning the ordering process into a delightful tasting experience rather than a stressful decision.
Groups of friends and couples on date nights have particularly embraced this format, using it to explore the full range of the shop’s creativity in a single visit. You can mix traditional dairy scoops with dairy-free options in the same flight, making it easy to compare textures and find new favorites.
The concept also works brilliantly for first-time visitors who are not yet familiar with the rotating menu. Rather than committing to a full scoop of something unfamiliar, a flight removes all the pressure and replaces it with pure curiosity.
It is the kind of idea that makes you wonder why every ice cream shop does not do this.
Stilly Dans and Other Creative Handheld Treats
A single scoop in a cone is a classic for a reason, but The STIL is not a place that stops at classics. Their “Stilly Dans” are one of the most playful items on the menu – a reimagined ice cream taco where creamy scoops are nestled inside a shell and finished with toppings like sprinkles or Heath bar pieces.
It is nostalgic, fun, and just elevated enough to feel special.
Beyond the Stilly Dans, the customization options here are genuinely impressive. Build your own sundae by layering your chosen scoops with drizzles, whipped cream, and a variety of toppings.
Order an ice cream sandwich crafted with their house-made flavors. Even the affogato-style options offer a sophisticated twist for those who want something with a little more complexity.
Every format on the menu seems designed to make the experience interactive and personal. The shop understands that dessert is as much about the ritual of choosing and building as it is about the flavor itself.
Pairings That Change How You Think About Dessert
Here is the detail that tends to stop people mid-scroll when they first discover this place: The STIL pairs its ice cream with local craft beers and wines. The concept sounds unconventional, and that is exactly the point.
The shop has thoughtfully curated a selection of beverages from quality regional producers, offering pairing flights that guide guests through complementary flavor combinations.
The pairing flights have earned their own loyal following, particularly among visitors who appreciate the craft beverage scene and want to experience it in a completely unexpected context. Guests have noted the strong variety of beer types represented, with selections from respected local and regional breweries.
The experience encourages you to think about flavor contrast and harmony in a way that a standalone scoop simply cannot. Whether you choose an ice cream and beer flight or opt for a wine pairing, the result is a dessert experience that feels genuinely sophisticated without being pretentious.
It is the kind of creative concept that keeps people coming back just to try new combinations.
The BoDo Location and Its Outdoor Patio Charm
The STIL’s flagship location on W Broad St sits right in the heart of Boise’s BoDo district, one of the city’s most energetic and walkable neighborhoods. The area is filled with restaurants, entertainment venues, and foot traffic that gives the shop a natural buzz, especially on warm evenings and weekends.
First-hour parking is free in the adjacent city garages, which makes a spontaneous visit remarkably easy.
Inside, the space is modern and welcoming, with a layout that encourages lingering over a scoop rather than rushing out the door. The real draw during warmer months, though, is the south-facing outdoor patio, equipped with tables, chairs, and occasional yard games that create a relaxed, social atmosphere.
It is the kind of spot where you sit down for one scoop and end up staying for an hour, watching city life pass by. The blend of indoor comfort and outdoor energy makes the location feel like more than just an ice cream stop – it becomes a natural gathering place for the neighborhood.
Local Sourcing as a Core Value, Not a Marketing Slogan
From the beginning, The STIL made a deliberate choice to partner with local suppliers rather than defaulting to mass-produced ingredients. This commitment to local sourcing is woven into the identity of the shop, not tacked on as an afterthought.
The lavender used in their cold-steep process, for example, comes from locally sourced culinary-grade flowers, giving the flavor an authenticity that imported ingredients simply cannot replicate.
Idaho dairy forms the creamy foundation of many of their traditional flavors, while seasonal fruits and other locally available components find their way into rotating specials throughout the year. By building relationships with regional farms and producers, the shop ensures that what ends up in your cup is as fresh as possible.
This approach also keeps money circulating within the local economy, creating a cycle of community support that the founders clearly care about deeply. Eating a scoop here means participating in something that extends well beyond the dessert itself – it is a small act of supporting Idaho’s food community.
The Staff That Turns a Good Visit Into a Great One
Ice cream can only carry an experience so far. At The STIL, the staff consistently gets called out in reviews as a major reason people return, and after my own visit, I completely understand why.
The energy behind the counter is genuine – curious, enthusiastic, and efficient without feeling rushed. Samples are offered freely and without hesitation, which takes all the guesswork out of navigating an unfamiliar menu.
The team is also knowledgeable about the nuances of each flavor, able to guide you toward combinations that will work well together in a cup or a flight. That kind of informed enthusiasm is rare in a quick-service dessert environment, and it elevates the entire experience.
National Recognition That Keeps Growing
What started as a conversation between two friends has grown into a nationally recognized destination. The STIL has been featured in The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Sunset Magazine, Today.com, and Forbes, a roster of publications that reflects just how far the shop’s reputation has traveled beyond Boise city limits.
Being ranked among the top ice cream shops in the entire United States is not a small achievement for a locally owned operation.
The shop has also consistently earned the title of Boise’s Best Dessert in local rankings, a reflection of how deeply it has connected with the community that embraced it from day one. Across digital platforms, the 4.8-star average from nearly 1,500 reviews tells a story of consistent quality and memorable experiences delivered visit after visit.
National media attention has brought curious travelers to the BoDo location, many of whom then become the kind of vocal advocates who tell every Boise-bound friend exactly where to go for dessert. That word-of-mouth momentum shows no sign of slowing down.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Tips, and What to Expect
The STIL is open daily from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and stays open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, making it a natural end to a downtown Boise evening.
The phone number is (208) 809-8888 if you want to check on current flavors or ask about any specials before making the trip. The website at ilovethestil.com is also regularly updated with new flavor announcements and seasonal offerings worth keeping an eye on.
First-time visitors should budget extra time for the decision-making process – the menu is genuinely that compelling. Take advantage of the free sampling policy before committing to a full scoop or a flight.
Mid-afternoon on weekdays tends to be quieter if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, though the weekend energy in BoDo has its own appeal. Arriving with an open mind and a willingness to try something outside your comfort zone is the best preparation you can bring.
The sweetest things in life, as they say, are worth a little anticipation.
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