The Snake Pit

4.3 ( 1157 reviews )
Checking... See Hours
$10–20
1480 Coeur D'Alene River Rd, Kingston, ID 83839, United States
+1 208-682-3453

The Snake Pit, located at 1480 Coeur D'Alene River Rd in Kingston, ID, is a dining gem that consistently garners rave reviews from its patrons. Often heralded as the oldest restaurant in Idaho, diners are not only drawn to its rich history but also its delightful menu options. Customers like Michael Wilwerding have praised the attentive service, remarking on the engaging demeanor of their servers, while reviews highlight the restaurant's focus on serving meals that are both perfectly cooked and beautifully presented.

The culinary offerings, such as the Chicken Fried Steak and the Creamy Potato Soup, have won over many. James Cleverdon noted the steak's crispy exterior and tender inside, complemented perfectly by a savory brown gravy. Gong C's experience underscores the charm of dining in an 1880s log cabin ambiance, where the NY Strip Steak and BBQ platter dazzled his taste buds, showcasing just how well The Snake Pit excels in traditional comfort food. The emphasis on quality and local ingredients, coupled with passionate service, makes it a must-visit restaurant, as both Julie Kozlosky and Dolly Eix found during their visits. Whether you're drawn in by the warmth of the atmosphere or the cravings for a hearty meal, The Snake Pit delivers an unforgettable experience every time.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
    • Has fireplace
    • Has great beer selection
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Serves great coffee
    • Has live music
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves happy-hour drinks
    • Serves happy-hour food
    • Quick bite
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Historic
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Plenty of parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For The Snake Pit

Michael Wilwerding
Jul 2,2025
We had the most amazing dining experience. Our server was perfect in every way Quite funny and accommodating. I didn't get her name but she had the awesome hair with pink in it. We were with a pretty large group and we all received our food at the same time and perfectly cooked.
James Cleverdon
Jun 3,2025
We went to The Snake Pit, which claims to be the oldest restaurant in Idaho. We had their Chicken Fried Steak and a bowl of the Creamy Potato Soup. The chicken fried steak was great, deep fried to perfection: crispy outside while tender and chewy inside. The brown gravy was quite good, as was their green beans cooked with bacon and onions. The fries were delicious as well. The creamy potato soup was flavorful, just right on a cold day.
Gong C
May 25,2025
5/5 for me! I did not expect to see all the hand made art and historical items while I dine. When we entered this restaurant it’s like we were transported to a 1880s log cabin. All the wood work is amazing! And the food is even more impressive. After a full day of skiing we were starving. We ordered NY strip steak, river dip prime rib sandwich and the bbq platter. The steak is perfectly cooked medium rare super juicy. I couldn’t have done a better job myself. BBQ platter was the total bomb of an appetizer. You get brisket, pulled pork and sausages in one plate complete with sweet bbq sauce, jalapenos, mustard and sauerkraut. The river dip? It’s flavor heaven! Creamy mushroom with cheese and steak. Dunk it! This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time. They only had one waitress working the tables. Our food came out super fast and she’s really works hard but she’s so nice and efficient. Loved the whole experience.
Julie Kozlosky
May 21,2025
We drove nearly 2 hrs to try the Snake Pitt for the first time and let me say we were NOT disappointed. The food was fantastic and the service was excellent and friendly. Prices were definitely fair we had The platter added fries and onion rings and even did dessert. Being that it was Valentine’s day anyways we left super impressed and look forward to returning come spring/summer.
Dolly Eix
May 17,2025
Went to the new snake pit and the food was wonderful!! There was a little wait but not bad. The girls got us our table pretty quick. Everything was delicious!! My son ordered the clams and those were absolutely amazing!! I love their signature fries but the sweet potato fries were good as well. When we went I was told the owner was cooking. He had a large group prior to us but is wasn’t too long ago of a wait. He did an amazing job and our waitress was very sweet. She took good care of us. We will definitely be back.
Lisa
Apr 15,2025
This place is really cool. The drive there was beautiful. Once inside, the ambiance changes immediately as you're met with the aroma of a wood burning fireplace and mouth watering food. The history is awesome. Our waitress was Jayden. She was very sweet and brought our 5 and 6 year old Irish twins a mug full of crayons and a couple coloring books while we waited for our food. We waited about 15-20 minutes. Our food was hot and presentable. The portions were a good size and definitely worth the bill, which was reasonable for a party of 6.
Travis Smith
Mar 15,2025
If you’re looking for great food, history and amazing staff, then stop into the snake pit. This historic restaurant is a must as a local or visitor. Had the brisket sandwich and tots which was delicious. Super friendly staff. Highly recommended!
Susan Sablan
Mar 15,2025
Love the Snakepit so much! The new owners have put a lot of work into making the place less cluttered while maintaining the original look and feel. We went to try the new prime rib dinner. It was cooked perfectly, the green beans and mashed potatoes were delicious! The plate was huge and the service was great. Also, had the huckleberry bread pudding. It was amazing! Can’t wait to go again!

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