Must-see restaurants in Montana

  • Belton Chalet Grill & Taproom

    Glacier National Park

    West Glacier's finest dining option, housed in one of its most historic buildings, has evolved with the times, the faux Swiss milkmaid waitress uniforms…

  • Follow Yer' Nose BBQ

    Montana

    OMGoodness, this place is good. What started as a portable smoker in a gravel parking lot is now Montana's liveliest barbecue joint. Locals flock to this…

  • Nova Cafe

    Bozeman & Gallatin Valley

    A helpful map at the entrance shows you where the food you'll be eating comes from at this retro-contemporary locals' favorite. The hollandaise is a bit…

  • 2nd St Bistro

    Montana

    Our personal favorite, located in the historic Murray Hotel, with a superb range of appetizers, cocktails and draft beers, this is a classy but relaxed…

  • Market on Front

    Montana

    Order a fresh-made sandwich or overflowing breakfast bowl, or take advantage of the gourmet grab-and-go picnic items such as local teas, organic chocolate…

  • Follow Yer' Nose BBQ

    Bozeman & Gallatin Valley

    Lovers of some of Montana's best grills have for years been forced out into the backblocks of Paradise Valley for their fix. No longer. This city outpost…

  • Pearl Cafe

    Montana

    Our pick as Missoula's culinary superstar, Pearl Cafe does French country cooking with a western-US twist – try the walnut and herb prawns, the grilled…

  • Beartooth Café

    Montana

    A bright place for lunch sandwiches (such as a buffalo burger, a ‘funk burger’ or lighter portobello sandwich) served on the pleasant front deck, washed…

  • Rainbow Ranch Lodge

    Bozeman & Gallatin Valley

    The gourmet restaurant attached to its upscale lodge is the best in the valley and the place for a blowout. Try the harissa-rubbed elk, bison steak with…

  • Prerogative Kitchen

    Montana

    This cool little spot uses farm-fresh local produce to create unusual dishes such as risotto sliders or a small but perfectly formed menu of steak or…

  • Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant

    Glacier National Park

    East Glacier Park's most buzzed-about restaurant serves a mean chile relleno. Renowned for its excellent iced margaritas, Serrano's also has economical…

  • Walkers Grill

    Montana

    Upscale Walkers offers good grill items and fine tapas at the bar accompanied by cocktails crafted by expert mixologists. It's an elegant, large-windowed…

  • Red Box Car

    Montana

    Without doubt the Yellowstone region’s best fast food is served out of a century-old railroad car at the southern end of town. There are burgers, wraps…

  • Echo Lake Cafe

    Montana

    Go out of your way to stop by this valley favorite that serves an extensive menu of affordable breakfast and lunch creations. Try the Echo Lake crepes for…

  • Johnson's of St Mary World Famous Restaurant

    Glacier National Park

    It feels like you've stepped onto the set of a John Wayne western. Well, the plastic chairs are a giveaway. But this log-cabin restaurant perched above St…

  • Abruzzo Italian Kitchen

    Montana

    Upscale and classy fine dining in Whitefish doesn't mean warmth and hospitality are sacrificed, and this trattoria opened in 2017 delivers on all counts…

  • Chico Inn Restaurant

    Montana

    The restaurant at Chico is renowned throughout the region, though there’s slim pickings for vegetarians. The beef Wellington ($70 for two) gets rave…

  • Northern Lights Saloon

    Glacier National Park

    Grab a burger, burrito or delicious elk meatloaf and beer and head to the picnic tables to watch the sand volleyball game, swap tales of grizzly…

  • Yellowstone Valley Grill

    Montana

    The only thing finer than the view of the Absaroka Range rising behind the winding Yellowstone River is the food. Sustainable local ingredients, fresh…

  • Whitefish Lake Restaurant

    Montana

    A golf-course clubhouse isn't the typical location for a special-occasion steakhouse. But Whitefish locals know this is the place to make reservations for…

  • Mustang Fresh Food

    Montana

    For a top-shelf picnic en route to Yellowstone, combine a fabulous ciabatta sandwich, gourmet salad or hot daily special (bison Bolognese anyone?) from…

  • Plonk

    Montana

    This wine bar is a great place to drink, but the shared plates, tapas and other meals make it a terrific place to satisfy all of your evening needs in one…

  • Gil's Goods

    Montana

    Creative pizzas, grass-fed burgers and locally sourced salads bring the passion for farm-to-table dining to a more casual, community-oriented space. The…

  • Log Cabin Cafe

    Montana

    In sleepy Silver Gate this unexpectedly cool place serves excellent grilled trout, house-smoked salmon and homemade breakfast pumpkin bread. The cozy…

  • Polebridge Mercantile

    Glacier National Park

    This off-the-grid bakery and minimalist grocery at the northwest corner of the park serves legendary bear claws and cinnamon buns. It's the de facto…

  • Ptarmigan Dining Room

    Glacier National Park

    With magnificent lakeside views, this spacious and handsomely designed restaurant with vaulted ceilings is the most refined of the park's lodges. Enjoy 7,…

  • Two Medicine Campstore

    Glacier National Park

    While the Two Medicine Valley has no standard restaurants, you can forgo alfresco campground cooking and chow down on excellent chili, soups and…

  • Jammer Joe’s Grill & Pizzeria

    Glacier National Park

    Only steps away, but light-years from Lake McDonald Lodge's decor and vibe, Jammer Joe's (named for Joe Kendall, who drove the park's iconic Red Buses for…

  • Eddie’s Cafe

    Glacier National Park

    Summer jobbers man the diner-style tables inside Apgar Village’s only eating joint, serving up meatloaf, fish and chips and buffalo burgers from a kitchen…

  • Snowgoose Grille

    Glacier National Park

    If you’re craving an opportunity to break away from the hikers’ breakfast/picnic lunch monotony, try this wheelchair-accessible restaurant in the St Mary…

  • 320 Ranch

    Bozeman & Gallatin Valley

    This rustic ranch-house restaurant and saloon is heavy on game (elk, bison and the like), but the real draws are the fun weekly specials. The popular…

  • Two Dog Flats Grill

    Glacier National Park

    With a clientele made up primarily of famished hikers and tour-bus passengers happy just to stretch their legs, Two Dog doesn’t have to try too hard to…

  • Loula's

    Montana

    Downstairs in the century-old Masonic temple building, this bustling cafe has local art on the wall and culinary artists in the kitchen. The highly…

  • Park Café

    Glacier National Park

    Owned and operated by the same family since 1952, it's now the grandchild of the Park's founder who's in charge. The charming dilapidated diner decor…

  • Bad Frog Cantina

    Glacier National Park

    Chow down al fresco at one of the picnic tables set up next to this bright yellow food truck parked near the main intersection in St Mary; just off the…

  • 'Nell's

    Glacier National Park

    Recently made over from top to bottom, 'Nell's menu is geared to famished hikers and campers looking for a quick meal on the go or to take with them on…

  • Great Northern Dining Room

    Glacier National Park

    This big restaurant in the Glacier Park Lodge serves upscale classics, such as prime rib, and more Montana-influenced dishes like braised bison ribs, as…

  • Three Bears Burritos

    Glacier National Park

    The simple concept brought to Glacier hikers by Terry Chase, owner of next door Brownie's hostel and bakery, is basically a local and locally sourced…

  • West Glacier Restaurant

    Glacier National Park

    Recently renovated and redesigned, both in terms of its menu and decor, the blandly named West Glacier Restaurant is now one of the more enjoyable places…

  • Yellowstone Grill

    Montana

    This reliable place serves up fine burritos, salads and wraps in a coffeehouse-style industrial-brick interior or on the outdoor terrace. The Yellowstone…