7 Must-Try Restaurants in Missoula, Montana

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Missoula, Montana is known for its vast landscape and rugged beauty. You’ve heard of the popular television show Yellowstone, right?

Upon arrival, I was shocked at how much Missoula looks like it does on the TV show.

It made complete sense once I learned that parts of the show are filmed in Missoula and the surrounding areas. I even got to see a few places where they filmed, including the Missoula County Courthouse featured on the show. 

But enough about television shows. Let’s get to the real reason you’re here—the restaurants in Missoula. With cattle ranches covering countless miles of Missoula’s terrain, it makes sense that beef is the star of most menus. This is great because I love a good steak. But if you don’t, fear not because Missoula’s menus are varied. You’ll find a whole lot more than just meat and potatoes in this state. 

I hope you’re ready to dive into what they’re cooking up because these Missoula restaurants are calling your name. While some of these hot spots are right downtown, I enjoyed visiting a few off-the-beaten-path places but well worth the journey. I’m already craving a return visit to a few of these hidden gems.

7 Best Restaurants in Missoula, Montana

Harwood House at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort

195 Quinn’s Canyon Rd Route 135, Plains, MT 59859, United States 

The Harwood House is one of the restaurants in Missoula located at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort and is open to both guests and the public.

We enjoyed a soak in the outdoor hot springs before dinner. I was traveling with a group, and we decided to enjoy dinner family-style, which just so happens to be one of my favorite ways to eat. It means I get the opportunity to sample a much wider variety of what the restaurant has to offer. 

We started with a few appetizers for the table. First up was the Bison Carpaccio served with an orange ponzu sauce, fried capers, and Lomi tomato.

Drizzled on top was a creamy horseradish that pulled the dish together.

We also shared the fried Brussels Sprouts that came with butternut squash, sweet candied walnuts, crunchy bacon bits, and apple pieces, all topped with a maple balsamic glaze. We devoured both appetizers, leaving nothing but crumbs on either plate. 

For my main dish, I ordered the Wild Game Meatloaf. I don’t often get to enjoy game meat so I was excited to see this speciality meatloaf on the menu.

It consisted of buffalo, elk, and ground beef, it was served with garlic mashed potatoes covered in a rich brown gravy, alongside sautéed broccolini.

This rich and flavorful meal hit the spot and was the kind of comfort meal one relishes on a cold winter day.  

La Porte Rouge

231 E Front St, Missoula, MT 59802, United States // 406-541-0231

After a morning of sightseeing, we popped into this quaint French eatery for an early lunch. I wasn’t overly hungry, so I ordered an asparagus, watercress, house ricotta, and herbed quiche with a side salad.

I wanted a salad to help counterbalance all the meat I’d been enjoying while in Missoula. It was a fresh arugula salad with mixed greens, slices of peppers and nuts on top.  

While the quiche was flaky and flavorful, the portion size was very small. I wish there had been more of it for me to enjoy.  I will admit to enjoying a few of my colleague’s french fries that she couldn’t finish.

If you are a big eater, I would suggest ordering something else from their menu such as their Duck Confit or Steak Frites, or perhaps adding a side order of french fries to your quiche.

I would definitely return and order the quiche again, but I would add soup or fries to my order next time. One of the best restaurants in Missoula.

Lolo Creek Steakhouse

6600 US-12, Lolo, MT 59847, United States // 406-273-2622

When we arrived at Lolo Creek Steakhouse they were extremely busy and our table wasn’t ready yet. Instead of standing around in the entrance waiting, we were brought over to their whisky-tasting room for a cocktail while we waited for our table.

Lolo Creek Distillery is conveniently located next to the steakhouse, making it the ideal place to have a drink while waiting to be seated for dinner.

Our group had enough time to leisurely enjoy a cocktail before our table was ready. Once seated, I already knew I was going to have a steak because what else would one order at a steakhouse?

A lot of their options were larger-sized cuts that I would not have been able to finish, so I ordered the Steak and Alaskan King Crab dish. It was a 6-ounce cut that came with mashed potatoes and a slice of crusty garlic bread. 

Instead of each dish coming with a side of vegetables, they brought out several side dishes for the table to share.

These consisted of raw carrots, broccoli and cauliflower with a rich and tangy ranch dip. We enjoyed the crunchy vegetables so much that they had to refill them several times.

From the pre-dinner cocktail to the perfectly cooked steak, Lolo Steakhouse was a wonderful experience.   

Finn

100 Madison St, Missoula, MT 59802, United States // 406-542-4660

While in Missoula, I stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton one night.

When it was time for breakfast, I sauntered downstairs to their in-house restaurant, Finn, where they claim to give guests an authentic Missoula experience. I wanted to see what that was all about.

I sat at one of the window seats overlooking the river and surrounding mountains. It was a very picturesque spot to enjoy my breakfast and coffee.  

A big fan of Avocado Toast, I ordered theirs with a cappuccino. Artfully displayed, the Avocado Toast came with poached eggs and pickled onions on top.

While I brushed most of the pickled onions aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my breakfast. The Focaccia bread was the perfect mix of crunchy around the edges while soft and moist in the middle. It was the ideal base for the avocado and eggs.

When I returned to the hotel that evening, the restaurant was jam-packed full of people, with even the bar stools occupied.

Finn’s certainly does seem to be a Missoula favorite. 

Seasons Restaurant

301 Lodge Way, Seeley Lake, MT 59868, United States // 406-677-2900 

Dinner at Seasons Restaurant was quite possibly my favorite meal during my time in Missoula. Not only does this restaurant exude rustic charm, but the presentation of their dishes is beautiful. No wonder it’s one of the best restaurants in Missoula.

When they brought focaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to the table, the oil and vinegar mixture was elegantly served in a coupe glass.

While reading the menu, one particular appetizer immediately caught my attention, Rattlesnake and Rabbit Sausage.

Trying new foods is something I truly enjoy so when I saw this on the menu, I knew I had to have it. Thankfully, the group I was dining with was equally curious so we ordered two for the table to share. 

Accompanied by maple cayenne aioli and honey dijon dipping sauces, the flavor of the sausage was unlike anything I had ever tasted before.

The texture was similar to that of a regular sausage, but the flavor had a unique and spicy kick to it. It was also less fatty than a typical sausage. The consensus at our table was that it was unique and worth trying. 

For my main dish, I chose the daily special, which was a Game Meat Meatloaf. Yes, again! I was certainly going to get my fill of game meat while I was in Montana.

Served on top of a generous bed of mashed potatoes and covered in a rich gravy, it was fabulous and very filling. 

Seasons Restaurant is located at the Double Arrow Lodge, making it the ideal dinner spot for those staying on-site. We also enjoyed breakfast here before heading out for the day and my Huevos Rancheros were delicious.

I highly recommend staying here if you can as the food was great and the cabins are positively gorgeous. 

The Camino

105 N Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802, United States // 406-317-1260

If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, then The Camino is one of the restaurants in Missoula you want to dine. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula, they serve up authentic Mexican cuisine.

Made in-house, their fresh tortillas are lovingly hand-crafted without preservatives and you can taste the difference. 

My friend and I opted to start with the guacamole and chips appetizer. Be warned, their guacamole has a kick to it thanks to the addition of serrano peppers.

House-made with avocado, serrano, onion, tomatillo, cilantro, and lime, it was flavorful but a tad too spicy for this gal. I enjoyed the guacamole sparingly on chips so fresh they tasted like they were made mere minutes ago.

Next up we sampled the Fried Cauliflower made with a sweet potato brown butter puree, salsa macha, pickled Fresno, and cilantro.

My friend loved this one, but once again, it was unfortunately too spicy for me. 

Before ordering my main dish, I asked the server which dishes were mild to ensure I could enjoy my meal. I decided on the Carne Asada taco, made with marinated skirt steak, sikil p’ak, salsa verde, onion, cilantro, and potato crispies.

It was delicious and thankfully not too spicy. 

If you are someone who loves spicy dishes and heat with your meal, then I highly recommend checking out The Camino. It’s one of the best restaurants in Missoula. If you’re like me and you need your food on the less spicy side, be sure to ask your server for advice on which dishes to order. 

Black Coffee Roasting Company

 525 E Spruce St, Missoula, MT 59802, United States // 406-541-3700

Another breakfast spot conveniently located in a hotel, Black Coffee Roasting Company is located inside The Wren boutique hotel. It is the ideal place to enjoy a quick breakfast. I popped in here after checking out of the hotel before hitting the road. 

They serve their very own brand of organic coffee roasted locally in Missoula as well as a few hot and cold items.  They also have snacks and drinks to-go so you can hit the road prepared and not need to stop for snacks.  

A typical breakfast order for me, I chose their Avocado Toast. It was served on a thick slice of brown bread. If you’re a big eater, you may want to order two as it was just one slice of bread. But for me, it was just the right amount of food to fuel me for the morning. With my Big Sky Montana coffee mug filled with a strong and frothy cappuccino, I was ready to bid Missoula goodbye until next time. 

Last Words: Best Restaurants in Missoula

If you ever find yourself in Big Sky country, be sure to check out some of these must-try restaurants in Missoula. One thing’s for sure, you won’t go hungry when exploring Montana. 

Want to have other delicious experiences in the region? Check out our other guides:

• The 13 Best Restaurants In Whitefish Montana
• The 8 Best Restaurants In Cody Wyoming
• The 10 Best Restaurants in Cheyenne Wyoming