Our Montana Summer 2025 is in the books, and it literally flew by. Due to a horseback riding “mishap” we spent some unexpected time in Bozeman, which we used to our advantage by testing out some new spots (to us) as well as some old faves. Here is a recap (in chronological order) of some of the places we visited.
J.W. Heist Steakhouse has been around for a while, and is from the team that created Plonk, a Main Street institution. I had always been a bit reluctant to try J.W. Heist for several reasons, it is quite pricey, I don’t love Plonk, and I am not a meat eater so I figured the meal would be wasted on me. Needless to say we went with some friends who were visiting and I actually loved it. The setting is perfect (seems like it has been there forever), the service was incredibly attentive and professional, and the food was excellent. If you are a fan of traditional steakhouse meals (with plenty of options for non-meat eaters) and have a special occasion to celebrate I would most definitely recommend Heist. My husband returned a few weeks later with a friend and said his meal was just as delicious, so it wasn’t just a fluke. Ending the meal with Baked Alaska is also a win, one of the best desserts around in my opinion. Another tip, order the Wedge Salad (bacon on the side for me) but order it chopped.
Another meat-centric choice on the other end of the spectrum is Western Cafe, also located on Main Street in Bozeman which attracts everyone from cowboys to students to retirees as well as tourists. There is invariably a line to get in which surely increases your appetite! Western Cafe is as authentic as it gets (the complete opposite of Jam, which I will get to next). My husband deemed the corned beef hash to be sublime, as well as the griddled cinnamon bun, grilled ham and hash browns. It might be wise to avoid Western cafe if you are monitoring your cholesterol, but if not, add it to your list. I attempted to be healthy with a spinach, mushroom and Swiss scramble, and while I usually avoid spinach that isn’t organic I just forged ahead, proud that I was able to “go with the flow”.
As mentioned above, the antithesis of Western Cafe is Jam, located just at the other end of Main Street. Jam is the bougie option, filled with loads of tourists, as well as newly transplanted Californians. Don’t get me wrong, I do love Jam, it is always crowded and the food is yummy, but it is a completely different vibe. It is so busy they do not like to make accommodations on your order, but it is generally a crowd pleaser. My recommendation? Try both and see what you like better. As an aside, Jam does have a gluten free pancake option, while Western Cafe does not!
Izakaya Three Fish remains an incredibly special and memorable Omakase experience that you should try to book in Bozeman if you are able to. There is no match for the food, service, or experience. If you want to recreate the magic of Japan you can absolutely do so at Izakaya Three Fish. If you decide to opt for Omakase the cost per person is $200 which may seem pricey but the value is undeniable, the taste and memories will linger long after the meal is done.
Sticking with Asian food, Whistle Pig Korean located on North Wilson just off Main Street is really delicious, and incredibly popular. They do not take reservations, and are only open from 4-9 Wednesday- Saturday, but if you are looking for a very satisfying and high quality Korean fix, I would heartily recommend it. Pretty much everything is house made using as many local ingredients as possible and the extra effort pays off. The Banchan and vegan Kimbap were really satisfying, as was the Japchae (with tofu). I wish we had room for dessert but we were stuffed.
A trip to Bozeman is not complete without a pop-up dinner at The Hummingbird’s Kitchen. I have written many times about the unforgettable evenings hosted and prepared by Chef Linda Huang; the food is always delectable and the communal tables (and the fact that it is BYOB) ensures there is a dinner party vibe. Best strategy, sign up for her email list and buy tickets as soon as she announces her dates.
Chef Jaison LeRoy is another resource you should file away if you are coming to the Big Sky/Bozeman area. He is an unbelievable sushi chef who will create a mind blowing Omakase experience in your home whether for an intimate dinner or a larger dinner party. Interestingly enough he is collaborating with Chef Linda of The Hummingbird’s Kitchen for an upcoming event, but it sold out almost immediately. Chef LeRoy sources his seafood from Japan and Hawaii and is obsessive about quality and freshness; in addition his artistry is incomparable not just in Montana, but anywhere.
After a time we returned to Big Sky and enjoyed a meal at Cortina in the Montage, a “proper” restaurant featuring solicitous service and a gourmet menu. I opted for summer risotto which was fine, but the desserts (especially the homemade gelato) are really first rate.
Back to Bozeman and a foray to a new German spot on Main Street (though located on the second floor), Gute Laune (translated as good mood). We are heading to Munich in October so I thought this would serve as a good preview. The food was really quite good, with a sunny, friendly atmosphere. There is a large space that resembles a traditional beer hall in the back, but we dined by the windows in a smaller dining room towards the front. It was our servers first day and she was very amenable and upbeat. We didn’t go all in on the beer drinking as it was early in the day, but the consensus was a desire to come back which is equivalent to a glowing review!
The summer isn’t complete without Wilcoxson’s vanilla soft serve with hot fudge from Mark’s In & Out in Livingston, you must go at least once.
Shan is another spot you need to reserve far ahead, it is crazy busy and for good reason. Located in the Cannery District you will join locals and tourists alike who line up for a seat at the counter or are lucky to score a table in order to enjoy the array of authentic Thai dishes that rarely disappoint. One reason to book an early reservation is to secure an order of the lamb dumplings which tend to sell out almost immediately.
Since we were unable to attend the Outstanding in the Field dinner in Bozeman this summer we booked what we hoped would be a worthwhile substitute, a Farm Dinner presented by Mountain Provisions at Amaltheia Farm which was like a very scaled down version of OiTF. There was a lot of thought and effort put into the event by Chef Emily Hahn, and while it wasn’t on the grand scale of Outstanding in The Field it was a very fun night to connect with fellow foodies in a beautiful setting (complete with loads of goats).
The food scene in Bozeman and the surrounding areas keeps growing and impressing me with it’s breadth and quality. I will continue visiting new spots, and revisiting old favorites so that you don’t have to waste a meal when you visit!
If you have a spot I haven’t mentioned, please DM me and I will check it out.