There is no doubt Montana is currently enjoying its moment in the spotlight thanks to the TV series Yellowstone as well as the Madison (thanks Taylor Sheridan!). I am fortunate to spend about half of my time in the “last best place” and am constantly asked for restaurant recommendations. Last years guide (which you can read here) is consistently one of my most popular posts so I thought a quick update was in order.
We had an abbreviated summer so we didn’t get to try too many new spots, but here are some of the tried and true places/experiences we return to season after season.
J.W. Heist is a proper restaurant by any standards. The atmosphere is terrific, the staff is incredibly professional and solicitous and the food is dependably excellent. It is on the pricy side but you do get what you pay for in terms of quality and an elevated experience. My recommendation is get a little dressed up (Western-style) and enjoy an indulgent night out, it’s the perfect place for date night or a celebration. To cap off your evening be sure to order the Baked Alaska.
One of my most anticipated experiences every summer is Outstanding in the Field which for the last several years has been held at North Bridger Bison. Tickets for these dinners go on sale in late March and I would advise signing up for their mailing list now so you don’t miss your opportunity to take part in one of these unforgettable evenings. The Montana dinners are generally held mid-July, so if you have flexibility with your vacation you may want to plan around it, it’s that good! The guest chef the evening we attended was Zachary Ladwig from The Ranch at Rock Creek, and to be honest it wasn’t as appealing (to me) as prior dinners, but even so, it was memorable. In case you were wondering, they can accommodate for a gluten free/vegetarian diet as long as you let them know in advance!
Shan is another perennial favorite that never disappoints. If you crave Northern Thai cuisine prepared expertly with farm fresh ingredients Shan is the place for you- but be sure to plan ahead, reservations go quickly (and are necessary). The menu skews heavily towards protein, but there are several veggie choices.
Blackbird is always on this list even though I don’t really like it (at all) but realize I am in the minority. Perhaps if I ate bread/pasta/pizza I might feel more amenable to it, but I generally leave there disappointed. The restaurant is always mobbed so they must be doing something right.
If you are craving Indian food there seem to be more and more options popping up around Bozeman, but the tried and true Pakeezah located in the American Bank Building on Main Street (major 70’s restaurant vibes) rarely disappoints. Pakeezah has the friendliest servers, large portions and a tendency to spice on the hotter side, so order accordingly.
Cateye Café is often the place people turn to when the line is too long at Jam!, but its pretty respectable in it’s own right, especially if you manage to snag a table outside on a gorgeous summer morning. The service is sassy (the hostess has a big personality) and the food is tasty- what more can you want?
Jam! is the gold standard as far as brunch on Main Street goes, frequented by locals, MSU students, tourists and everyone in-between there is always a wait to get in. The food is yummy and plentiful, but it is not as authentic as The Western Café (see below).
The Western Café is the most classic of all the breakfast spots, especially if you happen to be hung-over.
One of my all time favorite experiences that just keeps getting better and better is dinner at The Hummingbird’s Kitchen. Chef Linda Huang is not just incredibly talented in the kitchen but she magically creates new connections between strangers at every meal. We recently enjoyed a fantastic Szechuan feast at THK, but there is a new focus every month. There are also some special collaborations which I hope will continue as I was really sorry we missed dinner with Chef Jaison Leroy (outstanding sushi) as well as one with Chef Ranga Perera who cooked Sri Lankan favorites with Chef Linda.
I cannot speak highly enough about Linda- be sure to subscribe to her newsletter where she announces the upcoming dinners and sign up IMMEDIATELY.
Another special dinner experience is Omakase at Izakaya Three Fish which sadly we were unable to make it to this summer, but nevertheless is always top of my list of recommendations to “foodies” visiting the area. Everyone I have ever sent there agrees- it is unforgettable.
There are tons of coffee shops in Bozeman as Montanans are literally addicted to caffeine. I have tested them all and the best imho is Roly Poly.
Last but not least there seems to be a new bakery opening up every day, but nowhere is as crowded as Wild Crumb which recently won a James Beard award meaning the ever present lines are now longer and they frequently sell out of baked goods. My husband is addicted to the cinnamon rolls and if we are in town a trek there in the early morning is always on agenda.
A couple of other bakeries to note if you are craving carbs- the traditional European bakery and wine bar Vienne as well as Bozeman Cake (my favorite) a Japanese Patisserie that specializes in the most fabulous confections- most of which are gluten free! There is not a traditional storefront (yet), but rather you can special order and have the sweets delivered.
There seems to be new restaurants appearing every week and hopefully I will update this list over the winter when I return to MT, but in the meantime this should give you a solid starting point to start exploring!
If you enjoy the blog please be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a post.