Part of the fun of visiting our popular Montana tourist towns is the food. Most people who go to Whitefish know of the Whitefish Lake Restaurant, while Missoula visitors head to places like Paul’s Pancake Parlor.
And while there’s nothing wrong with eating at delicious popular restaurants, sometimes it’s nice to go off the beaten path and try a place that doesn’t get much press. These eateries are the unsung heroes.
1. Whitefish: Truby's Fine Food & Spirits, 115 Central Ave.
In a city with some of the best dining options in Montana, it's hard to stand out in the crowd. Ruby's is a bit of a hidden gem, but those who discover it are impressed by the casual and welcoming ambiance, burgers, steaks, brick oven pizzas and occasional live music.
2. Philipsburg: Silver Mill Saloon, 128 E Broadway St.
Visitors to Philipsburg are often surprised by the quality of the food (which ranges from steaks and seafood to pasta depending on the season) served in this casual eatery. The old-fashioned soda fountain and UpNSmokin BBQ House tend to steal the spotlight in this town, but if you don't have a meal here during your visit, you're really missing out.
3. Big Sky: Gallatin Riverhouse Grill, 45130 Gallatin Rd.
We're not sure if the Gallatin Riverhouse Grill is even underrated or if it's simply impossible to give it enough credit. Not only is the BBQ mouthwatering, but the views of the river are unbeatable.
4. Missoula: Five on Black, 325 N Higgins Ave.
From its century old eateries to its modern breweries and classic pizza joints, Missoula is full of excellent food options. Five on Black offers something a little exotic: Brazilian fast food. You can build your own bowl with meat, rice, veggies and sauce, meaning you can go every day and never eat the same thing twice. Five on Black also has locations in Bozeman and Denver.
5. West Yellowstone: Café Madriz, 311 N Canyon St.
Authentic Spanish food in Southern Montana? It's true. Café Madriz serves delicious tapas and sangria during tourist season, and it's incredible.
6. Bozeman: Jam!, 25 West Main St.
If you could eat breakfast food for all 3 meals a day, every day, you should probably live in Bozeman. There are some incredible brunch spots here, like the Nova Cafe and the Cateye Cafe. But the food at Jam! is definitely in the same category, and it's always served perfectly plated and with a smile by the staff.
7. Red Lodge: Bogart’s Restaurant, 11 Broadway Ave S.
For a small town, Red Lodge has a lot of excellent eateries. We're not claiming that Bogart's has the best food in town (that would be nearly impossible to determine), but the Mexican food, pizza and burgers here are definitely delicious, and this place sometimes gets overlooked.
8. Gardiner: K-Bar Pizza, 202 Main St.
While the pizza at K-Bar is definitely delicious, it's the ambiance that makes this spot an underrated gem. It's a great place to play pool, catch a game or just relax after a long day.
9. Helena: AK Cafe, 1998 Euclid Ave.
You wouldn't think that this simple building would house some of the tastiest breakfast and lunch food in the city, but AK Cafe is definitely an underrated gem.
10. Kalispell: Kiska’s Southern Kitchen, 101 E Center St., Ste 104
The made-from-scratch food here is inspired by dishes served in New Orleans and New Mexico. You'd think the combination would be confusing, but it's actually amazing.
There’s certainly no shortage of excellent restaurants in Montana. Check out this list of neighborhood gems .
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