We’re going to come right out and say it: we love food. And you already know how much we love Montana. So it goes without saying that eating in Montana is, well, very high on our list of favorites. We get it: when you think about Glacier Country, food isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Let us assure you, however, that Big Sky Country’s culinary contributions are unexpectedly phenomenal.
With winter closely upon us, comfort foods are top of mind, and here are our top 5 hotspots for cold-weather cravings.
Tupelo Grille
In the heart of downtown Whitefish, Tupelo Grille is the perfect place to savor delicious Montana food with the best Rocky Mountain West hospitality around. They specialize in Southern cuisine, offering fresh seafood, grilled steaks, signature pastas (hello, baked mac & cheese with prosciutto) and a delectable dessert menu (try the bread pudding with rum butter and Chantilly cream—it’s a must). Pro tip: Their mouthwatering meals pair well with their innovative cocktails, and cocktails always keep you warm.
The Dining Car at Izaak Walton Inn
Named for English writer and fly-fisherman Izaak Walton, this historic inn is located in Essex just off Highway 2 between East Glacier Park and West Glacier. The inn’s Dining Car Restaurant serves up delicious dishes from locally-sourced Montana ingredients. The food is worth writing home about, and the experience is authentically Montana. Pro tip: Stay at the inn for a cozy getaway and jaw-dropping winter wonderland views.
Minnie’s Montana Café
If you’re venturing to the northwest corner of Montana, be sure to stop in Thompson Falls, or, more specifically, Minnie’s Montana Café. Located on Main Street, this mom-and-pop stop has one of the best atmospheres and dining experiences in the region. The café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Minnie’s home-cooked meals really round out a day of snow play in the surrounding national forestland. Pro tip: Minnie’s homemade cinnamon rolls are, hands down, the gooiest, most delicious treats you will ever eat, period.
Top Hat Lounge
While visiting Western Montana, make Missoula a top priority. The food scene in the heart of Glacier Country is one you won’t want to miss. One of our favorite food finds is downtown’s Top Hat Lounge. Their menu serves up some decadent classics—chicken & waffles and pulled pork & fried cornbread—as well as some delicious health-conscious dishes. Utilizing locally-sourced ingredients, the chefs at the Top Hat always make sure you “eat like a rock star” Pro tip: Top Hat Lounge is also a popular Missoula music venue, so if you play your cards right, you might get to enjoy some really good music with your bourbon brined pork chop.
Seasons Restaurant at Double Arrow Lodge
Seeley Lake is one of our favorite Montana destinations, especially the Double Arrow Lodge. Inside this historic getaway, discover Seasons Restaurant, offering up unique and classic country cuisine in a very cozy setting. Their seasonal menus are tailored to utilize local ingredients and feature fresh seafood and hand-cut “in-house” aged steaks. If it isn’t already, this savory stop needs to be on your list of places to eat in Montana. Pro tip: Try the grilled rattlesnake and rabbit sausage or quail knots sautéed with smoked whiskey and caramelized onions.
Now, after all this food talk, we’re hungry.
Happy dining, friends!
December 6, 2017
Related: Essex, Food, Missoula, Montana, Seeley Lake, Thompson Falls, Whitefish
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