Some of Montana’s restaurants are so highly visible and well publicized that they receive national attention. And while that’s wonderful for them, there are also plenty of places that seem to slip under the radar. Maybe you’ve heard of some of the restaurants on this list, maybe you haven’t—but if you give them a try, you’ll probably agree they are worthy of more publicity.
- Taco Sano on the Hip Strip, 115 1/2 Street 4th W., Missoula
Taco Sano Facebook
Taco Sano / Facebook This small restaurant offers fast Mexican food, and its location off Higgins makes it a little hard to find. But the reasonable prices and amazing tacos keep their regulars coming back for more.
- Schulte’s Coffee House, 3800 3rd Ave. S., Great Falls
Abigail H / Yelp
Schulte’s Coffee House / Yelp While it’s true that the coffee served here is quote good, Schulte’s also offers tasty frozen yogurt and breakfast classics, not to mention their onsite deli. This unassuming little truck stop coffee shop is a true hidden gem.
- Dave’s Sushi, 115 N. Bozeman Ave., Bozeman
Dalchi K / Yelp
Merry C / Yelp Sushi in Bozeman? You betcha. At Dave’s, the rolls are fresh, the service is friendly and the ambiance is casual and intimate. If sushi just isn’t your thing, you’ll also find some tasty cooked dishes here.
- Taqueria Zapotlan, 2240 Grand Ave., Billings
Amber W / Yelp
Matt K / Yelp Taqueria Zapotlan is fairly new, so perhaps not everyone in Billings have heard how delicious the authentic Mexican food is. The next time you’re in town and craving some flavorful Mexican classics, stop by and see for yourself.
- The Stray Bullet Cafe, 403 Main St., Ovando
Amber E / Yelp
Amber E / Yelp The Stray Bullet is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of place, but if you find it, you’ll be so glad you did. The breakfast and burgers here are wonderful.
- Cafe at the Inn, The Inn on the Gallatin, 65840 Gallatin Rd., Gallatin Gateway
Stephanie M / Yelp
Justa A / Yelp Good news: You don’t have to be staying at the inn to enjoy a meal here. Better news: The food here is absolutely outstanding, and it seems that there are quite a few locals who haven’t figured that out yet.
- The Knead Cafe, 21 5th St. E., Kalispell
Levi R / Yelp
Daphne L / Yelp The Knead Cafe is one of those spots that doesn’t look like much from the outside, but smells like heaven on the inside. This small cafe is best for small groups who are craving an amazing breakfast or lunch.
- Henny Penny Cupcakes, 215 3rd Ave., Havre
Dylan L / Yelp
Henny Penny Cupcakes Facebook For a small town, Havre certainly has some impressively good restaurants. Henny Penny Cupcakes definitely serves delicious baked goods, but they also have salads and piping hot soups that are made from scratch daily and served with a roll fresh from the oven.
- Chicken Shack, 1601 Kaw Ave., Butte
David H / Yelp
Sheena K / Yelp A KOA campground near Butte might be the last place you’d expect to find a tempting fried chicken joint, but campers and locals alike agree that the Chicken Shack is a hidden gem. Whether you’re camping or simply don’t feel like cooking at home, their crispy chicken will tame your hunger.
- Storm Castle Cafe and Catering, 5 Tai Ln., Bozeman
Storm Castle Cafe & Catering / Yelp
Storm Castle Cafe and Catering / Yelp Do not be fooled by this place’s plain exterior. The all-day breakfast menu is absolutely delightful, and the portions are so enormous you won’t need to eat again until dinner.
- Marie’s Italian Restaurant, 4040 US Hwy 93 N., Stevensville
Steve G / Yelp
Steve G / Yelp Most people who make it into Marie’s are surprised that such a small town can offer such amazing Italian food… and the ambiance here is just as wonderful as the menu.
- Tea Kettle Cafe, 420 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls
Ron R / Yelp
Mandie H / Yelp This unassuming Asian Fusion spot may lack a lavish building with fancy decor, but they truly serve some of the best food in town. With noodle bowls like the Red Bridge, which includes huckleberry sweet & sour sauce, it’s clear that they’ve figured out how to incorporate local goodness into their ethnic cuisine.
Some of the best restaurants in Montana tend to fly under the radar, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Here are a few hole in the wall places that the locals tend to love.
Taco Sano Facebook
Taco Sano / Facebook
This small restaurant offers fast Mexican food, and its location off Higgins makes it a little hard to find. But the reasonable prices and amazing tacos keep their regulars coming back for more.
Abigail H / Yelp
Schulte’s Coffee House / Yelp
While it’s true that the coffee served here is quote good, Schulte’s also offers tasty frozen yogurt and breakfast classics, not to mention their onsite deli. This unassuming little truck stop coffee shop is a true hidden gem.
Dalchi K / Yelp
Merry C / Yelp
Sushi in Bozeman? You betcha. At Dave’s, the rolls are fresh, the service is friendly and the ambiance is casual and intimate. If sushi just isn’t your thing, you’ll also find some tasty cooked dishes here.
Amber W / Yelp
Matt K / Yelp
Taqueria Zapotlan is fairly new, so perhaps not everyone in Billings have heard how delicious the authentic Mexican food is. The next time you’re in town and craving some flavorful Mexican classics, stop by and see for yourself.
Amber E / Yelp
The Stray Bullet is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of place, but if you find it, you’ll be so glad you did. The breakfast and burgers here are wonderful.
Stephanie M / Yelp
Justa A / Yelp
Good news: You don’t have to be staying at the inn to enjoy a meal here. Better news: The food here is absolutely outstanding, and it seems that there are quite a few locals who haven’t figured that out yet.
Levi R / Yelp
Daphne L / Yelp
The Knead Cafe is one of those spots that doesn’t look like much from the outside, but smells like heaven on the inside. This small cafe is best for small groups who are craving an amazing breakfast or lunch.
Dylan L / Yelp
Henny Penny Cupcakes Facebook
For a small town, Havre certainly has some impressively good restaurants. Henny Penny Cupcakes definitely serves delicious baked goods, but they also have salads and piping hot soups that are made from scratch daily and served with a roll fresh from the oven.
David H / Yelp
Sheena K / Yelp
A KOA campground near Butte might be the last place you’d expect to find a tempting fried chicken joint, but campers and locals alike agree that the Chicken Shack is a hidden gem. Whether you’re camping or simply don’t feel like cooking at home, their crispy chicken will tame your hunger.
Storm Castle Cafe & Catering / Yelp
Storm Castle Cafe and Catering / Yelp
Do not be fooled by this place’s plain exterior. The all-day breakfast menu is absolutely delightful, and the portions are so enormous you won’t need to eat again until dinner.
Steve G / Yelp
Most people who make it into Marie’s are surprised that such a small town can offer such amazing Italian food… and the ambiance here is just as wonderful as the menu.
Ron R / Yelp
Mandie H / Yelp
This unassuming Asian Fusion spot may lack a lavish building with fancy decor, but they truly serve some of the best food in town. With noodle bowls like the Red Bridge, which includes huckleberry sweet & sour sauce, it’s clear that they’ve figured out how to incorporate local goodness into their ethnic cuisine.
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