They don’t call Montana “The Last Best Place” for nothing. We’re all about preserving pieces of the past here, from our Dinosaur Trail to our classic dining establishments.
Each restaurant on this list is over 50 years old, and they’ve all still got the delicious food and friendly service that keep Montanans coming back for more.
- Owl Cafe, 203 E Main St., Laurel
Owl Cafe Facebook
Randy B. / Yelp Since 1916, the Owl Cafe has been delivering delicious home-cooked meals to the Laurel community. The cafe has a delightful old-timey atmosphere, but the food can still compete with all the newer restaurants in town.
- Western Cafe, 443 E Main St. Bozeman
Western Cafe Facebook
Desa D / Yelp Love it or hate it, the Western Cafe has stood the test of time. It’s been a fixture in downtown Bozeman for decades, and it’s still a top place to head for a hearty breakfast served any time of day.
- The Shack Cafe, 222 W Main St., Missoula
Monica B / Yelp
Wayne C / Yelp Since 1949, The Shack Cafe has been a Missoula staple (though they did move locations once, in the 80s). They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a space decorated with antiques
- Moose’s Saloon, 173 N Main St., Kalispell, MT
JN / Yelp
Holly K / Yelp Moose’s Saloon has been THE place to go for hot pizza and cold beer for decades. The older it gets, the more charming it gets, but the quality of the food remains the same.
- 600 Cafe, 600 Main St., Miles City
Filip N. / Yelp
Sherry K / Yelp Established in 1946, The 600 Cafe is one of the few remaining “original” cafes in Eastern Montana. It’s still a local favorite.
- Gamer’s Cafe, 15 W. Park St., Butte
Teresa K / Yelp
Michelle D / Yelp 1905; That’s when this charming cafe opened its doors in Butte. It may be one of the oldest businesses in Montana, but the owners have worked hard to ensure that it has maintained its historic beauty. The classic American breakfasts and lunches served here also happen to be delicious.
- R-B Drive-In, 932 Helena Ave., Helena
RB Drive In Facebook
Eddy W / TripAdvisor The R-B Drive-In started as a root beer stand, later expanding to include tasty burgers, fries, chicken strips and hot sandwiches. It remains a Helena staple that both younger and older generations of Montanans enjoy.
- Stirrup Coffee Shop, Dude Rancher Lodge, 415 N 29th St., Billings
Kimchee B / Yelp
Dude Rancher Lodge / Yelp Since 1950, the Dude Rancher Lodge has been providing Billings visitors a restful respite at a charming lodge. Their onsite restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It has been renovated recently, but it still maintains its classic charm.
- Double Front Cafe, 122 W Alder St., Missoula
Maria R / Yelp
Michelle R / Yelp Double Front chicken has been a Missoula favorite for over 100 years, and it’s definitely still going strong. Should it ever shut its doors, the city of Missoula would go into a period of mourning.
- Tracy’s 24 Hr Family Restaurant,
David D / Yelp
Curtis M / Yelp Tracy’s has been in business since 1952, boasting three generations of ownership. They’re also open 24 hours, which is convenient for night owls and early risers.
- The Old Saloon, 210 Railroad Ln., Emigrant
The Old Saloon Facebook
Pras D / Yelp Emigrant’s Old Saloon opened in 1902, and it’s been a hot spot for locals and visitors ever since. They serve breakfast from 7 - noon, lunch until 5 PM, and then the adjacent Livery Stable opens for dinner.
Sometimes it’s fun to dine at a place with a lot of history. Check out the fascinating story behind Montana’s oldest restaurant.
Owl Cafe Facebook
Randy B. / Yelp
Since 1916, the Owl Cafe has been delivering delicious home-cooked meals to the Laurel community. The cafe has a delightful old-timey atmosphere, but the food can still compete with all the newer restaurants in town.
Western Cafe Facebook
Desa D / Yelp
Love it or hate it, the Western Cafe has stood the test of time. It’s been a fixture in downtown Bozeman for decades, and it’s still a top place to head for a hearty breakfast served any time of day.
Monica B / Yelp
Wayne C / Yelp
Since 1949, The Shack Cafe has been a Missoula staple (though they did move locations once, in the 80s). They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a space decorated with antiques
JN / Yelp
Holly K / Yelp
Moose’s Saloon has been THE place to go for hot pizza and cold beer for decades. The older it gets, the more charming it gets, but the quality of the food remains the same.
Filip N. / Yelp
Sherry K / Yelp
Established in 1946, The 600 Cafe is one of the few remaining “original” cafes in Eastern Montana. It’s still a local favorite.
Teresa K / Yelp
Michelle D / Yelp
1905; That’s when this charming cafe opened its doors in Butte. It may be one of the oldest businesses in Montana, but the owners have worked hard to ensure that it has maintained its historic beauty. The classic American breakfasts and lunches served here also happen to be delicious.
RB Drive In Facebook
Eddy W / TripAdvisor
The R-B Drive-In started as a root beer stand, later expanding to include tasty burgers, fries, chicken strips and hot sandwiches. It remains a Helena staple that both younger and older generations of Montanans enjoy.
Kimchee B / Yelp
Dude Rancher Lodge / Yelp
Since 1950, the Dude Rancher Lodge has been providing Billings visitors a restful respite at a charming lodge. Their onsite restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It has been renovated recently, but it still maintains its classic charm.
Maria R / Yelp
Michelle R / Yelp
Double Front chicken has been a Missoula favorite for over 100 years, and it’s definitely still going strong. Should it ever shut its doors, the city of Missoula would go into a period of mourning.
David D / Yelp
Curtis M / Yelp
Tracy’s has been in business since 1952, boasting three generations of ownership. They’re also open 24 hours, which is convenient for night owls and early risers.
The Old Saloon Facebook
Pras D / Yelp
Emigrant’s Old Saloon opened in 1902, and it’s been a hot spot for locals and visitors ever since. They serve breakfast from 7 - noon, lunch until 5 PM, and then the adjacent Livery Stable opens for dinner.
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