I was out to dinner this week with a client who was asking me for tips about local fare and it occurred to me that sharing a restaurant roundup could be helpful for my new to Bozeman clients. All these opinions are mine alone, and just that, my opinion!

Have you checked out a restaurant you loved? Send me a note and let’s add it to the list. Dining out in Bozeman is a lot of fun, and we are lucky to have so many great farm to table options to choose from.

I've created tabs below so you can jump to the section of interest to you, or enjoy the review as a whole. Be sure to bookmark this page for those days when you just can't decide what you are in the mood for!

Fine Dining

• Urban Kitchen

Urban Kitchen is one of Chris’ and I’s absolute favorites in Bozeman. The Chef, KG is a delight and brings a flourish to high end Southern cooking. Honestly, KG’s Fried Chicken (not to be confused with the broasted chicken) is what keeps me coming back here and Chris is a big fan of their pork chop.

• Blacksmith Italian

If you love Italian food, Blacksmith is a must try. Their noodles are made in house and the menu consists of locally sourced, seasonal, options. We love the dessert at Blacksmith, so be sure to leave room!

• Fresco Café

Ok, clearly, we do love our Italian. Fresco Café and Blacksmith offer comparable atmospheres and are both locally sourced, seasonal, menus. We LOVE Fresco Café and were just both incredibly impressed with our dishes this week. The local mushrooms are meaty delights and the Chef created caramelized onions to not be missed. Put this on your “must try” list!

• Black Bird Kitchen

People love Black Bird, and I get it… kind of. Black Bird is set up to be a fine dining restaurant and, in my husband’s opinion, has the best bread in Bozeman. I would consider it to be a fantastic grab and go option for oven fired pizza. The restaurant feels cramped for my comfort level and the small tables make it hard to really enjoy the restaurant fully in collaboration with the price.

• Open Range

Open Range is another popular Downtown Fine Dining option. The proprietor used to own the Mint Bar and Grill in Belgrade and brought much of the Mint’s original menu to Bozeman, and then adjusted the price up and garnishes down. I would consider this a great restaurant for family style dining, as your sides are offered separate from your main, so you’ll want to eat with friends who love to share! 

Local Upscale

• Montana Ale Works

Montana Ale Works has a chain feel, with a local flair. Only open for dinner, Ale Works has a diverse menu offering many local options. I can’t eat pork or beef, but Chris loves their bacon wrapped meatloaf and the bison pot stickers. My only gripe here is that sometimes the wait staff make you feel like they are doing a favor to wait on you, and that doesn’t thrill me. With that in mind, make sure you have time to wait, and the food is worth it! 

• Dave’s Sushi

We were forever Seven fans, but COVID hit Seven hard, and we recently went back to Dave’s. The rolls are generously sized here, and the food is amazing! It is a great sit down or take away option. Just note, it doesn’t matter the time of day, the restaurant will be busy! We’ve never had to wait for a table though and have been delighted with our meals.

• Tanglewood Grill and Tap

We haven’t had a chance to try Tanglewood, as it is open for lunch, closes mid-day and opens again for dinner. We have had friends tell us that the burgers here are awesome, and when the calendar works, we will give it a try. Note - Tanglewood, Fox Trot and Sidewinders are all owned by the same corporation.

Casual Dining

•  Bacchus Pub

Truly a pub first, Bacchus isn’t appropriate for family dining after probably 5 pm, and it’s questionable during the day. Bacchus Pub today is a reincarnation of the first generation Bacchus Pub that existed in the 80's. I'll tell you, the monk head carvings up on the walls used to terrify me as a child. However, the Bison Burger is awesome and one of my favorite things to grab when I meet friends for dinner. Expect to feel like you need a walk when you are done eating and know it will have 100% been worth it. 

• Mackenzie River Pizza

Mackenzie River Pizza was established in Bozeman in the 90’s and is now a Northwest chain. The original restaurant is on Main Street and is wonderful! The pizza is not greasy (unless you order the Meat Eater, covered in sausage…) and the slices are filling. You don’t need a big pizza to feed the family and the Lodge Poles (cheese bread) are a must grab. Just a note, we tried the Gluten Free crust a couple weeks ago, and unless it’s a must for your diet, I’d stick with the traditional crust. It’s worth it (to me!)

• Finks Deli

Finks Deli uses Wild Crumb’s amazing bread for all their sandwiches and is not to be missed. I particularly love their vegetarian options here (including the portabella sandwich.) 

• Backcountry Burger Co.

On my first try, I didn’t get Backcountry Burger Co. I was surprised to find that the sides were offered independently to the burgers and was honestly a little annoyed. My husband plied me back though, and I 100% get it now. The burgers are huge. They don’t include the sides as it is likely you won’t be hungry for them. Get a side to share, and revel in the reduced waste. My favorite thing on their menu is the Vegan Burger. It is made with the Impossible Burger and is so yummy. Again, I can’t eat beef… so I can’t speak to their burgers. Chris loves them though! 

• Burger Bob’s

A Bozeman tradition, Burger Bob’s opened when I was in high school. The lunch special here is great, and a kids meal comes with a fudgesicle so come on, that is fun! The ice cream is Wilcoxson’s and I can’t go here without getting a strawberry milk shake, so we have to make this a less frequent stop as it is glutenous. 

• Café Zydeco

Café Zydeco is one of the top Creole restaurants in the USA and so yummy. Chris swears by their jambalaya, and I ALWAYS chose the Chicken Philly – extra sauce. The French rolls here are not to be missed. SO GOOD. This is casual dining and in the winter, can be a great restaurant to grab and go from. The building is an old Bozeman barn and can be cooler in the winter months than what may be comfortable. The summer outdoor dining is delightful.

Breakfast

• Main Street Over Easy

My favorite Bozeman breakfast stop is Main Street Over Easy. I love their food portions for the price, and the wait staff are always nice. I wish their bison sausage didn’t have pork in it, but they more than make up for it with tasty turkey sausage. 

• The Western Café

Let’s talk about The Western’s cinnamon roll. That is worth the stop right there. Another Bozeman staple, The Western Café is happening and if you go past about 7 am, you are going to wait for a table. Worth it. 

• Storm Castle Café

Did you live your best life last night? The Storm Castle Café is your breakfast of choice. Huge portions, so bring your appetite. If you are looking for some hair of the dog, be sure to hit the Storm Castle Café after 11 am. 

• See - Northern Pacific Beanery in "Nearby and Noteworthy

Grab and Go

• Pickle Barrel

Another Bozeman standard, the Pickle Barrel is not to be missed for giant sub sandwiches. Consider that a “whole” is an entire loaf of French bread, stuffed to the gills with meat when you are ordering. A half or a quarter is more than enough to feed your standard sole. The whole is great for growing high school boys! My brothers used to crush these, and Pickle Barrel is still a must stop when they are in town. Plan to grab this to go as there is no seating at the College location. 

• La Parilla & The Soup Shack located inside Shine

La Parilla, or “LaPa” for short, boasts wraps that are giant sized burritos and not to be missed. These hearty wraps are enough for two meals and are made with fresh, local ingredients. Chris likes to get his as “bowls” and avoid the mess of the wrap, but I love the soft taco shells… so it’s a wrap for me. The Soup Shack in this location is also great. One of my favorite soups there is to combine the tomato soup and the clam chowder. Give it a try! 

• University Burger

Bang for your buck! These big burgers are my husband’s favorite! Again, I’ve tried their veggie burger and they also use the impossible burger. They are really good, but still pretty heavy. This joint does the classic “burger joint” menu right. 

          Note: Knuckle Truck is a food truck also owned by Sean Ehlert, the proprietor of University Burger. Knuckle Truck has been voted Bozeman’s Best Food Truck many times. I haven’t tried it though. 

• I-Ho’s Korean Grill

I-Ho’s teriyaki chicken is cut-with-your-fork tender and full of flavor. While this restaurant does have sit down, I recommend it as a grab and go as you’ll smell like I-Ho’s after your meal if you dine in. The food travels well and will be just as good when you get it home as if you ate it in the restaurant. 

Food Truck

• Low Key Sandwiches

While there are lots of food trucks in Bozeman, I am kind of a food truck weenie. I don’t try them often and ordered from Low Key Sandwiches (the first time) by mistake. An error I am glad I made. I saw the address and thought it was in the Oak Business Center. These guys Vegetarian Burger is HUGE and is a black bean patty. Moist and delightful. Chris loves their burgers, but he would choose University Burger first as he thinks they just can’t be beat. Low Key is a great second choice and an awesome grab and go option in the heart of the North side, well located in the Kenyon Noble Parking Lot.

• See Knuckle Truck, noted under "Grab and Go" and University Burger for a second food truck burger option!

Chain

• Famous Dave’s

We aren’t really chain people, as there are so many great local options to choose from. However, there is a time and a place for chain food, and if it is something we are considering Famous Dave’s is a first choice. The food is easy homestyle BBQ that seems to meet every generations pallet. 

• Applebee's

Applebee's is everything you expect it to be. It is not impressive. It is consistent. Sometimes, I just really want an Oriental Chicken Rollup and Applebee's hits the spot. Their fries are always on point, and if you are in a hurry, they have the great pay at the table system so you are aren't waiting on the waitress.

• Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings dramatically improved when it relocated from the Oak Shopping Center to be down by Home Depot. The new location is weird to get through, as you have to access the restaurant through the Home Depot parking lot, but it is our favorite stop for football Sunday, when we can't get the game at home. The waiters are great, attentive and really trying their best, as you know they are short staffed. Food comes out fast and is exactly what you'd expect. I am glad this location uses reusable plates and such as the old location served everything in paper trays and the waste didn't settle well with me.

Brewery (with food)

• Mountain’s Walking

Tacho’s – or Tater Tot Nacho’s are a glutenous delight! The main reason I choose Mountain’s Walking is literally the Tacho’s. Choose them with or without their Bison Chili. Either way is great! 

• Map Brewery

If I suggest Mountain's Walking, double check with me that I mean the one on Rouse, not the one off Griffen. I for whatever reason will think of Map Brewery in my head and tell you Mountain's Walking. Now that we've cleared that up, let me tell you about Map and their fried chicken sandwich with coleslaw. It has a nice spice, a brioche bun and tickles the tastebuds. If you aren't in the mood for a chicken sandwich, feel free to check out the corn dog at Map, as it is also chicken! A treat for me.

• Bridger Brewing

Folks love the oven flat bread pizza at Bridger Brewing and I get it! The pizza's are about the toppings here and they are fresh and light. Ranch isn't on the menu at Bridger Brewing, so keep that in mind if you are a Montana ranch dressing lover on your pizza crust.

Chinese

• Bamboo Garden Asian Grill

Bamboo Garden has really improved in quality through COVID. When it first opened, I wasn’t a fan and would choose China Town first. China Town closed, and we gave it another try. We were pleasantly surprised! The food is fresh to order and satisfying. The interior or the restaurant harkens back to the days when Bamboo Garden was 4B’s restaurant (complete to the salad bar) so if you are looking for ambiance, grab and go and set the dimmers at home. 

• Hong Kong City (Belgrade)

Hong Kong City is a great choice for Chinese in Belgrade. I am a big hot and sour soup fan and I will say Hong Kong City’s Hot and Sour Soup is superior to Bamboo Garden’s. However, both have a great General Tso! 

Nearby and Noteworthy

• The Oasis

Are you craving a steak the size of your head? Then head out to Manhattan and check out The Oasis. The ambiance is 1980’s diner, but the waitresses are really quite attentive and sweet, and the food is decadent. This is a great stop for crab too, believe it or not! Your meal comes with a salad, a baked potato and dessert, so be sure to bring your appetite. Reservations are recommended. 

• The Stockman

I’ve mentioned my love of a good Bison Burger and the Stockman’s burger and steak fries are unparalleled in Southwest Montana. Again, the steaks are the size of your head and the restaurant is small and tucked in the back of a dive bar. Bring your appetite and for the best chance of a table, call ahead for a reservation. 

• The Northern Pacific Beanery

Are you a fan of Huckleberry Syrup? Then head over to the Beanery in Livingston for breakfast, before 2:00 on Wednesday-Sunday. Chris will suggest the Beanery over Main Street Over Easy to get his pancake with the best syrup around. They won’t sell the syrup to you though, I’ve asked. 

I hope this gets you started on your Bozeman Foodie adventure and would love to hear your thoughts on my favorites listed here. Did I hit it on the mark, or did I miss something that really is great? Let’s help our neighbors out and keep this list growing!