20 BEST Whitefish Restaurants to Try (Montana)
A scenic ski town named Whitefish is located in the northwest of the great state of Montana. Once dubbed one of the coolest small towns in all of America, this little hamlet has more to offer than just stunning surroundings. Enjoying one of the many Whitefish restaurants is one of the best things to do in Whitefish!
Their eclectic foodie scene is extremely modern and seasonal. Mountain flavors find their way into foods from all over, including Southern comfort grub and Mexican meals. Discover the creative cuisines of this Montana mountain mecca with the best restaurants in Whitefish.
Table of Contents
Best Restaurants in Whitefish, Montana
Abruzzo Italian Kitchen
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Modern Italian restaurant
- Address: 115 Central Ave, Whitefish (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Abruzzo Italian Kitchen is an authentic and atmospheric eatery in Whitefish. The setting is elegant and rustic at the same time. Food wise, the focus here is on high quality ingredients and simple presentation.
Everything is made by hand from scratch using traditional recipes. Fresh pastas and wood fired pizzas are their most iconic orders. Even the cocktails and wine list are Italy inspired. Be sure to save room to end any meal with one of the decadent desserts as well.
Tupelo Grille
- Price: $$$
- Cuisine: American, Cajun & Creole, Vegetarian friendly
- Address: 17 Central Ave, Whitefish (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Tupelo Grille is set in the heart of downtown Whitefish and without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Whitefish, Montana. It first opened in 1995 and has been getting rave reviews ever since.
They specialize in thoughtfully prepared Southern fares, complete with that warm mountain hospitality. It’s actually owned by the same team as Abruzzo! The dining experience at both is ideal.
The Fried Chicken and Dumplings and the Elk Meatloaf are just a couple of the most craveable mains here. There’s an excellent range of craft cocktails, spirit flights, wines, and beers to pair with any plate.
Last Chair Kitchen and Bar
Last Chair is a small family run business and one of the most popular Whitefish restaurant picks around. The environment is warm and welcoming and the menu is mainly modern American.
It has a rustic Old West decor full of warm woods that are reminiscent of a (stylish) saloon. Creative burgers are some of the best dishes to try here, especially the Huckleberry Burger.
It’s easy to make your meal vegetarian or gluten-free, or you can embrace the setting and go even more Montana mountain by switching out a beef patty for a bison one.
Loula’s Cafe
Loula’s Cafe is located inside a historic Masonic temple in downtown Whitefish. The impressive two-story facade is just the beginning of this quaint outpost’s appeal. The spacious and sun filled interior has walls covered in the work of local artists.
The menu features made from scratch dishes that use fresh and local produce and farm-to-market organic meat. Locals and tourists alike flock here for breakfast, lunch, and above all else a sweet slice of pie!
Start your day off with Lemon Stuffed French Toast or Biscuits and Gravy or wander in for a leisurely midday bite of sandwiches and salads. An order of Bourbon Pecan is also basically mandatory before you head out.
Whitefish Lake Restaurant
- Price: $$$
- Cuisine: Seafood and Steak
- Address: Whitefish Golf Club -1200 US-93, Whitefish (GPS)
- Website: See menu
For fine dining in Whitefish, this scenic venue is the place to go. It’s part of the Whitefish Lake Golf Course, the only 36 hole complex in the state of Montana. It’s been an integral fixture in the community since the 1930s and is set inside the oldest log cabin structure still in use.
Whether you go to play or round or not, the eating experience here can’t be beaten. Upscale entrees include steaks and seafood and the space has a fancy cabin feel. The Roasted Half Duckling may be their greatest gastronomic delight.
Jalisco Cantina
Jalisco Cantina is an all around celebration of vibrant Mexican culture. Everything from the food to the drinks to the decor brings some serious South of the Border flavor to Montana. It can get quite crowded here, so it’s wise to make a reservation in advance.
The from-scratch kitchen cooks up fresh and creative seasonal fare that pairs perfectly with handcrafted cocktails made from the finest tequilas. You’ll find all the elevated favorites here, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more.
Buffalo Cafe
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: American, Cafe, Vegetarian
- Address: 514 E 3rd St, Whitefish (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Buffalo Cafe is a family restaurant open for any meal of the day in downtown Whitefish. They’ve been serving American eats inspired by the Southwest since 1979. There’s local craft beer on tap, a well curated wine list, and boozy brunch beverages. They seamlessly blend old school charm with a more contemporary flair.
Everything is sourced from the surrounding area. Their classic Beef Stroganoff comes highly recommended here.
Latitude 48 Bistro
- Price: $$$
- Cuisine: American and Mediterranean fare
- Address: 147 Central Ave, Whitefish (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Latitude 48 is a chic bistro serving Mediterranean fare that has a reputation as one of the best Whitefish restaurants. They specialize in artfully blending traditional and modern styles. It’s an upscale experience from start to finish. They boast an international wine list that offers weekly flight dinner pairings.
There’s an extensive selection of plates, from homemade pastas to fire roasted flatbreads to fresh seafood. Downstairs you’ll find the Red Room Lounge, perfect for a more relaxed evening of tapas and cocktails.
Piggyback BBQ
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Barbecue restaurant
- Address: 102 Wisconsin Ave, Whitefish (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Piggyback makes some of the best barbecue in all of Montana. Aside from the perfectly slow smoked meats, the wide variety of craft beers on draft here are a major highlight. Especially when it’s their daily happy hour each afternoon. They use flathead cherry wood and are the only place doing authentic pit style cooking around.
They serve signature sandwiches, burgers, street tacos, and our personal pick, BBQ platters so that you can customize a plate of tender meats and savory sides. If you’re an adventurous eater, try the True Grit Challenge and take down a plate that weighs over five pounds!
The Boat Club
The Boat Club is the only lakefront dining room in Whitefish and the breathtaking views are sure to blow you away (as much or more than the tasty bites themselves). They serve steaks, seafood, and regional specialties like Elk Meatballs and Bison Tartare.
You can go for breakfast or dinner, but reservations are generally recommended. It’s fine dining service in an elegant environment. There’s also a separate Boat Club Bar and Coffee Deck here for a more laid back setting and casual cuisine and drinks.
Wasabi Sushi Bar
Set in the heart of downtown Whitefish, Wasabi Sushi Bar offers the best authentic Asian eats around. They’ve been a staple of the culinary scene here for over 20 years. Start off your feast with Hamachi Carpaccio, Oishi Scallops, or some Shumai.
It can be hard to decide which rolls to dive into for a main course. There are nigiri, sashimi, tempura, and veggie options. Our top contenders tend to be from the fusion rolls section, like the Big Mountain Roll.
Amazing Crepes
Amazing Crepes serves scratch made, sweet and savory style, French delicacies. They first opened in 2005 in a roaming, renovated bus. These thin pancakes can be topped with just about anything! Alongside you can also order locally roasted coffee and seasonal soups and salads.
They use all local ingredients and have gluten-free and dairy-free options to order. You can choose from classic creations like the crushed dark chocolate and strawberries to more exciting plates such as the wild smoked salmon, Thai green curry sauce, and spinach.
Ciao Mambo
Ciao Mambo has a few Montana locations, and the Whitefish one is famous for its hand tossed brick oven pizzas. It’s a mecca for mountain inspired Italian food. They make creative takes on classic Italian eats in a lively, rustic atmosphere.
The lights are low, the walls are adorned with huge paintings, and the massive tables provide a family style dining set up. The menu and wine list are both impressively long. The classic pasta here has developed quite a cult following as well.
The Craggy Range Bar and Grill
This legendary sports bar is located in downtown Whitefish. The Craggy Range’s claim to fame is having over 25 flat screens, so you’ll never miss the big game no matter where you sit. The Take Five Happy Hour held on weekdays has some amazing deals on both beverages and bites.
The fare is classic American comfort foods and the drinks selection is outstanding with over 15 craft drafts, 30 global wines, and 15 types of bourbon for specialty cocktails. They’re considered the party headquarters of the city and always guarantee a good time.
Swift Creek Cafe
Swift Creek Cafe is a place of community, art, character, and of course tasty cuisine. It’s family-owned and they have been dedicated to the food and coffee industry for over 80 years. They make all their bread and jams fresh on-site.
There’s a full breakfast menu offered until 11:30 am with delicious dishes like the Seasonal French Omelet and the NC Cathead Chicken Biscuit, and then there are a few artisan sandwiches available after that.
The Great Northern Bar and Grill
The Great Northern isn’t exaggerating when they say they’ve got it all. Here you’ll find no shortage of things to do, with live music, flat screens, pool tables, shuffleboard, ping pong, arcade games, and an outdoor patio.
There are almost 30 beers on tap at any time, and they’re always rotating as well. They serve good old fashioned, home-cooked meals all made to order, including burgers, sandwiches, bar snacks and even have an entire baked potato menu.
Bulldog Saloon
The Bulldog Saloon is a beloved institution in downtown Whitefish. They have a full-service bar and the grub to go along with it. Big screens cover all the walls, playing any number of sporting events. The building itself is over 100 years old and it opened as it is in 1983, maintaining its long history as a fixture of the social scene in the city.
The variety of handmade burgers are often the standouts, though it’s one of those places where you’ll also be tempted to make a whole meal from just the appetizers.
Wrap and Roll Cafe
This adorable outpost has been around since 1998. They’re cooking up multicultural wraps, salads, bowls, gyros, burritos and much more. There’s a little something for everyone here and we love to pop in for a light lunch when in Whitefish.
There are plenty of vegetarian options, and be sure to get the famous Yeti Bites for dessert. It has a comfortable dining ambiance and is always a great value for what you get.
Mama Blancas
This Latin fusion eatery is a hidden gem in the Whitefish restaurants scene. It’s locally owned and family-friendly and offers a variety of Cuban, Mexican, and Southwestern fares. It’s a part of the Remington bar and casino, which means there are often poker games to join or live music to enjoy right outside. The portions are always generous and the decor is modern and cozy.
The house margaritas are, of course, a favorite here. You’ll find sandwiches, burritos, tacos, and seafood plates here. Be sure to order some Carne Asada Fries along with any entree as well.
Rebel Roots Kitchen
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Gluten-free restaurant
- Address: Inside Palace Bar, 125 Central Ave, Whitefish (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Rebel Roots Kitchen may be small and new to the foodie scene of this city, but they are out to make a big impact! Located downtown, this little eatery is 100% dairy and gluten-free. They provide only non-GMO and organic products. The aim of this Whitefish restaurants is to make clean, healthy, and tasty food with minimal impact to the environment.
The fare is mainly Asian and Hawaiian fusion. All the sauces are made from scratch and all the take out materials are compostable. They serve light bites, poke bowls, and tacos in a cute and intimate setting.
The Best Things to Do in Whitefish
As one of the best mountain towns in the US, you can bet there are many things to do in Whitefish. Here are a few to enjoy before or after a delicious meal at one of these amazing Whitefish, MT restaurants.
- Visit Glacier National Park and see Lake McDonald (the largest lake in Glacier National Park)
- Hike The Highline Trail
- Drive The Going To The Sun Road
- Shred it up at Whitefish Ski Resort in the Winter
- Shop Around Downtown Whitefish
Best Things To Do in Whitefish, Montana
Where to Stay in Whitefish
Of course, you’ll want a fantastic place to stay while experiencing all the best things to do in Whitefish. Here are our recommendations for hotels to enjoy after you dine at the best Whitefish restaurants. However if an Airbnb is more your style, we break down the best rentals in Whitefish here!
Plan For Your Trip
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