If you have ever been to Missoula, you know that it is a foodie paradise. The amount of local restaurants that are dotted around Missoula is abundant, so let me narrow your search down for you.
The Notorious P.I.G.
With two locations in Missoula, one downtown and one on the south side of town, The Notorious P.I.G. is a must-go for someone looking for the best BBQ in town. All of the BBQ at The Notorious P.I.G. is St. Louis style and they start cooking at 4am every morning, but only make enough to last them the day, so you want to make sure to get there a little earlier in the day, before they sell out, because they will.
If you are in town on a Tuesday, you may show up on a Community Day, where 15% of all sales are donated back to a local nonprofit or charity, so it's a win-win! You get to eat delicious BBQ and support a local nonprofit or charity!
Double Front Chicken
If you like fried chicken, this is the place to go. It is located in Downtown Missoula and has been in the same location since 1935! They are open 7-days a week from 9am - 11pm, so if you are hungry for lunch or dinner, you are good to head their way, or call in a take-out order. They pride themselves on their never-frozen, hand battered chicken that is made-to-order. Along with a 13 table dining room, they also have a full bar and a lounge in the basement that opens at 3pm daily. They do have a 30-minute preparation time, so don't think this is a fast in-and-out dining experience. If you are in a hurry, call ahead to order, but my recommendation: Take a seat, enjoy the ambiance, talk to each other, and enjoy the chicken that has been in Missoula for nearly a century.
Biga Pizza
Looking for pizza in Missoula? Look no further. Biga Pizza is located Downtown and is a must-go for pizza fanatics. The pizzas are all made from scratch in their brick oven and are adorned with seasonal ingredients, you won't find pizzas like this anywhere else. On top of that, they use a starter from the previous day's dough (called a "biga") to start the dough for a new day, which gives their dough a more complex flavor than those made with traditional yeast. There is generally a wait if you show up near dinner-time, so you can also place an order online for delivery or take-out for dinner. I personally love the vibe of the restaurant, so I believe the wait to eat in-house is worth it. My personal favorite? The Caramelized Goat.
Catalyst Cafe & Espresso Bar
Also located in Downtown Missoula is the Catalyst Cafe & Espresso Bar. Opening in 1991, it was Missoula's first coffee cart. Now they have grown to a full cafe and are open seven days a week from 8am - 3pm. They offer breakfast all day for those that are breakfast fanatics, but also offer lunch meals. Not only is their food delicious, much of it is vegetarian and vegan and a lot of the products they use are fresh and local.
#1 Gyros
The absolute best Greek food in Montana (or anywhere outside of Greece IMO): #1 Gyros. Now with two locations: one in the Southgate Mall and the other tucked away right off of Orange Street on 5th Street, you can't go wrong with stopping for a bite to eat. Their gyros are made-to-order. They cut the meat straight off the broiler, toss it into a fluffy pita, and top it off with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, feta, and tzatziki. Make sure you also grab an order (or three) of their feta fries!
Burns St. Bistro
On the Westside of Missoula is Burns St. Bistro. An eclectic eatery with delectable food offerings that change with the seasons. While they do have a stagnant menu as well, so if you are one that doesn't like change, that is for you! The bistro is generally popping, so there may be a short wait, but it is oh-so worth it when you get your meal. My personal recommendation: the Brunch Burger.
The Mustard Seed
Recently moved into their newly renovated space, The Mustard Seed is a great place for asian cuisine in Missoula. Started in Missoula in 1978, the restaurant can now be found in Montana, Idaho, and Washington, with the Missoula location being the O.G. They expansive menu offers something for everyone and they are constantly adding new and exciting dishes to the menu. If you are in more of a rush, but still want the amazing Mustard Seed taste, try out Noodle Express, also in Missoula and a member of The Mustard Seed family, for some fast fare with amazing flavor.
Hoagieville
While this is a fast food joint, I felt the need to add it to the list because I stop there every time I am in Missoula for their cheese fries alone. They have three locations in Missoula, two offer drive thru and the other is located in the mall (right near #1 Gyros). If you do go inside one of the locations, you will be met with black and white pictures of people holding colorful hoagies and cheese fries. It's what they're known for! They even have a secret seasoning they put on their fries that I've never tasted duplicated anywhere else. Trust me. Get the cheese fries. Thank me later.
The Montana Club
Another Missoula staple is the Montana Club. A more fine-dining experience with offerings like steak, king crab, and prime rib, this is a great place for date-night. While they offer more expensive meals, you can also opt for less expensive fare that is equally as delicious. There are two locations in Missoula: one on Reserve St. and the other on Brooks St. If you go around dinner time, there may be a wait because they seat tables first-come first-serve, so be aware that you may have to wait a bit, but it is never too long of a wait and it is worth it in the end. Believe it or not, you are even able to order Hoagieville cheese fries as an appetizer if you so wish. If not, try out their caramel bacon cheese curds!
Iron Horse Brew Pub
Last, but certainly not least, is the Iron Horse Brew Pub. Again, located in Downtown Missoula, the Iron Horse is a full bar and grill with plenty of seating both inside and outside. They also serve local brews so you are able to get a true taste of Missoula. The best part? They are open from 11am - 10pm daily so you can get brunch, lunch, and dinner at the Iron Horse. On top of that, the bar closes at 2am, so even if you can't make it before 11pm, you can still grab a drink and experience this restaurant in Missoula.
Missoula is packed-full of fabulous restaurants and I was obviously not able to highlight them all here. These are a couple of favorites that have never disappointed me, even after multiple visits. Let me know what you think below!
Travel on!
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