15 Missoula Restaurants You're Not Going to Want to Miss

When I was growing up in Montana, if you really wanted to get out and enjoy some good food and nightlife, you went to Missoula restaurants. I loved visiting my friends going to the nearby University of Montana because they always knew where to go. Later, my sister moved there and became an expert–so I knew who to turn to when I visited!

Where you need to go for the best Missoula restaurants

This guide covers everything you need to know about Missoula restaurants on your Montana road trip.

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Michi Ramen Bar

137 W Front St

+1 406 926-1186

When the topic of food in Missoula, MT comes up, Michi Ramen bar is nearly always the first suggestion from a local. One of the crown jewels of Missoula, Montana restaurants, Michi is where Missoula’s local community meets urban styling and contemporary Japanese dining.

With features from local breweries, house-made cocktails, and authentic appetizers, once your dinner in Missoula commences, you’ll quickly feel transported to Japan. The atmosphere incorporates stunning artwork, a mixture of industrial Missoula with brick work and a foliage ceiling, making Michi a truly immersive experience. Truly, you won’t find any other restaurants near Missoula like it.

I highly recommend the Yellow Curry Chicken, which includes chicken broth, chicken fat, coconut oil, coconut milk, house-made curry paste, bintochan chicken, prik nam pla, lime wedge, shallots, cilantro, and crispy wontons.

Tagliare Delicatessen

1433 S Higgins Ave

+1 406 830-3049

Although Tagliare Delicatessen may be considered a “sandwich shop” on the surface, this Missoula restaurant is far from it.

Tagliare offers made-to-order, authentic, Italian sandwiches on freshly-made bread, provided by Le Petit Outre, a local Missoula bakery. With options including hot and cold sandwiches, house-made sauces, and imported meats and cheeses, this is an absolute must stop among Missoula restaurants.

And, if you’re looking for something lighter than a sandwich, Tagliare offers antipasti, cured meats and cheeses, and charcuterie boards for events.

Stop by, grab a delightful authentic Italian meal and a bottle of wine (they have countless imported, old-world wines!), and pick a sunny spot for a picnic.

You have to try the Megadeath, which is full of ham, finocchiona, hot sopressata, pepperoni, hot capicola, smoked mozzarella, pepperoncinis, tomatoes and “feisty slaw.”

Five on Black

325 N Higgins Ave

3850 S Reserve St #140

+1 406 926-1860

With two different locations, Five on Black is an accessible place when it comes to Missoula dining. And, not only is it accessible, with fresh ingredients and a Brazilian flare, it makes it one of the more exotic and freshest grab-and-go places for food in Missoula.

Available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery, this highly-rated, Brazilian-style restaurant offers dishes with a base of rice, greens, or a mixture of the two, a grilled protein element (with a vegetarian/vegan option), a side of black beans, collard greens, or sweet potatoes, a choice between a mango barbecue sauce or spicy coconut, and traditional, fresh toppings like chimichurri and cilantro.

The Catalyst Cafe

111 N Higgins Ave

+1 406 542-1337

Opened in 1991 as Montana’s first coffee cart, The Catalyst Cafe has grown to become a favorite destination in Missoula for full-plate breakfasts and lunches and has built one of the largest cult followings of Missoula restaurants. A Missoula restaurant guide wouldn’t be complete without such a community staple!

If you’re looking for local, farm-fresh, breakfast, brunch, or lunch, be sure to get to the Catalyst and prepare to wait for a table! Although this place is generally packed on the weekends, it is absolutely well worth the wait. With offerings for any kind of diet, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or a meat lover, the Catalyst has the most incredibly fresh and filling dishes.

And, if you’re looking for ready made meals or pantry offerings, you can order snacks, starters, salads, casseroles, lasagnas, and more from The Catalyst’s website.

The best choice on the menu? The Huevos Rancheros, which includes three roasted corn tortillas topped with house made ranchero sauce, cumin scented black beans, two poached eggs, and monterey jack cheese. Topped with sour cream, house made salsa verde, and fresh cilantro.

Plonk

322 N Higgins Ave

+1 406 926-1791

Located in the heart of downtown (along with many other of the best restaurants in Missoula), Plonk is a hot location for craft cocktails and an excursion into the world of fine wine, food, service and atmosphere.

If you’re visiting in the summer, be sure to request a spot on their rooftop patio with some of the best downtown views of Missoula that you can get. Sip a delicious, hand-muddled cocktail, and enjoy a cheese board at one of Missoula’s more upscale dining locations.

You have to try the Ratatouille with grilled eggplant, roasted red pepper, squash, zucchini, san marzano tomatoes, goat cheese, red onion, isreali couscous, and basil puree.

Pangea Bar & Restaurant

223 N Higgins Ave

+1 406 493-1190

Missoula, MT restaurants can often appear to have a common theme to those who aren’t familiar with the Missoula dining scene. Traditional Missoula restaurants often have a “steakhouse-style” menu, but the accurately named Pangea is a restaurant that combines cuisines of the world and refines them.

This large space also offers a Barrel Room, an 800 square foot event space under Pangea that pays homage to the building’s amazing history. Built in 1896 for the Garden City Bottling & Liquor Company to store whiskey barrels, this one-of-a-kind space can be used for anything from wine tastings, to private dinners, to business lunches.

And, if you’re waiting for a table, ask for Kyle. He can give you details about a Speakeasy below the restaurant where you can grab a drink and listen to live music in a prohibition-style space.

With a bar stretching across the larger part of the restaurant, murals on the ceiling, elegant seating, and the ability to watch the chef prepare your food, Pangea is one of the best places to eat in Missoula, MT.

My recommendation is the Tuna Tartare Tacos, which includes sushi-grade ahi tuna tartare tacos with cucumber, microgreens and sesame, and ginger vinaigrette.

Basal

114 N Higgins Ave

+1 406 540-4098

A newer spot to eat among Missoula restaurants, Basal is a go-to favorite for lunch. With rotating, hearty salads, breakfast dishes, fresh ingredient smoothies, bone broths, and more, Basal is a great and quick spot to grab breakfast or lunch in downtown Missoula.

The set up of Basal is clean and inviting, with an open kitchen where you can watch your meal being prepared.

Whether you stop by in the morning for a breakfast sandwich and a coffee, or sit down for a healthy, filling lunch, Basal has something on the menu for everyone. Even kids!

The Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad is to die for. Expect smoked Alaskan salmon, basal mixed greens, roasted potato, green bean, hard-boiled egg, castelvetrano olive, caper, and champagne-mustard vinaigrette.

Bridge Pizza

600 South Higgins Avenue

3000 Brooks Street

+1 406 552-1313

Another popular option amidst Missoula restaurants is Bridge Pizza. Located right off of the Higgins Bridge downtown, or their new location, located just off of Brooks Street, Bridge Pizza allows for dine-in or take out. And, if you’re in a hurry, both locations offer a drive-thru!

If you make a stop at the location near the Higgins Bridge, get your slice to go, and take a 5 minute walk down to the Clark Fork River. This spot absolutely makes the list of favorites when it comes to the local college students, who love to come here either before a night out or at closing hours for one last slice. It’s one of the best things to do in Missoula, Montana!

Zoo Thai

150 E Front St

+1 406 540-4206

One of the best restaurants in Missoula, MT, Zoo Thai transports you straight to the streets of Thailand with street-style cuisine and an amazing atmosphere. Located in the newly renovated Mercantile building that was originally built in 1877, Zoo Thai is intimate and authentic.

The best choices include the Tom Kha Gai Soup with coconut milk based soup with chicken, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, mushrooms, cilantro, scallions. Or you can also try the Khao Soi (option of fried duck or chicken drumstick). It also includes Northern Thai coconut curry, cumin, turmeric, served over egg noodles with cilantro, scallions, shallots, and pickled mustard greens.

The Thomas Meagher Bar

130 W Pine St

+1 406 540-4402

The Thomas Meagher Bar (Meagher pronounced Mar by locals, and ALWAYS “Mar Bar”) is a local favorite among college students and long-term residents alike. A large building with old-Missoula charm, this place is a go-to for sporting events, trivia, bingo, and more.

Truly a Missoula staple, stop by on Tuesday nights for trivia or Wednesday nights for Bingo! The staff is welcoming, the food is great, and the atmosphere is 100% Missoula.

Want to know what you should get? The Buffalo Mac and Cheese, which includes shell pasta smothered in cheese sauce with spicy buffalo chicken and bacon.

The Camino

125 N Pattee St

+1 406 317-1260

Also located in the Mercantile building, The Camino is arguably one of the best places to eat in Missoula.

With a gorgeous and authentic atmosphere, fresh ingredients, unique protein options like goat or lamb, and the best Cadillac margarita in the city, The Camino is a little taste of authentic Mexico.

Keep in mind, The Camino does not take reservations, and this place fills up fast! Although you may have to wait for a table, there are lots of neighboring shops, breweries, distilleries, and parks to visit and kill some time at. It’s absolutely worth the wait!

Rumour

1855 Stephens Ave

+1 406 549-7575

Located right downtown near the best Missoula hotels, this spot has become a favorite among locals and tourists for its extensive tap list and its commitment to go organic. Rumour brings a bit of city culture to Montana by offering some unique dishes paired with beer and wine (even the wine here is on tap).

You’ll find some American favorites with new twists, including the Macaroni & Cheese, which includes a delicious gold cheese sauce. If you’re not a vegetarian, make sure to add the pork belly!

Biga Pizza

241 W Main St

+1 406 728-2579

This super relaxed spot makes sure that you walk away enjoying the pies after watching the chefs throw the dough. If you are in the mood for some wood-fired pizza, this is the place in Missoula for the best options. They also make sure to include some high-quality ingredients and have a large selection of appetizers and salads for those who aren’t committed to a pie.

Vegans and vegetarians, rejoice! There are plenty of options here to keep you full, and they don’t skimp on adding a large helping of vegan cheese.

Ciao Mambo

541 S Higgins Ave

+1 406 543-0377

This local chain has taken over the area for their delicious and garlic-heavy Italian dishes. The setting is relaxed and plays some awesome music during the course of your meal. The best part? The prices are more than reasonable for the quality of the food that you get.

I also recommend checking out the wine list since they tend to have some great options from both Italy and the surrounding area. I would recommend pretty much everything on the menu here–even if you just choose a soup or the classic spaghetti and meatballs, you’ll be happy with the results.

Second Set Bistro

111 N Higgins Ave #100

+1 406 830-3233

This little bistro makes its home in a historic building in the downtown area, but don’t expect to get your normal bistro menu. Between the trout tacos, lamb tongue, and shishito peppers, you have a fun, eclectic mix of dishes to choose from. Since it is a relatively new restaurant, the owners go above and beyond to provide great service.

If you are looking for something fun and different than many of the other restaurants in the area, then this is the place to check out. That way you are right near the bars in Missoula too!

Have you checked out these Missoula restaurants? Let me know your favorites in the comments!

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