22 Amazing Whitefish Restaurants You Can’t Miss
This guide contains affiliate links to trusted partners.
Make sure to grab a meal at these Whitefish restaurants on your trip!
Whether you are heading to Glacier National Park on your Montana road trip or you are looking to hit the Whitefish Mountain Resort slopes, you’re going to want to head to downtown Whitefish and try some of the amazing food options available. Growing up north of Whitefish, whenever my family would get sick of the Kalispell restaurants we’d always have a blast trying something new at one of the Whitefish restaurants about a half-hour away.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”My recommendations” shape=”square”]Best option for budget travelers: Loula’s
Best option for families: Latitude 48
Best option for unique bites: The Wich Haus
Best option for high-end dining: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake[/vc_cta][vc_column_text]
[lwptoc hideItems=”1″]
Incredible Whitefish restaurants worth checking out on your Montana trip
These Whitefish restaurants serve the best of the best in this charming resort town!
1. Loula’s
300 2nd Street East
+1 406 862 5614
An absolute must stop when visiting Whitefish, MT Loula’s serves comfort breakfast and lunch fare that locals adore. Their “made from scratch” dishes feature meats, produce, and dairy from local and nearby farms, ranches, and orchards, making Loula’s as close to home cooking as you can get.
Serving breakfast every day from 7am to 2pm, Loula’s menu includes breakfast staples like eggs benedict, scrambles, and biscuits and gravy, along with dishes unique to Loula’s, like the local favorite, the Lemon Stuffed French Toast, topped with sweet raspberry sauce.
If you’re coming back into town after hiking in Glacier National Park or after completing a few ski runs at Whitefish Mountain Resort, Loula’s serves hearty comfort foods during their lunch hour from 11am to 2pm with options ranging from burritos, turkey sandwiches, and cajun po’boys, to salads, soups, and incredible pies.
Best for:
✅ Pies
✅ Family dining
✅ Locally-sourced
2. Tupelo Grille
17 Central Ave
+1 406 862 6136
Rated one of the best restaurants in Whitefish multiple times over, Tupelo Grille provides southern style hospitality with a northwestern twist.
Specializing in refined southern cuisine, Tupelo Grille serves southern staples like gumbo, shrimp and crawfish cakes, crab meuniére and fried green tomatoes, and chicken and dumplings. Along with classic southern dishes, Tupelo serves southern foods with a Montana twist, like elk meatloaf, rack of lamb, and dry aged bison.
Although reservations are preferred for the dining experience, Tupelo Grille does accept walk-ins into their lounge area, which boasts over 200 spirits to choose from, access to their full menu, and live music multiple nights a week.
If you’re looking for fine dining, or wanting a more laid back experience, Tupelo Grille won’t disappoint.
Best for:
✅ Unique dishes
✅ Live music
✅ Casual
3. Wasabi Sushi Bar
419 E. 2nd Street
+1 406 863 9283
If you’re on the hunt for sushi restaurants in Whitefish, MT, look no further than Wasabi Sushi Bar. Voted best sushi in the Flathead Valley for years upon years in a row, Wasabi is the spot when it comes to fresh, authentic Japanese sushi.
With a menu that incorporates something for every type of customer, whether they be an avid sashimi eater, or one who prefers classic cooked fish, Wasabi offers multiple, impressive options.
In fact, Wasabi is so well loved, the owners created an apartment above it! Located right in downtown Whitefish, where you can also catch tours for Glacier National Park, you’ll see that once you step inside Wasabi Sushi Bar, you’ll never want to go anywhere else.
Best for:
✅ Sushi
✅ Atmosphere
✅ Local favorite
4. The Boat Club
1380 Wisconsin Ave
+1 406 863 4000
A lake front dining room, fireplace seating, and live music located inside Whitefish’s world famous resort, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, makes The Boat Club one of the most impressive Whitefish restaurants. The Boat Club is an exclusive area within the resort that serves premium steaks, regional specialties, locally sourced produce, and exquisite seafood dishes.
The only dining experience of Whitefish Lake restaurants actually on the lake itself, The Boat Club offers an experience beyond their menu with gorgeous, up close views of the lake, mountain valleys, and Glacier National Park.
And, with a wonderfully curated menu that balances refined with comfort perfectly, The Boat Club is fine dining in Montana at its very best.
Best for:
✅ Fine dining
✅ Views
✅ Locally-sourced
5. The Lodge at Whitefish
5. 1380 Wisconsin Ave
+1 406 863 4000
Not only does The Lodge at Whitefish Lake Resort offer The Boat Club dining experience, the resort provides more casual dining options like burgers, sandwiches, and pizza at incredible venues, like The Boat Club Bar, Tiki Lounge & Grill, Coffee Dock, and the ultimate venue, your choice!
The Lodge offers their “Dining Anywhere” experience–your choice of meal prepared by their culinary team, whether it be an al fresco picnic to take on a hike on your Glacier National Park itinerary, family brunch over Viking Creek Preserve, or a private dinner at one of their luxury homes, The Lodge at Whitefish is a fully immersive experience among Whitefish restaurants.
Best for:
✅ Takeaway
✅ Views
✅ Multiple options
6. Whitefish Lake Restaurant
6. 1200 Hwy 93 North
+1 406 862 5285
Located at Whitefish Lake Golf Club, Whitefish Lake Restaurant is a local staple for elevated dining mixed with club food fare. The club is located just outside of downtown Whitefish–where you can also find some amazing places to stay in Whitefish, MT–with gorgeous views of the Flathead Valley and classic Montana dishes to match the atmosphere. Prime rib, beef filet, and surf and turf, make this menu quintessential Whitefish food.
And, if you’re looking for lighter fare, the “Club Menu” offers traditional casual options like burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads. During the spring, summer, and fall months, “The Deck,” an outdoor dining deck that wraps around the clubhouse, fitted with an outdoor bar, is a favorite spot among locals with spectacular, up close views of Big Mountain.
Best for:
✅ Fine dining
✅ Views
✅ Outdoor seating
7. Casey’s Bar and Grill
101 Central Avenue, Whitefish, MT 59937
+1 406 862-8150
Not your average bar food is the perfect descriptor for the food served at Casey’s Bar and Grill, making it one of the more unassumingly delicious restaurants in Whitefish.
The menu at Casey’s Bar and Grill is seasonally based, serving local meats, produce, and dairy products dependent upon the time of year. With dishes spanning from beef short ribs with a huckleberry glaze, to their classic Elk Chili, Casey’s utilizes local ingredients to create the ultimate local, comfort food experience.
And, as an added bonus, if you’re visiting in the summer, and looking for downtown Whitefish Montana restaurants with a view, check out Casey’s Sky Bar, open through the summer months, weather and smoke permitting, where you can soak up gorgeous mountain and resort town views, while sipping a cocktail.
Best for:
✅ Cocktails
✅ Meats
✅ Casual
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Do you need help with your Glacier National Park trip?”]
I offer custom national park itinerary planning as a service to help you make the most of your adventures! These itineraries cover everything from where to stay, eat, what to do, and more!
⭐CHECK OUT CUSTOM NATIONAL PARK ITINERARY PACKAGES HERE⭐
[/vc_cta][vc_column_text]
8. Latitude 48
147 Central Ave
+1 406 863 2323
Recently renovated, Latitude 48, named after the town’s latitudinal coordinates, is the perfect fusion of contemporary and traditional cuisine and atmosphere. Perhaps the most worldly restaurant in Whitefish, MT with an international wine list of over 20 wines by the glass, Latitude 48 is an inspired experience guaranteed to meet your expectations.
Residing below Latitude 48 is the “Red Room Lounge,” where locals and visitors can relax, nosh, and sip in a more laid-back atmosphere than the upstairs venue.
Ahi tuna, gnocchi, scallops, and fried chicken on the menu make Latitude 48 and the Red Room Lounge versatile, worldly, and immersive.
Best for:
✅ Unique dishes
✅ Wine
✅ Casual
9. The Craggy Range Bar & Grill
10 Central Ave
+1 406 862 7550
The Craggy Range Bar & Grill, a hot spot among other Whitefish restaurants, is known for its expansive list of beers on tap, sauce flights (yep, you heard that right!), and gastropub fare. Locals love the variation of the menu with pub style dishes like burgers, patty melts, and wings, to healthy options like pho bowls, chicken and rice bowls, and hearty salads.
The Craggy Range Bar and Grill has two stages for live music, one indoor and one outdoor, large flat screen TVs for any avid sports fan, and great staff. Referred to as “Craggy” by locals, this Whitefish, MT restaurant is sure to please any and all.
Best for:
✅ Families
✅ Live music
✅ Beer
10. Buffalo Cafe
514 3rd Street E
+1 406 862 2833
This unassuming cafe is considered to be one of the very best restaurants in Whitefish, MT. Don’t believe it? Just ask any local where to get the best breakfast, lunch, and even dinner–the Buffalo Cafe is guaranteed to be the recommendation!
A staple of the Whitefish community for decades, the Buffalo Cafe serves downhome, too-good-to-be-true dishes, like their cinnamon swirl french toast, fish tacos, and beef stroganoff. And, what can’t be made in house at the Buffalo, is brought in from local growers, bakers, butchers, and brewers. A mixture of family-friendly fare, local brews, and brunch mimosas, the Buffalo Cafe is without a doubt a must stop.
Best for:
✅ Breakfast
✅ Local favorite
✅ Budget
11. Ciao Mambo
234 East Second Street
+1 406 863 9600
If you’re craving Italian, Ciao Mambo is a wonderful, family friendly spot with large tables, a large wine selection, and an even larger menu. If you’re traveling with kids, Ciao Mambo is the perfect spot. Choose between salads, flatbreads, salads, soups, pastas, proteins, and authentic Italian dulci for the perfect family, Italian meal.
Although this Whitefish restaurant provides family style type dining and paper tablecloths with crayons for doodling, it’s not just for kids. With an impressive wine list and refined dishes, Ciao Mambo is a wonderful restaurant for Italian fare lovers, no matter what stage of life.
Best for:
✅ Italian
✅ Desserts
✅ Families
12. Second Street Pizza
306 E Second St
+1 406 862 3620
Locals love Second Street! And it’s not hard to see why. Bringing New York-style pizzas, salads, and sandwiches to the Whitefish area has made Second Street Pizza a go to favorite for quick, authentic bites.
Owned and operated by two business partners, one from Chicago, one from Brooklyn, NY, they blended their passion for food (pizza, especially!), and opened Second Street Pizza in 2006.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, or dining in Whitefish, MT, New York style, Second Street Pizza is sure to satisfy. Second Street Pizza is one of the Whitefish restaurants that delivers to more remote areas, making it a great option if you’re a ways out, snowed in, or looking for something delicious without having to leave home.
Best for:
✅ Pizza
✅ Quick
✅ Downtown
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”Don’t miss these activities in Glacier National Park”]
[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
13. PiggyBack BBQ
102 Wisconsin Avenue
+1 406 863 9895
The only pit barbecue among Whitefish MT restaurants, PiggyBack BBQ is authentic, southern barbecue that utilizes regional ingredients and supports local businesses–from local meats, all the way down to Flathead Cherry Wood for their pit.
A bustling location, with a large beer selection (the majority of which brewed within the state of Montana), happy hour, and even a Man vs. Food-esque challenge, the “True Grit Challenge,” PiggyBack BBQ is one of the most fun places to eat in Whitefish, Montana. And who knows, maybe after a few Missoula, MT Kettlehouse Coldsmoke scotch ales, you’ll be ready to try the “True Grit Challenge” yourself!
Best for:
✅ BBQ
✅ Beer
✅ Local ingredients
14. Bulldog Saloon
44 Central Ave
+1 406 862 5636
No trip to Whitefish, MT would be complete without a trip to the Bulldog Saloon. The Bulldog Building is over 100 years old, serving originally as doctor and dentist offices, which eventually evolved into boxing rings. Known as “The Pastime Pool Hall” at this time, this building became a hub for poker nights, gun trading, fishing tackle and equipment, and tobacco sales during prohibition.
Now, the Bulldog Saloon is Whitefish’s most iconic sports bar, named after the town’s high school team mascot, still carrying the traditions of its past.
If you stop at the Bulldog, order yourself a burger (they’re the best in town), grab a beer, and pull up a barstool. Chances are, you’ll experience the Montana hospitality that the locals are famous for and learn a little bit more about the history of Whitefish, too.
Best for:
✅ Burgers
✅ Beer
✅ Local dive
15. Swift Creek Cafe
307 2nd Street East
+1 406 862 9136
The Swift Creek Cafe is built on family tradition, with influences from Costa Rica, Panama, Texas, France, and more. Serving a worldly style menu from 7am to 2pm, this cafe offers comforting, unique dishes from their “Bananas & Pajamas” pancakes, to their “Braised Beef Cheek” sandwich for lunch.
Another among the list of Whitefish restaurants that feature local ingredients, the food at Swift Creek Cafe is as fresh as you can imagine. And, even though the dishes at the cafe are slightly more elevated than typical breakfast/lunch cafe fare, if you’re traveling with children, there are still plenty of options to suit their tastes along with your own.
Best for:
✅ Breakfast
✅ Families
✅ Sandwiches
16. Amazing Crepes
123 Central Avenue
+1 406 862 6002
Amazing Crepes, rated nearly 5 stars out of close to 700 ratings on Google, is a must stop when visiting Whitefish. The crepes that they serve are light and flavorful, with both sweet and savory crepe fillings.If you’re in the mood for a crepe on the sweeter side, the pear, gorgonzola, and almond is one of their most popular, whereas the salmon dill crepe is a front runner among their savory options.
As a word of warning, locals and visitors are obsessed. The line at Amazing Crepes is usually one on the longer end, but it does move quickly, and their dishes are absolutely worth waiting for. Along with a full espresso bar with an impressive coffee menu, it’s no wonder that this place is nearly always packed.
Best for:
✅ Breakfast
✅ Coffee
✅ Local favorite
17. The Great Northern Bar & Grill
27 Central Ave
+1 406 862 2816
Opened in 1919, The Great Northern has a vintage charm to it, similar to The Bulldog, but instead, is known as a live music venue. One of the rowdier among other Whitefish restaurants, The Great Northern is an awesome spot to grab a casual drink or bite, hang around to listen to a local musician, or play some pool with friends.
Their sandwiches, burgers, and wings are just a few among many quintessential bar foods. And the jalapeño poppers, baked potatoes, and fried pickles are to die for. If you’re looking for a casual spot to relax, meet some locals, and listen to music, The Great Northern is truly a “great” choice.
Best for:
✅ Beer
✅ Live music
✅ Bar food
18. The Last Chair
1705 East Lakeshore Drive
+1 406 863 5455
A family owned Whitefish restaurant, The Last Chair Kitchen & Bar exudes warmth, comfort, and excellence. Some of Whitefish’s best restaurant service, The Last Chair will make you feel at home, like a local, and even a member of the family.
Their menu ranges from snacks and small plates like huckleberry steak tips (locally sourced), oyster mushrooms, and coconut, curry spiced shrimp, to large impressive entrees like steelhead trout bison ragu, and veggie curry.
If you’re looking to sit, relax, and enjoy your dining experience, The Last Chair is just the place you’re looking for.
Best for:
✅ Unique dishes
✅ Great service
✅ Family-owned
19. The Wich Haus
105 Wisconsin Ave
+1 406 730 2018
A classic farm to table sandwich shop, located in between Big Mountain and downtown Whitefish, The Wich Haus serves scratch made dishes made from local ingredients with rotating specials. A quaint venue, The Wich Haus serves food that suits the venue; filling, comforting, and just like Mama made it.
A popular spot for locals coming down from Big Mountain, The Wich Haus serves hot soups, salads, and sandwiches able to fortify even the hungriest adventurer. A less popular known aspect of The Wich Haus is their in-house, made from scratch bread. Be sure to pick up a loaf to make your own sandwich, or to add to you charcuterie board when you stop by for lunch!
Best for:
✅ Sandwiches
✅ Atmosphere
✅ Soups
20. Jalisco Cantina
510 Wisconsin Ave
+1 406 730 2663
A newer addition to the lineup of Whitefish restaurants, Jalisco Cantina is an immersive experience adored by locals and visitors. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter, Jalisco, as it’s referred to by locals, has a unique dining experience, both indoor and outdoor.
Start off your night with their Classic Margarita (their “Cadillac” is the best in the valley), ceviche and mixto for apps, and order their aguacate tacos for dinner. The experience is authentic, delicious, and so fresh that you’ll feel just the right amount of full, ready to come back the next day to order it all again.
Best for:
✅ Mexican
✅ Margaritas
✅ Outdoor seating
21. Abruzzo Italian Kitchen
115 Central Avenue
+1 406 730 8767
There are plenty of Italian Whitefish restaurants, but Abruzzo Italian Kitchen is perhaps the most authentic that you’ll find. With all dishes made entirely from scratch, from pastas, to flatbreads, to Italian staples, you’ll taste Italian authenticity in every bite. And, if you’re a wine enthusiast, Abruzzo carries Italian-centric wines designed to compliment specific dishes on their menu.
If you’re looking for scratch pasta with a Montana flair, try their incredible Wild Boar Ragu. Or, if you’re leaning more towards something traditional, their bolognese dish is the best of its kind in the valley.
But, no matter what you order for entrees, start the meal off with the chargrilled octopus. As with all of their dishes, the dish is incredibly fresh and the authentic ingredients are cooked to perfection.
Best for:
✅ Fine dining
✅ Italian
✅ Wine
22. Cafe Kandahar
3824 Big Mountain Road
+1 406 862 6247
Considered to be one of the best restaurants near Whitefish, MT, Cafe Kandahar provides countless one-of-a-kind experiences for their guests. In fact, Cafe Kandahar designs their menus (yes, plural!) to match occasions, personalizing their dishes and dining experience with unique culinary adventures.
At Cafe Kandahar, located within the Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort, you’ll experience dining unlike any other Whitefish restaurants, with appetizers as refined as halibut lox and new bedford scallops, to sablefish and bison tenderloin entrees. These dishes come with carefully curated wine pairings and recommendations from Cafe Kandahar’s in-house sommelier.
Cafe Kandahar takes you on a multi-sensory journey through food, wine, and atmosphere. If you’re visiting Whitefish, Montana and looking for incredible food, perfectly paired wines, and a rustic, resort style setting, Cafe Kandahar should absolutely be number one on your list.
Best for:
✅ Appetizers
✅ Wine
✅ Fine dining
Where to stay in Whitefish, MT
Whitefish has some amazing options for accommodations, and if you are looking for Glacier National Park hotels, then you shouldn’t have any trouble finding some options for you.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”My recommendations”]
⭐BEST FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS: BEST WESTERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN LODGE⭐
⭐BEST FOR COUPLES: THE LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE⭐
⭐BEST FOR FAMILIES: GROUSE MOUNTAIN LODGE⭐
⭐BEST FOR INSTAGRAM: RAILROAD LOFT⭐
⭐BEST FOR ADVENTURERS: KANDAHAR LODGE⭐
⭐BEST AIRBNB: GORGEOUS MONTANA LOG HOME⭐
[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Conclusion: Whitefish restaurants
Whether you are considering a casual dining experience or you want something a little fancier, these restaurants in Whitefish are ideal for all types of travelers and budgets. Don’t miss these when headed to Montana!
Have you ever tried any of these Whitefish restaurants? Let me know in the comments!
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=”National park essentials”]You’ll need to enter: National parks pass 🎟️
Document your trip: National parks journal ✏️
Wear your national parks love: National parks shirts 👕
Recommended guidebook: My Pocket Guide to Glacier National Park 📔
[/vc_cta][vc_column_text]
Like this post? Save it for later!
Want more information on Montana? Check out these articles:
