For some, food is one of the most essential parts of a vacation. Not only is it a way to explore an area's culture, but it's also how we gather, share stories, reflect, and laugh.
In Bozeman, we've long had favorites like the Western Cafe', The Pickle Barrel, Columbo's Pizza and Pasta, and just down the road in Manhattan, Land of Magic Steakhouse. We've never gone hungry, and we've never had reason to complain. But as of late, this former cowboy town is brimming with exciting fare from around the world and, in the past couple of years alone, has boasted eight James Beard Award Nominees.
Chefs from across the country come to Bozeman for the lifestyle and bring their culinary talent. Today, this mountain town is known for having the best food scene in the state.
If food is a high priority for your visit to Bozeman, here are four days of must-visit restaurants for a taste of the city.
Bozeman is an easy city to navigate, with rideshares like Uber and Lyft and walkable neighborhoods, so where you stay is mainly up to personal preference. RSVP Hotel in midtown is adjacent to The ELM, Bozeman's premier music venue and provides central access to any part of town. It's a boutique hotel with a chic design, plush towels, and comfy beds.
Downtown Bozeman has an increasing number of options, but for classy, spacious stays, Element Bozeman and AC Hotel are within walking distance of many great restaurants.
The Bozeman area is home to fantastic bakeries, some of which also serve delicious sandwiches – perfect fare for hungry travelers. You'll find lovely options, both sweet and savory, at any of these bakeries:
Aurore French Bakery in Four Corners is the newest and has already made a name for itself. Propriétaire Aurore Adam hails from Paris, France, where she was mentored by some of the finest artisan bakers in the field. She fell in love with Bozeman while visiting her twin sister and now shares French culture through her Montana bakery. Using flour and butter imported from Paris and serving Parisian coffee, her creations are as over-the-top beautiful as they are delicious.
Wild Crumb focuses on local ingredients, turning out breads, pastries, pies, cakes, and tarts that draw a line out the door. (Don't let that deter you; it moves very quickly and is a testament to the quality of food.) You can't go wrong with any of their choices, but for turkey sandwich lovers, this signature Sammy is served with Havarti, pesto aioli, pickled onions, and sprouts on their fresh-baked baguette. It's one of those sandwiches you'll crave again and again.
Vienne, another French-influenced bakery, features a variety of Viennoiserie (breakfast pastries made in the style of Vienna, Austria.) They are often sweet and bridge the gap between bread and pastry. Bread puddings, artisan bread, sandwiches, and a small evening menu make this intimate bakery an all-day option for a lighter meal.
Make reservations at Blackbird, a long-time Bozeman favorite for dinner. The atmosphere is simple yet elegant, the vibe casual yet classy, and the food is top-notch. Its menu contains creative salads, vegetables, grains, pasta, and pizza. They always have local meat options, but most dishes lean heavily on the veggies, which they do exceptionally well. For a more casual experience, ask for a seat in the open kitchen, where you can watch them prepare the wood-fired pizzas and other dishes firsthand.
Breakfast (and brunch on the weekends) is a big deal in Bozeman. You'll find breakfast restaurants hopping early as everyone fuels up for whatever adventure they're heading on. Jam! does an exceptional job of offering a creative breakfast and lunch menu with various Benedicts, crepes, and mimosas. Salad compliments many of their dishes, and everything has an interesting twist. For example, the Red Chili and Corned Beef Hash features Bozone amber-braised corned beef in a spiced hash, topped with soft poached eggs and served with citrus arugula and house-made grilled country toast.
The Farmer's Daughters Café is great for a light lunch. The smoothies are nourishing, and salads are nutrient-dense and delicious. Raised on a three-generation Montana farm, owners Hillary and Haylee Folkvord create all their dishes from scratch and say of their recipes, 'We want the food to taste like you are in Grandma's kitchen…but a little healthier.'
Dinner at Shan is not to be missed. A 2024 James Beard Nominee for Best New Restaurant, Jarrett Wrisley and Candice Lin have created an experience that they describe as not explicitly Thai or authentically Chinese but rather a result of twenty years of eating and cooking across Asia. The restaurant design nods to the cozy Izakaya of Japan — a welcoming place for people to gather and share stories over delicious family-style meals. Watch their website and social channels. They often invite guest chefs to cook with them, and these special dinners are worth planning!
For breakfast-food fanatics, you'll want to go to the Western Café, one of the longest-running businesses in Bozeman! This iconic café is known for its cinnamon rolls and hearty selections such as chicken fried steak or biscuits and gravy. The décor is still wood-paneled and cozy, with seats at the counter and a bottomless cup of coffee. If you opt for this meal, you'll be set for a while!
If you plan to explore, we suggest a Bozeman Market and Deli takeout sandwich. This neighborhood deli across from Bobcat Stadium serves classic East Coast-style sandwiches, including the Muffuletta, hot pastrami, classic Italian beef, and perfectly crafted Ruebens. If they still have banana pudding, don't skip it—it's divine!
It wouldn't be a trip to Montana without visiting a steakhouse. Take your pick.
Open Range sources its steaks locally, hand cuts and ages them in-house, and then sears them in cast-iron pans with beef tallow. The menu has a variety of delicious starters, seafood, and sides, and its craft cocktail game is on par.
Ted's Montana Grill, located in the historic Baxter Hotel, is great for larger parties and varied appetites. Bison is a featured ingredient, but they also have nice salads, soups, seafood, and a gluten-free menu.
Land of Magic Steakhouse is a no-frills, "better come hungry" steakhouse just down the road in Manhattan, Montana. Meals come with homemade soup, salad or shrimp cocktail, baked or twice-baked potatoes, steak or seafood (or both!), and a scoop of locally made Wilcoxin's Ice Cream.
J.W. Heist is Bozeman's newest steakhouse. Designed with a nod to the classic steakhouse, the interiors transport you to another time and place. The wood-fired preparation adds a delicious dimension to the steaks, and the salads, soups, and appetizers are all carefully selected classics.
Brunch at Brigade is open Friday through Monday. It serves out-of-the-ordinary dishes such as quinoa porridge bowls, Shakshuka, chicken and waffles, beignets, and, for the hardcore brunch-eaters, oyster shooters! The atmosphere is comforting and spacious, inviting a leisurely dining experience. (Their craft cocktails are designed to pair well with the menu.) If you make it to Happy Hour, it's one of the best in town! There are three different martinis to choose from and oysters on the half shell for the table.
A casual dinner can be found at The Market, where you can choose from Tanglewood American Bistro, which serves slightly elevated bistro-style food, Merry Piglets Tex-Mex, Hachi Sushi Pub, Liberty Burger, or Sidewinders American Grill, a family-friendly dining experience that kids love.
Depending on your schedule, you may want to build your itinerary around one of these fun Bozeman events:
Montana State University International Food Bazaar has culinary staples from over 30 countries in February.
Bozeman Restaurant Week takes place each April, and specials are offered across downtown Bozeman, giving you the opportunity to try several places!
The Food Truck Festival, a Cancer Support Center fundraiser, brings all the area food trucks to the fairgrounds in May.
In July, the Bohdi Farms Farm-to-Table Food Festival showcases local chefs, fresh ingredients, and live music.
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