5 Best Restaurants in Kalispell, Missoula, and Northwest Montana, Montana

Meet the brewmaster, sample a Bitterroot Bock or Single Hop Pale Ale and enjoy live music Thursday and Saturday. One of the oldest breweries in the state, Bitter Root Brewing brews 40 different styles of beer annually, and the kitchen churns out all your favorite brewpub staples, including their specialty, hand-dipped, Sawtooth Ale-battered fish-and-chips.

With its lodgelike dining room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and exposed log beams, Blue Canyon pairs rustic yet elegant Montana ambience with excellent, hearty cuisine. Innovative, seasonally inspired dishes fill the menu. Plan ahead and reserve the private table to create your own five-course culinary experience with the inventive head chef.

This local favorite is known throughout the Bitteroot Valley as the place with the best burger in the region—and possibly the state. The locally owned family restaurant serves burgers, steaks, and sandwiches, all made with fresh ingredients and Bitterroot Valley beef. For those who want to eat lighter, they serve a fresh Mandarin Orange Salad.

Come here for the best bread and soup in the valley. The café's baked goods, including fresh croissants, baguettes, and scones, will entice you in, but it's worth your while to stay for breakfast or lunch—the Reuben sandwiches are sublime, and any one of the salads makes a great lunch. Local artwork adds a warm touch.

In the historic clubhouse on the municipal golf course, dine on local favorites such as hand-cut steaks and prime rib, or fresh fish dishes such as baked halibut steak wrapped in herbs and phyllo dough. The Napoléon, made with eggplant, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, and provolone, and topped with a spicy tomato sauce, makes a delicious vegetarian entrée.