Hello, Travel Tuesday Adventure Warriors! Today we continue our family road trip from Portland, Oregon through Idaho to Montana with a look at some of the best places to eat in Missoula. If you missed it, check out where to eat and drink in Boise, Idaho.
Driving into Missoula, Montana, you’ll descend from sweeping mountain vistas and farmland into a lively college town tucked into the Northern Rockies. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise, but here I’m speaking my love language: food and drink. Below is a curated list of restaurants, breweries, and dessert spots my family enjoyed during our visit—places I think you’ll want to try, too. Use the quick links to jump to sections:
- Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern
- Lunch at Caras Park
- Tamarack Brewing
- Plonk Wine
- Dram Shop
- Big Dipper Ice Cream
We kicked off our culinary tour with dinner at Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern hosted by Destination Missoula.
Places to Eat in Missoula: Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern has multiple locations and serves upscale Western-inspired dishes in a cabin-like, Montana-decor setting. The atmosphere feels like sophisticated cowboy dining—rustic decor with thoughtful plating and bold flavors.
We began with a local Big Sky Brewing Summer Honey ale—light, mildly hoppy, and very refreshing on a warm day.
Chef Wes Coffel explained we would be sampling a mix of seasonal and forthcoming menu items. The kitchen rotates dishes, so some appetizers may not appear on the regular menu.
Highlights included a flavorful tomato-and-pesto dumpling and my favorite starter: an elk meatball glazed with a sweet-and-peppery huckleberry BBQ sauce ($12).
The scallop appetizer served with broccoli rabe and rice was excellent, and a summer tomato salad with burrata made for a bright, refreshing take on caprese.
Our kids were happy with classic chicken fingers and a cheese pizza from the children’s menu. For mains, I had seared scallops with asparagus and pickled mustard seeds ($31) while my husband enjoyed a pecan-crusted trout ($24). Both dishes were flavorful, though I found the scallop appetizer especially memorable.
For dessert we tried the Blue Canyon Chocolate Bomb: chocolate sponge cake, white chocolate mousse, a chocolate ganache shell, and raspberry coulis ($7.50). The textures and balance of flavors made for a decadent finish.
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern
3720 N. Reserve Street
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 541-2583
Places to Eat in Missoula: Lunch at Caras Park
The next day we strolled through Caras Park in downtown Missoula and caught the Out to Lunch festival, a weekly summer event with live music and a wide array of food vendors and trucks. Vendors range from classic burgers and hot dogs to tacos and Japanese fare.
We couldn’t resist the Lil’ Orbits donut truck—mini donuts fried fresh and tossed in cinnamon sugar. Perfect festival fare and a great spot to sample local street food.
Out to Lunch at Caras Park
Center of Caras Park along the Clark Fork River
Weekly on Wednesdays during summer months
Where to Eat in Missoula: Tamarack Brewing
Missoula ranks high nationwide for craft breweries per capita, and Tamarack Brewing is a downtown spot that pairs a full food menu with its beers. The interior features classic microbrewery elements: chalkboard menus, exposed brick, dark wood, and an outdoor seating area overlooking Caras Park.
The beer lineup includes IPAs, an amber, a wit, seasonal ales, and a stout—I enjoyed the Wakeboard Wit. The menu focuses on pub favorites: burgers, salads, sandwiches, and hefty shareable plates.
I ordered the “mini” keg nachos—which were enormous—my husband had fish tacos, and the kids shared a large, cheesy pizza. Tamarack is family-friendly with solid beer and welcoming service.
Tamarack Brewing
231 W. Front Street
Missoula, MT
406-830-3113
Places to Eat in Missoula: Dram Shop
The Dram Shop is a growlerie offering draft beer, wine, and kombucha. The space felt familiar to craft-beer fans—ample seating, a long bar, booths, and even a kids’ corner with toys and books for families enjoying a tasting.
The Dram Shop
229 E Front St, Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 540-4303
Places to Eat in Missoula: Plonk Wine
Plonk offers a more urban, sophisticated dining experience in downtown Missoula. The space includes a sunny front section by the windows, a lively bar, and a dimmer back area suited for dates or groups. The outdoor patio is a lovely spot to grab a table when available.
I recommend trying a wine flight—Plonk’s Pinot Flight compared California, French, and Oregon Pinots side-by-side, which was a fun way to taste regional differences. The food matches the hip vibe with artful presentations and classic dishes. While there’s no children’s menu, fries and roasted chicken kept our kids satisfied.
Plonk is ideal for a night out with friends, a business dinner, or a date night. A wine flight paired with a salad or a cheese-and-meat board makes for a reliably pleasant meal.
322 N. Higgins Ave
Missoula, MT 59802
406.926.1791
Places to Eat in Missoula: Big Dipper Ice Cream
“You HAVE to go to Big Dipper Ice Cream.” We heard that repeatedly and were glad we followed the advice. Lines can get long, but service moves fast. I treated myself to an espresso chip cone and it was rich and decadent—worth every bite. Mr. Bliss enjoyed mint chocolate chip and the kids loved tangerine sorbet.
Big Dipper has multiple Montana locations and rotating food trucks around town—definitely a can’t-miss stop for dessert.
We only had a couple of days in Missoula but sampled a wide variety of food and drink—from western comfort to modern, urban dining. The blend of casual spots, hip restaurants, breweries, and talented local chefs made our brief stay delicious and memorable. There are many more places worth trying, so we’ll be back.
Have you been to Missoula, MT? What other places would you add to this list?
More Travel Tips:
- Idaho to Montana Road Trip
- Lava Hot Springs Idaho
- Places to Eat in Boise, Idaho
- Road Trip: Portland, Oregon to Boise, Idaho
Many thanks to Glacier Country Tourism and Destination Missoula for their hospitality while we were in town. Some meals were comped or partially supported; as always, opinions and photos are my own.