Missoula is the second-largest city in the state of Montana that is known as the center of medicine, education, arts, and retail. It has a nickname - Garden City and is considered one of the most popular western destinations.
If you are traveling to Montana, and you are a food lover, you should definitely stop in Missoula in order to try one of its restaurants. Missoula can boast an extensive number of diverse restaurants. There is a glimpse of opportunities in Missoula awaiting you the next time you decide to eat out.
An interesting fact is that Missoula ranks second for most restaurants, with almost 36 per 10,000 residents. There are different types of restaurants in the city, and the most common types include the following:
Downtown Restaurants
There are plenty of dining options in Downtown Missoula. Places to eat and drink range from little cafes serving breakfast and lunch to distilleries and breweries, where you can try different spirits and craft beers.
There are also a lot of food trucks if you want to eat something simple and delicious, and many bars that come in all shapes and sizes. Downtown Missoula can boast of a great variety of new restaurants that serve everything from traditional American cuisine to vegetarian dishes.
Mexican restaurants
Mexican cuisine has already become a part of American culture. There are thousands of Mexican restaurants in the United States, and Montana is not an exception.
Missoula boasts plenty of Mexican restaurants that offer delicious and authentic Mexican food. A typical Mexican restaurant will offer you the following dishes and drinks: quesadillas (made out of round tortillas and cheese), tacos, Sopa de Fide (traditional Mexican soup), Jarritos (a well-known brand of soda), Carne Asada (roasted beef), Tortas (similar to a taco or burrito), and Flan (a sweet dessert made from eggs, milk, vanilla, and sugar).
One of the best Mexican Missoula restaurants is El Cazador that has been voted as the best restaurant with Mexican cuisine in Missoula for multiple years.
Italian restaurants
There is something homey and comforting about Italian food, especially if it is made with fresh ingredients. If you are tired of traditional American foods, such as burgers, barbecue, and sandwiches, you can also go to one of the Italian restaurants in Missoula.
There are plenty of them in the city - from little deli shops on the corner to fancy restaurants with a more formal setting. One of the best and most popular local Italian restaurants is Caffe Dolce is known for its diverse menu and informal setting.
Thai restaurants
If you want to try something truly exotic and Asian, there are a few Thai restaurants in Missoula that are worth visiting.
They serve the most popular Thai foods as a rule that include pad thai, spring rolls, tame curries, and entrees with a hint of Thai-style seasoning.
Chinese restaurants
Chinese cuisine is very popular in the United States, and there are a few really good high-quality Chinese restaurants in Missoula, where you can try authentic delicious Chinese food. One of them is China Garden Restaurant that has been serving Chinese food for almost 30 years and has been voted Best of Missoula by the city's residents and tourists.
Soul Food Restaurants
Soul food is an ethnic cuisine that is associated with the African American food culture. It includes chicken, barbeque ribs, cheese, macaroni, beans, and others. There are a few soul food restaurants in Missoula, where you can enjoy authentic and delicious foods and drinks.
Steakhouses
A steakhouse is the type of restaurant known for its meat entrees, particularly steaks. Steak restaurants offer all kinds of meat, including beef, pork, and lamb.
Some of them serve seafood as well. You can also find burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, fries, and other dishes. Among the best steakhouses in the city is The Depot.
New restaurants
New restaurants are constantly opening up in Missoula in different parts of the city. They include cafes, fancy restaurants, breweries, diners, bars, and pubs.
One of the newest additions to Missoula's growing food scene is Second Set Bistro that offers a unique take on the American bistro. It is one of the best places to try fresh bread, cheese, and pickled vegetables.
Also, since Missoula has recently become increasingly accommodating for all kinds of diets and palates, including gluten-free and vegan eaters, there are plenty of new places to eat that offer vegan food options.
American restaurants
This type of restaurant serves traditional American cuisine, which includes the following: fried chicken, biscuits, chicken-fried steak and gravy, shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, chicken and dumplings.
American restaurants in Missoula are also famous for barbecue, burgers, pizza with a great variety of toppings, and sandwiches. There are also soul food restaurants serving traditional African American food. One of the best places in Missoula to try American food is Catalyst Cafe known for its healthy meal options and delicious sandwiches.
Fast food restaurants
The most common menu items in fast-food restaurants include fried chicken, sandwiches, pitas, hamburgers, chicken nuggets, pizza, tacos, and ice cream for dessert.
Some fast-food restaurants in Missoula also offer onion rings, fish and chips, mashed potatoes, and salads.
Sports bars
Sports bars are known for their casual and fun restaurant atmosphere, where you can enjoy the big game and treat yourself to delicious food and drinks. Typically, the food served in sports bars is casual American style food that includes chicken wings (can be found in almost every sports bar in Missoula) and finger foods (fries, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, and nachos).
Some sports bars also serve sandwiches and pizza. In general, the food is tasty and easy to eat. Complicated dishes are not common because people do not want to get distracted from the game they are watching.
Another important feature of all sports bars is a great selection of beers. Most of the bars have both domestic and imported beer.
Breweries
In total, there are 40 breweries in Missoula. It is not surprising because the state of Montana is 2nd in craft breweries per capita in the United States.
One of the newest breweries Great Burn Brewery located in Missoula has become Montana's 47th brewery. Usually, breweries serve different finger foods, snacks, and sit-down meals along with a great variety of craft beer.
Diners
There is definitely something special about a good old-fashioned American diner. Luckily, there are plenty of them in Missoula.
A diner is a perfect place if you want to have a traditional American breakfast, or if you are craving a good burger for lunch. The most popular diner in Missoula is Ruby's cafe. Everyone knows this diner is the place to go for savory home cooking. This place is also well-known for its over-sized breakfasts and juicy burgers.
Restaurants of International Cuisine
There are also restaurants in Missoula offering food from all over the world. One of them is the Silk Road Restaurant. Its menu includes Asian, Italian, Spanish, American, and dishes from other countries.
Where Are Most Missoula Restaurants Located?
The biggest variety of restaurants, including new restaurants, you can find in Missoula downtown. If you are done with your breakfast, lunch, or dinner in one of the downtown Missoula restaurants, there are plenty of places in the city to see and to visit.
For example, you can visit downtown shops that offer a lot of unique Missoula products. There are also few museums that are worth visiting as well, including The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, Montana Natural History Center, Missoula Art Museum, and Northern Rockies Heritage Center.
Missoula is a town that is also known for its natural breathtaking beauty. Therefore, after eating in one of its restaurants, you can always explore Montana's nature and do hiking. One of the best places for this is Mount Sentinel — a 1,958-foot-tall mountain that looks over Missoula from the east. It is among the most popular hiking destinations in the city and has a variety of trails that are suited to all abilities.
Another great place for hiking and exploring Montana's wildlife and nature is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation that provides plenty of opportunities to learn more about elk natural habitats and get closer to nature by exploring one of its numerous hiking trails.