Best of Whitefish, Mt

Updated March 2025- Here’s a list of the very best Whitefish, MT has to offer from a resident of over 20 years. This post is filled with ideas for when you are taking a few days off from exploring Glacier National Park.

There is so much to do in Whitefish, Montana. Let a 22+ year resident break it down for you:

Hi- I’m Meggen: Food blogger and specialty food manufacturer in Whitefish, MT. Whitefish has been my home for over 22 years.

Here is a list of my favorite restaurants, fun things to do, and places to visit. Because I live here year-round, I visit all these places and can give you up-to-date insights on what’s happening. I will update this post at least twice a year to keep up with new shops, eateries, and all that is going on. In the summer, Pop by my booth at The Whitefish Farmers Market every Tuesday night and say hello.

Best Restaurants in Whitefish, MT:

These are restaurants that I am recommending. This is not a complete list of every spot in town.

Breakfast & Lunch –

• Swift Creek– closed Tuesdays
• Buffalo Cafe line starts early
• Fleur Bake Shop– incredible croissants, cookies, and coffee. Stop by on Sundays for cinnamon rolls on Sundays.
• Cutthroat Bagels– Handmade bagels and English muffins- grab and go. Chef Dan Moe brings more incredible baked goods to Whitefish, 28 Lupfer, in the little white farmhouse. Tues.-Sat. 8am-1pm.
• Montana Coffee Traders– several locations. The Columbia Falls shop has the best breakfast, but the downtown Whitefish location is wonderful. Open at 7:00 am.
• Amazing Crepes– downtown Whitefish- 123 Central Ave. Opens at 8:00 am.
• Huck’s Place– Open Wed- Sun. 9-4. Fresh juices and healthy options. Downtown Whitefish
• Tiki Bar – Lodge at Whitefish Lake- great lakeside dining
• Jersey Boys- Pizza and fantastic sandwiches. Gluten-free options as well. Order takeout online or dine in. NEW location in 2025! HWY 93- across from Western Building Center.
• Sacred Waters Brewing Co. – On the road just past the airport. Live music at night.
• Blackstar Brewery– The best smash burger in town and fantastic salads.
• Mama EV’s Whitefish- artisan pizza- Farm to Table. 6430 US HWY 93 South- Located inside the Chalet Inn.

Best dinner restaurants in Whitefish, MT – reservations required

• Herb & Omni- Best Chef in town- Beard Nominee Earl Reynolds-
• Tupelo Grill – Outstanding Cajun fusion
• Abruzzo- Wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta
• Whitefish Lake Golf Course- Steaks and a fantastic wine list. Get the gingerbread cake and peppermint ice cream.
• Last Chair- Chef Tim makes the best sauces in town. Catered my daughter’s wedding.
• Jalisco Cantina- Call for reservations- A great bar that serves killer tacos
• Latitudes 48- Salmon is always fantastic
• Ciao Mambos- If you like carbs, cheese, and cream, this is your place. Fun. Loud.
• Buchanan’s Chop House- Inside Kandahar Lodge. Premier Chop House and Whiskey Bar. 406-862-6247 to Book. 3824 Big Mountain Road, Whitefish.

Casual dinner spots in Whitefish requiring no reservation-

• Buffalo Cafe- dinner served Wednesday- Saturday. Family run- kid friendly. Amazing owner.
• Blackstar Brewery- great smash burgers- pro tip- sit upstairs. Order off the QR code on the table. Fast service. Tons of beer. Downtown Whitefish. Kid friendly.
• Bar in the Lodge on Whitefish Lake- live music on the weekends.
• Ed McGrew’s BBQ– call well in advance (as in days or weeks) to place an order- all take out.
• Patio at the golf course on Whitefish Lake – be prepared for long waits.
• 38 Central- an outdoor beer garden, food truck pavilion with games, and pop-up shops. Lots of covered space, live music, bathrooms- loads of fun.
• Rebel Roots- My favorite Food truck usually parked outside of Aprés Whitefish, Hotel (800 Spokane Ave.) * there are a few seats & tables under the trees. No bathrooms. Gluten and dairy free. Follow on social media @Rebelrootskitchen for locations and hours.

Best bars in Whitefish, MT:

• The Great Northern- locals go here. Great live music scene
• Palace Bar- local hangout
• Spotted Bear Spirits- killer craft cocktails
• Blackstar- local beers, great rooftop
• Bonsai Brewing- small batch craft beer -outdoor seating
• Jalisco Cantina- a bar that serves great Mexican cuisine
• Red Room at Latitudes
• Herb & Omni- fancy pants
• Tupelo Grille- best whiskey sour in town. live music
• Abruzzo- great vibe. Hand-made pasta- superb Italian
• Bulldog Saloon – legendary watering hole
• Snug Bar- on the mountain in Kandahar Lodge
• Bierstube- Apres ski or afternoon post-hike cold beer

10 more Best of Whitefish, Montana: not on typical itineraries:

Best of Whitefish, MT Hotels: the good, the great, and the dirty:

Believe it or not, when my friends and family visit, or when I host a big wedding in my backyard, folks are not staying in my house. They stay in the local hotels. And, I pop by all the hotels to see what the bars are like, how’s the food, is there a lot of staff turnover? See my take on hotels below.

The Good:

• Good Medicine Lodge- new owners in 2024.
• The Garden Inn- CIA-trained chef owns the Inn. Exceptional breakfast. Book early.
• Hidden Moose Lodge
• Grouse Mountain Lodge- full-service hotel- basic rooms, but close to everything
• Hampton Inn and Suites- on Hwy 93. Shuttle service
• Towne Place Suites- Basic. But reliable. Need a car- not much close by.
• Aprés Whitefish- new owners- on the river, close to everything downtown. Food trucks are always on site. cool vibe.
• Clydesdale Outpost- Incredible luxury cabins with a spectacular Clydesdale family of horses for you to ride.
• Bar W Guest Ranch- beautiful ranch with a large herd of horses for riders of all levels. All inclusive. Great new owners have made multiple upgrades and improvements over the past two years.
• Chalet Inn- Renovated boutique hotel, uber clean, fun hammocks outside each door. Very inexpensive. The property is always tidy. Great pizza restaurant inside.
• Duck Inn Lodge- on the river. Always a favorite. Fresh waffles.

Cool Airbnbs to check out

Since 2020, luxury condos, VRBO’s and Airbnbs have exploded around Whitefish. Hotels aren’t your thing. Check out these great locations.

• Snow Bear Chalets
• The Nooq- mountain home of photographer Alex Strohl
• Lupfer Avenue condos
• Kintla Lodge- no AC, but great building- I used to own a unit.
• Elk Highlands homes- great mountain top luxury homes. Private ski lift.

The Mountain- Big or otherwise

Our local ski hill is fondly referred to by locals at The Mountain or Big Mountain, or The Hill. “I’m running up to do a few runs on the hill. ” Wanna climb Big Mountain this afternoon?”

But corporate entities bought Big Mountain and decided the name caused confusion with Big Sky, so it was rebranded as Whitefish Mountain. Whatever you call it, there’s a lot to do up there.

Read more below:

Here’s my list:

• Hike the Danny On trail- ride the gondola down. Save your knees
• Have a beer on the deck of the Summit house.
• Ride the gondola up and down. We won’t judge you (well, a little bit)
• Have lunch on the deck of the Bierstube in the village- great grilled burgers
• Mountain bike the mountain- rentals available
• Ride the Alpine Slide- big kids are allowed as well.
• Pack a picnic from Markus Foods and enjoy it on one of the rocky ledges on the mountain
• Ride the zip line- Weight limit of 60-230 lbs

Retail Therapy: When you need a day off

My favorite shops in Whitefish. Husbands can go hang out at The Northern, Craggy Range or the Bulldog Saloon if they don’t want to shop ’til you drop.

Meggen’s favorites:

• Bookworks
• The Toggery
• Mum’s flowers and gifts
• Sage & Cedar
• Hunter & Co Interior Design
• Scout & Gather
• Forage & Floral
• Dick Idol Art gallery
• FOR Fine Art gallery
• Walking Man Gallery
• Trovare
• Sappari
• Haskill Creek
• Heritage Knife Shop
• Kemo Sabe

Worth a mention:

• Sweet Peaks Ice Cream
• Clydesdale Creamery- across from Markus Foods
• Third Street Market- large selection of local produce and health foods
• Whitefish Liquor Store- pick up a few libations from local distillers
• The Farm Stand- Next to Super One farmer-owned specialty food shop- take-out meals to go
• Vibrant Roots organic- the best fizzy healthy drinks in town
• Haskill Creek- SO much more than just a place for that special gummy- beautiful home products, Downtown location next to Markus Foods.

More of my insider information on what to do in the Flathead Valley:

• Best hikes in Glacier National Park
• 19 Places to Visit when Glacier is too crowded
• 13 Best places to Dine while visiting Glacier National Park