Bethanie’s guidebook (always a work in progress)
Food scene
These are some of our favorite restaurants. There have been a lot of restaurant changes since covid, both closures and new openings, and we haven't been able to keep up with it all, so check out other options beyond what's listed here!
Great food, amazing chef. Always crowded so be prepared to wait. Order at least half a pizza worth of the special if you remotely like the ingredients, no matter how odd the pairing, it is almost always worth it.
84 當地人推薦
Biga Pizza
241 W Main StGreat food, amazing chef. Always crowded so be prepared to wait. Order at least half a pizza worth of the special if you remotely like the ingredients, no matter how odd the pairing, it is almost always worth it.
Excellent baked goods - sweets and savory both. Their hearth breads are great (they don't always have bread since Covid). Very good pies. They also have nice sandwiches at breakfast and lunch, as well as savory croissants (e.g. ham and cheese, mushroom/veggie), gluten free stuff, etc. Cat's head biscuits are a special treat on Thurs-Sat. They have only limited seating for lunch or coffee/treats.
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Black Cat Bake Shop
2000 W Broadway StExcellent baked goods - sweets and savory both. Their hearth breads are great (they don't always have bread since Covid). Very good pies. They also have nice sandwiches at breakfast and lunch, as well as savory croissants (e.g. ham and cheese, mushroom/veggie), gluten free stuff, etc. Cat's head biscuits are a special treat on Thurs-Sat. They have only limited seating for lunch or coffee/treats.
Great bbq. They usually sell out of some of their most popular stuff by 6 pm, so go for lunch or call ahead. Not much atmosphere, though they do have outside seating. Excellent food for the meat lover. Especially the ribs and the chicken.
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The Notorious P.I.G. BBQ
247 W Front StGreat bbq. They usually sell out of some of their most popular stuff by 6 pm, so go for lunch or call ahead. Not much atmosphere, though they do have outside seating. Excellent food for the meat lover. Especially the ribs and the chicken.
Great local-ish ice cream (I think it's based out of another MT city). Not a ton of flavors, but delicious. Right downtown.
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Sweet Peaks Ice Cream
223 W Front StGreat local-ish ice cream (I think it's based out of another MT city). Not a ton of flavors, but delicious. Right downtown.
Amazing bread and baked goods - almost everything is whole grain/sourdough. Their croissants taste like there's a pound of butter in each one (and we mean that in a good way!). Located in Black Coffee Roasting company at 525 East Spruce St. Just easy of downtown. Great light snacks for breakfast. They sell out of baked goods before noon most days. Expensive but worth it.
Grist Milling and Bakery
525 E Spruce StAmazing bread and baked goods - almost everything is whole grain/sourdough. Their croissants taste like there's a pound of butter in each one (and we mean that in a good way!). Located in Black Coffee Roasting company at 525 East Spruce St. Just easy of downtown. Great light snacks for breakfast. They sell out of baked goods before noon most days. Expensive but worth it.
Great breads, savory and sweet treats, coffee, hard cheeses/cured meats, olive oils, etc.
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Le Petit Outre
129 S 4th St WGreat breads, savory and sweet treats, coffee, hard cheeses/cured meats, olive oils, etc.
Great pastries and baked goods, especially cakes if it's a special occasion like a birthday (whole cakes are pricey); nice for light lunches as well. Near the hip strip south of the river.
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Bernice's Bakery
190 S 3rd St WGreat pastries and baked goods, especially cakes if it's a special occasion like a birthday (whole cakes are pricey); nice for light lunches as well. Near the hip strip south of the river.
Great fast casual Indian food (owners are not Indian). Masala is also pretty awesome because they partner with Soft Landing Missoula (a refugee support organization) to employ a lot of folks who have recently arrived in Montana as refugees. Not a lot of seating indoors, but some, no outdoor seating. We usually get take out!
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Masala
206 W Main StGreat fast casual Indian food (owners are not Indian). Masala is also pretty awesome because they partner with Soft Landing Missoula (a refugee support organization) to employ a lot of folks who have recently arrived in Montana as refugees. Not a lot of seating indoors, but some, no outdoor seating. We usually get take out!
newer Mexican restaurant - gets great reviews, is almost always packed and you'll do better with a reservation.
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The Camino
105 N Pattee Stnewer Mexican restaurant - gets great reviews, is almost always packed and you'll do better with a reservation.
fast casual, reasonably priced, Brazilian inspired food. Minimal seating - mostly to go.
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Five on Black
325 N Higgins Avefast casual, reasonably priced, Brazilian inspired food. Minimal seating - mostly to go.
good burgers and fries, some creative flavors; often packed with students, but plenty of non-students go there as well. Reasonably priced and reasonably quick. Not much seating.
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Wally and Buck
319 E Front Stgood burgers and fries, some creative flavors; often packed with students, but plenty of non-students go there as well. Reasonably priced and reasonably quick. Not much seating.
a favorite breakfast/brunch place in central Missoula. Often a short wait on weekends for brunch. Has been in Missoula forever.
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Paul's Pancake Parlor
2305 Brooks Sta favorite breakfast/brunch place in central Missoula. Often a short wait on weekends for brunch. Has been in Missoula forever.
Upscale restaurant on the river, below the Wilma Theater. Usually the food is quite good, expensive.
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Scotty's Table
131 S Higgins AveUpscale restaurant on the river, below the Wilma Theater. Usually the food is quite good, expensive.
Right near the house, open for take out (and a few tables inside); excellent soups, sandwiches, and ready to reheat at home meals (like frozen pot pies). The owners are serious chefs and used to own one of the best restaurants in Missoula, this is simpler fare, but delicious. They close at 6 - last food pick up is at 5:50. If you order ahead, your food will be waiting for you when you get there. Barely 1/2 mile from the Cabin.
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SoupFarm
901 North Orange StreetRight near the house, open for take out (and a few tables inside); excellent soups, sandwiches, and ready to reheat at home meals (like frozen pot pies). The owners are serious chefs and used to own one of the best restaurants in Missoula, this is simpler fare, but delicious. They close at 6 - last food pick up is at 5:50. If you order ahead, your food will be waiting for you when you get there. Barely 1/2 mile from the Cabin.
Great breakfast and lunch place - right downtown. Creative and delicious sandwiches. Limited interior seating, some outdoor seating as well. They also have a small market with upscale products. You can also get pint or quart sized salads (e.g. pasta salads), for picnics. Great option for to go meals.
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Market on Front
201 E Front StGreat breakfast and lunch place - right downtown. Creative and delicious sandwiches. Limited interior seating, some outdoor seating as well. They also have a small market with upscale products. You can also get pint or quart sized salads (e.g. pasta salads), for picnics. Great option for to go meals.
Great pizza, wraps and other stuff. Limited indoor seating, perfect for delivery!
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Bridge Pizza
600 S Higgins AveGreat pizza, wraps and other stuff. Limited indoor seating, perfect for delivery!
A favorite and long-running coffee shop with great atmosphere, fabulous pie and baked goods, including quiche and other savories as well.
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Break Expresso
432 N Higgins AveA favorite and long-running coffee shop with great atmosphere, fabulous pie and baked goods, including quiche and other savories as well.
popular coffee shop, started downtown and has several other locations including at the airport. Has some limited food options as well. Pretty good place for a meeting.
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Liquid Planet - Downtown
121 W Broadway Stpopular coffee shop, started downtown and has several other locations including at the airport. Has some limited food options as well. Pretty good place for a meeting.
great for breakfast and lunch, for coffee, for meetings, etc. Has some outdoor seating.
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The Catalyst Cafe
111 N Higgins Avegreat for breakfast and lunch, for coffee, for meetings, etc. Has some outdoor seating.
Things to do with kids
Great for kids and families (and anyone nostalgic for a great carousel). Has a really nice playground (Dragon Hollow) right next to it and is located on the river and next to the Saturday Clark Fork River market.
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A Carousel for Missoula
101 Carousel DrGreat for kids and families (and anyone nostalgic for a great carousel). Has a really nice playground (Dragon Hollow) right next to it and is located on the river and next to the Saturday Clark Fork River market.
Post covid, and once new construction is done, this will be a great thing to do with families and with anyone interested in insects and butterflies. It's a wonderful interactive center with lots of things to learn and do.
Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium
1075 Hickory StPost covid, and once new construction is done, this will be a great thing to do with families and with anyone interested in insects and butterflies. It's a wonderful interactive center with lots of things to learn and do.
The Moon-Randolph Homestead is an "off the beaten path" free to visit in Missoula that's right at the north edge of town and that is an interesting historic homestead in the north hills with an apple orchard. Going there is a bit like going back in time. It's great for photos, for birding, for picnic, etc. The hosts are typically very knowledgeable about the history of the place and of Missoula. You can easily walk there from the Cabin of you're OK with a 1.5 - 2 mile walk over public land (in each direction).
Moon-Randolph Homestead
1515 Spurlock RdThe Moon-Randolph Homestead is an "off the beaten path" free to visit in Missoula that's right at the north edge of town and that is an interesting historic homestead in the north hills with an apple orchard. Going there is a bit like going back in time. It's great for photos, for birding, for picnic, etc. The hosts are typically very knowledgeable about the history of the place and of Missoula. You can easily walk there from the Cabin of you're OK with a 1.5 - 2 mile walk over public land (in each direction).
Splash Montana is on the other side of town from the Cabin, but if you are traveling with kids and need a full or half-day diversion that's not in the natural world, this is great option (of course you can also go swimming in the river!).
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Splash Montana
3001 Bancroft StSplash Montana is on the other side of town from the Cabin, but if you are traveling with kids and need a full or half-day diversion that's not in the natural world, this is great option (of course you can also go swimming in the river!).
Caras Park is on the river downtown. The Carousel and Dragon Hollow are in the same location, and you can watch people surf on Brennan's Wave in the river. In summer the Missoula Downtown Association hosts Out to Lunch on Wednesdays from 11-2 with music and lots of local restaurants and food trucks; and they host Downtown Tonight from 5:30-8:30 pm with music and food trucks/local restaurants. There are all sorts of other events, including the Saturday Clark Fork farmer's market (8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays from mid-May to mid-Oct).
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卡拉斯公園
123 Carousel DrCaras Park is on the river downtown. The Carousel and Dragon Hollow are in the same location, and you can watch people surf on Brennan's Wave in the river. In summer the Missoula Downtown Association hosts Out to Lunch on Wednesdays from 11-2 with music and lots of local restaurants and food trucks; and they host Downtown Tonight from 5:30-8:30 pm with music and food trucks/local restaurants. There are all sorts of other events, including the Saturday Clark Fork farmer's market (8:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays from mid-May to mid-Oct).
Great playground right next to the Carousel and Caras Park. On the river at downtown.
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Dragon Hollow Playground
Great playground right next to the Carousel and Caras Park. On the river at downtown.
spectrUM Discovery Area
455 E Main Stan interactive science museum for kids.
Sightseeing
Maclay Flats has great river access for fishing and wading/swimming. It also has a pretty flat trail system that's accessible year round. It's also great launch point for float tubing on the Bitterroot / Clark Fork rivers
Maclay Flats
Maclay Flats has great river access for fishing and wading/swimming. It also has a pretty flat trail system that's accessible year round. It's also great launch point for float tubing on the Bitterroot / Clark Fork rivers
The "M" trail sits right above the University of Montana, is visible from nearly anywhere in the Missoula valley, and is a short,but relatively steep, hike that will provide you a great view of the entire valley. Kids love to hike to the M, though again, it's a bit steep. From the M you can continue to hike to the top of Mt Sentinel, but there are also other trails to the top of Sentinel.
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The M
The "M" trail sits right above the University of Montana, is visible from nearly anywhere in the Missoula valley, and is a short,but relatively steep, hike that will provide you a great view of the entire valley. Kids love to hike to the M, though again, it's a bit steep. From the M you can continue to hike to the top of Mt Sentinel, but there are also other trails to the top of Sentinel.
Great place for picnics, folfing, or short hikes (or great XC skiing in winter) at the southeast edge of (above) Missoula.
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Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
Great place for picnics, folfing, or short hikes (or great XC skiing in winter) at the southeast edge of (above) Missoula.
The Rattlesnake is about 4 miles north of town and is apparently one of the closest designated wilderness areas to an urban area in the US. There are miles and miles of trails for hiking, biking and backpacking. There are 2 trailheads. It's beautiful year round (walking or skiing in winter). You can see nearly any type of wildlife (including bears and mountain lions) in the rattlesnake, but there are also lot of people and lot of mountain bikes.
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Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness
Rattlesnake DriveThe Rattlesnake is about 4 miles north of town and is apparently one of the closest designated wilderness areas to an urban area in the US. There are miles and miles of trails for hiking, biking and backpacking. There are 2 trailheads. It's beautiful year round (walking or skiing in winter). You can see nearly any type of wildlife (including bears and mountain lions) in the rattlesnake, but there are also lot of people and lot of mountain bikes.
Great "safari" like park for wildlife viewing about an hour from Missoula. You will see Bison, deer, elk, antelope, and all sorts of birds. You may see bears, bighorn sheep, moose. There are a few short hikes, but it's mostly park where you stay in the car and the wildlife roam free. The animals are wild, though the Bison population is heavily managed. Great day trip with kids or adults.
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National Bison Range
58355 Bison Range RdGreat "safari" like park for wildlife viewing about an hour from Missoula. You will see Bison, deer, elk, antelope, and all sorts of birds. You may see bears, bighorn sheep, moose. There are a few short hikes, but it's mostly park where you stay in the car and the wildlife roam free. The animals are wild, though the Bison population is heavily managed. Great day trip with kids or adults.
Great place to visit year-round for birding, short walks, and Bitterroot river access. Great for viewing owls, porcupines, muskrats, and migratory birds (of course you never know what you'll see on any given day). Several different trails along the river and along some ponds. About 40 minutes from Missoula to the south.
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Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
4567 Wild Fowl LaneGreat place to visit year-round for birding, short walks, and Bitterroot river access. Great for viewing owls, porcupines, muskrats, and migratory birds (of course you never know what you'll see on any given day). Several different trails along the river and along some ponds. About 40 minutes from Missoula to the south.
microbreweries/distilleries
Missoula has a ridiculous number of microbreweries and distilleries. Those listed here are near downtown/closer to our neighborhood, though there are many more all across town.
Microbrewery and distillery tasting rooms are required to close at 8:00 pm and are allowed to serve each customer only 3 bears, or 2 mixed drinks. Tasting rooms are not allowed to serve food, but often have food trucks parked nearby.
Some of the microbreweries have full alcohol licenses and associated restaurants. They aren't subject to the restrictions of the tasting rooms.
One of the many microbreweries about half a mile from downtown. Great outdoor seating; typically there's a food truck or two parked there as well. As with all tasting rooms, closes at 8 and you are limited to 3 beers.
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Draught Works
915 Toole AveOne of the many microbreweries about half a mile from downtown. Great outdoor seating; typically there's a food truck or two parked there as well. As with all tasting rooms, closes at 8 and you are limited to 3 beers.
Microbrewery that supports local nonprofits - about 1/2 mile from downtown, on the river with outside seating; beers are great; there are often nonprofits holding events there. Great hidden gem. It was sold to new owners in mid-2022, so scene may change, but a great place to go when this was written. As with all tasting rooms, max of 3 drinks, closes at 8; almost always has a food truck out front. Almost across the street form Poverello Homeless Shelter which sometimes overflows with people camping outside.
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Imagine Nation Brewing Co
1151 W Broadway StMicrobrewery that supports local nonprofits - about 1/2 mile from downtown, on the river with outside seating; beers are great; there are often nonprofits holding events there. Great hidden gem. It was sold to new owners in mid-2022, so scene may change, but a great place to go when this was written. As with all tasting rooms, max of 3 drinks, closes at 8; almost always has a food truck out front. Almost across the street form Poverello Homeless Shelter which sometimes overflows with people camping outside.
one of the oldest and most popular microbrewery tasting rooms. South of the river, near Le Petit and Big Dipper. As of mid-2022, it was about to undergo an ownership change due to the arcane alcohol rules in the state of MT. As with all tasting rooms, closes at 8, max of 3 drinks.
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KettleHouse Brewing Co. - Southside
602 Myrtle Stone of the oldest and most popular microbrewery tasting rooms. South of the river, near Le Petit and Big Dipper. As of mid-2022, it was about to undergo an ownership change due to the arcane alcohol rules in the state of MT. As with all tasting rooms, closes at 8, max of 3 drinks.
microbrewery and restaurant. Very popular, nice location; full license, so open beyond 8 pm and no limit on number of drinks.
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GILD
515 S Higgins Avemicrobrewery and restaurant. Very popular, nice location; full license, so open beyond 8 pm and no limit on number of drinks.
Bayern Brewing may have been the first microbrewery in Missoula. German style beers and standard bar/restaurant. Right downtown, lots of outdoor seating.
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Iron Horse Bar & Grill
501 N Higgins AveBayern Brewing may have been the first microbrewery in Missoula. German style beers and standard bar/restaurant. Right downtown, lots of outdoor seating.
newer microbrewery with restaurant downtown. Lots of outdoor seating.
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Conflux Brewing Company
210 N Pattee Stnewer microbrewery with restaurant downtown. Lots of outdoor seating.
Bigfork-based brewery with a location in Missoula. Large space, kind of sports-bar like with standard American fare. Right on the river. Quite popular.
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Tamarack Brewing Co
231 W Front StBigfork-based brewery with a location in Missoula. Large space, kind of sports-bar like with standard American fare. Right on the river. Quite popular.
local cider house (I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that they accept apples from peoples trees in the fall as a way to help reduce bear conflicts). We're not cider people, but people really enjoy their ciders. Right on the river and near the california street pedestrian bridge (and legal graffiti bridge/wall) at edge of Silver Park/not far from Ogren Field)
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Western Cider Co.
501 N California Stlocal cider house (I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that they accept apples from peoples trees in the fall as a way to help reduce bear conflicts). We're not cider people, but people really enjoy their ciders. Right on the river and near the california street pedestrian bridge (and legal graffiti bridge/wall) at edge of Silver Park/not far from Ogren Field)
Great distilled spirits, fabulous cocktails. Across the street from the Top Hat. Tasting room rules - max of 2 drinks per person and closes at 8:00. Their spirits are very good, their bottles are beautiful - makes a great gift to bring home.
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Montgomery Distillery
129 W Front StGreat distilled spirits, fabulous cocktails. Across the street from the Top Hat. Tasting room rules - max of 2 drinks per person and closes at 8:00. Their spirits are very good, their bottles are beautiful - makes a great gift to bring home.
relatively new bar/restaurant; as of entering this in the guidebook, we haven't tried it yet, but people like it.
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Cranky Sam Public House
233 West Main Streetrelatively new bar/restaurant; as of entering this in the guidebook, we haven't tried it yet, but people like it.
Wonderful place for picnic dinner in summer (may only be open to public Thurs-Sunday; check their website). Local wine tasting (subject to Montana's weird alcohol tasting room laws), local music on weekends (check their website), sometimes they have food trucks, but you can bring a picnic dinner). Kids can run around outside (it's pretty much all outside). And it's just a really relaxing, nice way to spend an outdoor evening and have a picnic dinner. There's often a food truck there, too.
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Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery
4175 Rattlesnake DrWonderful place for picnic dinner in summer (may only be open to public Thurs-Sunday; check their website). Local wine tasting (subject to Montana's weird alcohol tasting room laws), local music on weekends (check their website), sometimes they have food trucks, but you can bring a picnic dinner). Kids can run around outside (it's pretty much all outside). And it's just a really relaxing, nice way to spend an outdoor evening and have a picnic dinner. There's often a food truck there, too.
bar/restaurant
The Top Hat
134 W Front StGreat food, music, bar; long-time institution in Missoula. Right downtown.
Under new ownership and reopened after the original Old Post (another long-time Missoula favorite) closed pre-covid. Haven't tried the new one yet, but if it's like the old one, it had reliably good and affordable food and a great beer selection, sometimes music as well. Small outdoor seating area.
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The Old Post
103 W Spruce StUnder new ownership and reopened after the original Old Post (another long-time Missoula favorite) closed pre-covid. Haven't tried the new one yet, but if it's like the old one, it had reliably good and affordable food and a great beer selection, sometimes music as well. Small outdoor seating area.
Plonk Missoula
322 N Higgins Averestaurant and bar; good menu, upscale American food; pricy.
Amazing selection of beers from around the world. Used to have a partnership with restaurant next door, that's now under new ownership, not sure if they have that still happening or not. Good vibe, usually good art on the walls. Wally and Buck burgers is close by for a post-drink burger.
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The Dram Shop
229 E Front StAmazing selection of beers from around the world. Used to have a partnership with restaurant next door, that's now under new ownership, not sure if they have that still happening or not. Good vibe, usually good art on the walls. Wally and Buck burgers is close by for a post-drink burger.
one of the oldest and well-known "dive" bars in Missoula. A Missoula treasure... filled with pictures of local regulars from days gone by. The Dinosaur cafe is inside, great cajun food, affordable; typically open for lunch and dinner, but double check lunch, as we haven't been there in a while.
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Charlie B's
428 N Higgins Aveone of the oldest and well-known "dive" bars in Missoula. A Missoula treasure... filled with pictures of local regulars from days gone by. The Dinosaur cafe is inside, great cajun food, affordable; typically open for lunch and dinner, but double check lunch, as we haven't been there in a while.
really good selection of beers (e.g. has some belgian beers on tap!!); people really like the food as well; this site opened post-covid (Sawmill District) and we haven't tried it, but let us know if you like it. Sawmill district is right across from the minor league baseball field (Ogren Park); it's a new and popular development.
Cambie Taphouse + Coffee Sawmill District
945 Wyoming Streetreally good selection of beers (e.g. has some belgian beers on tap!!); people really like the food as well; this site opened post-covid (Sawmill District) and we haven't tried it, but let us know if you like it. Sawmill district is right across from the minor league baseball field (Ogren Park); it's a new and popular development.