When planning my visit to Glacier National Park I chose to book my stay in Whitefish, Montana. This town is located only 45 min away from Glacier National Park and it’s brimming with a diverse selection of charming local eateries! This is a big reason why I chose to stay in Whitefish rather than staying closer to the park. I had a chance to visit a handful of the top restaurants in Whitefish during my long weekend in Montana and so I’ve laid out my top picks for you to add to your list!
Abruzzo Italian Kitchen
Abruzzo Italian Kitchen was one of the best meals I had in Whitefish! If you are looking for a charming patio in Whitefish this is your spot! Their Italian menu elevates traditional dishes through careful selection of quality ingredients and finding playful flavor combinations. I sampled their Summer squash pizza for example that combined cherry tomatoes, goat ricotta, pesto, walnuts for a warm and delicious alternative to your standard vegi wood oven pizza. I also highly recommend their classic spaghetti and meatball or their caico e pepe. Both were so delicious!
Swift Creek Cafe
Stop by Swift Creek Cafe for breakfast or lunch while in Whitefish! This cozy cafe is family owned with an open kitchen that produces a diverse range of menu options for their guest to enjoy. You will find your classic turkey club and avocado toast adjacent to a flavorful Thai coconut soup or chicken shawarma. The owner also shared with me that ingredients are picked up fresh from the local farmers market.
Piggyback BBQ
Piggyback BBQ is a quirky BBQ pit just outside of downtown Whitefish. They have a large patio with string lights for you to enjoy the best BBQ in town. I tried their pulled pork nachos and BBQ chicken sandwich and both were so delicious! I truly loved their slow roasted pork so be sure to try it on at least one dish when you stop in!
Whitefish Coffeehouse by Montana Coffee Traders
Whitefish Coffeehouse is one of Montana Coffee Traders’ four cafes. I visited this cafe several times during my time in Whitefish. They had the most delicious orange cardamom latte, and I also loved their vegetarian take on a Spanish bocadillo (toasted wrap) that was filled with black bean pesto, rice, cheddar, rice, and green chills. The cafe also doubles as a boutique so you can pick up bags of their roast along with mugs, stationary, and several other cute takeaways.
Folklore Coffee
A quaint little cafe with industrial and rustic vibes. Not only did Folklore have delicious pastries and lattes to choose from but it was an ideal place to plug in and get some work done while you indulge in a sweet treat.
Jalisco Cantina
Jalisco Cantina established itself as a an upscale contemporary Mexican option in California before opening a second location in Whitefish, Montana. I tried their cilantro smash paired with their classic carne asada tacos and was very impressed with both!
Casey’s Whitefish
Casey’s Whitefish has a pretty large rooftop that overlooks Whitefish, making it the perfect spot to grab a cocktail right before the sunset. They serve Americana cuisine on the main floor and on the rooftop they offer small dishes served tapa style to go with their delicious cocktails.
