Nestled between mountain ranges, Missoula is a college town and outdoor mecca where every meal comes with a sense of the wild west and a bent toward the unexpected.
The Catalyst Café
Missoula’s breakfast king since the 1990s, The Catalyst serves thick, sizzling huckleberry pancakes, farm-egg scrambles, vegan hash, and Montana-roasted coffee.
People pack the cheery, sunlight-bright room to meet, linger over the paper, and start their day with a “Catalyst Benedict,” made with local pork shoulder and house hollandaise.
The Pearl Café
Missoula’s fine-dining destination, The Pearl’s French-inspired menu sparkles amid candlelit tables and exposed brick.
Classics like rack of lamb, elk tenderloin, and bouillabaisse mingle with locally foraged morels, huckleberries, and garden greens.
Service is polished but down-to-earth, and the wine selection leans French, Oregonian, and Montana’s best.
Tamarack Brewing Company
A craft beer hub on the river, Tamarack’s giant deck is the place to be for summer sunsets (and winter stargazing, under heaters).
Pub fare marries Montana comfort with whimsy: elk burgers, maple-glazed wings, and Montana-raised beef sliders, all paired with creative IPAs and sours.
Notorious P.I.G. BBQ
Missoula’s southern-style smokehouse doesn’t mess around: fall-off-the-bone ribs, brisket smoked over applewood, burnt ends, pulled pork, and spicy house sauces.
The menu boasts collard greens, hush puppies, and banana pudding as rich as any in Memphis.
The picnic-table space echoes with southern rock and the laughter of hungry regulars.
Masala
For a global twist, Masala delivers homemade curries, tandoori chicken, spiced chickpea bowls, and fresh naan, all inspired by the Indian subcontinent but made with Montana produce and proteins.
The décor is bright, the crowd is adventurous, and the flavors and spice elevate even the coldest Big Sky day.
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