Are you looking for a great steak restaurant? There is no shortage of them in Missoula. Big sky country is known for producing some of the best beef in the country, and this city is no exception.
From hometown diners to high-end establishments, a perfectly cooked steak awaits you in Missoula. So let’s take a look at some of the best steak restaurants in Missoula along with a few other recommendations!
Recommended Food & Wine Tours In Missoula, Montana
- Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery (3 hours) – Highly Recommend!
- Bayern Brewery (2 hours) – 4.8/5 ★
- Big Sky Brewing Co. (2 hours) – 4.6/5 ★
- Montgomery Distillery (1.5 hours) – 4.5/5 ★
- Imagine Nation Brewing (2 hours) – 4/5 ★
Travel Tips For Eating In Missoula, Montana
- Tipping in Missoula, Montana isn’t required, but it is customary. Tipping is part of a server’s pay structure. If you received average service, you should expect to tip 15%. For outstanding service, servers prefer 20% or more.
- Like most Americans, people in Montana eat dinner early in the evening. Most restaurants open for dinner at 5 P.M., with the busiest times between 6 P.M. and 7 P.M. Restaurants tend to close early in Missoula, around 9 P.M., so plan accordingly. You can find many restaurants that serve happy hour before the dinner rush, between 3 P.M. and 5 P.M. For breakfast, you can expect restaurants to start opening at 6 A.M., and lunch is around noon.
- Montana is big on meat and home-cooked meals. You can expect to see an extensive offering of such dishes at every restaurant, including elk and bison. Montana produces some of the best beef in the country. You can find a hearty steak and potato dinner at most restaurants.
- Wild huckleberries and flathead cherries grow in abundance. Expect to see this reflected on dessert menus. Try the huckleberry pie at a local diner!
- If you love craft beer, Missoula has many microbreweries and distilleries. Try Montana’s iconic drink, the “Whiskey Ditch.” Enjoy equal parts whiskey and water in a small glass.
The 15 Best Steak Restaurants in Missoula, Montana
1. Lolo Creek Steak House · HWY 12 W, Lolo ・$$-$$$
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Featured in Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, Lolo Creek Steak House is a staple in Missoula. In true Montana fashion, a large taxidermy display adorns the walls of this log cabin turned steak house.
Order the rib eye steak smothered in fresh sauteed mushrooms with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. Then, take the shuttle up the hill to their in-house distillery. This family-owned business has been delivering on the promise of “forest to fire” beef for almost 30 years.
Nestled below Lolo Peak, enjoy the sights of big sky country on their outdoor patio. Great food with a fun atmosphere.
2. The Depot・Railroad St W, Missoula・$$$$
The Depot offers fine dining in a casual atmosphere. Their extensive wine list pairs perfectly with their signature blackened prime rib and fresh seafood. The owners promise scratch-made food cooked to perfection, and they have delivered on it for nearly 40 years.
Come for the cozy diner atmosphere and stay for the Larry Pirnie art collection. Enjoy scenes of the wild west as you dine with friends and family. Don’t forget to order the homemade Creme Brule before you head out!
3. 1889・N Higgins Ave, Missoula・$$$$
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Modern meets rustic at 1889. They pride themselves on locally sourced ingredients and unique cocktails. The atmosphere is sleek and relaxing, perfect for a weekend evening out.
Local business owners, Reed and Melissa Mooney, have been serving Missoula since 2007. They are also the owners of The Keep restaurant and a local golf club. Their executive chef travels abroad looking for ways to improve his culinary craft. Although a newer establishment, 1889 is already a staple amongst locals.
Freshly baked bread and artisan butter is the best way to start your meal. Follow this with a 30-ounce tomahawk ribeye with whipped potatoes and house-crafted sauce. End your meal with homemade lemon tart or huckleberry ice cream.
4. Jakers Bar and Grill・Brooks St, Missoula・$$-$$$
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Although a chain, Jakers is a local favorite for premium steaks and signature martinis. This family-friendly establishment has been around since 1997 and still going strong.
They serve premium beef sourced from the Northwest and fresh fish from the clear streams of Idaho. Book a banquet room for a large party or stop by for happy hour with friends.
Start your dinner with seared tuna or peruse their extensive soup and salad bar. For your entre, try their hand-cut signature sirloin with freshly fried bread. End your evening with creamy strawberry cheesecake and a nightcap.
5. The Montana Club Restaurant・N Reserve St, Missoula・$$-$$$
This hometown restaurant has an old-timey western feel. Stop by the lounge and order a huckleberry margarita for happy hour or sit down for dinner and dessert.
The Montana Club has several locations around Montanna, and the Missoula location has been around for 30 years. They are known for delicious homemade food and a great atmosphere.
Try the Kobe beef sliders as an appetizer, followed by the huckleberry filet mignon for the main course. Before you leave, try the chocolate peanut butter cake or triple berry cobbler.
6. The Keep・Ben Hogan Dr, Missoula・$$$$
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Located in an old mansion, The Keep offers fine dining and breathtaking views. Watch the sunset at a candle-lit table and enjoy a glass of wine.
Play a round of golf at the Highlands Golf Club overlooking the Missoula Valley, then pop in this castle-like restaurant for a high-end dining experience. Be sure to reserve a table with a view as they fill up fast!
The clams and calamari are a great starter, paired with an expertly crafted cocktail. For the entre, try the rack of lamb or roasted duck. The chocolate tart with sea salt and caramel is the perfect finishing touch to any meal.
7. Rumour・Stephens Ave, Missoula・$$-$$$
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Contemporary cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. Whether you have the pork tacos for lunch or the steak for dinner, Rumour won’t disappoint. Located in mid-town, this restaurant has been serving Missoula residents since 2015.
Locals appreciate the family feel and good food. Play at the casino, sip on a cocktail on their outdoor patio or enjoy a full-course meal.
Order the bacon-wrapped dates with a grass-fed beef burger. Or, cut straight to dessert and try the chocolate tort with one of their house-concocted dessert cocktails.
8. Laughing Grizzly Bar and Grill・W Broadway St, Missoula・$$-$$$
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Chicken fried steak for breakfast or prime rib for dinner? This easy-going Missoula fixture specializes in comfort food with a Southwest flair. The homemade food is reason enough to come in, but the casino and full-service bar will keep you coming back.
After playing the slots, try their slow-roasted prime rib with rosemary garlic potatoes. Or, come in for lunch and order one of their specialty sandwiches and a beer!
9. Pangea・N Higgins St, Missoula・$$-$$$
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This casual-chic eatery combines local Montana flavors with global flair. Its modern interior and vaulted ceilings provide an elegant atmosphere. Have a craft cocktail or a glass of wine in their outdoor seating area and take in the sights and sounds of Higgins Avenue.
Try one of their signature flatbreads or the Korean pork belly bowl for lunch. Order the short ribs or flathead trout for dinner, followed by the Portuguese lemon custard for dessert.
10. Boxcar Bistro・Wyoming St, Missoula・$$-$$$
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Quaint French restaurant with an intimate feel, perfect for a romantic evening. A popular spot in the old sawmill district, be sure to make a reservation.
Boxcar Bistro has only been open since 2021, but its popularity is spreading fast in Missoula. It offers a full three-course meal, complete with oysters and caviar as a starter.
Moving on to the main course, try the beef tenderloin or duck confit. The third course gives you the options of croissant bread pudding or a chocolate torte.
11. 4B’s Restaurant・E Broadway St, Missoula・$$-$$$
This quick-serve restaurant serves breakfast all day. Be sure to grab a seat by the window and enjoy your meal while looking out over the Rattlesnake River.
The 4B’s is a Montana chain restaurant that the same family has operated since the 1940s. It is a small hometown diner that makes delicious scratch-made soup. Stop by for a big plate of steak and eggs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
12. Timbers・US HWY 93 N, Missoula・$$$$
Located inside the Gray Wolf Peak Casino, Timbers is a fine dining international steak house. Sit down for a steak dinner in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Mission Mountains. Order a glass of wine with the bacon-wrapped tenderloin and a bowl of steaming hot chili.
13. Finn・Madison St, Missoula・$$-$$$
Finn is connected to the DoubleTree Hotel and offers an award-winning bar with signature cocktails. Sit on the expansive river-view deck that overlooks the mountains and downtown Missoula.
The cozy-chic atmosphere pairs perfectly with their delicious surf and turf. Try the filet mignon, wood-fire pizza, or sea scallops.
14. Montana Jack’s・South Ave W, Missoula・$-$$
This all-day breakfast spot doubles as a casino. You have the option of ordering from the casino menu or the diner menu. Stop in for breakfast or lunch and get the Angus chicken fried steak. Then, sit down for dinner and order the prime rib. It’s a lively atmosphere that offers hours of fun, food, and drinks.
15. Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern・N Reserve St, Missoula・$$-$$$
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern is inside the Hilton Garden Inn, serving American cuisine. Whether you stay at the hotel or live locally, this is a great place to pop in for a cocktail and a nice meal. For something different, order the elk meatballs smothered in a sweet huckleberry sauce served with a side of fried Brussel sprouts.
Best Steak Restaurants in Missoula – Final Thoughts
There are plenty of steak restaurants in Missoula for you to check out, each offering its own unique spin and atmosphere. If you are planning to visit the area, make sure you take the time to plan out in advance the restaurants you would like to experience.