When you’re unsure about what to eat for dinner, nothing beats a cheesy, hearty Italian feast. Luckily, if you’re looking for good Italian restaurants in Montana, you don’t have to look too far.
We are here to tell you about some of the best Italian restaurants that offer some of the most delectable Italian cuisine in the state.
Ciao Mambo
Ciao Mambo is a quaint, little Italian café that serves delicious Italian cuisine in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. There is something for everyone in the family at Ciao Mambo with their classic options and inventive twists on classic Italian food, so you are sure to find something you’ll keep coming back for.
The highest-rated combo at Ciao Mambo, Gamberi fra Diavolo, mixes a zesty garlicky flavor with fresh shrimp and tomatoes, making it ideal for those who enjoy a little heat. Their famous spaghetti Ravenna is served with a creamy garlic sauce with chicken, artichokes, and mushrooms for a wonderful, warm springtime meal. Another popular dish is their Bocconcini Fritti, prepared in spicy marinara sauce and served with fried fresh Mozzarella balls.
The ambiance at Ciao Mambo works equally well for romantic couples as it does for a nice table of friends and families with children. The use of rich, flavorful sauces and fresh ingredients is the secret to their success. Whether you order one of their pasta dishes or thin-crust pizzas cooked to perfection, Ciao Mambo will impress you with its excellent menu and impeccable service. Bring your friends along and enjoy authentic Italian cuisine combined with Italian hospitality.
Pro tip: To complement the food, order a glass of their house wine. You won’t regret it!
Location: Whitefish, Missoula, and Billings – MT
Bistro Enzo
Bistro Enzo has been serving some of the best European and Italian food to Billings for over 20 years. They serve the choicest selection of house-made pasta that melts right in your mouth. If you’re a true pasta lover, you would surely know the importance of fresh pasta!
While the cuisine at this restaurant truly never disappoints. The menu varies seasonally to incorporate new and fresh seasonal ingredients, but the meals are consistently wonderful. For a flavor of Genova, try their carbonara, which is strong and creamy, or a Wise Guy pizza which has fresh mozzarella, delicious homemade marinara with perfectly blended spices, artichokes, and salami.
Their prawn and scallop risotto is another must-have dish. Served with two giant prawns, seared scallops, sage scallion brown butter, and butternut squash risotto, this treat is something you must order!
Pro tip: Dessert is not to be missed! Especially the molten chocolate cake which is covered with thick cappuccino cream and bananas.
Location: Billings, MT
Lucca’s
Lucca’s Italian Restaurant provides a one-of-a-kind exquisite dining experience that is sure to delight your palate. Going to Lucca’s means experiencing Montana’s signature fine dining in a cozy, casual setting. The food at Lucca’s harkens back to authentic Italian traditions while also incorporating a contemporary flair that is in tune with today’s tastes and preferences.
The menu at Lucca’s Italian Restaurant features many types of dishes that can be mixed and elevated with a large selection of authentic Italian sauces. Our top recommendations from the menu are Baked Fontina Cheese, Shrimp Fra Diavolo which is essentially shrimp sautéed in signature red pepper spiced cream sauce served over angel hair pasta with fresh grape tomatoes, and of course, the Gnocchi is a must-have.
Business Insider Magazine awarded Lucca’s the ‘Best Restaurant in Montana’ consecutively in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Once you try their food, you will definitely agree with the title. The irresistible food, tempting aromas, courteous and attentive staff service, as well as a chic décor all make Lucca’s one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in Montana.
Location: Last Chance Gulch Helena, MT
Blacksmith Italian
Blacksmith Italian, located in the Bozeman region, MT, serves Italian cuisine for every occasion. It is lauded for its handcrafted pasta, locally-sourced goods, high-quality cheese, and pastries, as well as its traditional Italian cuisine and seasonal specialties.
The menu is brimming with options that will make you want to return for more. We would suggest you try the “Grandma Marie’s Meatballs” which are meatballs made of Veal and Italian Sausage, Local Mozzarella and Pecorino, and Pomodoro served with Rustic Bread. You can order the Squid Ink Tagliatelle which is made of Wild American Shrimp and Maryland Crab, Scallion, Calabrian Chili, Bread Crumbs, and delicious Lemon-Butter.
And of course, how can you walk out of an Italian restaurant without having spaghetti? Try their Spaghetti Carbonara which is made using cured Montana Bacon, Peas, Montana Free Range Egg, Butter, Black Pepper, and Pecorino Romano.
Location: Bozeman, MT
Romeo’s Italian Kitchen
Great food and great times are guaranteed at Romeo’s Italian Kitchen. Every day, Romeo’s prepares and serves soups, sauces, and many other delectable items from scratch. The best part is they do not use walk-in freezers or microwaves to store or prepare meals; instead, their ingredients are delivered numerous times each week and made fresh for you each day.
Authentic Italian food is, above all, a synthesis of local and fresh ingredients, collected and cooked in a variety of ways. The hand-crafted specialties at Romeo’s Italian Kitchen look exquisite, but they follow the age-old Italian tradition of simplicity based on using fresh seasonal ingredients and basic cooking techniques, which help to enhance the natural flavor of the food.
Try out their creamy Formaggio Dip, made of the finest cheese such as Mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, cheddar along with Roma tomatoes, pepperoncini, roasted red onions, and garlic served with delicious garlic bread, as an appetizer.
Our pick from their menu would be Pasta Primavera, prepared with delicious creamy parmesan alfredo, pasta spirals, red pepper, grilled broccoli, sugar snap peas, and asparagus. You can also choose from a great selection of soup bowls such as Pasta Fagioli, Italian Meatball, and Creamy Tomato Basil.
There’s another category on their menu called “Dinner for 2”. In this, you get to order some lip-smacking dinner for two at a great price point. As their menu states, “La Bella Vita, the good life”, we are sure you will really have a good time and good experience at Romeo’s Italian Kitchen!
Location: Missoula, MT
Ristorante Bella Roma
Ristorante Bella Roma is not an independent restaurant as it is located in the DoubleTree Hotel in Helena – MT; however, it is a must-try if you’re in town.
They serve genuine, soul-satisfying Italian dining to Helena’s downtown district. The owner and executive chef, Davide Giuliani, used his Italian background and extensive experience of cooking in his grandmother’s kitchen to establish an exquisite yet quiet setting where residents and visitors alike can enjoy the passion, tradition, and simplicity of Italian food.
Like our other top restaurant suggestions above, Ristorante Bella Roma also serves pasta which is prepared daily, rustic focaccia bread which is hand-kneaded, and crispy cannoli shells which are baked and filled with the creamiest ricotta.
You can order from the dinner menu, the to-go menu, or the special menu. Each of these menus offers exquisite options such as Pappardelle Al Ragu D’agnello, fresh homemade pappardelle pasta served with local grass-fed ground lamb, san Marzano tomato sauce topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Another favorite you must try is the fresh fish-of-the-day option such as the Pesce Spada Alla Griglia – 7oz of fresh swordfish filet perfectly grilled, served with salmoriglio sauce, roasted tomatoes, and vegetables with some amazing wine pairings.
For dessert you can opt for Cannoli, Tiramisu, or the Crostatina Alla Crema Di Limone E Meringa. Mamma mia!
Location: Helena, MT
Final Thoughts
Italian cuisine is a source of comfort being so satisfying, filling, and earthy, yet it can also be delicate and elegant. Enjoy some well-cooked, perfectly-seasoned Italian food while you are in Montana. For those who love Italian food, the options in Montana are plenty!
It’s about a lot more than just plain old pizza and pasta, though they’re both fantastic too. However, for good-quality, well-seasoned Italian food along with aptly paired wine, choose your place carefully.
Our top recommendations will take you on a culinary journey through one of the world’s most renowned cuisines. Check them out because they are the best in town and will definitely have you craving for more!
