Restaurants in Great Falls, Montana: 40 of the Best!
I’ve found some really good restaurants in Great Falls, Montana, over the years. Some are old dives, and others are newer and upscale.
Restaurants are always moving, opening, and closing, so I’ll keep this post updated.
I’m not including national chain restaurants in Great Falls, Montana, and instead focusing on the local gems.
To make it easier to look through, click on the section or kind of food you’re looking for in the table of contents below!
Restaurants in Great Falls, Montana
Breakfast in Great Falls
Breakfast is my favorite meal to have out, and there are a number of great breakfast restaurants in Great Falls, Montana, to check out.
Clark & Lewie’s
Clark & Lewie’s is a longtime Great Falls favorite spot for breakfast! It’s located in the iconic O’Haire Inn (recently renovated with a retro design).
It’s a great diner setting, and you might have to wait in line during the busy morning rush on certain days of the week. It’s worth the wait!
People rave about their eggs benedict options and omelets. The caramelized French toast is truly something special!
Clark & Lewie’s serves lunches and dinners, too, but you really can’t beat the breakfasts!
- Clark & Lewie’s
- 17 7th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 454-2141
- Hours: 7:00 am – 8/9/10:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
Al Banco
Al Banco has a great family story, and is run by a couple of brothers. “Al Banco” is “The Bar” in Italian, a nod to the brothers’ heritage. Their grandmother moved from Italy to Montana decades ago, and still calls Great Falls ‘home.’
They pride themselves primarily on their coffee, but also have quiche, avocado toast, and other breakfast options each morning.
- Al Banco
- 112 Central Ave.
- Hours: Opens at 7:00 am
- Menu: Click Here!
Tracy’s Family Restaurant
Tracy’s has been a mainstay on Central Avenue in Great Falls for decades.
It always looks great during the summer months, with blooming flowers all over the patio.
Tracy’s used to be open late-late night, but those days (mornings) have ended.
They also serve lunch and dinner at this great location downtown.
- Tracy’s
- 127 Central Ave.
- (406) 315-3585
- Hours: 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Crooked Tree Coffee
Crooked Tree is a favorite coffee shop with two locations in Great Falls. They also serve a few great breakfast options.
You can choose from oatmeals, quiches, muffins, pastries, and much more.
- Crooked Tree
- 501 1st Ave N
- (406) 315-122
- East Location: 4117 2nd Ave. N
- (Closed Sundays)
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Downtown Great Falls
These are some of the best restaurants in Great Falls, Montana, in the downtown area. Most are in renovated old buildings, which have lived many lives over the last century in this city.
Enbar Craft Cocktail Lounge
Enbar has been a wonderful addition to the downtown area, and is one of the nicest restaurants in Great Falls, Montana.
The owners opened Enbar in 2018, and have since become catalysts for other improvements in the downtown core. Favorites include the salmon and the chicken tacos!
It’s also great for drinks and snacks, and it’s one of a few nice restaurants open late-night. I love a dirty martini, and Enbar serves them “bruised,” with ice shards floating on top!
Enbar’s sister restaurant is right next door. After their kitchen closes late at night, you can still grab food at The Block and bring it over to Enbar for a drink.
- Enbar
- 8 5th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 952-1520
- Hours: 4:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Kitchen closes: 9:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in & Takeout
Fifth & Wine
Fifth & Wine is a great space with an interesting history and really good food. Plus, it’s home to an adjacent wine and gift shop to check out with a wide variety of bottles.
They serve lunches and dinners, plus brunches on Saturdays.
The restaurant opened in 2010, in a renovated old sheet metal shop. The building dates back to 1936, and was originally a gas furnace company. It spent a few decades as the Van Tighem Sheet Metal business, before going vacant.
The restaurant design is industrial, with several nods to its past in the decor inside.
In the summer, you can enjoy your food outside on the patio.
- Fifth & Wine
- 214 5th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 761-9463
- Wed – Fri: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00am – 9:00pm
- Tuesday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Closed Monday/Tuesday
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in & Takeout
Kellergeist Pub
Kellergeist serves up an authentic German experience in Great Falls, Montana. The main draw is the impression of more than 80 German beers (with 20 or so on tap).
They also pride themselves in mimosas and the home-grown herbs and special syrups that go into their unique cocktails.
The meals at Kellergeist are made daily from scratch, based on traditional German recipes, from bratwurst to Wienerschnitzel.
In the spring and summer, you can enjoy the outdoor Beer Garden / Bier Garten, and they’ll light fire pits in the fall and winter to keep you warm.
- Kellergeist
- 300 1st Ave S, Great Falls
- (406) 315-1888
- Wed-Sun: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Open later for drinks and snacks
- Brunch: Weekends 10:00am – 2:00 pm
- (Closed Monday/Tuesday)
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in & Takeout
Celtic Cowboy Pub & Restaurant
The Celtic Cowboy is part of the historic Arvon Block in downtown Great Falls, established in the 1890s. The building was originally a mix of stables, offices, a market, and a hotel. The Welsh immigrant who settled the area was known as the “Celtic Cowboy.”
The current Celtic Cowbow opened in 2013 in one of the city’s original buildings.
They have 30 beers on tap, plus a pub menu of good bar food. There’s a separate lunch menu of sandwiches and snacks.
- Celtic Cowboy Pub
- 116 1st Ave S, Great Falls
- (406) 952-0393
- Hours: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
- Weekends: Opens at 10:00am
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Pizza in Great Falls
If you have a craving for pizza, there are a few pizza restaurants in Great Falls to choose from.
MacKenzie River Pizza
MacKenzie River is a Montana-based pizza company, with franchises now in many states.
In Great Falls, their location is right along the Missouri River and the River’s Edge Trail.
Howard’s Pizza
There are four Howard’s Pizza locations in Great Falls. They’re open 4-to-midnight.
Howard’s first opened in 1959. They feature handmade, crispy thin-crust pizzas, and they make their dough daily from scratch.
Fire Artisan Pizza
Fire has a great downtown Great Falls location, with lots of options on the menu.
- Fire Artisan Pizza
- 107 5th St N, Great Falls
- (406) 952-1007
- Hours: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Stageline Pizza
Pizza, wings, salads, and breadsticks! Stageline is also open late-night for orders. They also have different specials for each day of the w
There are two locations: one just south of 10th Avenue South, and another on the north side of the Missouri River.
Bakeries in Great Falls
Surrounded by wheat fields, it only makes sense that are a few good bakeries in Great Falls, Montana!
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Great Harvest is a chain of bakeries, which grew from its first location in Great Falls, Montana! They produce many of the breads used by restaurants all over town.
In the 1970s, Great Harvest’s founders hiked across Montana, and settled in Great Falls in 1976. They originally mastered the art of bread-baking to pay for their tuition at Cornell University!
Today, their corporate headquarters are in Dillon, Montana, and they have 200 Great Harvest locations nationwide.
Al Banco
Al Banco has a great family story, and is run by a couple of brothers. “Al Banco” is “The Bar” in Italian, a nod to the brothers’ heritage. Their grandmother moved from Italy to Montana decades ago, and still calls Great Falls ‘home.’
They pride themselves primarily on their coffee, but they also bake great breads and pastries.
They brew and serve in The Commons on Central in downtown Great Falls.
- Al Banco
- The Commons on Central
- 112 Central Ave.
- Hours: Opens at 7:00 am
- Closed Sundays
- Menu: Click Here!
Hempl’s Bakery
Hempl’s has been a mainstay donut shop and bakery in Great Falls for many years.
They’ve been family-owned since 1967!
- Hempl’s Bakery
- 16 6th St SW, Great Falls
- (406) 761-3330
- Hours: 6:00am – 5:00pm
- Closed: Sunday/Monday
White Bear Baking Co.
Rylie, the owner of White Bear, is a gem of a person, and an amazing cookie artist. She might open a storefront at some point downtown, but for now you can place your orders for the most amazingly-designed cookies online.
She also does custom cakes and cupcakes, and is beyond creative with her works.
She made these of my favorite socks! The detail is unmatched:
It’s artistry!
Unlike almost all of the pretty cookies I’ve eaten in my life, Rylie’s recipe is actually delicious. I’d say her cookies are too pretty to eat … but they’re also too tasty *not* to eat.
- White Bear
- Contact Rylie: whitebearbakingco@gmail.com
- Online Ordering
Steakhouses in Great Falls
Several of the steakhouses in Great Falls proudly serve Montana-raised beef.
Cattlemen’s Cut Steakhouse
Cattlemen’s Cut has been around since 1998, and is one of the go-to steakhouses in Great Falls. They pride themselves in serving Certified Angus Beef.
They’re only open for dinner (no lunch) daily. Reservations are recommended.
- Cattlemen’s Cut
- 1400 Market Pl Dr.
- (406) 452-0702
- Hours: 4:00pm – 9:00pm
- Closed Mondays
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in or Takeout
Beef N Bone Steakhouse
The Beef N Bone is a few miles south of Great Falls, in the small town of Ulm. It’s a family-owned and operated restaurant, run by a chef from Bozeman.
They serve Montana-raised beef, so menu prices might fluctuate with the market.
Reservations are recommended.
- Beef N Bone
- 19 Ulm South Frontage Rd, Ulm, MT
- (406) 866-2333
- Hours: 5:00 pm – 8/9:00 pm
- Closed Sunday/Monday
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in or Takeout
Italian Food in Great Falls
It’s probably not a surprise that Great Falls isn’t a Mecca for Italian food, so this section is brief!
Borrie’s
Borrie’s is one of the longest-running businesses in Great Falls. The supper club’s doors first opened in 1938! Emilio “Borrie” Grasseschi’s family members still work there today. In fact, many of the staff members have been working at Borrie’s for decades.
They pride themselves on their secret family spaghetti sauce recipe, and their hand-rolled raviolis. They roll 4,000 raviolis a week!
In addition to the Italian fare, Borrie’s serves a variety of steaks and salads, too.
Sandwiches & Burgers in Great Falls
There are a lot of burger restaurants in Great Falls, Montana, whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner or a late-night snack.
The Block
The Block is adjacent to Enbar, along a nicely-renovated block of downtown Great Falls.
Their turkey pesto sandwich is one of my favorites, and people love their fries (regular or sweet potato). The Block’s soups and chili are great warm-up meals, too.
They also have sharable plates, and happy hour deals from 4-6 and 9-11.
The Block is open late night for food, and they have 24 beers on top.
- The Block
- 4 5th St S, Great Falls,
- (406) 315-1783
- Hours: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here
- Dine-in or Takeout
Harvest Craft Kitchen
Harvest Craft Kitchen opened in 2020, right on Central Avenue in Downtown Great Falls. They survived the pandemic to become a popular lunch spot, in the space formerly occupied by Taphouse and Portofino’s (way back in the day).
They’re also open for dinners many nights at 5:00pm. For specials and hours, check their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/harvestgreatfalls/
They have amazing rotating specials, like the 406 Cheesesteak, made with Montana beef, and the Jersey Joe, made with their homemade meatballs.
- Harvest Craft Kitchen
- 518 Central Ave.
- (406) 770-0784
- Lunch Hours:
- Weekdays 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here
- Dine-in or Takeout
Clark & Lewie’s
I mentioned Clark & Lewie’s in the breakfast section, but they also get a nod in the lunch sandwich category. They have great burgers, salads, and sandwiches inside the O’Haire Inn.
- Clark & Lewie’s
- 17 7th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 454-2141
- Hours: 7:00 am – 8/9/10:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
Roadhouse Diner
The Roadhouse Diner opened in 2015, and has since racked-up a long list of awards and accolades, which they aren’t shy about sharing. The owner’s been on the Food Network, and the burgers routinely win awards for taste and creativity.
Check out their “Death by Bacon” below, made with beef from a local ranch, four slices of bacon, grilled onions, and provolone (which I think is always under-rated on sandwiches!).
It’s topped with house-made bacon jam:
The Roadhouse Diner burgers are made from beef from a ranch in nearby Belt, Montana. The breads and buns are baked from Great Harvest Bread in Great Falls.
They’re also popular enough to have their own line of merch in the diner.
- Roadhouse Diner
- 613 15th St N.
- (406) 788-8839
- Hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm
- Sundays: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Closed Monday/Tuesday
- Menu: Click Here
- Dine-in or Takeout
The Montana Club
The Montana Club is a long-standing Great Falls restaurant, known for burgers and sandwiches.
- Montana Club
- 907 Smelter Ave NE
- (406) 315-3723
- Hours: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Montana Sub Shop
The Montana Sub Shop is just what the name implies! It’s a good place for lunch, or to grab something to take home for dinner.
- Montana Sub Shop
- 701 9th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 454-0651
- Hours: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Closed Sundays
Five on Black
Five on Black doesn’t serve sandwiches, but I’m putting it in this section because it’s a great lunch option! They serve bowls, based on Brazilian street food.
- Five on Black
- 413 3rd St NW
- (406) 315-3541
- Hours: 11:00 am – 9:00pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Asian & Chinese Restaurants in Great Falls
The first restaurant on this list is an all-time favorite for a lot of past and current Great Falls residents.
Maple Garden (Korean & Chinese Food in Great Falls)
My Korean friend (and even her mother) approve of Maple Garden!
They have family meals, plus platters, in addition to all of your Korean and Chinese favorites.
The Bulgogi is highly recommended!
- Maple Garden
- 5401 9th Ave S.
- (406) 727-0310
- Open: 10:30 am – 9:00 pm
- Open until 10 pm Fri/Sat
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Best Wok
Best Wok is a favorite among the Chinese food restaurants in Great Falls. There are two locations, including the original spot conveniently located on 10th Avenue South.
- Best Wok
- 1800 10th Ave. S.
- (406) 761-2727
- Second Site: 1525 3rd St. NW
- Hours: 11:00am – 9:30pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Mexican Restaurants in Great Falls
Aside from the usual Mexican chain restaurants, there are a few local Mexican favorites in Great Falls.
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
Maria’s has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Great Falls, Montana! I have such fond memories of going with friends for their huge nacho platter and other comfort foods.
The only challenge is: Maria seems to move every few years, so you have to keep up!
El Comedor
El Comedor recently passed its 50-year anniversary in Great Falls! In 2022, the restaurant’s longtime owners retired, and a new team took over.
- El Comedor
- 1120 25th St S.
- (406) 761-5500
- Hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in or Takeout
Taco Treat
There are two Taco Treat locations in Great Falls, and a few others around Montana.
The first store opened in 1958, and they’re still using the same taco, enchilada, and other recipes today.
You can bring home bottles of their sauce, too!
- Taco Treat
- 1700 3rd St NW
- 2025 10th Ave S
- Hours: 10:30 am – 10:00pm
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
Brunch in Great Falls
Weekend brunches are always a great time to catch up with friends, and maybe try a new restaurant!
Fifth & Wine
I mentioned Fifth & Wine earlier in the restaurant section, and it deserves another mention here for its delicious brunch! You get one shot a week at brunch, which is just offered on Saturdays.
I always gravitate toward an egg scramble, and this doesn’t disappoint. It was full of ham, sausage, and bacon.
The green eggs and ham sandwich is another good brunch option, with the “green” referring to the hearty helping of wilted greens on the sandwich.
They have a twist on the croque madam sandwich, called the croque “gosh” dam. It’s gruyere and ham on sourdough, topped with a sunny-side egg on top!
The Wild Hare
Sunday brunches at the Wild Hare include bottomless mimosas in a historic building downtown.
- The Wild Hare
- 518 Central Ave
- Brunch: Weekends 10:00am – 2:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
Celtic Cowboy
I mentioned this bar and restaurant above, but it’s worth another mention in the brunch section.
They serve the classics, benedicts, hashes, and more on the weekends, at their historic downtown Great Falls location.
- Celtic Cowboy Pub
- 116 1st Ave S.
- (406) 952-0393
- Weekends: Opens at 10:00am
- Menu: Click Here!
Happy Hours in Great Falls
I love happy hour specials! Several of the restaurants in Great Falls feature happy hour deals. I ‘ll be adding to the list, but for now we’ll start with a few of my favorites.
Jakers Bar & Grill
Jakers has a few locations in Montana and Idaho.
Look for their happy hour deals, seven days a week (hours below), which include:
- $3 off appetizers
- Half-off well drinks
- Half-off house wine
- Half-off draft beer
The Block
The Block is adjacent to Enbar downtown, and is a great spot for happy hour specials in Great Falls. Their happy hour specials run twice daily, in the early evening and then again late night. Plus, The Block runs happy hour deals all day Sundays. They include:
- $1 off draft beers
- $4 off pitchers
- Discounts on snacks like mac & cheese, nachos, and quesadillas.
- The Block
- 4 5th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 315-1783
- Happy Hour Daily: 4-6 pm
- Happy Hour Daily: 9-11 pm
- Happy Hour Sunday: All Day
- Menu: Click Here!
Late Night Food in Great Falls
Most kitchens close after normal dinner time in Great Falls, but a few kitchens stay open late!
Enbar
I mentioned Enbar above, but wanted to spotlight it here, too, because it’s one of the few restaurants in Great Falls open late. Their kitchen typically closes around 9:00pm, but you can still get food next door at The Block, and bring it into Enbar to grab a drink.
- Enbar
- 8 5th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 952-1520
- Hours: 4:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Kitchen closes around 9:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
The Block
The Block is open late night for food, and they have 24 beers on tap.
- The Block
- 4 5th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 315-1783
- Late Night Happy Hour: 9-11 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
Date Night Restaurants
Dante’s
The official name of this longstanding upscale Great Falls restaurant is: Dante’s Creative Cuisine. They take pride in being one of a few fine dining establishments in the city, or “casual elegance,” as they call it.
Dante’s is in Iron Works Square, a historic century-old building which is now home to the restaurant and offices, a few blocks from the Missouri River.
If you’re going to Dante’s, it’s likely for a special occasion. But it doesn’t have to be. Check out their happy hour deals. Monday through Saturday from 5 until 7 in the Lounge, the appetizers and well drinks are half-price!
- Dante’s
- 1325 8th Ave N
- (406) 453-9599
- Hours: 11:30am – 8/9:00pm
- Closed Sundays
- Menu: Click Here!
- Dine-in & Takeout
Enbar
This is Enbar’s third mention, but I had to include it in the “date night” section, too! It’s a beautiful space with nice lighting, and the hours are great for a night out.
- Enbar
- 8 5th St S, Great Falls
- (406) 952-1520
- Hours: 4:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Kitchen closes around 9:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here!
Longtime Local Favorites
The list of longtime favorite restaurants in Great Falls, Montana, is lengthy … so consider this a start!
Jakers Bar & Grill
Jakers has a few locations in Montana and Idaho (Missoula, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and others) but the Great Falls location, right on 10th Avenue South, is a mainstay.
It was always my go-to spot for French onion soup and a sandwich!
A favorite dish at Jakers is the Prime Rib.
Look for their happy hour deals, too, seven days a week.
Ford’s Drive-In
Ford’s is a longtime home of burgers, sandwiches, fries, and ice cream.
You’ll love the retro-feel. Bring cash (no cards)!
- Ford’s Drive-In
- 1301 Central Ave W.
- (406) 452-7972
- Hours: 11:00 am – 8/10:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
City Bar
City Bar has been around for 80-years, owned by generations of the same family in Great Falls. It’s right on Central Avenue.
They have good sandwiches, and a $10.25 lunch special, which comes with half a sandwich, plus a soup or salad.
3-D International
3-D is known for its Mongolian BBQ. It’s been family-owned and operated in Great Falls since 1946! The restaurant has an art-deco design, technically across the Missouri River in Black Eagle.
They have separate lunch and dinner hours daily.
- 3-D International
- 1825 Smelter Ave, Black Eagle, MT
- (406) 453-6561
- Lunch: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Dinner: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Menu: Click Here
- Dine-in, Takeout, & Delivery
