I’m likely to be in the Bozeman area within the next 3 weeks, looking to take some friends out to lunch and/or dinner. My last visit was several years ago and didn’t involve much dining-out, so I’m in need of informed suggestions.
(Paging Chronos?)
I am originally from the Bozeman area, and was just there about a month ago. Did not have a bad meal. Managed to stay away from national chains the entire time.
My sentimental favorite restaurant is Sir Scott’s Oasis, which is in my hometown of Manhattan, about 20 miles NW of Bozeman on I-90. (Take the exit, go up Broadway, turn left onto Main at the 4-way stop. Can’t miss it.) If you like steak, go there. It’s the real deal.
We also went to Montana Ale Works (on east Main, Bozeman) which has an awesome microbrew selection and good food as well. My sister and I had the fish tacos.
If you want pizza, we liked Mackenzie River Pizza Company (on Main as well, downtown), which sort of embodies the “new” Bozeman, to me anyway. Some less-traditional pizza choices can be found here.
On the more fast-food end, we liked the Pita Pit (on Main, downtown) and Bagelworks (on Main, near the N. 7th intersection) (though the bagels seemed small to my Minnesota eyes).
Seconding Sir Scott’s Oasis so very, very much. Some friends are at MSU and they regularly clear their schedules to go out for dinner there, despite the drive. I’ve only been once, but it was amazing. My closet friend at MSU had been telling me how amazing it was for about a year before we even made it there- that’s how good it is.
Pita Pit is an international chain, BTW. Delicious and healthy for fast-food, but not a local.
If anyone recommends the Rockin’ R Bar or the sandwich place inside it, you can’t go anymore. It blew up last year.
The Bar 3 BBQ at 215 N 7th Ave was good and had a lot of interesting sauces, but unless you order double meat, the lunch sandwiches aren’t really big enough, in my opinion.
I’ll talk to my wife, though she hasn’t been in about 7 years.
But I know she would recommend the Molly Brown for a drink, if you don’t mind a horde of college kids.
Student at MSU for 3 years now, hope I can help.
Breakfast
Main Street Overeasy - Down on the North side of Main Street. Look for a Hi-Fi shop, its in the same building - You’ve got to stop in here at least once. The Bison, Biscuits & Gravy is terrific, as is the French Toast with Fresh Strawberries. Just be sure you show up early, as they often run out of strawberries.
Cat Eye Cafe - Right by Overeasy. Just go North 1 block - Very good locally sourced comfort food.
Lunch
Pickle Barrel - Down by the university on College Street - Luckily the one that blew up last spring was a double. The original shack is still serving up high quality subs for cheap.
Cafe Zydeco - On West Main, opposite Hastings - Authentic Creole. Very good.
Dinner
Cafe International - On 7th right before it dead ends into Main - A bit pricey ($15-$20), but worth it. The Lobster Bisque is amazing.
Cafe Fresco - A bit further away from Main on 7th - A quaint Italian place. The pasta with pesto is my comfort food.
Over the Tapas - A bit off Main on Wilson Ave - Just like it sounds, its a tapas restaurant. Terrific selection/quality/presentation.
Naked Noodle - Just down from Over the Tapas - A Build Your Own Pasta place with many cultures represented (Asian, Italian, Indian, etc.)
Colombo’s - On College, a bit down from Pickle Barrel - Outstanding traditional pizza. As Tamex said above, Mackenzie is more California Pizza Kitchen-esque. You should try both.
I-ho’s - On Lincoln down by the University - Very tasty Korean food. The noodles are wonderful.
Ted’s Montana Grill - Downtown, Main Street, can’t miss it - Its a chain, but if you’ve never had it before, they have tongue spasm inducing burgers.
Hmm, I’m sure I am forgetting a few places, but hopefully Chronos or another Bozemanite will stop on by. Enjoy your stay : )
They fooled me ;). Actually, this makes my day, because it looks like there’s one in the Twin Cities near the U of M.
Now I see all the places I haven’t tried. I only recognize the Oasis and the Pickle Barrel from when I lived there 20 years ago.