If you want to discover the best dining options while you explore the more than 1,500 square miles of Glacier National Park, you have come to the right place. When we visited Glacier, we found many things to see and do, though few places to eat. Because we did not have a kitchen to cook at our West Glacier B&B, where we based our stay, we ate out for most meals.
Inside Glacier National Park and the small communities surrounding it, you will find restaurant options to be limited. Some places are open on select days with set time windows and only during the summer season. And other, in-the-know options are tucked away in campgrounds or resort parks and are easy to miss.
So, to help, I crafted this list detailing the best places to grab a meal or snack, from a gourmet dinner to a quick bite in and around Glacier National Park. With it—find the food you want when you need it.
Planning a trip to Glacier National Park or visiting soon? Get 17 Glacier planning tips in this comprehensive guide.
Where to eat around Glacier National Park: At-a-glance.
When visiting Glacier, you can eat inside the park or outside it in nearby communities. Either way, prepare for some long drives to get where you want to go. Glacier National Park is huge and spans nearly one million acres. Driving from one end to the other can take two hours or more.
See the areas you can eat in the sections that follow. Or view all dining and grocery options on the map below. Several of these businesses are open seasonally. Before you go, please double-check individual business websites and Facebook pages for the most up-to-date open dates and hours, which can change based on staffing.
How to use this map: In the map header, click the square tab to the left of my logo or click the enlarge frame to the right to view detail. You can save the map to “Your Places” on Google Maps by clicking the star next to the map name. Or you can share it by clicking the share icon.
Inside Glacier National Park: At-a-glance top spots to eat.
Choose from one of five locations and ten dining establishments within Glacier National Park, where you can enjoy no-reservation elevated dining to grab-and-go cafes. Click the links to see the options.
- Apgar Village: Eddie’s Cafe & Gifts
- Lake McDonald Lodge: Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, Lucke’s Lounge, Jammer Joe’s Grill & Pizzeria
- Rising Sun Motor Inn: Two Dog Flats Grill
- Two Medicine: Two Medicine General Store Cafe
- Many Glacier: Ptarmigan Dining Room, Swiss Lounge, Heidi’s Snack Shop and Espresso, ‘Nell’s
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Outside Glacier National Park: At-a-glance top spots to eat.
The communities outside Glacier National Park offer far more restaurant choices. See the top spots below and click the links for the best picks.
Where to eat inside Glacier National Park: By area.
Dining establishments within Glacier National Pak close at the end of each summer season, typically by mid-September. And at the earliest, re-open mid-May.
On average, do not expect an outstanding dining experience inside the park. The highlights of eating in the park include the ambiance—particularly at the historic dining rooms like the Many Glacier Hotel or Lake McDonald Lodge—and the views. Plus, it is a very nice convenience.
However, do expect elevated pricing and understandably inconsistent service. The in-park dining season in Glacier is short, the summer staff is likely overworked, and the dining options are few. See the five areas to find places to eat in the park below.
Apgar Village & Lake McDonald Lodge: Places to eat.
Just under two miles from the West Glacier entrance, grab a bite at Eddie’s Cafe & Gifts in Apgar Village. Or 10 miles further into the park, along the lower section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, find three more dining options at Lake McDonald Lodge.
Eddie’s Cafe & Gifts (Apgar Village)
Within Apgar Village, dine, shop, or grab an ice cream at family-owned and operated Eddie’s Cafe & Gifts. In addition to being a camp supply store and gift shop, Eddie’s serves morning favorites like omelets, breakfast burritos, and pancakes from 8 AM until 11:15 AM. Then burgers, wraps, salads, and slices of pie and cobbler for lunch and dinner until 9 PM.
Russell’s Fireside Dining Room (Lake McDonald Lodge)
No reservations are required at Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, a historic eatery reminiscent of its hunting lodge roots, offering swoon-worthy lake views. Enjoy buffets or made-to-order entrees for breakfast. And Montana-inspired menus for lunch and dinner that you can wash down with local craft brews. Open from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM with breaks between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Lucke’s Lounge (Lake McDonald Lodge)
Adjacent to Russell’s and enjoying lakeside frontage, get a bite at low-key Lucke’s Lounge, a wood-paneled eatery best for a drink and small bites, though open for lunch and dinner with a menu similar to Russell’s. Open for meals from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM with a break between lunch and dinner.
Jammer Joe’s Grill & Pizzeria (Lake McDonald Lodge)
Opposite Lake McDonald Lodge and on the other side of its parking lot is a one-story building housing Jammer Joe’s Grill & Pizzeria, a fast-casual and high-volume eatery serving average family-friendly pizzas, pasta, salads, and sandwiches ordered at the counter and brought to your table. It is a good option if you are inside the park, need food soon, and prefer a more affordable place to eat without a long wait. Open only for lunch and dinner from 11:30 AM to 9 PM.
Rising Sun Motor Lodge & Two Medicine: Places to eat.
On the east side of Glacier, along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and just under six miles from the St. Mary entrance, grab a bite at Two Dog Flats Grill. Or, if you are further south in the Two Medicine area, head to the back of the General Store to order to-go snacks, soups, and sandwiches from its cafe.
Two Dog Flats Grill (Rising Sun Motor Lodge)
A solid sit-down casual option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, opposite the Rising Sun General Store, Two Dog Flats Grill is the place to eat for guests staying at the Rising Sun Motor Lodge and Cabins.
Expect a quick turnaround and better-than-average park eats, including sandwiches, soups, and entrees like BBQ, meatloaf, and local trout, along with mountain views. Open for all meals, beginning at 6 AM and closing at 9:30 PM, with breaks between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Find more drinks, packaged snacks, and ice cream treats at the Rising Sun General Store.
Two Medicine General Store Cafe (Two Medicine)
Head to the back of the General Store at Two Medicine Lake to order coffees, soft serve ice cream, soup, chili, or pastries like breakfast muffins or savory en croute, like bison sausage. Choose from more packaged snack items at the store.
Many Glacier: Places to eat.
Find four dining options within Many Glacier—three inside the iconic Many Glacier Hotel. And another, a mile west, on the grounds of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
Ptarmigan Dining Room (Many Glacier Hotel)
Line up by 4:30 PM to get a table without a long wait by the panoramic view in the historic Ptarmigan Dining Room when it opens at 5 PM at the Swiss-chalet style Many Glacier Hotel. This restaurant does not take reservations. Dine on meat-heavy Montana-inspired dishes. For lunch, order sandwiches and small plates. And for breakfast, choose from one of two buffets or select made-to-order entrees. Open 6:30 AM to 9 PM, closed for breaks between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Swiss Lounge (Many Glacier Hotel)
Sharing the same menu as the Ptarmigan Dining Room, go to the laid-back Swiss Lounge for a drink, eat-in, or takeaway. Get great views from a window table. Order food service from 12 PM to 8 PM, with a break between lunch and dinner.
Heidi’s Snack Shop and Espresso (Many Glacier Hotel)
Best for quick grab-and-go items and coffees. Choose from basic egg and cheese sandwiches and assorted pastries for breakfast or individual pizzas for lunch or dinner. Plus, shop for packaged snack items. Open 6:30 AM to 9 PM.
‘Nell’s (Swiftcurrent Motor Inn)
Order pasta, salads, pizzas, and sandwiches at the counter to have them delivered to your table at this casual diner-style eatery on the grounds of the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and opposite the Many Glacier Campground, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Where to eat outside Glacier National Park: By area.
Once you leave the borders of Glacier National Park, your dining options expand. Choose to eat at any of the seven communities covered below.
West Glacier: Places to eat.
Given that West Glacier is the busiest gateway to Glacier National Park, I cover its dining options in more detail. Choose from these 12 eateries.
Freda’s (.8 miles from West Glacier entrance)
In West Glacier, go here for the convenience of getting standard-fare burgers, sandwiches, salads, and ice cream at above-average pricing. Get drinks from an impressive full-service bar serving cocktails, local craft brews, and regional root beer. Enjoy it all indoors or outdoors. In season hours, 7:30 AM to 9 PM.
Middle Fork Eats (.8 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Step up to this trailer across the street from Freda’s to order Mexican food Montana-style, like tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. Then, enjoy it at an outdoor picnic table. Offers good dining value considering portion size for an entrance-adjacent location. Open in season from 11:30 AM to 7 PM.
Golfing to the Sun Mini Golf (.8 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Take a break and play a round of mini golf on 18 quirky Glacier-inspired holes, then cool down with ice cream and sweet treats at Golfing to the Sun Mini Golf. Or come here for a satisfying end to your taco meal at next-door Middle Fork Eats. Open in season from 8 AM to 8 PM.
Glacier Highland Restaurant (1 mile from West Glacier entrance)
The Glacier Highland is a casual restaurant serving Montana-inspired and American-classic comfort food attached to a motel and is where we went for most of our meals.
This family-friendly establishment serves hearty portions of many favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas. Top off any meal with a slice of excellent homemade pie. Open daily from 7 AM to 9 PM.
The Belton Chalet (1.1 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Make a reservation or hope for the best for an indoor or outdoor deck table for dinner at the gourmet Belton Chalet restaurant, within a historic lodge. Enjoy a seasonally inspired menu with dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
A highlight was their blistered shishito pepper appetizer. Expect premium pricing, ideal for a special occasion or a splurge. Open in season from 5 PM to 9 PM.
Glacier View Golf Club (1.6 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Even if you do not intend to play a round, know you can expand your dining options by grabbing a bite at the 19th Round, the Glacier View Golf Club restaurant close to the West Glacier entrance. In the morning, grab breakfast burritos or pastries, and for lunch, order subs and pizzas paired with your favorite drink from the bar. Check its website for current season hours, which may be affected due to staff availability.
Wandering Gringo (2 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Find the Wandering Gringo Cafe, a bright orange mobile truck off US Highway 2 and across from the Glacier Campground, serving burritos, tacos, and quesadillas from scratch and in large portions. Eat at one of several outdoor tables and bring cash; credit cards are not accepted. Open five days a week from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM in season, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The Great Northern Railway Cafe (2.1 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Guests at the Great Northern Resort and visitors love the Great Northern Railway Cafe, a to-go eatery serving breakfast, lunch, and snacks, with a full bar in a train caboose.
Open for breakfast and lunch, serving coffee and sandwiches with afternoon beers that you can enjoy on the outdoor deck, daily from 7 AM to 3 PM in season.
Last Best Pizza (2.2 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Tucked inside the Crown of the Continent Discovery Center, Last Best Pizza is a gem of a pizza place that is easy to miss. Put it on your radar to pick up some surprisingly excellent pie—a single slice or a whole pizza. Get apps, salads, and vegan and gluten-free options too. Eat in or takeaway. In season open from 12 PM to 8 PM.
Sunflower Cafe & BBQ (2.3 miles from West Glacier entrance)
On the grounds of the family-run Glacier Campground, guests and visitors love to dine at the campground’s Sunflower Cafe, with its open-air pavilion and picnic tables for brunch and lunch. Five evenings a week—the cafe becomes Sunflower BBQ, serving BBQ, veg-friendly options, and adult beverages. In season, it is open from 8 AM to 9 PM, with a break between lunch and dinner on Wednesdays through Sundays.
Moose Creek Sweets & Espresso Cafe (3.7 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Within the Moose Creek Bed & Breakfast and RV Resort, guests and visitors appreciate its Sweets and Espresso Cafe, which serves breakfast, grab-n-go sandwiches, ice cream, fudge, cinnamon rolls, and pie. It serves breakfast until 11 AM and a limited dinner menu Friday through Tuesday.
Lazy Bear Cafe & Dinner (4.2 miles from West Glacier entrance)
Order breakfast favorites like eggs, biscuits, and French toast at the Lazy Bear Cafe in the KOA West Glacier Campground seven days a week in season from 7 AM to 11 AM. Or grab a Montana meat-intensive chicken, steak, ribs, or salmon dinner five nights a week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 PM to 9 PM. During the summer season, KOA offers food trucks on Sundays and Mondays. While there, grab a cone at Scoops Ice Cream shop.
Coram: Places to eat.
Coram, a small town about eight miles south of the West Glacier entrance, is home to a few gems. If you find yourself in this area or want to make the drive, check out these top spots.
- The Glacier Taphouse & Pizza: a brewery known for its excellent selection and pizza where you can grab a pie to go or stay and enjoy your slices with salads, sides, and homemade bread and desserts. Get the broasted chicken if they have not sold out already that day. Check the updated seasonal schedule. It may only be open five nights a week.
- Stonefly Lounge: a live music venue serving savory pies, pizzas, and bar snacks, like Bavarian pretzels, loaded potato skins, and chicken strips. Open seven days a week in the summer and on the weekends in the off-season.
- Packers Roost: Slightly south of town, find an old-school Montana dive bar serving large-portion burgers and sandwich staples, fried favorites, and cold drinks. Open daily from 12 PM to 2 AM, though the kitchen will close earlier.
Hungry Horse & Columbia Falls: Places to eat.
Drive further south along US Highway 2 and find excellent dining options worth the excursion in Hungry Horse, just under 11 miles from the West Glacier entrance, and Columbia Falls, about 18 miles from West Glacier.
Hungry Horse: Places to eat. (~11 miles from the West Glacier entrance)
- Carolyn’s Cafe: no-frills, family-run cafe open seasonally with good egg, waffle, and biscuit options for breakfast and soups and sandwiches for lunch.
- Dan d’Lion: a seasonal vegan eatery serving soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and desserts.
- Great Bear Cafe: small-town cafe offering excellent sandwiches, burgers, soups, and salads for lunch. And favorites like burritos, biscuits and gravy, and scrambles for breakfast. Don’t miss the huckleberry scones if you can get one.
Columbia Falls: Places to eat. (~18 miles from the West Glacier entrance)
Choose from so many excellent options. Four of the top spots include:
- Backslope Brewing: a family-friendly taproom and kitchen serving in-house brews and distinctive pub fare like sandwiches, bowls, salads, and small plates.
- Gunsight Saloon: a historic bar with a Western feel and an outdoor green patio space serving a wide selection of local brews and casual food like burgers, southern and Cajun entrees, and sandwiches—and also hosts live music.
- North Fork Pizza: a satisfying pizzeria with limited dine-in seating best for takeaway. Pickup build-your-own or specialty pizzas, apps like toasted ravioli, garlic knots, wings, subs, and salads.
- Three Forks Grille: an elevated eatery accepting reservations for dinner and Sunday brunch, serving a Montana-inspired rotating menu featuring Mediterranean ingredients.
Polebridge, East Glacier Park, and St. Mary: Places to eat.
If you find yourself on the quieter far west or east side of Glacier National Park, try these places to eat.
- Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery (1.4 miles from the Polebridge entrance): in the tiny town of Polebridge, on Glacier National Park’s remote far west side, this seasonal one-stop bakery, camping supply store, and souvenir shop is known for its delicious baked goods, including its famous bear claws. Also, grab breakfast and deli sandwiches and pizza slices.
- Two Medicine Grill (13.8 miles from the Two Medicine entrance): one of a handful of eateries in the small town of East Glacier Park. It is a casual diner serving high-quality and large portions for breakfast and lunch and delicious pie. For dinner, try nearby Serranos for filling and run-of-the-mill Mexican.
- Johnson’s of St. Mary (.8 miles from the St. Mary entrance): a seasonal family-run no-frills eatery at a campground and RV park serving lunch and dinner. Order up Montana-style comfort foods enjoyed family-style with homemade bread and paired with soups and salad.
- Two Sister’s Cafe (5.3 miles from the St. Mary entrance): drive a bit further north and enjoy friendly service and a welcoming environment at this seasonal cafe, serving sandwich and entree staples and some veg-friendly options, all with an eclectic flair. Open for dinner and offering a limited coffee-shop menu for breakfast, crafted by a New Orleans-trained chef and award-winning caterer.
In the mood for steak? From St. Mary—drive just under 10 miles north to Babb, Montana, for massive fillets at the Cattle Baron Supper Club. Or if in East Glacier Park—drive just under 12 miles southwest to the Summit Mountain Steakhouse, an in-house restaurant at an upscale lodge, where reservations are recommended.
Grocery stores near Glacier National Park.
Expect the general stores within Glacier National Park to have limited food and snack items. If you want more selection to cook a meal or supply a picnic without driving too far, shop at the small groceries outside the West Glacier and Saint Mary entrances.
For our trip, we relied on the West Glacier Mercantile, a combination of mini-grocery and a convenience store for picnic items, less than a mile south of the West Glacier entrance. In a pinch, you can find what you need there for basic meals. We bought bread, cheese, fruit, cookies, bottled coffee, and trail mix.
In St. Mary and in-season, you can shop at the St. Mary Grocery. However, expect high prices and limited options. The West Glacier and St. Mary markets close in the off-season, from mid-September, and re-open in mid-May.
If you want a fuller selection of fruit, vegetable, bakery, and snack items, stock up before you get to Glacier at the larger chain stores in Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish, or go to Costco in Kalispell. The Canyon Foods grocery in Hungry Horse, about 10 miles from West Glacier, is one of the closest grocery store options to a main entrance.
Farmers markets near Glacier National Park.
If you get lucky on timing, swing by one of the seasonal farmer’s markets in the Glacier County area. West Glacier sees a market on Friday afternoons. And East Glacier Park on Fridays and Saturdays. See the entire listing of farmers markets in the area on the Glacier County Tourism website, with links to more information.
Or check out their handy map of the area farmer’s markets below.
Related reading.
If you are planning a Glacier or Montana trip, check out these related articles. Get more information, ideas, and resources to plan better travel and get out the door with less hassle.
- What to Pack for Glacier NP: You’ll Love This Checklist
- How to Plan a Glacier National Park Trip: 17 Essential Tips
- The Best Of Glacier NP: An Action-Packed 4-Day Itinerary
- Glacier National Park: 37 Amazing Things to See & Do
- 10 Glacier National Park Hiking Trails You Will Love
- Glacier Reservation & Pass: How to Enter This National Park
- Glacier NP: Ultimate Guide Where to Stay Inside the Park
- The Best Places to Stay Near Glacier National Park
- 39 Amazing Ideas for Things to See & Do in Missoula
- How to Make the Most of Missoula in 3 Days
- Pack Faster & Better with This Universal Printable Packing List
- Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack
Feedback & questions.
Did this article help? Do you have questions about an upcoming visit? Or do you have an information update for the businesses mentioned? Please share in the comments. I will respond to all inquiries.
