Sometimes you want to go out for a tasty meal that isn’t fast food, but also won’t break the bank. And as we’re seeing more fine dining options and fancy brewpubs open in some of our larger cities, that may not seem as easy as it once was.
Fortunately, Montana still has plenty of budget-friendly restaurants where you can get an excellent meal without spending a fortune. These are a few of our favorites.
- Five on Black (Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings)
BrianH-XLS / TripAdvisor Five on Black, 325 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802, USAFive on Black, 242 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715, USAFive on Black, 316 S 24th St W, Billings, MT 59102, USAFive on Black, 413 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT 59404, USA
TonesTrm / TripAdvisor Five on Black is a fast-casual Brazilian restaurant with five locations in four cities. You’ll choose your own base (rice or greens), protein, sides, sauces, and toppings, all for either $8.75 (small) or $12.50 (large). The owner, Tom Snyder, and his wife Lauren fell in love with all things Brazil in college and decided to launch this venture. We’re very glad they did.
- Athenian Greek Restaurant (Billings)
Screamin’ Jets! / TripAdvisor Athenian, 18 N 29th St, Billings, MT 59101, USA
Jan W / TripAdvisor The Athenian serves authentic Greek food made from family recipes, courtesy of the Renzios brothers. It’s so delicious that the fact that it happens to be affordable is just an aded bonus.
- Julie’s Center Street Cafe (Kalispell)
Mary Blakeman / Google Julie’s Center Street Cafe, 200 E Center St, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
Suzie Bertholic / Google There’s no shortage of small mom-and-pop restaurants in the Kalispell area. But this one just happens to serve unforgettable (and budget-friendly) breakfasts, the most important meal of the day.
- El Vaquero Taqueria (Helena)
El Vaquero Taqueria / Facebook El Vaquero Taqueria, 1338 11th Ave, Helena, MT 59601, USA
El Vaquero Taqueria / Facebook El Vaquero Taqueria is the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Helena, and it’s marvelous. Here, you can feast on a huge plate of nachos for $7.25, tacos for $2.95, and all sorts of other tasty delicacies.
- Mr. Hot Dogs (Butte)
Mr Hot Dogs / Facebook Mr. Hot Dogs, 1806 Cobban St, Butte, MT 59701, USA
Leiny Hernandez / Google At first glance, paying almost $10 for a hot dog certainly doesn’t seem budget-friendly. But these are no ordinary hot dogs. The owner, Buck Loomis, decided to re-invent this casual classic and turn it into a gourmet delicacy. And if you’re not a fan of hot dogs, you can also opt for some pizza or a generously portioned plate of pasta.
- Backcountry Burger Bar (Bozeman)
Backcountry Burger Bar / Facebook Backcountry Burger Bar, 125 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
Backcountry Burger Bar / Facebook The burgers here certainly don’t have fast food prices, but that’s because they aren’t fast food burgers. Backcountry Burger Bar serves only Montana raised beef and bison, and when you see how massive they are, you’ll realize the prices here are quite low.
- Jersey Boys Pizzeria (Whitefish)
Maria Eugenia Selmi / Google Jersey Boys Pizzeria, 550 E 1st St, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
Jersey Boys Pizzeria / Facebook Located in the heart of downtown Whitefish, this family-owned pizzeria is a beloved part of the local community. Order pizza by the slice, a whole pie, or a hearty sandwich. You won’t break the bank either way.
- 600 Cafe (Miles City)
B Michaels / Google 600 Cafe, 600 Main St, Miles City, MT 59301, USA
B Muchaels / Google Old-fashioned casual cafes like this are becoming more of a rarity in Montana, but not in Miles City. 600 Cafe serves classic American food that is always priced reasonably.
- Tracy’s Family Diner (Great Falls)
Tracy’s Family Diner / Facebook Tracy’s Family Restaurant, 127 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401, USA
Tracy’s Family Diner / Facebook Tracy’s has been a local favorite in Great Falls for decades, and it’s easy to see why. The family restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
Where in Montana do you like to go for an affordable meal? Share you thoughts in the comments!
BrianH-XLS / TripAdvisor
Five on Black, 325 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802, USAFive on Black, 242 E Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715, USAFive on Black, 316 S 24th St W, Billings, MT 59102, USAFive on Black, 413 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT 59404, USA
TonesTrm / TripAdvisor
Five on Black is a fast-casual Brazilian restaurant with five locations in four cities. You’ll choose your own base (rice or greens), protein, sides, sauces, and toppings, all for either $8.75 (small) or $12.50 (large). The owner, Tom Snyder, and his wife Lauren fell in love with all things Brazil in college and decided to launch this venture. We’re very glad they did.
Screamin’ Jets! / TripAdvisor
Athenian, 18 N 29th St, Billings, MT 59101, USA
Jan W / TripAdvisor
The Athenian serves authentic Greek food made from family recipes, courtesy of the Renzios brothers. It’s so delicious that the fact that it happens to be affordable is just an aded bonus.
Mary Blakeman / Google
Julie’s Center Street Cafe, 200 E Center St, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
Suzie Bertholic / Google
There’s no shortage of small mom-and-pop restaurants in the Kalispell area. But this one just happens to serve unforgettable (and budget-friendly) breakfasts, the most important meal of the day.
El Vaquero Taqueria / Facebook
El Vaquero Taqueria, 1338 11th Ave, Helena, MT 59601, USA
El Vaquero Taqueria is the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Helena, and it’s marvelous. Here, you can feast on a huge plate of nachos for $7.25, tacos for $2.95, and all sorts of other tasty delicacies.
Mr Hot Dogs / Facebook
Mr. Hot Dogs, 1806 Cobban St, Butte, MT 59701, USA
Leiny Hernandez / Google
At first glance, paying almost $10 for a hot dog certainly doesn’t seem budget-friendly. But these are no ordinary hot dogs. The owner, Buck Loomis, decided to re-invent this casual classic and turn it into a gourmet delicacy. And if you’re not a fan of hot dogs, you can also opt for some pizza or a generously portioned plate of pasta.
Backcountry Burger Bar / Facebook
Backcountry Burger Bar, 125 W Main St, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
The burgers here certainly don’t have fast food prices, but that’s because they aren’t fast food burgers. Backcountry Burger Bar serves only Montana raised beef and bison, and when you see how massive they are, you’ll realize the prices here are quite low.
Maria Eugenia Selmi / Google
Jersey Boys Pizzeria, 550 E 1st St, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
Jersey Boys Pizzeria / Facebook
Located in the heart of downtown Whitefish, this family-owned pizzeria is a beloved part of the local community. Order pizza by the slice, a whole pie, or a hearty sandwich. You won’t break the bank either way.
B Michaels / Google
600 Cafe, 600 Main St, Miles City, MT 59301, USA
B Muchaels / Google
Old-fashioned casual cafes like this are becoming more of a rarity in Montana, but not in Miles City. 600 Cafe serves classic American food that is always priced reasonably.
Tracy’s Family Diner / Facebook
Tracy’s Family Restaurant, 127 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401, USA
Tracy’s has been a local favorite in Great Falls for decades, and it’s easy to see why. The family restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
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