7 Best Whitefish Restaurants and Cafes

Located just 45 minutes from Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a charming town full of quaint shops, cafes, and a diverse selection of restaurants. This was the perfect home base for our trip to Glacier as there was no shortage of things to do (and eat!). Here are 7 of the best Whitefish restaurants and cafes that I visited that are perfect for you to add to any itinerary to Whitefish and Glacier National Park!

Whitefish Restaurants

Abruzzo Italian Kitchen

Best For: Modern Italian Fare

Hands down my favorite dinner in Whitefish! If you’re looking for outdoor dining, they have a picturesque patio. They also do orders to go if you prefer to enjoy your meal back at your hotel. No matter what you choose, you will not be disappointed. Bursting with flavor, it was hard to pick a favorite dish on this menu. They also have an extensive cocktail and wine list to pair with your selections. Don’t know what to pick? The staff is incredibly knowledgable and are happy to help you with recommendations.

What to order: Summer squash pizza, cacio e pepe, spaghetti and meatballs

Pro Tip: If you are a fan of mezcal, ask the bartender for a mezcal old fashioned. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed

Swift Creek Cafe

Best For: Breakfast or Lunch

This quaint cafe features an open kitchen concept so you feel like you’re a part of the bustling restaurant. An ideal spot for lunch, Swift Creek Cafe is the place for you to cozy up and warm up after a morning spent hiking in Glacier National Park. Their menu is small but wonderfully diverse, with options to please every palette.

What to order: Avocado toast, gnocchi, turkey club sandwich, and locally roasted coffee

Pro Tip: They rotate their menu seasonally so check out their website for their seasonal signatures in advance of your visit (if you’re like me and like to plan out your food in advance)

Jalisco Cantina

Best For: Mexican Cravings

Jalisco Cantina is the new kid on the block in Whitefish and has been incredibly popular since it’s opening. Originally from California, Jalisco pulls through the contemporary flavors mixed with traditional fare. They have a fairly large patio or wonderfully decorated indoor dining for you to choose from.

What to order: For cocktails: Cilantro Smash or their Oaxacan Pepino

For food: Carne asada tacos, veggie burrito or tacos, and of course, guacamole for the table

Pro Tip: If you’re digging the sound of the Cilantro Smash but prefer mezcal, ask for them to sub the tequila out. (do you see a theme here? #mezcaladdict)

7 of the best Whitefish restaurants and cafes that are perfect for you to add to any itinerary to Whitefish and Glacier National Park

Piggyback BBQ

Best For: No frills neighborhood BBQ

Piggyback BBQ has the vibe of a place where everyone knows your name. Easily some of the nicest people we met in Montana, this is definitely a Whitefish restaurant. They have a large patio with an easy vibe that will make you want to sit and stay awhile. Perfect after a long day at the park where you just want to unwind (and stuff your face)

What to order: draft beer, BBQ nachos, BBQ sandwiches, and the stumptown burger (it has a slice of fried gouda on it!)

Pro Tip: If you’re a vegetarian, have no fear! All of their burgers have the option to sub in a beyond burger veggie patty

Casey’s Whitefish

Best For: Dinner or drinks at sunset

Casey’s boasts a large rooftop that overlooks the Whitefish downtown area. While it was closed due to a private party so we didn’t get to experience it personally, almost everyone recommended it to us for sunset.

What to order: mac and cheese for the table (there’s an option to add truffle oil, just do it and don’t be silly), wildfire burger, and one of their tasting flights to pair with your food

Pro Tip: Their rooftop has a slightly different menu than their main restaurant so be sure to check out both!

Whitefish Cafes

Whitefish Coffeehouse by Montana Coffee Traders

Best For: Everything…just everything

I am low key obsessed with this Whitefish coffee house. Okay, maybe I am just obviously obsessed with it. We ended up coming almost every day in our trip for coffee and a light breakfast (we also ate at our B&B so yes, we had two breakfasts…don’t judge us). This is easily a must stop when in the Whitefish area. They have implemented some great COVID-19 protocols with both indoor and outdoor seating and a hand sanitizer station right after you pay at the counter.

What to order: Orange cardamom latte (I still think about this coffee…correction, I dream about it) and their bocadillo or really any of their breakfast sandwiches.

Pro Tip: They have coffee mugs for sale that are really cute and for a select few if you purchase it, you get your coffee free that day

Folklore Coffee

Best For: Quaint coffee shop vibes

Folklore coffee was our first stop in Whitefish and it was a great welcome to the town. Cozy, this was easily the perfect place to warm up over a cup of hot coffee. I easily could picture myself spending an afternoon getting some work done there.

What to order: Any of their lattes

Pro Tip: I’m in love with oat milk so I highly recommend getting one with oat!