Where to Eat in Glacier National Park: Restaurants in and Around the Park

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Glacier

In short, food service inside the park centers on two historic lodges, Lake McDonald in the west and Many Glacier in the east, with a few light cafeterias and camp stores as well. Outside the park, Whitefish on the west side and East Glacier Park on the east side have most of the area's restaurants.

Eating in the Park: Lodges, Restaurants, and Cafeterias

Pursuit, the park's concession operator, manages Glacier National Park's restaurants. Outside the lodges, your options are limited to snack bars and grocery stores. Plan your food supplies if you'll be spending the day at high elevation along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

West Side: Lake McDonald Lodge and Apgar

Russell's Fireside Dining Room at Lake McDonald Lodge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the characteristic heavy-timber setting of the grand national park lodges built in the early 20th century. The menu features mountain fare and a few vegetarian options. When we visited, I ordered breakfast on the terrace overlooking the lake before heading onto the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It's hard to imagine a better way to start a day in the Rockies.

Lucke's Lounge, in the same lodge, serves snacks and drinks during the day for a quick stop.

At Apgar Village, a seasonal café serves sandwiches and hot drinks. The setting is basic and service is quick, which makes it handy before getting on your bike or heading out on a trail.

Many Glacier Area

The Ptarmigan Dining Room at Many Glacier Hotel is the park's most notable dining room. Built in 1915 in a Swiss chalet style, the building overlooks Swiftcurrent Lake and snowcapped peaks. Expect to pay $20 to $35 for a dinner entrée. Reservations are essential in July and August. Tables often book up several weeks ahead.

The Swiss Lounge, on the same level, is a good place for an evening snack or cocktail, and no reservation is required.

Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass

There are no restaurants or food services along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Logan Pass visitor center, at 6,650 feet, has restrooms and an information desk, but no food. Pack a picnic before you leave, or head back down to Apgar or St. Mary for lunch.

East Side Areas: St. Mary and Two Medicine

St. Mary Lodge has a seasonal dining room in a simpler setting than the main lodges. At Two Medicine, the only option is a camp store with canned goods and snacks. There is no prepared food on site.

Groceries and Picnics in the Park

General stores supply the park's main areas, including Apgar, Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and St. Mary. The selection is practical, with canned goods, dried fruit, snacks, and camping supplies, but it isn't meant to replace a supermarket. It's enough for a solid picnic, not for cooking a full dinner.

You'll find developed picnic areas at Apgar, St. Mary, and several stops along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. They have tables and bear-resistant trash cans. If you're heading out on a long hike, this is the most flexible option and often the most affordable.

Where to Eat Nearby: Gateway Towns

West Side: West Glacier, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish

West Glacier, the park's main entrance, has a few seasonal restaurants, including a bar and grill popular with hikers at the end of the day. Choices are limited, and hours vary by season.

Columbia Falls, about a 20-minute drive away, offers a somewhat wider selection, including pizzerias, burger joints, and cafés. It's a good value for a quick lunch.

Whitefish, about 40 minutes away, is the most complete gateway town on the west side. Restaurants are open year-round and serve a wide range of food, including steakhouses, Italian restaurants, and gastropubs. It's worth going there for dinner if you're staying in the area.

East Side: East Glacier Park and St. Mary

East Glacier Park has several seasonal restaurants. Serrano's has built a local reputation for its tacos and burgers served on the patio. The atmosphere is casual and works well for a family meal after a day in the park.

St. Mary is still a very small hamlet, with just two or three places to eat in season and almost nothing open off-season. Don't head east on an empty stomach without checking hours first.

Our Picks for Every Occasion

For a quick bite without a detour. The Apgar café or the Many Glacier camp store for a sandwich before you set out.

For families. The dining room at Lake McDonald Lodge. The menu is approachable, kids are welcome, and the setting is hard to beat.

For the view. The Ptarmigan Dining Room at Many Glacier Hotel. The panorama of Swiftcurrent Lake and the peaks more than makes up for a meal that's merely average.

For a historic dining room. Lake McDonald Lodge has welcomed visitors since 1913, and its period décor remains intact. Choose it for breakfast before the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It's a local ritual in its own right.

The Glacier Specialty to Try: Huckleberry

Huckleberries are small wild berries that grow at high elevations in Montana's Rockies. More fragrant and slightly tarter than blueberries, they're everywhere in the region once summer arrives, showing up in pies, jam, milkshakes, and sauces served with bison or mountain game.

The park's general stores sell them as jam, candy, and locally made beer. For a cooked version, restaurants in Whitefish and East Glacier Park regularly offer huckleberry pie for dessert. Don't hesitate to order it. It's the region's quintessential taste of place.

Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season

Season. Nearly all of the park's restaurants are open from late June through early September. Outside that period, no food service is available inside the park. Check the hours in the gateway towns as well, since some places close during the off-season.

Reservations. Reservations are required for lodge dining rooms in July and August. Call or book online several weeks ahead for the Ptarmigan Dining Room and Russell's Fireside Dining Room.

Meal budget. Plan on $12 to $18 for a quick lunch at a snack bar or with a sandwich, and $25 to $45 per person for dinner at a lodge. A picnic made with groceries bought ahead of time remains the most affordable option for several days.

Food supplies. The park's general stores may run out of items in midsummer. Shop in Whitefish or Kalispell before entering the park if you plan to spend several days traveling independently.

Water. Drinking-water fountains are available at visitor centers and campgrounds. When hiking at high elevation, filter river water instead of overloading your pack.

In Short: Where to Eat Based on Your Area of the Park

To plan your visit around these areas, the Glacier guide and the detailed 1-, 2-, or 3-day itineraries show you the logical sequence based on your entrance point. To choose where to stay near the restaurants, the Glacier hotels and lodges guide presents your options by area.

Frequently Asked Questions