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Montana isn’t known as a culinary destination. Offerings around Glacier National Park are pretty slim. You’ll mostly be dining on burgers, pizza, and very expensive steak. If you find yourself hungry on the way to Glacier National Park you’ll be in luck if you’re in Helena, Montana.

I wasn’t expecting Helena to have such a diverse food scene but I was surprised with the variety of cuisines. Not only are there a lot of different places to eat in Helena, but they are also really good!

When you’re busy checking out all the fun things to do in Helena, make sure to stop for a bite at these Helena restaurants.

The Best Places to Eat in Helena

Cafe Zydeco

You wouldn’t think one of the best places to eat in Helena would be a cajun restaurant, but I was impressed! The classic Louisiana dishes tasted just as good as the ones I had during my New Orleans trip.

From beignets to po’boys to gumbo, you can order all the traditional cajun foods. With the combo I was able to try both a po’boy and a gumbo. I would recommend the catfish po’boy and the seafood gumbo. The andouille sausage is really good here too.

The counter service restaurant is NOLA themed with a lot of Americana items and sayings.

Nosh

If you are looking for somewhere healthy one of the best places to eat in Helena is Nosh. Located downtown, the breakfast and lunch spot serves Belgian waffles with a variety of toppings, toasts, salads, grain bowls, and sandwiches.

My delicious asian pork bowl came out quickly. After a lot of snacky lunches while hiking in Glacier NP, the healthy bowl was just what I was craving. I wanted to try more restaurants in Helena, but I was definitely tempted to return to order additional menu items.

Jalisco Mexican Grill

When you’re in the mood for Mexican food, Jalisco Mexican Grill is where you want to dine.

I ordered takeout and my meal arrived as I requested it. I chose one of the house specials, the chimichanga asada. It was a huge portion that even I couldn’t eat in one meal. I also enjoyed the chips and salsa.

Bullman’s Wood Fired Pizza

Bullman’s is a local, no frills pizza spot where you can create your own pizza or order from a variety of choices.

Pizzas are really reasonably priced here. I should know it was my third pizza in Montana in a little over a week, but who’s counting!?

Thin crust pizzas come in medium or large. I finished a medium by myself with no problem.

Bad Betty’s BBQ

The alliterating name is excellent and so is the bbq! I ordered a pulled pork platter with wicked beans as the side. The baked beans definitely have a kick to them! Portions are large and prices are a lot lower than in many of the best bbq cities. That doesn’t mean the quality isn’t on par with the more well known bbq spots.

Don’t wait until closing time to order! You may be in for a sad surprise when they are out of a lot of items. I think I might have ordered the last pulled pork because as I was eating the cashier had to tell many disappointed customers that it was all gone. You know it’s good when it sells out! It’s definitely one of the restaurants in Helena not to miss.

Cotton Top Pastries

Cotton Top Pastries seasonal menu changes weekly and includes a small assortment of sweet and savory made from scratch goodies. I had a very difficult time choosing. My final choice of a scallion, cheddar, and asiago butter biscuit was a good one.

Located in Reeder’s Alley, one of the best places to visit in Helena, the small bakery’s building has an interesting history. Originally built as two cabins in 1865 it was turned into one structure that housed a brothel in the 1880s! In 1939 it became a caretaker’s cabin for the pioneer cabin located next door. By 2014 it became the bakery that locals and visitors alike love today!

It’s only open Friday and Saturday mornings. While the hours are limited, it definitely should be included on your list of places to eat in Helena. I had heard about long lines and baked goods selling out quickly, but at about 10:15 am on a Saturday morning there was no line and a wide selection.

There are no restrooms or seating inside. Lawn space behind the bakery makes for a nice picnic.

Parrot Confectionery

In the early 1910s The Parrot Confectionery began as the Helena Drug Co Fountain and Confectionery Department. It changed names in 1922, perhaps due to the parrot craze at the time. More than a hundred years later, the chocolate and soda fountain shop still retains its old school feel.

The hand dipped chocolates and soda fountain treats continue to delight locals and visitors alike. The huge case of confections makes it really hard to choose. I was nearing the end of my time in Montana and still hadn’t tried huckleberry yet so I went with a huckleberry candy.

You can dine on your sweets and a small menu of savory items within the shop. Savory menu items include chili, hotdogs, tamales, and tamale mac.

More Places to Eat in Helena

There are always more places I want to eat than I have time or room in my stomach for. The following are a few highly rated Helena restaurants, cafes, and bakeries that I have on my list for my next visit.

Benny’s Bistro – an upscale casual American bistro.
Old Salt Outpost – a burger place that uses local meats.
Lucca’s – a fine dining Italian restaurant.
On Broadway – a more casual Italian place to eat.
The Hopper Kitchen & Market – a brunch spot known for their made from scratch and locally sourced ingredients.
The Dive Bakery & Cafe – a nice, casual bakery and cafe.
The Grateful Bread Bakery & Cafe – a local, family-owned bakery with excellent bread.

Make sure to check the hours of all the places to eat in Helena as some are closed on Mondays and/or Tuesdays. If I helped you decide where to eat in Helena, please consider supporting me by Buying Me a Coffee.