Best road-trip restaurants in Montana

$$$ · Yellowstone & Grand Teton

Small-town continental bistro owned by chef Ian Troxler serving refined, locally driven plates across from the Big Sky Golf Course.

$$ · Glacier National Park

Rocky Mountain fare with Italian flair on Nucleus Avenue, 17 miles from the West Glacier gate — Montana-raised meat, seasonal menus, Sunday brunch. The best sit-down dinner in the last real town before the park.

$$$ · Montana & San Juan Skyway

Family-friendly bistro tucked off Main Street delivering elevated plates and a warm night-out experience in the Madison Valley.

$$ · Yellowstone National Park

Gardiner's year-round all-day room: coffee and baked goods in the morning, composed Montana-sourced dinners at night. The safest good meal in town in shoulder season, when much of Gardiner goes dark.

$$$ · Yellowstone's north approach

Livingston bistro in the historic Murray Hotel, pairing a French-leaning, scratch-made menu with ingredients from Southwest Montana growers and ranchers.

$$$ · Montana & San Juan Skyway

Downtown bistro in the historic Wilma Theatre celebrating western Montana farmers with local beef, lamb, pork and Northwest seafood.

$$$ · Beartooth Highway

A Red Lodge dinner pick before the Beartooth climb, with more creativity than a standard mountain-town grill.

$$$ · Glacier National Park

Historic 1910 chalet dining room serving innovative Montana cuisine with Montana beef and fresh fish steps from the park entrance.

$$$ · Glacier National Park

Corner bistro blending worldly cuisine with Montana fare on a seasonal menu, a downtown Whitefish dining fixture.

$$$ · Glacier National Park

Downtown corner bistro with an international wine list — 20-plus by the glass — and a menu that runs from rustic bread plates to wild boar tenderloin. The date-night pick after a Going-to-the-Sun day.