Your Weekend Guide to Billings for the Foodie
When you first think of Billings, Montana, you may not think of it as a city that’s well known for its food and drink scene, but as a local, I’m here to say that Billings is not to be dismissed as a place for the foodies.
We have our fair share of breweries and restaurants that serve locally sourced food and drinks that are totally worth the trip!
From steakhouses, to southern comfort foods, fine dining, mom and pop shops, local craft beer and delicious coffee shops, you won’t run short of fun food finds while you’re in town.
So, if you’re looking for the next place to check off of your travel bucket list and enjoy some delicious bites and brews along the way, look no further - Billings has you covered.
Where to Stay
Like any weekend trip, you’re going to need to book an accommodation that fits the vibe!
For my foodies, there’s a few unique stays that will put you in walking distance to some of the best restaurants in town, including:
The Northern Hotel - this is going to be your most classic city style luxurious hotel located in Downtown Billings with onsite restaurants. The central location makes it incredibly walkable to a ton of places you’ll likely want to visit while you’re in town!
Downtown AirBnb Apartment with a rooftop patio - a modern style, lofty condo in downtown Billings conveniently located within walking distance to major hot spots
A larger AirBnb home located conveniently behind one of the best coffee shops in Billings - this option is great if you’re traveling with a group and you love the idea of a morning stroll to grab a cup of coffee bright and early!
Your Weekend Guide to Billings, Montana For The Foodie
Instead of mapping out your entire weekend itinerary, I want to list a massive download of my top recommendations for coffee shops, breakfast or brunch, lunch, drinks, dinner and of course dessert, along with a few can’t miss activities for the foodie, so you can plan your weekend accordingly based on what stands out to you the most!
There are truly SO many options that you can fill your weekend with and I want to make sure you know the top rated spots so you can visit what interests you the most.
First things first, let’s start with coffee. ☕️
For your weekend trip to Billings, I encourage you to ditch the chain coffee shops and opt for a local option while you’re in town. My favorites include:
Big Sky Coffee Roasters - a family owned neighborhood coffee house nestled in Northwest Billings where you’ll feel welcomed as soon as you walk in!
Rock Creek Coffee Roasters - a cup of joe that’s quite literally made in Montana! In the heart of downtown, Rock Creek roasts all of their coffee in-house that pairs perfectly with their dreamy coffee shop atmosphere.
Proof Donuts - your classic small town donut shop with all of the favorite flavors made from scratch daily! Pair a dozen with a cup of coffee and you’ve got yourself a morning. 🍩☕️
Next up, breakfast and brunch - arguably the best meal of the day! 🥞🍳🥓
I truly can’t choose a favorite Billings brunch spot, so if you can I encourage you to try to fit in ALL of these:
Bernie’s - you know those traditional diner style restaurants that double as a fun photo op?! That’s Bernies! At this downtown spot located right outside The Northern Hotel, you’ll find all of the classic breakfast favorites to fuel up before your adventures for the day.
The Sassy Biscuit - I have two words for you: waffle. biscuits. YES, it’s exactly what it sounds like and YES, they are absolutely delicious! This is another downtown favorite that I would 10/10 recommend.
Sophie's Kitchen - the go-to brunch spot in West End Billings that not only serves up your typical brunch dishes, but also is highly known for their drink menu featuring a variety of different mimosas including a special Mimosa of the Month and MANmosas 🍻🍾🍊
When you’re hungry again for lunch or a snack, stop into:
406 Kitchen and Taproom - an industrial-inspired space with a rooftop patio serving an eclectic pub menu featuring tacos, burgers, flatbreads and more along with a variety of craft beer.
Stacked | A Montana Grill - a tavern style environment located in the heart of Downtown Billings with a menu of burgers and New American entrees.
Blues BBQ - if you’ve never had BBQ from a gas station, don’t knock it until you try it! Blues is hands down the best BBQ in Billings and has been a crowd favorite since 2004.
The Burger Dive - a quirky burger joint in a fun checkered floor environment serving traditional (and not-so traditional) burgers and shakes 🍔🥤
If you’re wanting a lunch bite that’s a bit more unique and casual, you can use Billings Food Truck Tracker to track some of the best food trucks in town and pinpoint their exact location each day!
Next up, happy hour!
Would you believe me if I said there’s an entire website dedicated to happy hour in Billings?! It’s true.
If you want to scope out the best deals and choose your own happy hour spot, click here, but here’s a few that I’d recommend you add to your list:
Trailhead Spirits for locally sourced, unique cocktails
City Vineyard for wine, beer and tapas
The Vig Alehouse & Casino for a quick drink and slot machines
After that, select from some of Billings best fine dining dinner options:
Walkers - a well-established downtown favorite, Walkers is the perfect choice for dinner or date night serving up a mix of international cuisine and western comfort foods in a casual yet urban setting
NaRa - if you’re a fan of sushi and ramen, a trip to NaRa while you’re in town is a MUST!
The Granary - a 50 year landmark in Billings that has recently been remodeled with a modern design to match the upscale menu featuring your seafood favorites. I HIGHLY recommend the oyster selection!
Bistro Enzo - if you’re feeling Italian, Enzo is the place to go! Delicious entrees paired with your favorite red wine make for the ideal dinner.
Samurai - hibachi always tends to be a fan favorite and Samurai doesn’t disappoint!
Rio Sabinas - a casual style local Mexican chain serving cocktails, sandwiches & Southwestern & Tex-Mex fare in a vibrant space.
Jake's Downtown - a locally owned and operated steakhouse that was established in 1979 and has been serving up classic steakhouse fare ever since. They also have an amazing wine list and the environment just really tops it off!
And no meal would be complete without a sweet treat:
Big Dipper Ice Cream - a Montana classic, Big Dipper has been serving up handcrafted ice cream since 1995 and has made many national media appearances. You can find the famous shops in a few different Montana cities, one being Downtown Billings!
Candy Town USA - this is the largest candy store and old-fashioned soda shop in Montana where you’ll find delicious caramel apples, chocolate fudge, gourmet candies and out of this world milkshakes!
Soda Station - a classic Montana soda shop with a cute drive thru where you can grab your favorite soda and mix it with all kinds of fun flavors!
Can’t Miss Billings Activities for the Foodie
Along with all of the delicious restaurants in town, there’s also a ton of fun activities and events throughout Billings that speak directly to a foodie’s heart.
If you’re a beer lover, the Brew Trail is a can’t miss activity while you’re in town! You’d be surprised at how many breweries are located in Billings alone and the best way to hit most of them is with this self guided 1.5 mile walking tour.
Along the way, you’ll hit 6 breweries, two distilleries and one cider house so you can get a true taste of Montana with different beers, spirits and ciders. Here’s how it works!
Charcuterie Class with Better Together Charcuterie
Throughout the year, you can find fun charcuterie classes with Better Together Charcuterie to build your own board to enjoy while you’re in town.
Classes are often hosted with Frae Everyday Goods and The Front Porch, so as you’re planning your trip, check their event calendars to see what’s in store!
Wine Tasting at Yellowstone Cellars and Winery
This family owned and operated winery has been serving up classic French and Italian style red and white wines since 2010.
When you visit, not only will you get to taste delicious wine paired with pizzas, flatbreads and charcuterie boards, you’ll also get to take in the gorgeous Montana mountain views.
Events at Meadowlark Brewery
Meadowlark is one of my personal favorites spots in Billings and they have an event calendar like no other!
From pint nights, brews and brushes, comedy shows and even 5ks, they keep the community busy, so while you’re in town be sure to check their calendar to add more fun to your trip.
Workshops at Zest Billings
Zest is a kitchen and cookware store in Billings offering high quality cutlery, pans, cooking tools and more, but they also host unique classes and workshops that are perfect for foodies!
From knife skill classes, taco Tuesday and even dumplings from scratch, you can experience a fun evening in the kitchen. Check their calendar here!
After this weekend trip to Billings your stomach (and heart) will most definitely be full!
It’s such a fun place to travel to with friends, your spouse, the whole family or even solo, so pack your bags, bring your appetite and I’ll see you soon!