Some mornings in Glacier are picture perfect: you wake up in your tent and slowly drink coffee while watching the sunrise. Some mornings are more action-packed: get on the road, get to the trailhead, or head to the airport. Regardless of what you’re up to, a Montana meal is the perfect thing to complete your Glacier National Park experience.
Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got a breakfast spot to suit any taste—fast, rustic, or caffeinated. And everything is delicious, of course—we wouldn’t recommend anything that wasn’t approved by the locals. Here are our favorite breakfast joints near Glacier National Park:
Montana Coffee Traders, Columbia Falls
As Dave, the manager says, “If you can get in the door, come on by for a cup of coffee!” Coffee Traders offers more than just coffee, though. We love their Greek scramble and Sayulita siesta. You can also grab a brown bag “hiker” for your lunch in the park. Is it the most popular coffee shop in the Flathead Valley? You bet, with good reason. Get there early to beat the lines (they open at 6 AM).
West Glacier Restaurant, West Glacier
For a classic breakfast before your day in the park, swing into the West Glacier Restaurant. Eggs and hash browns will load you up and give you energy with some traditional Montana flair. Plus, they’ll pour you coffee as fast as you can drink it.
The Buffalo Cafe, Whitefish
‘The Buff’—as some locals have nicknamed the place—is full by 10 AM with a wait. We suggest showing up after your stay at Grouse Mountain Lodge, ordering the huevos rancheros or buffalo pie, and heading back out the door before 9 AM. Or, come by the day after your hike for some Huckleberry Pancakes (available until noon) and a Huckleberry Milkshake. Don’t worry—no one will shame you for ordering ice cream first thing in the morning.
Great Northern Dining Room, East Glacier
Mornings at Glacier Park Lodge start in style at the gorgeous and historic Great Northern Dining Room. With views stretching across the valley to Dancing Lady Mountain, you can enjoy the extensive buffet or opt for something a la carte as you prepare for your day’s adventure. The chef recommends the Big Sky Breakfast with local sausage, eggs and potatoes, or Huckleberry Pancakes, a Montana classic. Lighter options like omelets, house-made granola and seasonal fruit are also good options!
The Dining Car at The Izaak Walton Inn, Essex
A best bet if you’re heading from West Glacier to East Glacier or vice versa. Stop off Highway 2 at The Dining Car for local Flathead Valley meats, produce, and dairy mixed into omelettes, eggs benedict, and breakfast sandwiches. And if you’ve never had a “griddlecake,” the Izaak Walton can change that.
Polebridge Mercantile, Polebridge
One word: Huckleberrybearclaws. Ha! Okay, three words that you say so fast when you order, it turns into one. We KNOW how bad you want a homemade Huckleberry Bear Claw, so make the stop on your way to Bowman Lake or other northern Glacier National Park adventures and grab one before they run out!
Photo: Huckleberry Bear Claw at Polebridge Mercantile. Photo by Steven Gnam.
Get a Room in Glacier
From Cabins at Apgar to Motel Lake McDonald, the west side of the park has plenty of lodging options where you can rest your head before the sun rises. Get in touch with an expert trip planner to see which rooms are still available for your trip.