Must-Try Montana Burgers
- Montana Edit
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Montana isn't just home to some of the best beef in the country—it's home to some of the best burgers, too. From historic dive bars to modern burger bars pushing creative boundaries, the Treasure State has a burger scene that rivals anywhere in the nation. Whether you're a local looking for your next favorite spot or a visitor wanting to taste what Montana beef is all about, these seven burger joints are absolute must-visits.
139 West Main Street, Missoula | https://themissoulaclubmt.com/
Step into the Missoula Club—better known as the Mo Club to locals—and you're stepping into Montana history. This iconic dive bar has been slinging burgers since 1890, and they've kept the recipe exactly the same for over 130 years. The Mo Club holds Montana liquor license number one, making it as much a piece of state history as it is a restaurant. The vibe is pure dive bar—an Argentina mahogany bar scarred with coin grooves from generations of thirsty patrons, walls covered in photos of athletes and Grizzly football heroes, and an atmosphere that's loud, unpretentious, and absolutely perfect.
The menu is refreshingly simple: single, double, or triple burger with cheese or no cheese. That's it. No gourmet toppings, no fancy sauces—just thick, juicy Montana beef patties mixed with minced onions, grilled to perfection, and served on a toasted bun with pickles. The burgers are cooked slowly. Pair it with a cold draft beer and some bagged chips, and you've got yourself a classic Montana meal that's been winning hearts since a year after Montana became a state.
📍613 Central Avenue West, Great Falls
When a burger joint gets voted "Best Burger in Montana" multiple years running (2017-2023), you know they're doing something right. Roadhouse Diner in Great Falls has earned national recognition and a loyal following that extends well beyond the Electric City. They source their beef from McCafferty Ranch right here in Montana, get their buns baked fresh daily by Great Harvest, and make their fries from local Montana potatoes. This commitment to Montana ingredients isn't just good marketing—you can taste the difference.
The menu features creative, gourmet burgers that go beyond the basics while still honoring the classic burger tradition. The PB&J burger sounds absolutely crazy but is amazing—the sweet and savory combination works better than you'd ever imagine. Whether you're a local regular or just passing through town, the friendly diner atmosphere makes it the perfect stop.
📍6170 Butler Creek Road, Missoula
FSK is Missoula's newest burger destination, opened in early 2025 by Megan Matthews, a Cambridge School of Culinary Arts graduate and former head chef at the beloved Burns Street Bistro. Megan calls FSK "Burns Street Bistro 2.0," and you can taste that pedigree throughout the menu. The burger menu features locally sourced Montana beef, served on house-made potato buns—and those buns alone are worth the trip.
The "Fairfield," a double smash burger with American cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles, is one of our favorites and represents the new wave of Montana dining—chef-driven, locally sourced, and unafraid to put a creative spin on classics. The smash burgers are perfectly executed with crispy edges and juicy centers that showcase why this spot is quickly becoming a Missoula destination.
📍125 W Main Street, Bozeman
Bozeman's Backcountry Burger Bar lives by a simple philosophy: keep it simple, but make it exceptional. This burger bar focuses on what matters most—Montana-raised and processed beef and bison, locally sourced potatoes, and buns baked fresh with Montana flour. The result is a menu that celebrates Montana's agricultural bounty while delivering consistently excellent burgers. The burger selection ranges from straightforward classics to adventurous options, and for those wanting to try something uniquely Montana, the bison burger showcases local bison with smoked bacon, cheddar, haystack onion, and BBQ sauce.
Backcountry doesn't stop at burgers—their sides are equally impressive. The fries can be upgraded with garlic parmesan or curry sauce, and the restaurant features an all-Montana beer list. Backcountry strikes the perfect balance between quality and accessibility, with the commitment to Montana ingredients shining through.
📍114 N 27th Street, Billings
📍1603 Grand Ave #145B, Billings
When you win the World Food Championships in 2016 and get featured on the Food Network's Man vs. Food, you've officially entered the burger hall of fame. The Burger Dive in Billings has done just that, earning national acclaim while staying true to its roots and commitment to fresh, never-frozen Angus beef. Brad and Andi Halsten opened The Burger Dive in 2010 with one goal: serve the best burgers in Montana. More than a decade later, they've exceeded that goal with their award-winning "I'm Your Huckleberry" burger featuring Brad's signature huckleberry hatch chili barbecue sauce, bacon, goat cheese, arugula, and roasted red pepper mayo on a bun from Billings' own Grains of Montana bakery.
The Burger Dive sources locally whenever possible, partnering with local ranchers for their beef and bakeries for fresh buns. The atmosphere is classic burger joint—casual, friendly, and focused on the food. With two locations in Billings, it's easier than ever to get your hands on an award-winning burger that proves Montana can compete with—and beat—burger joints anywhere in the country.
📍1018 West Custer Ave
📍1433 11th Ave
Founded by Chris Abrego—a chef with serious credentials including opening upscale restaurants in Chicago and working at prestigious New York establishments—Copperline brings big-city technique to Montana comfort food. The flagship location started as a drive-thru-only Airstream on Custer Avenue.
The beef patties are flavorful with that perfect smashburger crust—crispy around the edges while staying juicy in the middle. Fresh, high-quality ingredients shine through in every bite, from the bacon cheeseburger with garlic aioli to the popular spicy bacon cheese burger and mushroom swiss. The hand-cut fries are generous portions in a cup with extra fries in the bag—and they’re crispy, golden, and addictive.
📍126 3rd Ave
Step back in time at Wolfer's Diner, a 1950s-themed restaurant in Havre that delivers nostalgia along with some seriously good burgers. This place has a jukebox, the floors are black and white checkered, and the milkshakes come in tall soda fountain glasses with the metal canister still on the table.
What sets Wolfer's apart is their commitment to making everything from scratch. The burger buns are homemade and grilled on one side for that perfect crispy texture. The burger patties are hand-made—not pre-formed, not frozen—and it shows. The menu offers plenty of burger options including the classic Wolfer Burger, the Philly Burger, Chili Burger, Blue Cheese Burger, and the Patty Melt.
