Maybe your boss just scheduled a surprise Friday meeting, or you discovered your favorite hiking boots have finally given up the ghost. Whatever the case, sometimes you just need to salvage a Montana-sized bad day with a perfectly seared steak or by drowning your sorrows in a bowl of huckleberry cobbler. Here are 17 Helena spots guaranteed to rescue your week.
The Rathskeller
$$ | (406) 442-5980 | WEBSITE
This new downtown Helena spot focuses on elevated comfort food with local influences, instead of the standard pub fare you more commonly see around town. The atmosphere is so lovely you’ll be tempted to linger for hours just soaking in the positive vibe. But fantastic food isn’t the only reason to make this place a high priority. The House Made Pretzels are warm and perfectly salted. The Huckleberry BBQ Pork Sliders are stunners that blend sweet and savory in impressive harmony.
And there’s enough delightful flavor in every bite to almost forget about the fact that you paid $18 for those sliders and they were worth every penny of it.
Blackfoot River Brewing Co
$ | (406) 449-3005 | WEBSITE
Drinking a pint at Blackfoot River Brewing Co is like getting a high-five from your favorite bartender who remembers your name. One sip of their world-famous Blackfoot IPA or popular Scottish Ale and you’ll understand, too. The Helena spot works wonders at making you feel welcome—the gluten-reduced options are thoughtful, the outdoor heaters keep you cozy, and no one will judge you if you bring your dog along for the afternoon.
With its LGBTQIA2S+ supportive environment and regular events, it’s the kind of place where $7 pints feel like a steal and the wooden tables have that perfect worn-in feel that says ‘stay awhile.’
The Hopper Kitchen & Market
$ | (406) 457-5544 | WEBSITE
Your coworker won’t stop talking about their weekend fishing trip, no matter how many times you subtly put in your earbuds. Just take a break, step outside, and recharge with a visit to The Hopper Kitchen & Market. The spot in the walking mall serves some of our favorite vegetarian options in town, plus a Montana cheesesteak with seasoned fries that’s practically legendary. Don’t leave without trying their confit beet reuben sandwich, which is heavy on the flavor and incredibly satisfying.
Crumbl – Helena
$$ | (406) 204-0568 | WEBSITE
This popular Helena spot bills itself as a place for sweet treats, and they do not disappoint. Swing by any time you need to celebrate surviving another workday with a boxful of incredible cookies, like the Chips Ahoy! flavor that comes with that perfect mix of sweet and crunchy, which tastes like getting a warm hug from your favorite childhood snack.
SheBrews Coffee on Custer
$ | (406) 996-1015 | WEBSITE
Sipping a 16 Oz vanilla latte with three shots from SheBrews is our preferred way to forget that our morning commute has been reduced to a blur of brake lights. The friendly coffee spot in Helena serves espresso drinks that are consistently strong and flavorful perfection, whether you go for their cold brew or one of their Italian sodas. In the 15 minutes it takes you to walk in, order, and finish the entire cup, you’ll have moved on from the traffic jam snafu.
Lewis & Clark Tap Room
$ | (406) 442-5960 | WEBSITE
Like a refreshing mountain stream, sipping a beer at Lewis & Clark Tap Room is one direct way to set you on a positive path. This Helena spot specializes in craft beers that are poured with care and knowledge. The Halo Huckleberry Wheat is comfort beer at its finest, as is the Prickly Pear Pale Ale—a fruity, smooth flavor bomb you’ll easily savor in a few sips.
The pizza remains a popular choice among visitors, located in a separate window down the hall, although it is the only food option available. The atmosphere is cozy, often compared to a cave, and the staff is friendly, knowledgeable about the beers, and eager to share their favorites. The taproom also offers live music and various activities on different nights like trivia and games. Visitors can enjoy a very nice outdoor patio area, making it a great place to relax with refreshing drinks.
Overall, it is worth a stop for anyone looking for good beer and a lively atmosphere.
Cafe Zydeco
$ | (406) 449-7032 | WEBSITE
So you just had a long week and accidentally teared up when the barista at your usual spot asked if you needed a refill. Happens to the best of us—just drown your sorrows in spice the next evening at Cafe Zydeco. The Helena eatery excels at all types of Cajun classics, with fun twists that remind you this place isn’t taking themselves too seriously.
There’s a gumbo version loaded with chicken and sausage and topped off with a side of hush puppies, and another filled with shrimp and grits we’d eat like comfort food.
Bagel Co on Last Chance
$ | (406) 449-6000 | WEBSITE
At this casual bagel spot in Helena, you can walk in, order, and have a warm everything bagel with honey walnut cream cheese, a sausage/egg/pepper jack breakfast sandwich, and a London Fog in front of you in no time. The trio is exactly the comfort meal you’ll want after accidentally sending your weekend hiking photos to the entire office chat.
Windbag Saloon & Grill
$ | (406) 443-3520 | WEBSITE
The spicy dill pickle chips from Windbag Saloon & Grill in Helena can fix basically every sh*t show situation you might have found yourself in this week. Did your boss tell you they’re ‘not angry, just disappointed’? Or do you owe hundreds of dollars on your credit card? Listen carefully. Spicy. Dill. Pickle. Chips. They cure all. The chips are crunchy, tangy, and perfectly fried, and essentially a straight injection of dopamine.
Montago Coffee Co
$ | (406) 401-3446 | WEBSITE
Those looking to shake off a Monday morning slump should head to Montago Coffee Co, a stylish industrial-chic spot where it’s impossible to have a bad cup. Settle into one of the discreet seating areas and prepare to be enveloped in the aroma of expertly crafted espresso drinks like cortados made with oat milk and honey cinnamon lattes. Friends are essential for this journey: it’s impossible to try all the unique drinks like matcha lemonade and espresso with tonic alone.
Plus, they’re open early every day of the week.
The Breakfast Club
$ | (406) 422-4038 | WEBSITE
Pure breakfast bliss awaits at The Breakfast Club, a husband-and-wife-run spot in Helena. It’s lively enough that you can enjoy the cheerful family atmosphere while savoring your morning, ideally while digging into biscuits and gravy made from scratch with crispy bacon on the side. The generous, made-to-order breakfast burritos also do a great job at satisfying any cravings.
Planet Gyros
$ | (406) 449-2550 | WEBSITE
There’s no better way to satisfy your craving for authentic Greek flavors than by heading to Planet Gyros in Helena. Walk up to the counter and choose anything from their straightforward menu of classic Greek dishes. The housemade gyros are perfectly seasoned and tender, and when the creamy tzatziki sauce is drizzled over, you’ve got a winning combination. Go for the classic gyro with juicy lamb or the Greek signature topped with massive pieces of crispy pita bread.
The Polish Sausage, Ham, & Lentil soup and the chicken curry soup are both excellent choices too. Despite the slightly higher prices, every bite feels worth it.
Hap’s Bar
$ | (406) 443-2804 | WEBSITE
If it’s been one of those weeks where your car wouldn’t start in the Montana cold, your neighbor’s dog dug up your garden, and you spilled coffee on your only clean shirt, make your way to Hap’s Bar in Helena. Because there’s no better way to hit the reset button than by settling in with a cold, perfectly poured drink. Let Brent or Shawna take care of you, which is so welcoming it might make you forget all your troubles. Go ahead, let it out.
Muni’s
$$ | (406) 447-1603 | WEBSITE
For some reason, staring out at a perfectly manicured fairway while trying to forget about your daily grind just makes sense. So head to Muni’s on the golf course and order yourself as many shrimp tacos as you can reasonably handle, plus a side of their phenomenal sweet potato fries. Then eat it all while you take a swing at one of their indoor golf simulators and try not to think about your slice.
Buffalo Wild Wings
$$ | (406) 495-9464 | WEBSITE
If the answer to ‘when’s the last time you had wings that made you forget about your entire week’s problems?’ isn’t ‘today,’ then head to Buffalo Wild Wings. The casual sports bar in Helena is serving up excellent chicken dishes with awesome views and a great TV selection. Don’t forget to ask for extra sauces on the side since the variety of wing seasonings could use some improvement.
You might just have a moment of pure contentment while watching the game and munching on those freshly cooked wings.
Scenic Brew
$ | (406) 204-0150 | WEBSITE
Scenic Brew is a coffee shop in Helena that you should beeline to whenever you need serious emotional support in the form of out-of-this-world coffee or burritos piled high with your favorite fillings. It’s also a literal cozy spot, with tasteful music playing overhead, comfortable chairs scattered throughout, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels like a warm hug. Come here to loosen up after realizing you accidentally sent a work email to your entire company instead of just your team.
And make sure to keep the hot chocolate with caramel sauce coming.
Nagoya | Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi
$$ | (406) 594-4667 | WEBSITE
Many occasions call for a meal at Nagoya, like birthdays, family celebrations, or end-of-the-week dinners after realizing your kids have three different sports practices and you need something everyone will actually eat. The lively teppanyaki space runs over with energy, with chefs flipping shrimp tails into their hats and sizzling hibachi grills right at your table.
And the interactive Japanese dishes, like perfectly cooked meats with fresh vegetables and the best soup ever had from a hibachi, are exactly what you want to eat while trying to ignore how much you’re about to spend on everyone’s chicken and shrimp platters.