Glendive, Montana Restaurants: Your Guide to the Best Places to Eat

Craving a slice of pizza or need a caffeine-fueled pick-me-up? Nestled along the Yellowstone River in the heart of eastern Montana, the Glendive restaurant scene punches above its weight. Morning coffee shops, casual lunch counters, tacos and burritos, locally brewed craft beer, and a pair of diners that never close. It’s a larger range than the population size might suggest. 

Locals have their regulars, and I-94 travelers can find a dependable meal at almost any hour. This guide to restaurants in Glendive, Montana, covers where to eat, what to order, and which spots are worth pulling off the highway for.

Glendive Restaurants at a Glance: Glendive’s dining scene is compact but dependable. Mornings start at a couple of strong local coffee shops, midday brings casual eats and international flavors, and evenings shift to bar food, Mexican fare, and craft beer. Late arrivals and early risers have two 24-hour spots to fall back on. 

Cafes, Pizza & More: Where to Eat in Glendive, MT

Local coffee shops with loyal morning regulars, a Filipino food truck drawing people from across the region, a craft brewery with a full food menu, and a pair of 24-hour spots that keep travelers fed at any hour; the Gate City has its bases covered.

The restaurants here are built around places people actually return to. Some have been around long enough to feel like institutions; others are newer arrivals that have already earned a place in the regular rotation. Here’s what’s on the menu.

Rise & Shine: Breakfast & Coffee Shops

Glendive’s mornings run through two local coffee shops, each with its own personality. One has the unhurried feel of a neighborhood spot, where you’ll often see familiar faces. The other brings a more contemporary energy with creative drinks and a solid midday menu.

Crav’ns Coffee Shop

Crav’ns Coffee Shop goes well beyond a plain cup of coffee. The menu covers coffee, tea, frappes, ice cream, and a rotating selection of drinks that keeps the order interesting. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot where you’re likely to run into someone you know, and the laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to linger. If you’re starting your morning in Glendive, Crav’ns is a natural first stop.

Black Sheep Market

For a more contemporary coffeehouse experience, Black Sheep Market brings a fresh take to Glendive’s breakfast and lunch scene. Expect creative, dirty drinks alongside coffee and a tasty menu that stretches into midday. If you’re working remotely or just want a spot to sit down and settle in for a bit, Black Sheep is the way.

Glendive Go-Tos: Lunch & Casual Places to Eat

Glendive’s lunch scene is compact but varied; think local comfort food, the city’s only Chinese restaurant, and a Filipino food truck that’s earned a following well beyond the Gate City limits. It’s a mouthwatering lineup built around places that have figured out what they do well and stuck with it.

Gust Hauf

An easy choice when you want something familiar and satisfying, Gust Hauf’s menu leans into pizza, subs, and homemade soups, and the portions are generous enough that you’ll leave full. The sports bar setup makes it a natural spot to catch a game, and the local crowd gives it an energy that feels authentically Glendive.

J&J Chinese Cafe

J&J Chinese Cafe, run by the Li family out of the West Plaza Shopping Mall, is the only Chinese restaurant in Glendive. Don’t let the strip mall location fool you. Reviewers on Google and TripAdvisor routinely say the same thing: they weren’t expecting food this good in a small town between Billings and Bismarck. It’s a no-frills operation with made-to-order dishes and generous portions at around $10 a plate.

Crazy Asians Kitchen

Crazy Asians Kitchen serves Filipino and Guamanian home cooking you won’t find anywhere else in eastern Montana. Think lumpia, pancit, crack chicken, and harder-to-find dishes like chicken kelaguen with finadene sauce. Owner Nichole Smelser started with pop-ups, grew into a food trailer, and was recognized as a Dawson County community champion along the way. Hours and location shift week to week, so check their Facebook page before you head out.

Where to Grab Dinner and a Beer in Glendive

Evenings in Glendive have plenty to offer, from casual bar food to Mexican fare and locally brewed craft beer. The dinner scene here is built around neighborhood tried-and-trues. 

Beer Jug

Beer Jug does casual dinners and cold drinks well. Try the nachos or sink your teeth into the double bacon cheeseburger for a heartier meal. It’s a reliable choice for locals and a solid landing pad for travelers who want good food without any fuss.

Fitzerelli’s

Fitzerelli’s handles Mexican food in Glendive, and the fast-casual format makes it easy to grab a great meal without a long wait. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and combo meals are all on offer, and fan favorites like the Monster Burrito and Crunchwrap have earned a loyal following.

Cross Country Brewing

Family-owned and community-focused, Cross Country Brewing pairs its craft beer lineup with food in a space that feels genuinely local. Stop in for a flight of house-brewed beers or settle in for dinner, and don’t forget to check their Facebook page for current hours and seasonal offerings.

Open Late & 24-Hour Restaurants in Glendive

Glendive has two restaurants that never close, which matters more than it sounds when you’re rolling in off I-94 at midnight. Full breakfast, proper dinner, hot coffee at an unreasonable hour. The Gate City has you covered.

Yellowstone River Inn (YRI)

The Yellowstone River Inn restaurant, known locally as the YRI restaurant, runs a full menu around the clock, making it a great option for extra late arrivals and early departures. Midnight or 7 a.m., the kitchen is open, so you’re never stuck choosing between a bag of chips and a vending machine sandwich after a long drive. 

Penny’s Diner

Penny’s Diner is another 24-hour option in Glendive with a classic American diner menu that includes breakfast all day. If you want eggs and toast at 2 a.m., Penny’s has your back. The booths are comfortable, the coffee stays hot, and the menu covers all the diner staples you’d expect. 

Round Out Your Visit with Seed of Life Labs

Glendive’s restaurant scene gives you plenty of reasons to spend an evening in town, and a stop by Seed of Life Glendive fits in naturally before or after dinner. We carry small-batch, Montana-grown cannabis for both medical and recreational customers, and our team is always happy to point you in the right direction. If you’re exploring more of Glendive, head to our local guide and get the scoop on everything the city has to offer. 

First time buying cannabis in Montana? Start with our cannabis laws guide. Heading further into the state? We’ve got locations across Montana along most major routes.