Beneath the towering peaks and endless expanse of Big Sky Country lies a fiercely independent culinary culture built on endurance and tradition. Filmed for Parts Unknown in 2016, this journey into the heart of Montana is far removed from the polished farm-to-table restaurants of coastal cities. Instead, it is an ode to the rugged mythology of the American West, a landscape that demands hearty, unpretentious sustenance. The region’s food scene is a fascinating tapestry of old-school supper clubs, working-class bars, and the wild game that roams the surrounding wilderness. Accompanied by legendary literary figures like the late Jim Harrison, the exploration focused on the soulful, vanishing spaces of America—places where railroad workers once drank, where steaks are served with unapologetic simplicity, and where a good cocktail is practically a constitutional right. It is a poetic, whiskey-soaked love letter to the weird, wonderful, and resilient corners of the American frontier. To truly taste the spirit of the West, you have to pull up a stool in these historic joints. Dive into the essential stops that defined this magnificent, mountainous adventure.
When Anthony Bourdain visited Montana on his show Parts Unknown, he and his crew picked many restaurants. Here are all the addresses and the dishes showcased in a convenient list.
This is Parts Unknown, season 7, episode 4. It first aired on May 15, 2016.
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DISH – “Supper Club Dishes” – Anthony Bourdain Montana
WHAT IS IT?
They had sliced beet, sweet potato salad, salami and cheese, salad, pickled peppers and breadsticks, scallops seared in white wine and beef tenderloin.
“This is so wacky, it makes no sense!” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Lydia’s Supper Club
4915 Harrison Ave, Butte, MT 59701, United States
Montana, United States
DISH – Drinks – Anthony Bourdain Montana
WHAT IS IT?
They had drinks.
“Bryant McGregor is the owner of the Silver Dollar Saloon in what was once Butte’s chinatown.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Silver Dollar Saloon
133 S Main St, Butte, MT 59701, United States
Montana, United States
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DISH – Drinks – Parts Unknown Montana
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain visited Mint Bar located at Montana.
They had drinks.
“The mint bar opened in the 1920’s and holds the oldest liquor license in Montana. Railroad workers used to drink here, everybody drank here.” -Anthony Bourdain
WHERE IS IT?
Mint Bar
1 E Legion Ave, Whitehall, MT 59759, United States
Montana, United States
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This foray into Montana remains one of the most poignant and visually stunning hours of television he ever produced, elevated by the profound, rumbling wisdom of author Jim Harrison. Harrison’s passing shortly after the episode aired lends it a bittersweet, historically significant weight—a final, poetic feast between kindred spirits. It beautifully reflects a career-long obsession with preserving the authentic, unfiltered soul of America before it is lost to gentrification and chain restaurants. The celebration of humble supper clubs and historic dive bars proves that the best meals are often about the company you keep. Embrace the wild beauty of the West and find your own legendary meal under the big sky.
