Highest-rated cheap eats in Missoula by diners

Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.

Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with more than 7 in 10 consumers eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.

Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.

Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Missoula area using data from Yelp. Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (out of 4) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than five locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.

Taco del Sol

1 / 30

#30. Taco del Sol

- Rating: 3.5/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3075 North Reserve St. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Fast food, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Liquid Planet Grille

2 / 30

#29. Liquid Planet Grille

- Rating: 3.5/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1025 Arthur Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Wheat Montana Bakery & Deli

3 / 30

#28. Wheat Montana Bakery & Deli

- Rating: 3.5/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2520 South 3rd St. West Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Desserts, Delis, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

Desperado Sports Tavern

4 / 30

#27. Desperado Sports Tavern

- Rating: 3.6/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3101 South Russell St. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Sports Bars, Burgers, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

El Diablo

5 / 30

#26. El Diablo

- Rating: 3.7/5 (99 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1429 South Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Lighthouse Espresso

6 / 30

#25. Lighthouse Espresso

- Rating: 3.7/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1925 Sherwood St. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Acropolis Gyros & Greek Specialties

7 / 30

#24. Acropolis Gyros & Greek Specialties

- Rating: 3.7/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 117 South Ave. West Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Greek
- Read more on Yelp

Pie Hole

8 / 30

#23. Pie Hole

- Rating: 3.7/5 (155 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 525 North Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp

Big Thai Country

9 / 30

#22. Big Thai Country

- Rating: 3.7/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Food Trucks, Thai
- Read more on Yelp

The Oxford Saloon

10 / 30

#21. The Oxford Saloon

- Rating: 3.7/5 (98 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 337 North Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Casinos, American
- Read more on Yelp

Taco Del Sol

11 / 30

#20. Taco Del Sol

- Rating: 3.8/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1116 West Cental Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

Wheat Montana Bakery & Deli

12 / 30

#19. Wheat Montana Bakery & Deli

- Rating: 3.8/5 (55 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 8800 Truck Stop Road Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Bakeries, Delis
- Read more on Yelp

Iron Griz American Bistro

13 / 30

#18. Iron Griz American Bistro

- Rating: 3.8/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 515 South Ave. East Missoula, Montana
- Categories: New American, Sandwiches, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Vietnam Noodle Restaurant

14 / 30

#17. Vietnam Noodle Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (141 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2100 Stephens Ave. Ste 103 Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Vietnamese, Noodles
- Read more on Yelp

Pagoda Chinese Food

15 / 30

#16. Pagoda Chinese Food

- Rating: 3.9/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 425 North 5th St. West Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Chinese, Thai
- Read more on Yelp

Doc's Gourmet Sandwich Express

16 / 30

#15. Doc's Gourmet Sandwich Express

- Rating: 3.9/5 (72 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 214 North Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Green Source

17 / 30

#14. Green Source

- Rating: 3.9/5 (65 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 617 South Higgins Ave. Ste A Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Organic Stores, Live/Raw Food, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

Dinosaur Cafe

18 / 30

#13. Dinosaur Cafe

- Rating: 3.9/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 428 North Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: American, Cajun/Creole
- Read more on Yelp

Bridge Pizza

19 / 30

#12. Bridge Pizza

- Rating: 4.0/5 (217 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 600 South Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

Ambrosia

20 / 30

#11. Ambrosia

- Rating: 4.0/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2230 North Reserve St. Ste 440 Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Greek
- Read more on Yelp

Five On Black

21 / 30

#10. Five On Black

- Rating: 4.1/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3850 South Reserve St. Ste 140 Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Brazilian
- Read more on Yelp

Great Harvest Bread

22 / 30

#9. Great Harvest Bread

- Rating: 4.2/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1407 South Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Bakeries, Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp

Clyde Coffee

23 / 30

#8. Clyde Coffee

- Rating: 4.2/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 741 South Higgins Unit A Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

Worden's Market

24 / 30

#7. Worden's Market

- Rating: 4.3/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 451 North Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Sandwiches, Delis
- Read more on Yelp

Missoula Club

25 / 30

#6. Missoula Club

- Rating: 4.3/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 139 West Main St. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Bars, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

Highlander Beer

26 / 30

#5. Highlander Beer

- Rating: 4.3/5 (180 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 200 International Drive Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Pizza, Breweries, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp

Five on Black

27 / 30

#4. Five on Black

- Rating: 4.4/5 (478 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 325 North Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Brazilian, fast food
- Read more on Yelp

Miller Creek Cafe

28 / 30

#3. Miller Creek Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4915 Lower Miller Creek Road Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Burgers, Sandwiches, New American
- Read more on Yelp

Drum Coffee

29 / 30

#2. Drum Coffee

- Rating: 4.5/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 600 South Ave. West Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bakeries, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

Greek Pastry Shop - #1 Gyros

30 / 30

#1. Greek Pastry Shop - #1 Gyros

- Rating: 4.5/5 (223 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 520 South 5th St. West Missoula, Montana
- Categories: Greek, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 388 metros.