Even though it is a small town in the middle of Montana, you will not lack for any kind of food in Gardiner. Everything from ice cream and pizza to more fancy Italian fare to Chinese food is available here.
For the more budget-conscience, there is the Town Cafe, a diner-style cafe that serves breakfasts all day as well as typical diner fare. The K-Bar also serves good pizzas with a variety of toppings, as well as various-themed lunches on the weekdays. They serve pizza late, but in the evenings it becomes a true local hangout and bar. For excellent sandwiches, head to the Tumbleweed Bookstore, which can also provide you with computers for internet access and a variety of reading material for your lunchtime entertainment. Yellowstone Perk is a wonderful country store and ice cream parlor. There is also a grocery store in town, the Food Farm, for those who would prefer the self-catering route. This is an excellent store, carrying an eclectic selection of items, including organic and environmentally-friendly products. Because of Gardiner's mix of residents from all walks of life, there is an excellent selection at this small grocer.
For the mid-range spender, there is plenty to choose from. For pizza, head to Outlaws, which also boasts the town's best salad bar. This restaurant offers more eclectic choices in pizza toppings; try the Trailboss pizza, or their pesto sauce. In the same complex you'll find Gardiner's Chinese take-out place, the Wokking Panda. Down the road, your options expand. There’s Helen’s, well known for the surly service and monstrous burgers. Next to the Tumbleweed there is the Silvertip, new in 2007, serving a variety of barbequed items. For a unique Montana saloon dining experience, try the Two Bit, which serves great greasy-spoon food (try going for breakfast!) as well as having a full bar. There is also the Sawtooth Deli, serving up a nice selection of sandwiches for lunch and expanding to brick-oven pizzas, pastas and fish for dinner. If you hit it during the summer, try sitting on the outdoor patio for maximum people-watching opportunity. Also, it’s worth noting that just outside of Gardiner to the north is the Lighthouse Restaurant, which serves up an eclectic menu of pretty much everything, including steaks, pastas, and Thai food. They do not sell any alcohol, however, but the food is reliably very good and the décor is extremely interesting.
On the higher end of the scale, there are a few options in Gardiner. The Antler at the Comfort Inn serves up decent steaks and pastas, though the atmosphere is arguably lacking. Further down the strip, in the Best Western, is the Yellowstone Mine. With interesting ambience, featuring a very old-fashioned western and mining theme, the Mine serves up everything you would expect: steak, prime rib, pastas, salads, and some seafood. Attached to the Two Bit in the summer, on their outdoor, covered patio, is the Raven Grill. A Prime people-watching location any time of the year, the Raven fixing (on their large outdoor grills) large portions of various grilled items, such as steak, shrimp, sausage, chicken, etc., all served with corn-on-the-cob, garlic bread and baked beans. Buy your beers or mixed drinks from the Two Bit inside or bring your own wine. Just around the corner is Padelino’s, a locally-owned Italian restaurant, providing both typical and more creative Italian fare and nicer wines in a sophisticated yet casual log-cabin atmosphere. Try the crazy alfredo, a local legend, and well worth the calories.
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