Boxcar Bistro

The only place that gives you soulful satisfaction and real food. This truly is an amazing experience from every bite to very specific wine you can’t find anywhere in Missoula. If you want that Ratatouille flashback with every bite this is the place to go!! I cannot express how excited I am to return again and again !

There’s no way that a place for fine food and chill atmosphere exists in Missoula, think again. A knowledgeable and sincere staff boasts a fantastic wild caught and seasonable menu with a great selection of wine pairings and a good imported beer. Each member of the staff knew their menu, drinks and the history behind the establishment. We came out of curiosity and will make the drive from the Bitterroot at least once a month. This was unforgettable.

Beautiful interior and ambiance with low lighting, pleasant music, attentive service, and an elevated menu with plenty of variety in upscale cuisine options. The blackened prawns were buttery tender, perfectly cooked, with a lovely bright citrus vinegar savory balanced flavor with the sauces and seasonings. Beet and burrata salad was exquisite, again perfect flavor complements and balance. A wonderful light dinner with ideal portions that leave you feeling perfectly satisfied. Highly recommend this for an intimate gathering dinner with friends or a date, or just a nice evening out for an upscale dining experience.

I recommend here for date night. There aren’t many spots like this in Missoula so it was nice to find something that felt more upscale. We liked the sea bass dish the best.

This place is exceptional. The atmosphere is an upscale casual. The day we went the front of house was handled by one man and he did a wonderful job. While many restaurants try to portray fine dining and fail, this place provides fine dining in a more relaxed atmosphere. The duck confit was delicious, juicy and tender. The beans are additively delicious. The veal is served with broccolini which is grilled and delicious. The veal shank was tender, tasty, and beautifully cooked. The mix of tomato, herbs, mushrooms and garlic provide a punchy flavour to help cut through the richness. The spiced bread pudding was my favorite of the two desserts my wife and I ordered. The caramel sauce it comes with is really good. The chocolate torte was dense and rich. It was good but I really think the bread pudding is the show stopper dessert-wise.

Food quality / price (value) rating: 10. The atmosphere is neo-classical, with chandeliers, textures and colors brought together by a talented designer. There is a cute outdoor seating area as well. One typically needs to make reservations well in advance for this restaurant for good reasons. The Chef, Rachel, is the main reason for this. She should be made a partner NOW to prevent losing her! Her extraordinary palate and artistic talent joins together to create a very rare and exceptional gastro-experience. We concluded our Montana vacation on the highest note possible by having our final dinner here. We started with the Fromage Board, a wonderful mix of rare and unusual cheeses, crackers, olives, nuts, seeds, pickles, honeycomb, jelly, dried apricots and figs, and a hot mustard. Incredible! For an entree, I had the Double Cut Pork Chop. The presentation was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, one that would make any artist envious. The photo speaks for itself. It was the most tender pork I've ever had the pleasure of eating, so tender that the WEIGHT OF THE KNIFE WAS ENOUGH TO CUT IT - I am not kidding! The mixture of textures and flavors was a true Meistro's symphony. You must read the description on the menu, as I am not enough of a poet to properly enshrine it's splendor. The wife had the Herb Roasted Chicken, where again, one must read the description on the menu to appreciate the ingredients and their place in the universe. We split a Bread Pudding ala mode, where the vanilla ice cream was super high quality. A couple of cappuccinos and we were finally satiated. Our server, Jewel, was very attentive without being imposing, and made our visit everything it could be. They have a wine and beer license only, so have your martini beforehand. Check out the photos, and look no further for the best food experience you can have in Missoula.....and possibly Montana.

Astounding delicious French inspired classic food in a modern yet historic part of Missoula! The atmosphere and decor is a modern yet sophisticated take on the dining cars from trains of yesteryear mixed with a rustic French feel. The staff members are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the French inspired classic food and wine pairings that are offered. Definitely recommend a reservation as the restaurant fills up quickly. Dress either in casual or fancy attire depending on how you want enjoy your evening!

First time here and it was pretty good! Boxcar has a beautiful interior, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a weekly rotating menu. Easy to make reservations online and located in a new development near downtown Missoula. Super delicious food, really wish they had mocktails for those who don't drink beer/wine! We ordered the warm raclette, steelhead fish, and shrimp dishes. Seating and table were comfortable and we were able to have a fun date night! My only "complaint" would be that the music did not match the interior vibe, but it's not that big of a deal! We will definitely try Boxcar again!

This place is fantastic! Let's start with how quaint and private the setting is. I came with a group of 7 for my friend's birthday dinner, and was amazed by how small the restaurant was. Each table really gets an attentive server and the food is obviously cooked to order, and prepared well. Pictured are many of the meals, as we tried a lot of what was on the menu besides the caviar. The charcuterie plate was fresh and delicious, and for wine we had a quality syrah. The beef tartare was served with a soft decadent bread and had a great acidic flavor. The files was probably the table favorite, and was very rich with a wine demiglaze. The only thing I was slightly disappointed with was the Chimichurri Steak frites, which I believe would have been better with a sauce or reduction as a topper. The price point is normal for what you are getting, and I definitely recommend this place for a private party, setting, or quiet date night. I'm always happy to be invited to a hidden gem like this.

Really attentive staff. Neat and relaxing environment. Great food and awesome dining experience. Honestly one of the best places to have a nice meal in Missoula. They really take everything into consideration and make it a all around wonderful experience.