This is possibly my new favorite restaurant in the Flathead Valley. Farm to table, nose to tail, seasonal food, prepared beautifully with excellent flavor. Be advised this is a place for a dining experience. If you are someone who likes to be in and out in an hour this is not for you. Plan to spend 2 hours or more leisurely enjoying the ambiance and tasty cocktails and food. My first time I had the pork Milanese which was phenomenal and a tasty s’mores desert. Today we went for their Dim Sum Brunch which carries on the tradition of the old owners. I believe this was their first attempt at it, and I hope they continue. I got distracted and forgot to take pictures of the third course or the mooncake before I bit into it. My uncle is celiac and both visits they have been very accommodating and gave separate allergy menus that list common allergens.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Josh Levin
Immaculate vibes, creative cocktails, and delicious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary Cloud Vander Ark
If you love food, don't sleep on Bonfire. Montana foodies, you've been dreaming of this place. Get the Bonfire to start; trust me, you'll love this mixologist. And the FOOD! Gourmet eats at a reasonable price. This is what we've been missing. Thank you, Ashley! You were the bomb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
N. Valentine
So sad about the new management and new chef. Turnip dish was tasteless boiled turnips in butter soup. Burger was wet and left a weird aftertaste. Ginger cocktail was good and the fries were decent. This was one of our favorite places but will be headed to Whitefish now. Staff was very lovely but didn't make up for the disappointment of the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Matthew Stutz
Well that was disappointing, but not awful. First, it took the waitress a few minutes to find us even after escorting us to our table. She dumped the glasses of water on our young daughter and then threw us a towel for us to clean it up. They served us beet soup and gave us no spoons and had to convince a patron to deliver our other appetizers, which turned out to be for another table, but it was screwed up and were delivered to us. The food is interesting, pretty good. The atmosphere is nice, but is trying to punch above its weight. We left after appetizers. Nothing here is egregious, just not worth spending the extra money on. Hopefully this was just an off night for them, but you should probably go across the street for the fun atmosphere of the Sitting Duck instead.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Joseph Callahan
We did not try much of the food but we did eat the mushrooms and they were delicious. I am here thoughtowrite about the cocktails as they are the best have had in the valley. Alex , the bartender was so knowledgeable about the cocktails.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
William Vanek
Culinary delight in Woods Bay, Montana. We started with the mushrooms which were delightful. Wife had the bison cooked perfectly. I had the lamb, and was a treat. Great service by local folks. Farm to table is a difficult concept to compete locally and these guys do it to perfection. If you’re a foodie I strongly recommend this establishment!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Leena Yousefi
This place seriously deserve la a Michelin star! Every dish was just absolutely perfect, even the kids burger. Drinks were phenomenal and so was the service. We were blown away, thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca Milwicz
Are there hamburgers. No. Are there pork cops no. But if your mouth needs a food fantasy and your mind needs to be reawakened on what could be. This is your place. I am so hoping everyone supports this delightful fun delicious menu restaurant
Great staff children do well here. Just Awsome.
Robert Drake
Most underrated restaurant I've eaten at in a long time. Gourmet food that is all locally sourced. Service was great. Have eaten at all Flathead lake has to offer, this is the freaking place!
Restaurant Review: Montana Bonfire in Woods Bay – A Fiery Love Letter to Montana Flavor🔥🔥
Let’s talk about Bonfire in Woods Bay, just south of Bigfork, Montana—a rustic-chic culinary hideaway where the Flathead Lake breeze meets fierce kitchen creativity. At the heart of this delicious operation is Chef Derrick Wcislak, a culinary wizard who treats each plate like a love poem to the land, water, and farmers of Montana.
Let’s just say it upfront: This man’s vegetables are having more fun than most people on vacation.
Start with the crispy mushrooms—oh, the mushrooms! Drenched in a whiskey and onion glaze that’s probably illegal in some states (because it’s that addictive), with just-charred green onions and bursts of sweet peas playing backup singers in this symphony of umami. I would fight a bear for another plate.
Then came the Roasted Garlic Scapes—which, if you’ve never had them, are what garlic dreams of becoming when it grows up. Add a rich pancetta vinaigrette, a perfectly jammy soft-boiled egg, and the salty crunch of brown butter breadcrumbs, and suddenly you’re contemplating how to quit your job and become a full-time scape enthusiast.
And just when we thought things couldn’t get more delightfully Montana, Chef Derrick drops the mic with a whole fried Whitefish, caught locally, cooked whole, skin gloriously crispy, meat flaking off like it’s showing off. He crowns it with roasted shallots, preserved turnip greens, almonds, and a scattering of fresh chives, and suddenly—you’re not just eating dinner, you’re being blessed by the lake itself.
Chef Derrick’s style is one part wizard, one part woodsman, and all heart. He honors the local ingredients while sending them to culinary grad school—his food is wild, warm, and just a little bit wicked in the best way.
So here’s to Bonfire—come hungry, leave enchanted, and maybe write your own ode to a mushroom. You won’t be the first.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megan Hicks
This is the best restaurant I have been to in the area. The food is all locally sourced. The chef and bartender make better food and drinks than I could. The service was excellent. Can’t wait to become a regular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
nicole ingram
Just got back from one of the most amazing meals I have had in Montana! I have never had garlic scapes, and they are delicious! The mushrooms are one of the best things I ever had. The trout was had such crispy skin, I heard it crunch! Overall, simply outstanding! I look forward to many more meals here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thomas Blake
An Unforgettable Culinary Experience in Montana
Montana Bonfire is hands down the best restaurant I’ve ever visited in Montana. From the moment I walked in, the serene and beautiful ambiance set the stage for an extraordinary dining experience.
The food is nothing short of spectacular. The chef’s French-inspired techniques shine through in every dish, all crafted with an impressive commitment to local produce. The house-made sourdough bread is divine—perfectly crusty with a soft, tangy interior. The pickled onions and radishes add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich flavors on the menu. I was especially impressed by their dedication to whole-animal butchery, particularly the succulent rabbit dish, which was prepared with expert skill.
And let’s not forget dessert—each bite was a delight, balancing creativity and classic flavors flawlessly.
The service matched the excellence of the food. The calm, inviting atmosphere made it easy to savor every moment.
Montana Bonfire isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of local ingredients and masterful cooking. I can’t recommend it enough and will absolutely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kim Greene
Here we go! We loved our meal. Their sourdough bread is better than Fleur in Whitefish (wish they sold it by the loaf 😉). Onto our spectacular dinner! Lentil salad topped with a bison steak! O M G….perfect seasoning, honestly some of which I can’t describe-/but all DELICIOUS! Would’ve loved to meet chef, a table visit -/ as they weren’t busy when we arrived ….reviews on Yelp are old and not reflective of new owners…server, McCall was awesome and Alex, bartender was great! Did I mention we had tap beer and tap lines were def clean??? Super refreshing and just a matter of time before you can’t get a reservation! Bravo 🙌
This is possibly my new favorite restaurant in the Flathead Valley. Farm to table, nose to tail, seasonal food, prepared beautifully with excellent flavor. Be advised this is a place for a dining experience. If you are someone who likes to be in and out in an hour this is not for you. Plan to spend 2 hours or more leisurely enjoying the ambiance and tasty cocktails and food. My first time I had the pork Milanese which was phenomenal and a tasty s’mores desert. Today we went for their Dim Sum Brunch which carries on the tradition of the old owners. I believe this was their first attempt at it, and I hope they continue. I got distracted and forgot to take pictures of the third course or the mooncake before I bit into it. My uncle is celiac and both visits they have been very accommodating and gave separate allergy menus that list common allergens.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Immaculate vibes, creative cocktails, and delicious food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you love food, don't sleep on Bonfire. Montana foodies, you've been dreaming of this place. Get the Bonfire to start; trust me, you'll love this mixologist. And the FOOD! Gourmet eats at a reasonable price. This is what we've been missing. Thank you, Ashley! You were the bomb.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So sad about the new management and new chef. Turnip dish was tasteless boiled turnips in butter soup. Burger was wet and left a weird aftertaste. Ginger cocktail was good and the fries were decent. This was one of our favorite places but will be headed to Whitefish now. Staff was very lovely but didn't make up for the disappointment of the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Well that was disappointing, but not awful. First, it took the waitress a few minutes to find us even after escorting us to our table. She dumped the glasses of water on our young daughter and then threw us a towel for us to clean it up. They served us beet soup and gave us no spoons and had to convince a patron to deliver our other appetizers, which turned out to be for another table, but it was screwed up and were delivered to us. The food is interesting, pretty good. The atmosphere is nice, but is trying to punch above its weight. We left after appetizers. Nothing here is egregious, just not worth spending the extra money on. Hopefully this was just an off night for them, but you should probably go across the street for the fun atmosphere of the Sitting Duck instead.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
We did not try much of the food but we did eat the mushrooms and they were delicious. I am here thoughtowrite about the cocktails as they are the best have had in the valley. Alex , the bartender was so knowledgeable about the cocktails.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Culinary delight in Woods Bay, Montana. We started with the mushrooms which were delightful. Wife had the bison cooked perfectly. I had the lamb, and was a treat. Great service by local folks. Farm to table is a difficult concept to compete locally and these guys do it to perfection. If you’re a foodie I strongly recommend this establishment!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
This place seriously deserve la a Michelin star! Every dish was just absolutely perfect, even the kids burger. Drinks were phenomenal and so was the service. We were blown away, thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Are there hamburgers. No. Are there pork cops no. But if your mouth needs a food fantasy and your mind needs to be reawakened on what could be. This is your place. I am so hoping everyone supports this delightful fun delicious menu restaurant Great staff children do well here. Just Awsome.
Most underrated restaurant I've eaten at in a long time. Gourmet food that is all locally sourced. Service was great. Have eaten at all Flathead lake has to offer, this is the freaking place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Restaurant Review: Montana Bonfire in Woods Bay – A Fiery Love Letter to Montana Flavor🔥🔥
Let’s talk about Bonfire in Woods Bay, just south of Bigfork, Montana—a rustic-chic culinary hideaway where the Flathead Lake breeze meets fierce kitchen creativity. At the heart of this delicious operation is Chef Derrick Wcislak, a culinary wizard who treats each plate like a love poem to the land, water, and farmers of Montana.
Let’s just say it upfront: This man’s vegetables are having more fun than most people on vacation.
Start with the crispy mushrooms—oh, the mushrooms! Drenched in a whiskey and onion glaze that’s probably illegal in some states (because it’s that addictive), with just-charred green onions and bursts of sweet peas playing backup singers in this symphony of umami. I would fight a bear for another plate.
Then came the Roasted Garlic Scapes—which, if you’ve never had them, are what garlic dreams of becoming when it grows up. Add a rich pancetta vinaigrette, a perfectly jammy soft-boiled egg, and the salty crunch of brown butter breadcrumbs, and suddenly you’re contemplating how to quit your job and become a full-time scape enthusiast.
And just when we thought things couldn’t get more delightfully Montana, Chef Derrick drops the mic with a whole fried Whitefish, caught locally, cooked whole, skin gloriously crispy, meat flaking off like it’s showing off. He crowns it with roasted shallots, preserved turnip greens, almonds, and a scattering of fresh chives, and suddenly—you’re not just eating dinner, you’re being blessed by the lake itself.
Chef Derrick’s style is one part wizard, one part woodsman, and all heart. He honors the local ingredients while sending them to culinary grad school—his food is wild, warm, and just a little bit wicked in the best way.
So here’s to Bonfire—come hungry, leave enchanted, and maybe write your own ode to a mushroom. You won’t be the first.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the best restaurant I have been to in the area. The food is all locally sourced. The chef and bartender make better food and drinks than I could. The service was excellent. Can’t wait to become a regular.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just got back from one of the most amazing meals I have had in Montana! I have never had garlic scapes, and they are delicious! The mushrooms are one of the best things I ever had. The trout was had such crispy skin, I heard it crunch! Overall, simply outstanding! I look forward to many more meals here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An Unforgettable Culinary Experience in Montana
Montana Bonfire is hands down the best restaurant I’ve ever visited in Montana. From the moment I walked in, the serene and beautiful ambiance set the stage for an extraordinary dining experience.
The food is nothing short of spectacular. The chef’s French-inspired techniques shine through in every dish, all crafted with an impressive commitment to local produce. The house-made sourdough bread is divine—perfectly crusty with a soft, tangy interior. The pickled onions and radishes add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich flavors on the menu. I was especially impressed by their dedication to whole-animal butchery, particularly the succulent rabbit dish, which was prepared with expert skill.
And let’s not forget dessert—each bite was a delight, balancing creativity and classic flavors flawlessly.
The service matched the excellence of the food. The calm, inviting atmosphere made it easy to savor every moment.
Montana Bonfire isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of local ingredients and masterful cooking. I can’t recommend it enough and will absolutely be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Here we go! We loved our meal. Their sourdough bread is better than Fleur in Whitefish (wish they sold it by the loaf 😉). Onto our spectacular dinner! Lentil salad topped with a bison steak! O M G….perfect seasoning, honestly some of which I can’t describe-/but all DELICIOUS! Would’ve loved to meet chef, a table visit -/ as they weren’t busy when we arrived ….reviews on Yelp are old and not reflective of new owners…server, McCall was awesome and Alex, bartender was great! Did I mention we had tap beer and tap lines were def clean??? Super refreshing and just a matter of time before you can’t get a reservation! Bravo 🙌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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