Montana’s Highest-Rated Independent Restaurant Is Surprisingly a Food Truck

There’s no shortage of great restaurants to try across Montana, and honestly, one of the best parts about traveling around the state is finding someplace new to eat. Whether it’s a small-town diner, a hidden gem in the mountains, or a popular local favorite, trying something new can be part of the fun. 

The Importance of Reviews in Dining Choices

If you’re like a lot of travelers, you probably check reviews before deciding where to eat. Yelp, Google, TripAdvisor… most of us have at least one person in the family pulling up ratings before finalizing dinner plans. 

A Surprising Leader in Independent Dining

That’s why this latest list is pretty interesting, because Montana’s highest-rated independent restaurant is not actually a traditional sit-down restaurant at all. 

Top-Rated Food Truck: Rebel Roots Kitchen

According to a 2025 study from OnDeck, the top-rated independent restaurant in Montana is Rebel Roots Kitchen, a food truck located in Whitefish, that specializes in healthy tacos and bowls. They are 100% gluten and dairy-free.  

READ MORE: Montana’s Top ‘Bucket List’ Restaurant Is Hiding in This Foodie Town

The rankings were based on Yelp review data. Researchers looked at the 100 best-reviewed restaurants from 450 U.S. cities and then narrowed the results down using Yelp’s recommended review system and overall ratings methodology. 

What makes Rebel Roots Kitchen stand out is its incredibly high Yelp score, earning a 4.89-star rating from reviewers. That's impressive for any restaurant, but especially for a food truck competing against upscale dining spots and long-established Montana favorites. 

READ MORE: Is This Really Montana’s Best Foodie Town? See Why It’s Turning Heads

If you’ve spent time in Whitefish, you already know the area has become a serious food destination over the last several years. From fine dining to breweries and casual local spots, there are a lot of highly rated places packed into a relatively small town. That makes it even more surprising that a food truck ended up taking the top spot statewide. 

Curious About Rebel Roots Kitchen? Join the Adventure!

I haven’t had a chance to try Rebel Roots Kitchen myself, but it’s definitely going on the list for the next trip to Whitefish. The last time I visited, I made a point to eat at the Tupelo Grille, another restaurant recognized as one of the best in Montana, and it has some great food.  

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Now I’m curious whether this food truck deserves the same kind of reputation.