Rainbow Ranch Lodge

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Address:
42950 Gallatin Road
Big Sky, MT 59716

Neighborhood:
Big Sky

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Cuisine:
Contemporary American

Price: $50 and over

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Rainbow Ranch Lodge Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.rainbowranchbigsky.com/montana_fine_dining.php
Phone: (406) 995-4132
Hours of Operation:
Dinner: Wednesday - Sunday: 5:30pm - 9:30pm.
Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Contemporary American, Wild Game
Executive Chef: Ian Troxler
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Fireplace, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Catering: The Rainbow Ranch Lodge is pleased to offer our fantastic menu served by a uniformed chef in your private home. Please contact us for additional details: (800) 937-4132.
Private Party Facilities: The Rainbow Ranch Lodge features multiple venues for private dining. Enjoy a multi-course meal and wine pairings in the intimate setting of The Bacchus Room, located in our award-winning wine cellar. Or throw a party and dance the night away at the historic riverside Wedding Barn.
Private Party Contact: Mollie Eckman (406) 995-4132

Getting there

Cross Street: Highway 191
Public Transit: The Big Sky Shuttle stops directly across Highway 191 from the Rainbow Ranch Lodge. Check www.skylinebus.com for schedules.
Parking: Private Lot

A word from Rainbow Ranch Lodge

Rainbow Ranch Lodge is proud to offer world class Montana ranch-to-table cuisine, originating from the finest and freshest products available. We use the highest quality, fresh, locally grown and conscientiously raised products from regional producers, which help inspire us to create culinary and… visual masterpieces.

Led by Executive Chef, Ian Troxler, our restaurant is at once relaxed and refined, with unsurpassed views of the majestic Gallatin River. House made specialties such as elk kielbasa, wild boar sausage with huckleberries, lamb and duck prosciutto and citrus-cured salmon are enhanced by our award-winning wine list and hand-crafted, barrel-aged cocktails in an environment as inviting as its Big Sky Country backdrop. Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerMost Booked

Rainbow Ranch Lodge - Best Restaurants in Big Sky

Diner Reviews

"This place was incredible. We were greeted warmly when we arrived. The bartender actually came to the table to solicit cocktails and explain the drink list. The waiter was informative and knowledgable about everything. RR had a hunting lodge feel to it with quite the view of the neighboring river. My charcuterie plate was excellent; so was the cheese plate and the carpaccio. Special props to the onion and apricot spread! Bison was to die for. Surprisingly nice wine list as well."
Dined on 4/16/2014
"Always a favorite when at Big sky. excellent food and outstanding wine list."
Dined on 4/6/2014
"Our dinner at Rainbow Ranch Lodge was definitely an enjoyable one, but I wouldn't say it blew our socks off. The menu seemed a bit limited, but everything we tried was very tasty. I would say this would be a good fit for foodies (which we are). The carpaccio was the most unique presentation I have ever seen. It was thicker slices of seared filet with an assortment of other tasties served on a wood slab. I wasn't quite sure if everything was meant to be eaten together, so I just mixed-n-matched stuff with the meat. The risotto was wonderful, as was the crispy pork belly."
Dined on 3/19/2014
"Loved all of the dishes we ordered. After coming to Big Sky to ski for the past three seasons, this restaurant has the best food of any we have sampled, and is our group's favorite restaurant. (We discovered it by asking a local where he would go for a special night out.) Every course was more special than the last. You can't go wrong."
Dined on 3/13/2014
"We went to RR with a group of 6 adults. The evening started out perfectly with tasty cocktails at the bar served by Tyler, who did a great job. The menu was inventive & featured local produce & meat & the food was delicious, with the exception of the smoked chicken which was dry. The wine list was really great & the sommelier was knowledgable and helpful. The issues we had stemmed from spotty service (waitress didn't seem to have a real answer when we asked questions) & from the long lags between courses. The timing was off & resulted in a late dessert presentation which caused us to miss our shuttle ride home. We ended up sitting in the bar for 1.5 hours. The manager called the next day with her apologies. We would return to RR."
Dined on 3/13/2014
"Rainbow Ranch was a recommendation from a co-worker and his assessment was bang on. What a wonderful experience. The Bison Hangar Steak was amazing. Great food and service. We will definitely return."
Dined on 2/22/2014
"Rainbow ranch's overall feel is warm and welcoming. There were only a few small issues. Check in was at 3pm we showed up at 3 they said it will be a few minutes and offered us coffee to wait. More people started to come in to check in and they were all told to wait as well. One employee said well check in isnt till 3 and its just 3 now. Actually it was 3:25pm. Finally at 330 our room was ready. This wouldnt have been a big deal except we had plans at 430.We finally got checked into our room and it was amazing except the sink drain was so full of hair and who knows so it wouldnt drain fast. Check out is at 11am. Was midly annoying that we werent allowed to check in till 330 and had to be out by 11am. Food was AMAZING!!!! Scenery was Great!"
Dined on 2/15/2014
"I took my wife to the Rainbow Lodge for Valentines Day and it was surpassed my expectations. We arrived early and sat in front of the fireplace and sipped on the Gallatin Old Fashioned which set a great mood for the night. The atmosphere was perfect for a special night out. Dinner was delightful from start to finish. The staff was very polite and friendly and made you feel very welcome. All in all it was a great experience. Thank you Rainbow Ranch for a very special night."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"The Rainbow Ranch Lodge was spectacular! It blew our expectations out of the water. Fantastic food. Wonderful views. Amazing staff. And an outstanding wine selection. I will be returning for sure, and could not recommend this place enough! Definitely a must!"
Dined on 2/14/2014
"Over the years the Rainbow Ranch Lodge has been influenced by a number ofcCulinary touches... some terrific, others less so. The new Chef , Scott Myers - since November 2013 - is Mah'velous!!! I'd propose that his style is 'earthy and classic', not too heavy, and thankfully lacking in the 'Asian Flare' that has not flown well in the past in this special Montana Bistro. The Pork Osso Bucco was utterly brillant!! Rainbow Ranch... SOoooo glad you're back!!"
Dined on 1/9/2014
"Unique variety of appetizers and several selections of wild game for entrees. Meat and vegetables from local sources, often organic and definitely home-grown. The bison was outstanding, offering a steak and a kielbasa that was spicy and tasty."
Dined on 8/21/2013
"Great location on the river. Nice menu variety, very attentive service, nice wine list."
Dined on 7/21/2013
"There is nothing bad to say about Rainbow Lodge. We visited Big Sky for my 30th brithday, and ate here for my birthday dinner. The food here was delicious, the service impeccable, and the wine list was outstanding."
Dined on 1/17/2013
"I so much enjoyed my 2 dinners there. The service was superb...Great team work...Very personalized attention with a staff full of great food and beverage knowledge. The bison mesquite steak was best I have had in the country and the mesquite flank stake was delicious as well....All the sides were local and perfectly balanced. The house desserts were exquisite. I have to say the drink menu was quite original and having a drink at the bar before the dinner allowed me to really look at the variety of creativity they present there. The reception lobby as this is a hotel as well immediately makes you feel very welcome. I would love to return as a guest to stay at that lodge and dine there nightly as well..DON'T MISS THIS PLACE."
Dined on 7/10/2013
"Went to Rainbow Ranch to celebrate my birthday while vacationing in Montana. I had seen the Rainbow Ranch website while planning my trip. The restaurant exceeded all expectations. It was a lovely setting on the Gallatin River...lots of windows and pretty views. I ordered the rib eye steak and it was without a doubt, the best steak I've ever had! It was tender, juicy, flavorful and cooked to perfection. The staff was friendly and fun. It's a fine dining experience without being pretentious. Pricey but absolutely worth it."
Dined on 7/5/2013
"You might not notice Rainbow Ranch when you are zooming by on the highway but definitely plan to stop if you are in the Big Sky area. Beautiful dining room. Friendly attentive staff. Great wine list. Wonderful food - I could have the Bison steak every day. Only negative was a somewhat long wait for dessert - but then we were not in a hurry to leave."
Dined on 7/4/2013
"After our third summer in Big Sky we find Rainbow Ranch consistently awesome!"
Dined on 7/7/2013
"Excellent food. Our table had 5 different main dishes; Elk Chop, Bison, Beef Ribeye, Trout and Pheasant. All were fabulous. Prepared as requested. Wine selection is making a come back after the cellar was destroyed a few years ago. There are quite a few nice selections available, just not the vintage depth as in the past. Staff was extremely helpful."
Dined on 1/24/2013
"By far the best gourmet experience in Big Sky! Great ambiance excellent service, fabulous innovative bartender, and gorgeous views."
Dined on 1/6/2013
"Rainbow Ranch is our favorite place in the area. Dining there is alway a wonderful experience and the service is exceptional."
Dined on 12/28/2012
"Fantastic meal - really! World class food and service!"
Dined on 12/27/2012
"we travel often and take eating out seriously. This evening out was one of the best overall meals we've had anywhere for years. From taking our coats, to the pre-dinner cocktail by the fire, and all through dinner service, everyone was spot on. go have some fun and enjoy going back to the Rainbow."
Dined on 12/22/2012
"Wonderful time Excellent mixologist outstanding dinner service If we return to the Big Sky area we will return and we will recommend Rainbow Ranch to our friends as it was recommended to us."
Dined on 10/3/2012
"This was our first time at Rainbow Ranch. We were there for dinner only, but had a great experience. The location on the River is beautiful, the service very good, the wine excellent, and the food very good. We had a very enjoyable evening and will return. Arnold Henkel"
Dined on 9/12/2012
"Excellent food but let down by the ambiance in the restaurant and the hotel facilities. So, definitely come for dinner (one of the best places in Montana) but stay somewhere else and don't ask to see the bedrooms!"
Dined on 9/12/2012
"Great restaurant at a great spot in Montana. Can't wait to go back."
Dined on 8/8/2012
"Outstanding menu, kitchen & wine list. Our waiter was knowledgeable, friendly and inattentive. Prices on the high side for the location."
Dined on 8/4/2012
"Great experience. We had a big group and good food even for the kids. Wagyu Montana rib eye was my favorite. Elk was quite good as well. Bison was just ok. I love dessert and the crepe cake and strawberry rhubarb was my fav. Recommended if you are around the Big Sky area."
Dined on 7/19/2012
"It was great that they had more than one option for fish. And the desserts were excellent."
Dined on 6/20/2012
"Very approachable wine list; good quality to value ratio. Tuscan salad very nice.Sometimes this can be drowned in balsamic vinegar. Bright, piquant, beans correct and greens garden fresh. Flank steak prepared ala "Chef's Choice" pretty good rendition of rare. Pommes frites not quite crispy enough. But I ate both. (Had to request ketchup, though.From Texas :)"
Dined on 6/13/2012
"Fantastic find! The food, service, wine list and and beauty of the restaurant are to be commended! Top quality all around."
Dined on 3/16/2012
"My wife and I have been coming here for 15+ years and never been disappointed. The food is excellent, the service and attitude outstanding, and the ambiance great."
Dined on 2/25/2012
"Excellent dinner venue when skiing big sky. Great food and wine list always one of our favorites"
Dined on 2/24/2012
"Always a great meal and place for a special occasion! We love the Rainbow Ranch and recommend it to any of our friends and family. It is worth every penny for the whole experience..."
Dined on 2/14/2012
"The entire staff from the front door to the bar to the dinning room is friendly, warm and helpful. The food's taste was excellent. The Diver's Scallops and the soup special were exquisite. All plates were works of art when brought to the table. It would be nice to have a greater number of moderately priced wines on the wine list."
Dined on 1/23/2012
"Great dinner. Even better drinks with a creative accomplished mixologist for a bartender."
Dined on 12/30/2011
"This was our first time at Rainbow Ranch. We will be retuning, great experience."
Dined on 12/31/2011
"Rainbow Ranch was a great experience. The staff is extremely friendly, attentive and unobtrusive. The food was unusual, well-prepared and presented."
Dined on 11/24/2011
"Wow, we went to the Rainbow Ranch for our final night in the Big Sky Area... When we booked it, I was quite worried that this fine dining establishment wouldn't be child friendly. Was I wrong! The staff mad eus entirely comfortable with our toddler in tow and we had a fabulous meal complete with appetizers, main, dessert and wine. Everything was top notch in the food and service deoartments and we had a lovely view out to the river. Thanks for making our evening special and for really exceeding all of our expectations."
Dined on 8/6/2011
"My husband and I ate at the restaurant in September and again in October. Brad was our waiter both times and took great care of us. My husband cannot eat anything with gluten in it and Brad did a great job making sure that what my husband ordered was gluten free. The food and the service are excellent and I would recommend it to anyone!"
Dined on 10/15/2011

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