Where to Go for a Cup of Joe in Glacier Country

The weather has changed from unseasonably cold and clear to a steady grey cloud cover and a temperature that hovers around 30 degrees.  It is the perfect time of year to be re-energized in a coffee shop.  I don’t have WiFi at my house so I am what you might call a connoisseur of Flathead Valley coffee shops.  As far as I can tell, people enjoy coffee shops for three different reasons: the coffee, the food and the atmosphere.  I’ll give you my top 3 picks based on these a

spects.

1.       Colter Coffee in downtown Kalispell.  It is the perfect coffee shop to chat with a friend or get down to business and read, write or study.  You can sit in front at a bar that faces out onto Main Street and watch the snow fall, or you can cozy up inside a different room with comfy chairs.  It definitely has a trendy hipster vibe, so you might come out with a waxed mustache and a V-neck t-shirt if you aren’t careful.  The coffee is typically more earthy in flavor and they make a good pumpkin chai tea.  They also get treats from Ceres Bakery and sometimes you can even have a scoop of Sweet Peaks ice cream in your coffee!

2.       Montana Coffee Traders (Kalispell location).  You might feel like you walked into an old west saloon with all the barn wood and the bar that skirts the barista station. This place is ideal for talking with someone over coffee or breakfast.    Their coffee is very good.  Although they typically don’t have it in pump pots, if you buy any Montana Coffee Traders coffee in bean form, you must buy the huckleberry!  It is sensational. Maybe the best huckleberry product there is. In addition to their coffee they have great hearty breakfasts.  There are even bigger tables for larger groups of people. 

3.       Glacier Perks Coffee House in Lakeside.  This place is filled with owner operated charm.  No kidding, the owners are really nice and as you might expect do a better job than hired help can.  Everything is done with class.  The coffee is good and the baked goods (done in house) are terrific (especially the scones)!  It is not a huge shop, but can work for both having coffee with friends and reading or studying. 

I do spend some time in the national chain coffee joints (City Brew and Star Bucks) and while these options might be consistent, your best bet, both from an adventure and quality standpoint, is Local!  

Written by Matt Harrington

Marketing and Front Desk

Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites

4824 Highway 93 South

Kalispell, MT 59901

Looking for a place to stay near Flathead Lake?  Check out: http://www.bestwesternflatheadlake.com/  we also have comprehensive lists of things to do and places to eat!