Cafe Kandahar - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Snug bar was really great! I tried the ricotta gnocchi and they were awesome

Great dining at the base of the slopes in the Kandahar lodge. Make reservations, tables are limited, this is a popular place for dinner tasting menu. Chef Andy Blanton has developed a style of cooking that is sure to please locals & tourist alike. Expect high quality ingredients a unique style of cooking executed at a high level.

We booked reservations after reading about the chef being a James Beard semifinalist. The food and service were great. It was a fun evening with friends.

We ordered the 4 couse meal with the wine pairing which was $310 for the two of us. The dining room is very bright and for some reason the tables are partitioned off with clear plastic giving it an air of a hospital/cafeteria vibe. Our waiter was fine but the wine guy, Cory, hit a sour note. He was describing a wine and flat out said at one point, "I don't really know". Awesome. The first course was supposedly a smoked salmon pancake thing but it all would have fit in a tablespoon so I took there word for it. 2nd course was octopus or crab. We got one of each. They were delicious but once again, no more than 2 bites. Next was pork belly or duck and once again, we got one of each. They were both delicious but were also a 2 bite appetizer. Finally we got to the main couse. We were so hungry as we'd only had 6 bites of food to this point. I got the bison tenderloin and my husband got the Wagu short ribs. Like everything else, it was delicious. $372.45 later we went into town and got a pizza. While the super expensive appetizers were very good, it's not a dinner. The only reason I gave it 2 stars was because the little food that we did get, was very good.

Absolutely top notch. Fantastic food, wine pairings, and excellent service. We visit there every other year or so, and always look forward to this world class restaurant.

Wasn't open when we visited. Had to drive into Whitefish to eat.

We enjoy chef’s tasting menus as they’re the experts; Chef Blanton and his team did not disappoint. The five course meal started with a crudo followed by choices for the next two small plates, all of which were diverse and interesting. My entree showed Chef’s NOLA roots which was a welcome diversion in the mountains on Montana. Wine pairings and desserts rounded out the meal; which, was agreed to be one our favorites. Cafe Kandahar is far superior to all the other meals we had in the Glacier National Park area, much of which was a bit bland and basic. Treat yourself at Cafe Kandahar!

A great experience! The staff is amazing, knowledgeable and takes a genuine interest in making sure you have a great experience (especially Cory). The 5 Course menu is delicious - DO NOT miss the Huckleberry Tart for desert! I could list all the courses but just go experience it! Photos don’t do it justice! The tables are well spaced also allowing for good conversation without too much background noise. This was our second visit to Whitefish and our second visit to Cafe Kandahar - next time we’re here we will go again!

Amazing meal. The staff and chef are passionate, incredibly knowledgeable, and the food is outstanding. Highly recommend adding the wine pairings and desserts. Thanks!

We had an amazing meal here with outstanding service. The staff were very passionate and knowledgeable about food and the wine. The food was amazing and they were able to easily make substitutions easily. We loved every course and the wine pairings. The environment is cozy and comfortable. We went to dinner after doing the chairlift ride and getting a drink at the Snug Bar, the entire evening was a great experience.

Can't speak for the restaurant, but the Snug Bar? The Snug Bar is like a warm après-ski, après-hike, après-whatever yummy boozy hug. It's inviting, cozy, tiny, intimate, and... well... snug. Naming a snug bar the Snug Bar may not be the most creative branding in the world, but it's solidly on point here. The Snug is definitely snug. The drinks are well made and the staff is super friendly. A limited menu is available from the restaurant.

The Best. Excellence. Fine French Cuisine in rural Montana. Chef Blanton and his staff create an experience. Far more than a meal. God Bless and thank Andy for to our dedication and attention to detail.

From the first course to the last you will be awed. Exceptional cuisine with choices throughout. How to chose between elk or bison tenderloin? The wine is masterfully paired. Service exceptional. Thank you to all the staff!

Great experience. The grilled octopus and scallop were so delicious!

As the restaurant’s website description states, it is truly thoughtfully constructed cuisine. If you really love food and enjoy every dish perfectly-balanced in taste and presentation, Cafe Kandahar will exceed those expectations. If you like a variety of wines order the wine pairing, which enhances each dish’s flavors. This was my husband’s and my second time eating here, with 11 years between. Outstanding each time.

One of my favorite restaurants in the USA. Great wine list and amazing food.

Weird food situation here. It's either an $80 set menu or food from the bar which was fine but the seating options are odd...

Best food on the Mountain and great service.

True farm to table. Very very creative and well executed. The service is impeccable with knowledgeable staff. I highly recommend the wine pairing. This pic is the octopus but the chefs meal also had risotto and bison. My first time here….but I’ll be back soon. Very soon.

Wonderful experience. Highly recommend Cafe Kandahar!

All things huckleberry... no pie on our visit sadly... good to call ahead.

we have never eaten here and were excited to go (we have a gift certificate), so we made a reservation to do so this weekend 9/18/21 and the lady on the phone asked if we had any food allergies, which we dont. we proceed to look up the menu online and there was 1 thing on the menu that we would eat. i get that it is an upscaled resort on Big Mountain but not everyone in Montana wants to Elk or Bison or Fish. i would rather go to the Belton Chalet. Our friends went on 9/11 and they said that they had a rude person on the phone as well. Sorry thing happen in life that people need to cancel reservation or make a short notice reservation. sorry we have inconvienced your day. Upon cancelling the reservation the rude lady on the phone asked "how much my gift certificate was....gift card or not WE CAN AFFORD TO EAT THERE WE WORK FOR A LIVING. i hope that the lady on the phone learns that she needs to be a little nicer and understand that when she is rude, the place will always get negative feed back. At no time did I ask when you close for your shoulder season. Don't get it twisted

Our meal was an experience to remember. We did the 4 course meal and the appetizers, entree and dessert were so spectacular. We were told to have the mushroom as an appetizer and it did not disappoint. We shared the bison and elk and both were cooked to perfection. This is a place that rivals any 5 star NYC restaurant. Highly recommend.

Service was impeccable Plates were very appealing visually and off the charts tasty.. Drinks were very well mixed Well appointed surroundings I would highlight recommend!!

Food was delicious! Service was outstanding! My only problem was the price but I still highly recommend them overall.

The food was fantastic. We went in late August with friends for a 50th birthday celebration. I had the elk tenderloin as part of a 3 course dinner (they also do 4 course). Served by great staff in an intimate dining area. We sat up front where you can actually see work being done in the kitchen. They only do a couple sittings per night and it’s small so get reservations in advance. This was the only slight negative. The lady that took our phone reservation was….let just say not having a good day. We all have bad days from time to time, right? The lodge (with a tiny bar called SNUG) was a nice place to hang out before it was time to eat. You’ll also enjoy the beautiful drive up the mountain to the Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain. Enjoy!

Very good food! We actually ordered takeout from the ‘Snug Bar’ which is right next to this restaurant but I assume it’s the same kitchen. We were very surprised to see a nice restaurant with such low prices but we learned it was just because of the small portions. So it was actually accurately priced for the quality of food but I just recommend ordering two of whatever (shrimp or skirt steak, mainly) you get from the snug bar take out. Unless it’s the elk stroganoff which had a healthy serving.

We are 7 minutes early to our reservation as the hostess looked at us like we were aliens and asked us to go wait in the lobby until 730. Another couple arrived 3 minutes later and was seated, odd. We should have left but endured brutally awful and tasteless dishes. Started with ordering the soup of the day, but after the waitress put in the order she said they were out of it. Under cooked scallops with no flavor was my first dish, just not good. The next dish the octopus was again under cooked rubbery and had fat globules on the underside with a tasteless foam sauce on the side. The theme for the meal was lack of salt and I don't like things salty. These dishes literally tasted like nothing and had bad textures. The last dish I had was the sablefish which was cooked perfectly but again had zero flavor. I was going to order dessert but passed because the previous courses were so bad. My son ordered the chocolate tasting and it was actually really good. He also stated the pork belly was good. The food looks pretty but lacks care in cooking techniques and flavors. I tried a piece of the bison tenderloin and it was terrible so much game aftertaste. I wanted to enjoy this dinner but our party did not. A 500 dollar waste of time, energy and stomach space.

5++ stars. First please disregard the recent negative reviews. Those potential diners missed an extraordinary opportunity because they did not respect the reservation process. This is a small intimate restaurant with limited seating capacity that is even more reduced now due to COVID restrictions. Don’t reserve a table and try to change within the stated deadline. You’re doing yourself and the owner a disservice. Dalise Blanton is very hands-on with reservation requests and went out of her way to ensure our party was well-accommodated. Now onto the meal. I’ve been coming to Café Kandahar for over 15 years and it only gets better. I’ve lived in NYC for 18 years and Chef Andy could easily compete with the the best in Manhattan. Yet he’s right there at the base of the Big Mountain, serving up Montana-inspired cuisine that will rival any fine dining experience in the world. He and his exceptional staff will sear this culinary encounter into your memory forever. Also, understanding that some patrons might be new to this level of dining, I assure you it’s also an incredible value for quality. As I write this, I’m torn because I consider Café Kandahar one of the great hidden treasures of Montana! Now it will be even harder to get a reservation!

As other reviewers have already noted, Cafe Kandahar takes its food -- and reservations in its small dining room -- very, very seriously. Don't cross them on the latter. That's not a bad thing: in fact, it's a very good and rewarding thing, for eating here is an experience beyond mere dining. The food is excellent and the service is unparalleled. That said, when we dined there in early July, CK still had clear panel "covid" screens between each table. I have not found anyone else in town maintaining these precautions and just the sight of these pandemic relics stole a little bit of the pleasure for me. I'm sure there are people who would feel differently but I'm just not among them.

My Husband and I celebrated our anniversary here. We both agreed it was on of our all time favorite dining experiences. Every single starter and our entree were amazing and very creative. The service was impeccable...... I can not say enough positive things about this restaurant

This is a limited, fixed price menu restaurant offering excellent food. We selected the $65/pp three course option and split one $40/pp optional wine pairing to share. The two of us ordered different dishes so try as many as possible. All the first courses (octopus, scallops, pork belly and mushrooms) were very good, but we both agreed the Forest Mushrooms dish was the best of the night. Our third courses, the elk and bison were superbly prepared and so delicious!

The Lady on the phone is extremely rude and acts as if this restaurant is your only chance to eat in your entire life. She also mentions a couple of times that because you reserved a table she had to turn down 7 other ppl. I wish they couldafford a quick hospitality course for her

Cafe Kandahar... WOW. We’ve stayed at the lodge 3 times before, and somehow made the mistake of not dining at Cafe Kandahar; and boy, was it a mistake — the restaurant is absolutely amazing, and unarguably the best meal we’ve ever had... From the customer service (which was nothing short of exceptional) to all the set courses, which were completely out of this world and not something we expected to find in MT of all places, we were blown away by this restaurant. Recommend ordering the set/3-4 course menu with wine pairing, as you will not be disappointed. The experience was so good we tried to make another reservation a day later (reservations are required due to COVID limitations), but couldn’t get back in... Bummer. Needless say, Andy Blanton and his team do a stellar job at making an unbelievable dining experience for guests, and it’s a must try when staying at the lodge. We’ll definitely be back the next time we stay at the lodge. 👍🏻👍🏻 for Cafe Kandahar.

We had a reservation and were very excited to dine here as we have heard rave reviews about the menu. My mother in law ended up having a surgery and was unable to take our kids the night of the reservation. I called to regretfully cancel the reservation. The woman who answered the phone proceeded to tell me how inconvenient it was for them to cancel a reservation the night of. I apologized and said it wasn’t convenient for us either. My spouse called from the other room and said that she may have found a last minute sitter. As I was trying to explain this to the lady at Cafe Kandahar, she interrupted me and said she had cancelled the reservation. Before I could say anything more, she hung up on me. If this is the type of service and professionalism I can expect from your restaurant, I will never eat there.

A little disappointed, decent food at a high price

The RUDEST service I have ever experienced. Our trip had some last minute set backs and we were calling (not to cancel) but to change the date of our reservation and proceeded to get insulted and hung up on. I called back to cancel right away & we will never be eating here. I don’t care what the food tastes like, you should never talk to guests & customers that way.

The RUDEST service I have ever experienced. Our trip had some last minute set backs and we were calling (not to cancel) but to change the date of our reservation and proceeded to get insulted and hung up on. I called back to cancel right away & we will never be eating here. I don’t care what the food tastes like, you should never talk to guests & customers that way.

We order to go on $200. Was Wednesday, slow time. Website say ready in 25 min. They start order in 1hr 20 min. Take total 2 hrs to process order. Will Never order again. Plenty more responsible restaurants in the valley.

We did take out...salad was soggy with way too much dressing. Shrimp were cold. Soup was flavorless and other food was just not that good. Oh well we gave it a try.

We are staying at Kandahar Lodge and ordered the to go menu from Cafe K. Oh so yummy, from the brussel sprouts and shrimp, elk stroganoff and pizza! Definitely will do again.

We had a family dinner at this restaurant—nice and cozy interior and atmosphere. The personal was very attentive and super nice. We enjoyed talking to our host. But the main memory is the food. It's really impressive! All courses were truly amazing, and I would even say, exceptional!

Sensational! This was truly a 5 star experience. I’m so glad they managed to squeeze us in last minute. I’m pregnant so I had to choose carefully based on my restrictions but was able to have all the dishes I wanted. My husband had the wine pairing and said it was the best he had ever had. Even though I wasn’t drinking I still had total appreciation for the sommelier and his storytelling. Highly recommend!

I've eaten at all the other eight restaurants listed above Cafe Kandahar, and I suspect that their superior ratings are because they're downtown and frequented by more people who have never been to CK. It's far and away the best dining experience in Whitefish, rivaling five-star restaurants like The Mansion in Dallas Brennan's in New Orleans, not as elegant in atmosphere, but comparable in its culinary quality.

Despite the limitations of Covid, this small returant is producing 5 star dining 5 nights a week. Excellent tasting menu with wine pairings. It was the dining highlight of a 3 week visit to Whitefish.

We have enjoyed eating at Cafe Kandahar and the food has been quite good. The forest mushroom pizza is delicious. We tried the wagyu skirt steak and the wagyu short ribs and they were quite tasty. They did a nice job with the flavor of...

My son and I had a wonderful three course meal at Cafe Kandahar on our recent trip to Whitefish, Montana. We utilized the Comfort Menu which gave us the option of two small plates and an entree or a small plate, an entree, and a...

The snug bar adjacent to the cafe is a much better and a more efficient option than the cafe itself . Really loved the snug bar!

Tried the adventure menu x2 with a friend and added the wine pairing. Although $50 is a lot for 2-3 total drinks of wine, the sommelier was wonderful and made it totally worth it. Definitely recommend the octopus, soup, and elk tenderloin as they were absolutely spectacular.

Cafe Kandahar was so much more than we expected! Five adults and one child participated in the tasting menu and 4 kids order off of the regular menu. The flavors were spot on and blended well together. All of the cocktails were perfect! Don’s miss...

Ambience and service were amazing! We did the wine pairing with a three course meal. Sommelier was incredibly knowlegeable about he wines and were perfectly paired with dinner. Food was fantastic!

Cafe Kandahar is true fine dining. We try to dine at Cafe Kandahar every couple of years. We always get the wine pairing dinner. Chef Andy and his staff once again exceeded our very high expectations. The pairings were excellent and the experience was delightful....

This is a very nice restaurant that would be a good place for a romantic date. There are many unique menu items. The staff did a wonderful job.

We paid $300 for Valentine’s Day dinner that was “eh” at best. Service was ok. Atmosphere was nothing special, even shabby. The number of courses does not fine dining make. Would never go back nor recommend.

First off I don't usually spend this much on dining, but I have to say everything from the sommelier to the wait staff to the food was exceptional. My party of 3 loved everything we had from appetizers to deserts. 5 star.

The 3 course meal was one of the best dinners I’ve ever had! A+++

Really excellent 3and 4 course prix fix menus with wine pairings . The menu feature elk, bison, sable fish - not dishes you can get elsewhere. I just wish they had an ala cartel menu as well. It’s not that often that I am up...

It was really good, if you like that type of food..

Food was awesome. Service left a lot to be desired - and at this price point I expect service to be exceptional. It was not. Won't be.back.

It’s been years since we’ve eaten and Cafe Kandahar and we really enjoyed the flexibility of their tasting menu. Our party chose the 3 course option. The grilled octopus was outstanding and we also enjoyed starters of lox, scallops, butter lettuce salad and pork belly....

We finally made it up the hill to Cafe Kandahar, after many years of wanting to, but not having the time. The restaurant is a very small, intimate space within the Kandahar lodge building. The whole place has a lovely feeling of an old-time ski...

We had an awesome time! We caught a casual, slow, weekday evening which allowed us to chat with the staff and fellow guests throughout the evening. The food was phenomenal and top notch for the valley. Being from the area, it was a treat and it felt like local clientele was not the norm, but greatly appreciated. From our kind server to knowledgeable sommelier, we will definitely be back. Thanks for the experience!

Delicious place to eat when you have spent a day on the slopes. A tradition when we go to Whitefish.

A truly memorable dining experience!!

We had dinner at Kandahar after a day of hiking. We got back later than expected and the host easily pushed back our reservation. I think it helped that it was their off season and they only had four tables to serve. The food was...

This is a five star food experience in a mountain lodge on Whitefish Mountain. The chef is a James Beard nominated guy who does an amazing pre fixe or a la carte. We have never experienced more unique flavors matched with local ingredients, including wagyu...

My wife and I had New Years dinner at Cafe Kandahar. It was a tasting menu and we both left satisfied and impressed by the quality. The service was wonderful, the food was excellent, the wine pairing was good but I don't think it lived...

Once again blown away by Chef Andy’s talent. The flavors in his dishes and the presentation is amazing. We chose to do the four course dinner with wine pairings and our sommelier was excellent with her description of the wines. Particularly enjoyed the red from...

Always amazed at what comes out of that kitchen! Fine dining at another level with creativity and panache! This chef is a great gift to Montana.

Best Elk Stroganoff on the planet

After a long day’s hime we opted for the three-course dinner; two meat dishes (elk and bison) had surcharges (hmmmm!) The food was visually well presented (pictures) and tasted very good. The wine list is well stocked, alas we were driving. The downside was the...

Great atmosphere, food and service. It is a small romantic place in the hotel. The wine selection was very good with a wide price range. We found one we liked at a reasonable price. It's not cheap, but we enjoyed our evening here.

Went to Cafe Kandahar for a nice dinner with my family and I couldn't be more disappointed. We did the three courses and only one was even edible. The salad was just awful couldn't even eat it. However the elk was good, not great just good. When the desserts came and I had raw dough in my rhubarb cobbler I knew I would never be back. The quality of the food and service here are horrendous. If you want a nice dinner I would reconsider and find someplace else.

Gastronomic cooking. Very very fine. The desserts are remarkable.

Exquisite food!!! Such a wonderful dining experience. Thank you!

We looked forward to a special dinner after a day of touring Flathead Lake and were not disappointed. The dining room is cozy but not formal. It reminded us of restaurants at inns in France and Germany. The service was attentive and warm. Everyone around...

We went for the 4 course tasting menu with wine pairings. I had the pork belly, foie gras, socca crepe, and huckleberry tart. It was the best meal I have had in Whitefish. The wine pairings were creative and interesting. It was the best.

I was impressed with every dish and the service was wonderful. Be sure to make a reservation!

We checked the website before arrival. I note that there is a Tapas menu with prices but we were not offered this choice. We were informed that we could choose the 3 course or 4 course meal fo $60 or $80 per person. The courses...

Service was slow! Waited a long time to get drink and then menus. Asked the sommelier about choosing between 2 wines and he was so vague and indirect I couldn't gauge any recommendation. Wine was overpriced. Prix fix was flexible but entrees were very average....

Food looked pretty... tasted good... left hungry

We just ust moved to Montana and this place is absolutely amazing!! Can’t wait to go there again!! Will be my go to spot for amazing cuisine and a wonderful atmosphere!!! C’est Tres Bonne!!

Quaint cubby hole of a bar...nice and cozy

This is one of the best restaurants in the area with a renowned chef. We had to call the restaurant ourselves to make the reservation even though we were staying at the Kandahar lodge. The tastefully decored restaurant does not have too many tables, but...

Our server, Caitlin, was fantastic. The food was worthy of a Michelin star or two. It's the second time I've been and it was as fabulous as I remembered from last year.

My wife and I have visited Whitefish many times, but this was our first visit to Cafe Kandahar. Shy was our host for the evening and she was a terrific guide. From the tartar to the Burmese fermented tea leaf salad, to the mains, everything...

Gourmet food in a beautiful setting. Cafe Kandahar is a lovely spot for a special night out in Whitefish. It is pricier than most spots at on the mountain, but the food and service were fantastic. Be sure to stop into the Snug Bar before...

Everything here is superb!! Each course is mouth watering. DON"T MISS! Wait staff does a terrific job.

A hidden gem on the mountain. We eat here every time we ski at Whitefish. Special place. Great food. See you next week!

After reading reviews, added this to our list of restaurants to try while in WhiteFish for holidays. Food was good, service was very good. Overall enjoyed experience, unfortunately didn’t think it warranted five stars

This restaurant's food was by far the best food I have ever eaten. The atmosphere, and the wait staff were incredible. It was such a wonderful experience to have our christmas eve dinner at this restaurant. I would reccomend to anyone that wishes to have their mind blown. 10/5 stars!!

This is by far the best restaurant in Whitefish. The menu is a fixed price, and you select a dish from each category. Extensive wine list. Excellent & attentive service, without being annoying. Short ribs were to die for.

We ate in the bar on nice high stools and table with a delicious salad. Bar staff were friendly. Came on another day for a buffet style get-together. Did not care for the finger food as much. Wine was good.

It's always difficult determining whom to trust when reading restaurant reviews, but I'm so glad I took the recommendation of bdow99 and the others who gave this place an excellent rating. The food, service, and wine are all definitely top-notch. If you are looking for...

Simply the best food in the area, great service.

Really cool place. Perfect for a date night or even a group.

Oh my gosh! Amazing 4 course meal with wine pairings. Exceptional! Sommelier is soooo knowledgeable. Definitely a must if in Whitefish area. Won't tell you what to order because everything is delicious.

Awesome people. Awesome wine. Great food. Not to be missed.

Why bother driving up the mountain when there are so many better choices in Whitefish. We were so disappointed with the service, the food and there was really no ambiance since you can't see a thing and the restaurant is very dark.

Excellent tasting menu by the chef. We totally enjoyed the foods and service. In addition to the set menus, we also ordered foie gras which the boys and mother in law loved! The restaurant is a bit tight in space but it was cosy. They...