The Silk Road
515 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT, 59801
The Silk Road Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Missoula for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Missoula for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Missoula for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
515 S Higgins Ave
Missoula, MT, 59801 - Phone (406) 541-0752
- Website https://www.silkroadcatering.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
- Mon : 5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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jonna b.
We were in the Missoula area for business and asked a local for recommendations - The Silk Road was at the top of his list and his description of the menu was all we needed. We did not have an reservation on a Friday night, but they seated us within 30 minutes. There were 3 of us and we each ordered three items - it was more than enough and each plate was better than the last. The wine selection was awesome and the desserts were fabulous!! We were pampered by the staff - especially Jeff, the manager who stopped by our table several times. Our server was Trevor (or Travis) and he was equally attentive. I have told no less than 40 people about The Silk Road, including my son who attended school at the U of M and now lives in Austin. I have promised a trip to Missoula next time he comes home.
(5)Wendy O.
Dining alone can be lonesome. Not at the Silk Road. Food was truly outstanding, and I come from a foodie local (San Francisco) as well as the wine list. Bartender Travis was wonderful, Manager Jeff was very sweet, making me feel very welcome and I am totally a fan of Chef Abraham! Going with a French theme I started with the Goat cheese tart, perfect. The mushrooms were to die for with just a hint of sherry (rich, recommend sharing that one) and the new Chicken Paiilard with Fontane was excellent. I wish I could have ordered more! Thank you for a wonderful experience.
(4)Corkie M.
We made a beeline to the Silk Road as soon as we parked the coach. Just as we remembered from previous visits. The crab dip was outstanding as well as the bisque. Awaiting desserts while I draft this. We'll see if they are as good as they sound! Dessert was not to die for but great! Service as before was friendly and prompt. A little different fare than what you would expect in Missoula but great. The Tapas style makes for some great choices while still eating healthy.
(5)annie h.
weiner schnitzel excellent beef kabobs vg crab dip good mushroom thing vg fried ravioli didnt care for but I dont like goat cheese bombe I didnt think the olive oil Added anything to an otherwise yummy little desert thing. we tried to rub it off comfy casual good service, pricey but the quality is worth it
(4)Jane T.
Had to spend the night in Missoula on this road trip & used Yelp to find an interesting ethnic place for dinner... if there was one to be had here... Turns out The Silk Road was an exceptionally tasty & fun place to sweep the road-cobwebs away -- from the exotic decor to the smart & engaging server & finally to the small plates of heaven from around the world. Starting with the spinach salad with grapefruit - bright, peppery & refreshing; chicken schniztel that was perfectly crisp & tender; scallops w/ lime & pineapple that makes Phil say "ahh" this morning; new orleans crabcake was "amazing"; Phil liked the potato fritters but they seemed bland to me - maybe in comparison to the other dishes that burst with flavor. I'd also skip the raviolo in order to try the goat cheese tart... how could I forget to order that?! The single gnocchi Phil allowed me was fabulously pan seared, avoiding the heavy starchiness of the usual boiled beasts. If you're in Missoula, don't miss this engaging world-tapas place. We're from the Berkeley gourmet ghetto & I'd give The Silk Road 4.5 stars if I could.
(4)Daryl G.
One of the best places in the zoo for Date Night! Everything is ala carte' and the food is fantastic! Fabulous service, excellent, helpful staff, open LATE (unusual for Missoula), and very affordable considering the level of quality. We had the Chinese Meatballs, Massaman Curry, Zanzibar Duck, Brussel Sprouts, a red and white wine flight, the Turkish Brûlée, and the Mango Sorbet, and I recommend all of them. We added a very fine $29 bottle of Sixth Sense wine which completed our meal. My rating system: 1 Ugk! 2 Meh 3 Yes! 4 Hells yeah! 5 Legendary!
(5)Barbara M.
I was excited to try this restaurant while in the area as it received some pretty good reviews. I have mixed emotions as the food tasted great but the "a la carte" portions were ridiculously small. We started with the Calvolfriore which was about 4 small pieces of seasoned cauliflower in a sauce bowl. It was wonderful but barely served enough to actually give our taste buds a sample. We witnessed salads with a few sprigs on each plate. We opted for the hummus & left hungry. We just couldn't justify feeling ripped off. You would need to spend a small fortune to actually feel satisfied. I wanted to try so many of their vegan/dairy-free options but quite honestly felt that the portion/$$$ was not worth it. We left there very disappointed.
(2)Michael W.
This is one of the best restaurants I've ever been to, and I've do plenty of traveling! Waiters/waitresses are pleasant, food is amazing and exotic. Inside is beautiful. However, price is kind of high. Food comes in small portions and is recommended to order three plates (which is why it is kind of expensive. I found two plates and desert to be plenty of food personally. Perfect for a special date.
(5)Pj H.
Walked in at 9:07. Restaurant is listed as open until 10pm. Was told they stop seating at 9:00pm - 4 or 5 tables still eating.... Garbage.
(1)Kate H.
Very disappointing. The dishes were too salty. A couple of the plates were undifferentiated glop. They could reduce the number of choices and focus on doing a few things better.
(2)Elaina G.
loved everything about the place, with the possible exception of not being able to get a table; I took a seat at the bar instead. But the atmosphere was such, and the bartender was so great, that that did not matter much. The food is amazing, even though the portions are a bit small. Don't come here starving, come because you want to experience good food and drink in a relaxed and funky atmosphere. what a menu; it was hard to choose!
(5)Ms. V.
The Silk Road is truly a trip around the world for your taste-buds. Abe and Sam are outstanding. The menu is ever changing. This is definitely one of the top restaurants in the city hands-down. Tapas style so you can taste so many things.. but be careful. It's so good and they keep em coming out one by one.. it can add up real quick! Next time I'm in I will edit my review to the specific dishes I try but I've literally never tried something I didn't love. Beautiful atmosphere, knowledgable and friendly staff (often co-owner and chef Sam will be out and about greeting guests and delivering plates) and a great wine selection from around the globe with new flights available all the time. I've brought my out of town, big city food snob friends and they are consistently blown away. Did I mention they make their own spice blends? And they are AMAZING? And if you ever get a chance to do one of their Port of Call's... do it. Its a multi-course meal with wine for a flat plate rate (fairly pricey) but very well worth it. Often combined with entertainment it is a truly unique experience. Silk Road is an absolute win.
(5)Nelson M.
My wife and I had a fabulous dining experience this evening(July 30, 2015)at the Silk Road! First of all they serve small portions or tapas rather than one big meal. The menu is a n Eclectic array of enticing dishes from around the world. You can expect to eat at least three dishes per person. The two of us therefore had the opportunity to taste six different dishes. We started with A small plate of calamari and and a crispy cauliflower dish. The calamari was as if you were eating in a fantastic restaurant in Italy. The crispy Cauliflower was also great although a bit sweet. We then had Kufta meatballs and beef Togarashi. Both were excellent. I Think the meatballs were my wife's favorite dish. I loved the togarashi which was quite spicy and delicious. The beet salad and Duck risoto were also excellent. I topped the meal off with a macaroon and ice cream sundae. Our server explained the menu well and took his time bringing out dishes so we ate in a very relaxed fun fashion. The dishes we had were only a small sample of the variety of dishes from around the world which they offer. If you're looking for an excellent and interesting dining experience in Missoula, I highly recommend the Silk Road. We thoroughly enjoyed Each individual plate and the whole experience!
(5)Leah S.
Definitely my favorite restaurant in Missoula. Its small plates, so people who complain about "portions" need to understand that THAT IS THE IDEA! That way you get to taste lots of different things! If I want to eat one thing and a piece of bread I can do that at home! And all of the things are totally yummy, and the waitstaff is really friendly and sometimes the owner will come say hi too. They have wine flights too, and an interesting wine and beer selection, and the dishes come from all sorts of different cuisines (hence the name) And definitely get dessert, the dessert croissant is incredible!
(5)Mari W.
Very pleasantly surprised by this downtown gem! The staff was very friendly and very knowledgable about the dishes served. The food was fantastic; delicious spice blends, plating, and a great representation of the different countries. This place takes pride in what they do! It's a must when you come to missoula. If you can, try to make a reservation. My top recommendations would be the the massaman curry, and the cauliflower with lavender vinaigrette, but you can't really go wrong!
(5)R G.
Once again the staff, the service, the wine and the food is A+. Wonderful summer menu, although I do miss the Truffle Fries but tried the Canadian Poutine as a substitute and it was delicious. I was there with friends from Bozeman celebrating a wedding anniversary, it was their first time to the Silk Road and they were very happy with everything, we all left full, buzzed and happy.
(5)Ally D.
Phenomenal!!! Mushroom sauté was absolutely out of this world!!! We will be returning.
(5)Laura D.
Really enjoyed variety of tapas here. Beautiful old wood bar. I look forward to visiting again.
(4)Daniel B.
Was excited to eat here as was told about its exotic styling. It's a place for the intelligentsia of Missoula to run away and feel like they aren't in Missoula. The decor and staff and fine. The food... Well, I complained about 2 of the 5 dishes as being lackluster and not a great value. I get the tapas thing, but overall I'd say for the prices it's not a great value, nothing was exciting or excellent and it's in the rather expensive. So go but go on a half full stomach or leave hungry and buy some fast food down the street to satisfy your appetite and save some money. Dinner for 2 with one drink and no desert was over $40 with tip, and there was nothing exceptional about the food, in fact a couple of dished were subpar. Go for the atmosphere but don't expect great food or value.
(2)Tavia K.
Favorite restaurant in Missoula. I promise it will be the best dining experience you will have in this city, especially if you bring your favorite people!
(5)Mariah R.
Impressive that they can pull off such a wide variety of cuisines. I thought the value was good. I was definitely full and our bill was under $40 for 2. Thanks for having a gluten free menu.
(5)Clark M.
This is one of the most enjoyable places to eat in Missoula. The lamb is amazing. You need to give it a go. The service is also great. Some of the best food in town. % stars, no question. Also, try their wine flights.
(5)John C.
Passing through Missoula & utilized yelp to find a suitable venue for some grub. First I will start with the beer selection: Excellent, very representative of the local breweries with tasty choices. In addition, you can travel to Europe, Japan, & Mexico. I suggest the Piraat from Belgium but hurry.....it may not be there long.....they have a "Rotating Belgian Ale." Service: Top Notch.....very knowledgable staff that is friendly & attentive. I sat at the bar & for a first visit it was great to fell like Norm! (Cheers reference in case you are not my age) Grub: (They may get upset I'm calling it grub). Eclectic & diverse. If you love Tapas....or if you don't......stop what you are doing even if you just ate & go there now. They mix all their own spices "in the basement of the Alamo". I suggest the Isaan Steak Salad & the Kopitikias. Exquisite is a word that comes to mind. If you live in Missoula & have yet to indulge, you have been missing a gem of an eatery.
(5)Jamie B.
Not open when they say they are. Came in at 8:55pm. Said they stopped seating at 9 because it was a slow night. Their hours end at 10 pm.
(1)keith p.
Good selection of dishes, but - wrong again yelp - they close at 9:00 - not 10:00... even on a saturday night. This is Missoula after all. Oh, and on our anniversary they forgot to put in our order - they were nice and all, but after waiting 45 minutes for our order we had to get home to the sitter, so we had to leave anyway. ;-(
(4)Madison B.
Since our first visit, we have gone the the silk road a couple times and enjoyed ourselves very much. The midwesterner in me is still not a fan of paying so much for so little, but we've learned to pick our dishes better and really do appreciate the service and the diverse, tasty choices.
(4)Wrabbit W.
Variety and unique international cuisine. Tapas style to try out different flavors by small plate. Good food, but bit pricey for small portion. Nice ethnic ambiance.
(4)Do Your H.
The best restaurant in Missoula bar none. Not a single complaint- sophisticated plates without being over the top, good vegetarian food too. Quit reading, and go get a table already!
(5)Kay P.
Everyone was saying how yummy The Silk Road was... So my husband and I decided to take some friends out for dinner one night. We ordered from many different regions off the menu and some plates were hits and some plates were not. Everyone at the table shared everything we ordered and it was a blast! They have amazing service and were very accommodating to our special diet needs.
(5)Debi B.
This restaurant has a wonderful cozy atmosphere. It is quite inviting. We eat here whenever we are in Missoula which sometimes is 4 times a year. The food is very tasty and innovative. Small plates and a really good wine list with lots of variety that changes seasonally. One of the reasons we continue to return. However, this time the meal was slightly above average. The salad, was so salty that it was difficult to really taste the offering. Next we had an eggplant antipasto was cooked unevenly, parts of it were raw. The Pad Thai had good flavor but was missing one of the main components, scrambled egg and not much of the chopped peanuts. The hummus and pita bread, delicious as well as, the delightful meat ball offering, yum. We had great wines with our meal. Will we go back again? Yes! Hopefully this review will give the restaurant a heads up to monitor the kitchen. Service is fabulous! Food delivered timely. Therein lies a 3 star not a 5 on this review.
(3)Alan T.
Love this place... amazing variety and a chance to put some wonderful world cuisines on the palate. Very unique... not for the traditional food palate probably.
(5)Alyssa P.
i would probably come here just for the saracco moscato d'asti, honestly. buuuuuuuuuuuuuut it also helps that after trying probably 15 different dishes in the handful of times i've been here i've NEVER said "i didn't like that." everything is delicious, everything is amazing, and i never leave hungry. i also broke my veganism here - chicken tikka masala. it was a slippery slope after that but what a place to start. go here, eat everything, you won't regret it.
(5)Shirley Q.
Small plates from around the globe, so portion size wise, probably 3 or 4 plates for two people. Reservations ahead of time helps. Gorgeous atmosphere. Love the decorations. The overall concept is genius - bring the world to people who might not be able to globetrot. The japanese rice dish could be better, but the other cuisines, ie. Mediterranean fare, was decent. My absolute favorite plate was the sauteed mushrooms. Never have I tasted mushrooms so delicious!!! They are cooked french style, but better than any mushrooms I've tried in France - and that's saying a lot.
(5)Oliver F.
Nice vibe. Terrible service, the waiter got our order wrong and barely made eye contact. I get they're trying to be hip with the tapas thing, but the food was not good and pretty pricey.
(2)Emily D.
This place is off the hook. It's so good. I have been there twice and plan to return for many small plate dinners in the future. Perhaps the thing I love most about this place are the tapas...I loooove tapas....the concept, the size, and the sharing. The first time I came here (over the summer) my husband and I shared a couple of plates and got one individual one each because he is a pescatarian and I eat meat...I had pork fried rice (which they do right) topped with a an over-easy egg, served with seared duck breast and blackberry compote on the side...I still dream about it. You know if you dream about a dish, it's phenomenal. The one thing we didn't like was the soup. Now, the other night with my best girlfriend we got to share many plates because she's a omnivore too ;) We had a plethora of delicious tapas. Our favorites were the Hot Pickled Beets served over arugula micro-greens with goat cheese and pistachios and the Ethiopian Duck Crêpes with Berbere spice, topped with fennel slaw...my mouth is watering as I write this and I just wanna go back right now to devour those delicious beets and crepes! We also had olives with pita bread, Kalbi (good, but not my personal fave just because I thought the flavors in the dish weren't connected), and a gnocchi dish. For dessert, we devoured the Opera Cake (coffee-soaked jaconde cake, chocolate, ganache, hazelnut feuilletine, banana cremeux, caramel mousse & chocolate glaze, dusted with espresso-cocoa powder...France) and Pineapple dessert with brioche, ice cream and peanut brittle. Most of the dishes are excellent and it's fun to try new flavors, so I highly suggest this restaurant for foodie adventures! The chefs and owner here are innovative with their flavors and the wine list is well-rounded. Another thing I love: they list the country of origin with every tapa! Beware...this place is tiny so it is wise to make a reservation!
(5)Adam P.
Traveling in Montana last year and had dinner here. A very memorable experience. I ordered 3 dishes and ate some of the others our group ordered. It was all great. The menu was unique and creative with great dishes from around the world. Definitely pricey, but the quality of the food and presentation justified the price. Our waiter was a little sketchy but helpful we going over the menu. I just started posting to yelp and thought this place deserved a good review.
(5)Chris S.
Rude. Inconsiderate. One of the worst experiences I've ever had. Not to mention the subpar cleanliness of this place. Do yourself a favor and stay away.
(1)Stephan F.
We went here in 2012... and it was possibly one of the most amazing dining experiences I have had in Montana. Decided to go back this year when I was in town looking for a home.... and sadly, I do not have much good to say about it. The food was mediocre, the service was borderline awful. I asked our server if they changed owners... and he indicated no, but they had a new chef. I told him that was a shame. He made no effort to reveal my obvious dissatisfaction. I will try them again at some point... as every place has a bad night.... but I was very disappointed with the overall service standard.
(2)Judy L.
Hopping place on a Weds. night but service was fast. We enjoyed an Italian Red Wine Flight with several tapas. Fav was the Nepal Lamb. Had the Gorgonzola flan - fab! and the Japanese ribs. Just stay away from the market fish cooked in a banana leaf. I thought it would be great with adobe chili sauce but sadly the banana leaf was over-powering! Not to our liking. We would definitely return if we're ever in Missoula again.
(4)Marie G.
We are so grateful to the Silk Road Catering. In many ways, they saved our wedding. Our original caterer (Creative Catering associated with the Raven in Bigfork) cancelled on us less than 3 weeks before our wedding. We were completely panicked because every caterer in the Flathead Valley was already booked on our wedding date. It was a miracle the Silk Road was available. We paid a little extra for them to come up from Missoula to Bigfork, but it was worth every penny. My husband is from India, and they were able to make an authentic Indian menu that was a huge hit and a rare treat for our guests to have such good Indian food in Montana. We ordered the Kid Nu Gosht lamb, and my husband's brother in law, who grew up in India, said it was the best lamb he had ever had. All our our US friends and relatives from India were very happy with the wonderful meal. The saffron rice, chicken curry and salad with dates were also amazing. In addition, Ginny, the manager at the Silk Road, is wonderful to work with. She was 3 steps ahead of us in thinking through every detail. She and her team were able to adapt to last minute changes due to the weather and they even helped decorate our tables. They also had an excellent selection of rentals etc for our event, which made things much easier since we didn't have to work with separate vendors. In addition to being amazing chefs, they are great people I cannot recommend them highly enough.
(5)Lesley H.
Really good food, great service = great night. The reason I did not give it 5 starts is because the food did not quite achieve wow. Our waiter was wonderful, friendly and helpful. Brought out samples from their extensive wine list to help us choose a bottle. We were there over a month ago and I cannot remember exactly what we had. It was good, even very good but not (obviously) memorable. Next time we are in Missoula, I would go back. For a small town, this place was great.
(4)Kathleen N.
What a feast!! Everything was delicious and exciting. A real global tasting experience. I'm not too adventurous when it comes to eating, and I don't like spicy foods, but I was very happy with everything. Great gluten free options and clearly labeled menu. A little pricy but well worth it for a great evening. I recommend the general Tsam's chicken, crab dip, and creole fries!
(5)Tristan N.
I wish I could remember all the dishes I ordered but I was very impressed with the japanese beef off the Asian part of the menu, it was super tender and flavorful. The mango habanero sorbet is really interesting, I think it is a very good combination. Oh and I think they update their menu all the time!
(4)Martin J.
Still amazing, still want to keep going back. Tapas style orders will make you keep ordering and loving every one. Killer beer selection too. Owners are usually there and service is great. Must check out if you are visiting Missoula.
(5)Raffael H.
The Silk Road has utterly delicious tapas style plates. They have some of the most diverse and exciting food to be found in Missoula. In this category I would give them an excellent rating. Unfortunately The Silk Road consistently drops the ball with service. The food tends to come out in very random order - you may receive your appetizer (Standards plate) at the end of your meal, and sweet and savories mixed in between. The timing of the food is awfully random - sometimes you receive everything at once, other times (like our last visit) we had to wait for 15 minutes TWICE between courses. They also have a tendency to forget items that you have ordered (this happened on a few occasions now). I've received either the wrong check, or an incorrect check a few times now. My last visit was one of those times - at first we received the check for the neighboring table, then when we finally received our check, it had items on it that we never received. For a restaurant where you consistently pay between $40-$60 per person (I'd consider this more upscale Missoula) you expect a level of professional service. This needs to improve if they wish to have us continue to frequent the restaurant.
(2)Madeline L.
I was really excited to go to the Silk Road to celebrate my one year anniversary but was not impressed by the experience. I knew that they had a 'small plate' style but had heard that the food was amazing making the prices worth it. When our dishes came I found myself wanting for more tender meat and more savory flavors. Our beef tenderloin was over cooked and our schnitzel had a bland sauce. The chicken tikka masala was good but nothing out of this world and the Kansas City style ribs were more mushy than tender. At a lower price I don't think I would have been so disappointed but at $9-$10 for such a small plate I was expecting to be wowed. I actually asked my husband if we could go somewhere else for a 'real dinner' now that we'd spent close to $70 on wine and appetizers. The best part of the meal was our waitress, she was very nice and even brought us out a carrot cake cheese cake with a candle to celebrate. In the future I'll stick with Sean Kelly's for delicious flavors at a reasonable price.
(2)Anne G.
We were stopping in Missoula for the night on a road trip and found the silk road on yelp. We chose it based on the online menu and the fact that it was still open past 9 on Monday and we we're so glad we did. The staff was super friendly and attentive and our server was great at giving menu recommendations. The food was EXCELLENT, we got five plates between two people and our favorites were the beet salad and tagine. Lots of vegetarian options and a great local and international beer menu. The best meal we'd had on our road trip :)
(5)Tiffany M.
The service was rude from the moment we walked in the door. The food was ok but didnt blow me away.
(2)Rotte N.
We had the Maghreb and Levant menu items and were disappointed. The hummus and olives were good and the date/orange salad was the highlight, but the chicken and zucchini dishes were lacking in flavor and balance. The French mushroom sautee was terrible. It was equal parts raw garlic and stewed mushrooms that tasted like they were canned. The waiter tried to give his number to my fiance while I was in the bathroom.
(1)Bradley N.
If a Madrid tapas bar owner and a Berkeley bistro sous chef had a love child who decided to move to Western Montana - after first hitchhiking through most of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia - then that well-traveled wanderer would probably end up here, at the Silk Road. It's one of Missoula's funkiest places to eat out, and it's really in a class by itself. SR is less formal than the city's current "holy trinity" of upper-end food spots - Red Bird, Scotty's Table, and Pearl - but it's also more upscale than the many bars, cafes, and pizza spots that dot the culinary landscape up and down the Clark Fork. The big draw is its diversity of small plate options, inspired by cuisines from around the world, and spiced using housemade blends (which can also be purchased). In addition, the SR offers nightly white and red wine flights served on laminated placards, which offer tasting notes and winery details. For around $9, you'll receive three choices that allow you to explore a single varietal or wine region, which can be fun even for worldy wino types who think they know the global scene pretty well. On a recent visit, I sampled Chardonnays from the Willamette, Edna,and Napa valleys. They progressed from crisp minerality to fruit-forward to vanilla-spiced oak, all of which went well with my selections - shrimp in an Ethiopian Berbere spice mixture, a mushroom pierogi, and a half-portion of chicken schnitzel served in decadent sherry creme sauce. Finishing with mango habanero sorbet was perfect - sweet and spice and everything nice. The atmosphere inside is dark and inviting, with lots of wood, wall art, and ambiance - not to mention walkthrough access to the Crystal theater. It's a long and narrow space with an attractive bar and various seating options for parties of 1-4 or larger groups. SR is one of those places that, if you close your eyes for a moment, could fit in almost anywhere, from downtown San Francisco or Portland to Paris, Warsaw, Athens, or Seville. Or Aachen, for that matter. It brings the world to you in the form of food. There's an educational aspect to the experience, but it's not overbearing or intrusive. And If you're here in Missoula, why would you close your eyes? Not now, when the mountains are covered in snow and the full moon rises over Hellgate Canyon like a golden orb from the mists of time. The Silk Road doesn't fill a niche in the local food scene. It pretty much makes its own. Not many places can make that claim and live up to it. But here they do. And that's worth a second look, whether you are simply passing through, or staying for a while to take it all in. Roads connect. They take us to destinations unknown. Who doesn't love a good road trip every now and then? That's what the Silk Road promises, and it's what it delivers.
(4)Georgeann K.
Silk Road is my favorite Missoula restaurant and I eat there every chance I get. The seasonal tapas menu, the great spice mixtures and wine list are all in its favor. However on my last visit, after the usual delicious dinner, I had a disappointing dessert. What comes to mind when the menu says "banana cream pie"? Something kind of silly and sloppy? I wasn't expecting pudding and vanilla wafers and the menu did say chocolate tart shell, but what I got was a small tart with no recognizable bananas or even banana taste. The chocolate shell was too salty and did not complement the filling. Meh. This complaint is general about creative restaurants that try too hard to re-invent comfort food, especially Southern comfort food. Customers aren't expecting something restrained and elegant when they order a traditionally named item and are likely to be disappointed.
(4)Marc R.
The wife-unit's birthday happened to fall in the middle of our trip to the great frozen frontier. I knew she was going to need a break from her family, so I prebooked a hotel night and made reservations at the Silk Road. Turns out I was right on target on all accounts - her family was driving her crazy and this was the perfect break (even if it was too short). We enjoyed our visit to The Silk Road, and might very well come back to try there ever changing menu again. Enough of the generalities - on to the review, which applies to the menu available at the time - many of these aren't available any more: For the first round of ordering, we picked the potato napoleon, Kid Nu Gosht, and Sambusek. The potato napoleon ended up being the stand-out of the evening, even if the portion was on the small side; description: Potato Napoleon parsnip puree & duck confit layered between potato crisps, finished with chive gel The Kid Nu Gosht was very good as well; description: braised lamb in Nepalese coconut curry & Garam Masala cashews, served over basmati rice The Sambusek looked perfect and I had high hopes when it was delivered, but the filling fell well short of my expectations. I don't know what else to say except that it just tasted plain (and if memory serves, was too finely pureed). I've had much much better similar dishes. Description: light pastry filled with Ras el Hanout-braised beef brisket For the second round, we ordered the Crab Dip, Mushroom,s and Red Wine Poached Pear. The mushrooms puzzled us some. Not that they were bad, or even semi-bad - they just didn't seem particularly unique or flavorful - seemed like cooked mushrooms. That even applies to the bread that it came with. Description: Seasonal Mushroom Sauté in garlic, sherry, butter & fresh herbs, with crispy leeks served on grilled bread. The wife really liked the crab dip. Description: Crab Dip with sherry & cheese: Chesapeake style; with gluten free crackers We thought that having a red wine poached pear would wrap up the evening nicely, but unfortunately the dish was completely unbalanced. The pear was not sweat, which meant what was left was the overpowering flavor of the brie and prosciutto. Maybe our taste buds are out of alignment, because it really didn't appeal to us. Description: Pear wrapped in brie, prosciutto & Dukkah & baked in phyllo, topped with balsamic reduction. The ambiance/atmosphere was perfect. There was one very large group, but otherwise the restaurant was pretty empty. Even still, wait times were not short - but we weren't in a hurry. They have both upstairs and downstairs - probably the most romantic part of the restaurant is upstairs at the very front (which looks out onto the street).
(4)Erica J.
Gluten free friendly but Important note though!!: Upon asking, I learned that they DO NOT have a designated fryer! They have plantain chips, fries, etc on the menu that are marked gf but they are NOT. I always get nervous about a tapas place with my gluten and dairy allergies, but this place was great although I know what to ask also. Good food and selection and kind staff. Their menu is marked with what is gf or vegan or else can be made that way. The atmosphere was thematic although a little chintzy. I stayed away from anything fried. The tuna ceviche was great( minus the chips!), beef skewers were fantastic, and the salmon was my favorite (minus the huckleberry sauce because of dairy). The server and cook knew what to keep out or modify if I asked for it without dairy (or as their menu said "dairy free") Flavors were great but misses a star for the fryer bit....shame!
(4)NW F.
Absolutely wonderful food. Each plate allows a decent sample for two. Four plates a satisfying meal. The only challenge is not ordering the same plate again because it was so good. The wait staff are friendly and knowledge about their offerings. We highly recommend Silk Road. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Jen R.
how proud am i of myself that, while on a cross-country drive, i was able to not only survive with my gluten and dairy-free diet intact, but find a place in montana that actually catered to my restrictions? pretty effin' proud. it was a month-long trip though so my memory is hazy. there was a chilled shrimp appetizer that was a complete miss - greek yogurt and dill i think. really bizarre and gross - like a shrimp salad wannabe. most everything else was a hit or at least in the ballpark. and the mango habanero sorbet was really outstanding. i knew mango paired well with heat ever since i tried some fresh mango with wasabi but the chilled factor on top of the sweet plus heat was quite a treat. also, the dishes were really tapas sized so small. prepare to order often and pay dearly for your gluttonous ways.
(4)M W.
Ehh... It's okay. The thing is by Montana/Missoula this is a gem. The Missoula restaurant selections comprise mostly of bar food, mexican and pizza. So this is certainly an improvement for Missoula. However, for the real world it is average, or even slightly mediocre. They are trying WAY TOO HARD to be hip and trendy (as every place in Missoula does and fails). If you've actually ever been to any/all of the places where the cuisine they're trying to duplicate comes from, you will leave utterly confused and disappointed. It's a let down unless you don't have an educated palete or have never experienced actual good food, let alone good ethnic food - which is very likely if you've never left Montana. I'm guessing they're doing well in Missoula, due to all the over the moon reviews, so I'm sure my advice mean nothing, but I'm going to go ahead and provide it. It would be in the Silk Road's best interest to concentrate on a few really great dishes that you can successfully execute flawlessly, as opposed to the plethora of options that contain too many spices, too much sauce, and over/under cooked food. Again for Missoula I'd give this a 4-star, real world 2-star.
(2)Ruth H.
We went there for dinner last night after reading the reviews. We ordered drinks and an orange, almond, saffron dressing salad (very good) and a chicken dish ( both at the recommendation of the gentleman that seated us). There was a very long wait for the chicken dish which was explained as a problem in the kitchen. We were there early so they weren't busy (3 tables total). When the chicken dish came it was horrible. The chicken was tough, over cooked and overly breaded. The rice was a dried up clump. We decided not to order anymore small plates and left. All in all it was terrible and way overpriced!
(1)Nina C.
The aranacini's are worth going there alone. The schnitzel is great, too! Service is always good and great wine list. Great for a date spot, or with friends!
(4)Frank L.
Don't go to this place!! They think they are food geniuses but fail miserably!! Avoid like the Black Plague!
(1)Josh K.
Does not live up to the hype. I'm in town for work from Seattle by way of Portland and with the way I've heard locals talk about this place, I was very excited to try it. Unfortunately, while the food is decent, it is nothing close to what people would lead you to believe. With how hard they were pushing me to order wine, I almost want to make a joke about how people must be having a few drinks before assessing the food. The concept is great--it's a restaurant based on the travels of Marco Polo, featuring a key ingredient in each item from a number of his stops (e.g. harissa from Morocco, etc.). When you walk in, it even feels a little like a silk merchant's shop in a Middle-eastern or north African market. Unfortunately, the execution just isn't there. The food is decent enough, it isn't bad, by any means, but nothing made me say to myself, "Wow! This is cooked perfectly and tastes amazing!" The format is tapas, which is great for this type of menu; you get to try a lot of variety and keep it affordable...relatively. It's a bit pricey for the quality. Again, the food isn't bad at all, but I've been served pork katsu at corner Teriyaki joints that was cooked a little better than the pork schnitzel I ordered here. I've had better quality General Tsao's chicken at big chains like P.F. Chang's than the General Tsam's Chicken here. I also ordered the cheese plate and the cured meat plate, which I was surprised were only $3.50 each--it was clear why when they came. They were both half great. The cheese plate had a phenomenal, slighty-bleu, triple cream, French cheese that was just delectable; but the only other cheese was the same Wensleydale with cranberries you can find in any Safeway next to the Laughing Cow and cheese balls. Similarly, the cured meat plate had a hot Coppa that wasn't bad, but also a mediocre Salami of some sort. The only thing served with these was a plate of pita bread. The pita was definitely fresh made and pretty good, but it's not exactly a great pairing with charcuterie and cranberry cheese. Service wasn't bad at all. They were happy to answer questions about the food. I've only been in town a day and am getting dehydrated faster than I'm used to, and they were always very quick to refill my water without my having to ask. They even brought me carafe after several refills. Staff was nice, respectful, but didn't seem to passionate about the food. They give you a thorough description of each item when it's brought to the table, which is nice. They also accomodated my request for no onions without any hastle. Again, it wasn't bad (I've gotten the Wensleydale from the grocery store before to snack on with some Kashi TLCs), but it is not the oasis of gastronomy the locals would like to think it is. The wine list was very impressive and extremely reasonably priced, but I was driving so I didn't order any of it--which they seemed mildly irritated at as they asked me if I wanted a drink over half a dozen times throughout the meal. Overall, disappointing.
(2)Matt D.
I had a terrific meal here. Wonderful, warm and knowledgeable staff: Gabriel, Sarah and Autumn.
(5)Vicki R.
NICE SURPRISE: this could be berkeley, greenwich village, seattle...and it's a wonderful little place on the river in missoula. ecclectic, intimate atmosphere and creatively unusual menu served with dignity and professional warmth. after a day's drive, on a refreshing sundown bike ride along the river, found silk road, tucked into the ground floor of the historic Crystal building at the base of Higgins bridge. katharine, the manager, graciously encouraged us to come and be comfortable for a fine dining experience. brendan our server coached us to graze a few small plates at a time, and to try some of the special wines that silk road was proud to offer. we tried the hummus platter (lwith homemade pita?), coconut tuna ceviche, pad thai and tagine, and an unusual cherry something japanese iced tea--super refreshing. no room for dessert (or big scoop down the street, darn). SR's menu changes seasonally; the chef posts his recipes online at silkroadcatering.com , featuring some of the exotic spices that SR also makes available for purchase by diners. feels like someone knows their way around running a kitchen, cool restaurant. and a catering biz? (btw, we felt very welcome as casually dressed non-hipsters :)
(5)Corrine O.
One of my favorite places to eat in Missoula. One of the only places you can taste a variety of ethnic cuisines, from Indian to Ethiopian, to North American (crab dip, anyone). The atmosphere lends itself to an enjoyable evening, whether you are eating alone or with friends. The wine list is superb, I highly recommend trying something from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon if you are a fan of reds. While this isn't an every night kind of place, it is a wonderful treat, especially if you give on their Ports of Call dinners a try! I went to the Goa, India one, and it was superb. Expect to pay a little more, here, but you get what you pay for.
(5)Charley C.
The Silk Road deserves at least 6 stars. Now the rest of the story! WOW! tapas is always a good way to chat with old friends and share a meal (not the old family style way with buckets of food). The Portions and prices are totally in line. The flavors are very well done we had olive medley (I love it), pickled beets on goat cheese (marvelous), french fries rolled spices with caramelized onion (yum) salmon encrusted in dudda (fantastic), fried green tomato stack (mmmm...) grilled radicchio (incredible) and dessert s will surprise you! the two ports were a very nice finish, and by the way they have very nice local beers on tap! If you are in Missola, MT - Give this a try!
(5)Cindy W.
In town from Minnesota to visit my son. He recommended this place for dinner for the 3 of us. Wow. Great choice on all accounts. We shared 6 or 7 plates and ended with the mango sorbet. Outstanding guys, will mos def return the next time I visit this dreamy mountain town
(5)Laura J.
10/10!!! Grab a friend, and get ready for the best dining experience EVER!!
(5)Lacey C.
OK--I may be biased. I know the owners, Elise, Sam, and Abe Risho (an extra special welcome to little Webb!) and they are unbelievably great people. They genuinely care about three things: 1) family, 2) community, and 3) great food. They always smile when you enter, and ask how your food was when you leave. Their everyday service is amazing, but their weekend Brunch and special events (costumed sushi party, several-course dinners themed before a play) will blow your mind. In particular, any one of their eggs benedict dishes are (underlined) to die for. The Silk Road's menu is ever-changing, in-season, and (wait for it) voted on by it's online newsletter members. Their fresh bread of the day as well as cheese plate of the day are completely legit--these people not only know what they're doing, but they enjoy it. If you can score it, their simple mushroom saute changed my life. Anything on the menu from the Lavant or North Africa will also especially tickle your fancy--Sam and Abe's family used to own 'Perugia' an 'old world' restaurant that specialized in Middle-Eastern cuisine, and it shows. Their wine list is, simply, immaculate. There is nothing else that could be said. If that weren't enough, they even do "wine flights" now. I get thirsty just thinking about it. Don't even try to save room for dessert. But if you make it, brace yourself, and try the Mango Habanero Sorbet. Santa Maria, it's good.
(5)Philippe L.
Great atmosphere. Varied and excellent food.
(5)Kelly C.
Wow! Really disappointed. I have wanted to eat here for so long. The food was less than good. Among other things we orderedPancetta wrapped Mahi Mahi. It sounded soooo good on the menu. What we got was undercooked fish wrapped in an uncooked (definitely not pan seared) piece of pancetta. Basically a raw piece of fat. The arrancinis were gummy and way over priced. Two raviolis which were deep and really fat fried and overpriced. Got a second order of the Tsam's chicken to fill up on the rice. I hate to be writing this as I was so excited to finally eat here with a small group and order it up. I would not go back for the food, maybe for the wine.
(1)Pablo F.
Traveling home thru Missoula and found this delightful place on yelp. Was listed as "not good for kids". Called directly and the receptionist was very friendly and said that it was listed that way due to the menu items and not layout or atmosphere of the restaurant. We are blessed to have 2 kids that have been exposed to a wide variety of ethnic foods and their palate reflects that. Made reservations and was seated immediately on our arrival (Saturday evening, 4th of July weekend). A young man named Peter was our waiter and he was very adept at explaining the menu, specials etc. Peter provided excellent service throughout our meal. Our interactions with the other staff was exceptional as well, including a visit twice to our table by what looked like either the manager or owner (he must of known I was going to write a yelp review!). The menu contained 3-4 items from varied regions of the world..almost embarrassed to list everything we had (reminds me I better hit the gym tomorrow!). Anyway, first go round we had pad Thai, pork snitzel, falafel, and hummus...simple but elegant with amazing flavors! Amid this we (adults) ordered and had wine.. Not a huge wine list but a great worldly variety...I had a Syrah/Mourvèdre blend from South Africa that was phenomenal...wife had a Spanish Tempranillo that was excellent as well. Great place...I didn't even mention the desserts or the late harvest Malbec from Argentina!
(5)Doug K.
Trendy and upscale would be two ways to describe The Silk Road. I believe they are still trying to find their "niche" in the Missoula restaurant scene. This is a small space and that limits the number of customers and the revenue the business can generate, thus the prices tend to be higher to meet the overhead. I don't know if this establishment will be able to make a go of it in Missoula. I hear mixed reviews on the food, variety and mix of dishes, and the quality. A chef has to know what he is doing, and it is best if he sticks to what he knows.
(4)Tobe H.
They walked into "The Silk Road" looking to satisify their hunger and curiosity. It had been a goose grey day, and they were lacking puffy down jackets to keep them warm throughout their long walks through the bustling downtown streets. The hip and warm clientelle of the restaurant looked at the two older and unhip vegabonds as they entered the crowded space in their worn wool coats. The restaurants menu offered a variety of small plates of food. Once seated, the chilled vegabonds become excited by the prospect of experiencing some exotic flavors. They found the hot pickled beets to be delicious and deep. The langoustine roll was disappointingly tiny. The crab dip was a delight. A Bacon-Maple Beignet ended their meal with a bang. However, the evenings special desert cake was dry and dull. Once satiated, the couple left for the confines of their hotel and a nap.
(3)Nico A.
I've only been here once and I was quite happy with the menu selection. First things first: if you are looking to eat a big meal, this may not be the place. This is because this is a TAPAS restaurant. Right on the name of the restaurant, it is clearly spelled out: "A Tasting Experience". You'll be looking to pay about $5 for a plate and their menu varies month to month. Their drink selection is also on par with the other local establishments. Grab a few friends and check it out!
(3)Chelle E.
Hands down the BEST FOOD in town. Missoula has a lack of ethnic food options but at the Silk Road you can try a little bit of everything. A few months back the empeñadas were so good I literally shed a tear. This is my favorite place to go on a date and my favorite place to take myself on a date when my partner is out of town. Bar staff is incredibly friendly and the wine flights are great. They do dinner theater, beer dinners, and I feel good supporting a local family and business.
(5)Richard A.
Had a very nice evening with family here. This place is apparently all about taking TIME to enjoy company and good food, "Tapas" style - everyone shares everything. It was a bit strange, though, as we had to ask for serving spoons (we're family, but we're not THAT close!). Portions are sized for about 4 people, and we had 6. It worked out, as some did not like some items, and some did. Don't remember what all we had, but most were tasty. Nothing that blew me away - lots of different flavors. Reasonably priced for the quality.
(3)Rachel M.
Absolutely one of the best meals I have ever eaten! Tapas from around the world and all of them authentic and delicious. They even had a sake flight that was great. Wonderful service and relaxing vibe. Decor is eccentric and beautiful. Highly recommend you don't miss it!!
(5)Randy S.
Great selection of diverse foods, tapas style. Of course, spices were everywhere which really made for a fun mix and match with wines. Loved the Ethiopian duck breast wrapped in injera, however that was a seasonal item which is not on the winter menu now. The staff was knowledgeable about the food items, presentation of food ranged from just ok to wonderful. I ate there three times in the week I was in town and consistency of presentation seemed to be the only issue I detected. The taste and quality were top notch.
(4)Cara C.
It was good. I love the whole tapas concept, but I thought that this was a bit costly for what you got. Most of what we ordered was $6-$9 a plate, but they were not more than a few bites each (except the fries). The pork belly was 4 little pieces on skewer for $6. The sizes of the plates were the only disappointing part. The service, decor, flavors were great. They even had a decent $15 bottle of granacha! Great to share a couple with friends.
(4)Casey P.
I have been here over a dozen times and used to really enjoy it. However, the last few times I have been it has been a little disappointing as far as consistency. The food has been hit or miss. Service has always been good. Choices are limited in this town but I am not sure I will continue to go here much anymore.
(3)Caitlin J.
After a loud evening at the Missoula Brewfest we made our way to Silk Road for a little conversation with our drinks. We had a group of five, of which myself and my partner are vegan. The restaurant itself is small/cozy, dimly lit, and nicely decorated. I had been hesitant to go because I wasn't sure what options they would have for us, but I was really impressed. We mentioned our dietary concerns to our waitress who smiled and brought us a special menu. It listed all the vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free offerings they had as well as dishes that could be tweaked to work. It might have also listed other allergens but I can't remember. The date and orange salad and creole fries (without remoulade) tied for my favorite things of the evening. I would go back just to sit at the bar with some of those fries and a drink. Knowing that they can accomodate different diets without any sort of attitude and that they have a lot of seasonal menu changes means I'll keep going back. Not frequently because of my meager income, but it's a fun place to take new people. Especially those that always have a hard time choosing what to have, the joy of tapas is getting one of each. Also, for what it's worth, the omnivores of our group really enjoyed all their offerings as well.
(4)Debra B.
Amazing food!! Amazing romantic atmosphere. My girlfriend and I met up in Missoula and I wanted to take her somewhere special. This was the place for my girl with a love of beautiful food. We love Tapas, wanted healthy eating, wanted to be able to talk during our meal without feeling like we had to stuff an entire plate in our faces. the services was great, the lighting, music and mood were perfect for our last dinner together before parting. We shared nine tapas and had plenty to have for leftovers. Was a bargain, our bill enhanced by our wine choices, but the meal itself, a bargain for the most beautifully prepared food with amazing spice blends.
(5)Suzanne K.
What a nice surprise! First time in Missoula and we weren't sure what to expect. My husband picked this place out based on the stellar reviews and we were impressed! The portions are small, tapas-style. Our server patiently explained the menu and suggested 2-3 dishes per person. I loved the variety of spices from around the world, along with colorful explanations of each on the back of the menu. We tried 4 dishes and everything was very good. They come out of the kitchen as they are ready (sushi-style service) but it was nice to enjoy each dish on its own, and the pace was not slow, just staggered. The only complaint I have was that my husband ordered a specific kind of beer and was given something totally different. We sent it back and were told that the keg and the spout topper were mismatched. No big deal, except that after talking about that and asking again for the kind he wanted, he never got it. What we ate: Scallop ceviche - finely chopped scallops, not fishy at all. Very light and refreshing. Skewered beef tenderloin - cooked perfectly, delicious sauce. Says it's spicy but didn't seem especially hot. Grilled summer squash salad - tossed with dukkah, a fragrant nutty spice giving it a nice crunch. Flank steak - again cooked perfectly, thinly sliced which helped keep it tender. Mild thai curry sauce, and pickled mango added a nice contrast. The "patio" was a little disappointing. It's just a few tables on the sidewalk, so you have to put up with car and pedestrian traffic. But when the weather is nice, it's a small price to pay.
(4)Lauren G.
OK, so if there's one thing I like in a restaurant, it's choices. The idea of being able to order and share five COMPLETELY different plates of food between two people is, quite frankly, a dream come true. And Silk Road isn't your ordinary tapas place -- yes, there are small plates, but the food isn't strictly Spanish. Rather, it's Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and maybe a bit Asian -- the food of places you'd find along the Silk Road! Magical! We got the butternut squash bisque, which was good, some OK truffle fries, a small and forgettable salad-y thing (the hot pickled beets, perhaps?), and an OMG AMAZING Seasonal Mushroom Sautee. A little *orgasmic*. Yes, that good. Please don't remove this from the menu! (On the opposite end was the Bambe -- my friend's choice. Why you would want salt in ice cream is beyond me...) Good sangrias here too -- not too strong and just the right amount of fruity :) But the really neat thing about this place -- the kitchen invites local opinions on what to keep and toss from the menu each season. Awesome! Thanks, Silk Road, for giving me the power to choose, and keep up the great work! (PS. Can you open another one in LA? PLEASE??)
(5)Brant J.
This was the biennial go to special occasion restaurant my brother and I would go to when he visited. The selection process vied with each delectable forkful for 'best moment.' Until NewYear's Day 2013. The selection was tired, the waiter uninterested, bartender absent and food disappointing at best. I'm sad to report a much lauded and anticipated family tradition has moved on. The insulting cherry? We even filled out the email form for feedback and voting. No response.
(3)Tony D.
Our friends recommended we go here for dinner one night and it was our best meal in town. The variety of tapas was great and the service was friendly and attentive. The restaurant also had a nice selection of wines by the glasses from a variety of regions. We really enjoyed the hummus and olive starters. The sauteed mushrooms and truffle fries were probably our favorites. The pork belly was decent and same for the fried ravioli. The mango habanero sorbet sounded interesting so we gave it a shot. It was more fruity than spicy, but you did get a nice little kick at the end. We were stuffed with food and wine and it only cost $36. This would have easily been a $60 meal in Los Angeles.
(5)Craig B.
This place is good, but not great. I've experienced many other tapas restaurants that were better. A few highlights: 1. The person greeting at the door was an older gentleman who made it seem like it was a really big deal that we could be seated without a reservation. There were at least a dozen open tables, but he made us wait a bit while he "checked to see if he could fit us in." It seemed like an attempt to make the place more exclusive than it really is...although in his defense a large party of 20 or so women came in after us. I suspect they had reservations. 2. The tapas were from places around the world other than Spain, which was an interesting twist. The portions, however, were very, very small, even by tapas standards. At an average of $7 each, you'll need at least four to feel like you've eaten anything at all...perhaps as many as eight to feel like you've really had dinner. 3. Based on Yelp recommendations, we had: Fried ravioli. Two. Yes, two. Crispy with fairly good flavor, but lukewarm at best. You'd think just having come out of a fryer that they'd at least be hot. Not so much. Beef skewers. Two skewers, each with two stew-meat-sized pieces of meat. A bit tough, and really salty. Goat cheese tart. One. Yes, one. No mention was made of lemon in the description, but it had a fairly strong lemon flavor. While the crust was flaky and flavorful, the lemon didn't go well with the goat cheese. Crap dip. This was by far the best. It comes with pita bread, and was plenty for two people to enjoy. It was very warm, very flavorful, and the waiter even brought extra pita for us. This was a very good item. Overall I'd say the place is a bit pretentious for Missoula. You definitely got the feeling that the folks here thought much more highly of their establishment than the food warranted. They're all very professional if not a bit on the snooty side. I'm surprised the locals like the place, but it is in a fairly trendy strip of shops, so I guess it fits in well. If you've had great experiences with tapas elsewhere in the country you may find this place "just okay." But if it's your first tapas experience, please don't think this is how all tapas places are. My experience has been that other restaurants provide considerably larger portions for about the same price. Would I come back to this place? I might, just for the crab dip. But the attitude is more suited to New York than Missoula, Montana, so keep that in mind when you visit.
(2)Lawrence J.
The silk road is a delightful place to go to sample a selection of custom made dishes, in small portions, and see what the cook has to offer you personally. This pleases me. I do notice a bit of irregularity in the pricing of some of the items. Sometimes a "special" will be shockingly high for the plate you receive. Yes, I know these are made to be sample potions, thank you. But there is inconsistency in the logic of some of the pricing. I can look past this. I had a pretty good Pino Noir. I believe it was the only Orgeon one on the menu, so of course I went for it. Each of the dishes were delightful. Some were fun and daring, others quite simple and humble, which is comforting. All the ingredients seemed very fresh, I appreciate that. The wait was very short. While it was fun to receive the items in a random order despite the order they were...well ordered in, some dishes needed to be served last. Being able to pick the order they come in would be helpful, but alas that is not how kitchens work. What's done is done when it's done. A small complaint if any. A bit high priced, but the quality spoke for itself.
(4)Jeannie S.
If you're in the mood for appetizers this is the place. All of the menu items are small portions with the intent to share with friends (or whoever it is you're dining with) and continue ordering until you're full. Everything we ordered was very good and the staff was exceptionally friendly. They do not serve hard liquor but have a great variety of wine (didn't look at the beer menu). The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is the portions are small and the prices are high.
(4)Mike W.
I was in Missoula, MT over the Christmas break visiting my parents with my girlfriend. Missoula is my home town, a lovely little city that in my opinion is getting too big--or maybe I'm getting too old. Missoula has never been a haven for good restaurants. Steak and potatoes never went out of style there, and many of the restaurants that tried to break the norm of big, belt busting portions and bland american menus never really took off. Enter in my highschool classmate Abe Risho. Abe and I went to highschool together, and even played drums together for a brief stint in highschool band. Abe, like any sane-minded Montanan got out of Missoula for a while to experience the other wonderful parts of this country. From what I was told, Abe spend some quality time in culinary studies in NYC. Well, it paid off. The silk road was a delight. The tapas style, across-the-map menu was both exotic and recognizable at the same time. Every dish we had was carefully planned an complimented each other nicely. The atmosphere was cozy and low-key, and the old-style saloon bar was a nice touch. The staff were knowledgeable, hip, and attended to us well, as it was my father's birthday. If you live in Missoula, go and eat at The Silk Road. In fact, do it twice--or be a regular, the menu changes often, and I'm sure Abe won't disappoint.
(5)Rachel V.
After reading the reviews for this place on yelp and checking out the menu on their website I was convinced this was where we needed to eat dinner while in Missoula and it was soooo good. I love the tapas format many restaurant now do because you get to try so many different things. We tried several different dishes from the menu including: crab dip, fried ravioli, tempura green beans, Pastelle de Poro, Sosaties, and the Olive Oil & Rosemary Ice Cream Bombe. The best dish was the Olive Oil & Rosemary Ice Cream Bombe. You must try this if you eat here. Our least favorite dish was the Sosaties which was surprising because it caught both my husband's and my eye and we could not wait to try it. Call to make reservations at this place if you plan to go. They seemed to have a large crowd and we were glad we made ones in advance.
(5)Jennifer S.
I live in Los Angeles and get the The Silk Road Spice of the Month club. Just wonderful!! Beautifully packaged and including 3 recipes. It's a great gift. We are amassing our list of spices that we will reorder and give as gifts. Spice blends are fabulous and they don't have salt in them, which is important to some family members. If you want a wonderful gift for someone that likes to cook, order this!
(5)Audra U.
The food was fabulous. Unfortunately there was an uncomfortable, tense atmosphere the night I went here with a friend. Even the 3 people sitting across from us agreed it wasn't as laid back as expected. Our server & the owner/manager were all smiles & friendly, so it wasn't their fault. It was just really quiet & empty the day we went. They offer a wine special that was nice to enjoy. You get 3 different small glasses of wine for about $9 The Shrimp Tostada was a little hard to eat. Can get messy. It was quite tangy & tasty though. The Gorgonzola Flan was a different flavor to try. It was sweet because of the caramel. Enjoyable to try once but I wouldn't get it again. The Braised Calamari had surprising spiciness. Good texture. The calamari wasn't chewy. The Angel Hair Pasta was easily our favorite. We ordered this 1 twice. Food in Missoula can be salty, & this is no exception. We still thoroughly enjoyed this dish.
(4)Hunter O.
came here for a huge party was not all that impressed!!! they really need to concentrate on make a few items real well rather then trying to make all kinds of different styles from all over the world no one really wants to eat Mexican with Italian ,and morrican, chec, Russian, and who knows what else. the food we had was not all that great as a whole some of the peoples food was a little under cooked and kind of dry. and portions were a bit small. the bartender was a little on the unfriendly side. as i asked for a glass of ice water and he proceeded to scope ice out the bucket that had the wine bottles in it. and then went into the back room were the sink was and filled the glass never bothering to close the door so i could not see him. keep in mind that he was serving beer and wine at no charge and he was getting tips like crazy they had to empty the tip jar at least once that i saw.
(2)Jarrel C.
Thanks yelpers for helping us find this wonderful tapas restaurant! We had a great variety of items here and everything was excellent. I really enjoyed the Jaj Ma'a Hashwa (a Syrian baked chicken stuffed with lamb) and the togarishi skewered tenderloin. My wife loved the panzanella and her Turkish Coffee creme brulet dessert. I also had a "wine flight" (3 different small glasses of Italian red wines) which went well with the meal. Service was very attentive and friendly. Ambiance and decor were very interesting. If anyone is traveling through Montana and has had their fill of great Montana steaks, this is a wonderful alternative!
(5)Jolie P.
Sooo amazing! Great atmosphere and LOVED the mushroom dish & Lebanese coffee.
(5)Amy B.
We tried almost everything on the menu and I loved it all. A few of these dishes I've never heard of...so I recommend going there with an adventurous spirit, because it's not your comfort food type of place. The Togarashi tenderloin was my favorite and the Bombe dessert was incredible. Romantically cozy atmosphere. The dining experience is truly extraordinary!
(5)Penelope B.
Delightful meal. This was some of the best food we've ever had in Missoula. After a brief wait on a Thursday night (they were quite busy) we were seated at a bare table. It seemed the wait staff and the attractive host (hey, who says a girl can't look and enjoy) were trying to stay on top of a busy night in the absence of the owners who had taken their first night off in a while. But we're pretty laid back folk so this wasn't a big deal. We received water right away. Our server seemed a bit distracted, but friendly. Good wine list, including a tasty Cava by the glass, and a Chilean Santa Rita Carménère which was very nice and went especially well with the pork short rib in mole, which was delicious... a dark smoky mole with meat that just fell off the bone and into my mouth. I adore a good mole. We ordered a bunch of things, as you should in a tapas style menu. As you may have guessed from the name, the restaurant's offerings range from the Mediterranean to points along the Silk Road into Asia, but also other culinary influences. We love places like this. The grilled chicken served with an apricot-lemon chutney was incredibly flavorful, and came "on a stick" as the munchkin prefers. She ate a bunch. We also enjoyed the wild mushrooms (lemony), the crab dip (very crabby, in a good way), the gazpacho (more liquid than some but good flavor) and the ceviche. These are from the June menu and the menu apparently changes monthly. The only thing I missed was a salad of some sort with leaves. There was a grilled asparagus dish but I had had something similar at a tapas place in Bozeman and I wanted a salad. Apart from that, pretty much everyone should be able to find something(s) they like. Very, very good. We hope to go there again on our next trip to Missoula.
(5)Monica P.
This place is inconsistent and unfocused. I love the idea of Tapas but every little bite should be delicious! One out of five things was delicious...unacceptable.
(2)Jillian S.
I've had both dinner and brunch here, and been delighted both times. Without question, the Silk Road offers the best brunch in town: a variety of Benedicts to choose from, delicious mimosas made from fresh-squeezed orange juice, and very reasonable prices considering the quality of preparation, local ingredients, and portion size. Dinner is spectacular and reasonable when with a group: you can order nearly everything on the menu, have a marathon tasting experience, and pay less than $20 a person.
(5)Rob W.
Great diversity of food. Very unique and great suprise in Missoula. Great service. Excellent beer and wine selection.
(4)Mo T.
Food and service is hit or miss, but overall worth going back to. Atmosphere is great and there's plenty of interesting things to try.
(4)Francesca F.
Don't look any farther if you want a real dinning experience. We are real foodies from Seattle, if you you are too you don't want to miss this place. Check out Amy B's and Lauren G's reviews. Excellent wine list and food to go with it, the staff are terrific! On our second visit we had a very long leisurely dinner and never felt rushed. No wonder folks line up for this place, good idea to make reservations. Very knowledgeable waiters, if they don't know something they do not hesitate to find out. The manager, Jeff, greets folks talks with most of the tables just to find out how everything is, something you don't see much anymore. Upon leaving we ended up talking with him about the wines and offered us a taste of an amazing Italian wine. Ask him for the donkey wine, a little earthy, chocolate, dark cherry (not too much fruit), medium body but full and smooth. Then we meet and spoke with the Chef/owner, who has a true passion for the food, of course we just had to take home all of his spice mixes, and are enjoying creating unusual foods with them! This place completes a real fun adventure when traveling, we hope to make it to their wine dinner in Sept. which will be featuring Lebanese wines and food. Jeff, we found the MUSAR JEUNE, but only the red, will try and hunt down a bottle of the white! Thank you for the great evening.
(5)Brant H.
Silk Road was a great surprise of flavors and atmosphere. Super spot to unwind and enjoy a glass of good wine with delectable food. Will be back there again on our next trip to Missoula!
(4)melissa c.
We were traveling in Missoula from NYC looking for a restaurant to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Thankfully for Yelp we saw all the great reviews and had to come and check it out! Great food! Great Wine! Felt like we were traveling the world with our bellies! :)
(5)customer s.
Crab dip was good. Hummus was decent. Shnitzel was great. Mango habanero sorbet delish. Mushrooms not good..sauce too gelatinous. Gazpacho not good at all. Tenderloin skewer overcooked, you just don't cook them medium well...not good. Server was a bit unjustifiably full of himself.
(3)Patrick D.
Never a bad meal here.
(5)Paco d.
We had a really wonderful meal here of excellent tapas inspired by cuisines from around the world, reasonably priced wine and super local brews, and outstanding service and atmosphere. What more could you ask for?
(5)Daniel L.
Ok, prepare yourself to have an out of this world experience. Imagine an explosion of flavor, taste, and service!!! That is what you will get at this fine establishment. All of the Tapas we ordered were fresh, flavorful and kept us wanting more!!! No joke!!! I ate till I could eat no more. Too bad I do not live in MT, if I did, I'd not only eat here a lot, but I'd try to get a job here so that I could have daily access to this amazing food. How do they do it? All that flavor... we'll never know, but you can come here and try to figure it our for yourself.
(5)Linda G.
Lovely restaurant. Friendly staff. Favorite plates were chicken paillard, Bibb lettuce salad, le Bombe (wow--what interesting flavors) and of course the crab dip and mushroom sauté. Fried ravioli not as good. Many other things to try, so returning in 5 days. Excellent wine too, based on waiter recommendation.
(5)Ben K.
Excellent service and the best tapas in town. Try their sangria.
(5)marie l.
celebrating college graduation, group of 7. service was good and food was wonderful!
(4)b w.
Excellent food however the worst customer service that I have ever encountered... Our server was condescending and rude then left us sit and wait 1/2 our before taking an order... We notified the owner about the waiter and he turned out to be a bigger jerk than the server... I will not waste my money on this place again.
(1)D E.
Many would agree that this is one of the best restaurants in Missoula. The most expensive thing on the menu is $10 but this restaurant does tapas, so everyone can get small samplings of a variety of dishes. This isn't the best place to come with small kids or a large group (4+) but The Silk Road offers a very unique dining experience.
(4)Carolyn C.
Because we were only in Missoula for one day, my mom went on yelp and saw that this place was one of the highest rated places here. So we made reservations, like other yelpers had said. We went around 5:30ish, and the place was pretty empty, in our area (the area that was more in the back), only one other couple was being served at the same time. Their service was good, with the waitress refilling my mom's tea with hot water, and refilling my water glass when it was almost empty. We had a party of three, and we ordered the paella, the pork tonkatsu, the mushroom saute, the Caresse, the skewered beef, and an Indian dish that I can't quite remember the name of, and for dessert, we had the bombe. The paella was a little bit too salty for our taste, but it was still really flavorful. The pork tonkatsu was good, but nothing special. The dish that I enjoyed the most was the mushroom saute, it wasn't too greasy, and under all of the mushrooms and fried leeks, there was a bit of bread that soaked up the excess sauce. The Caprese was good, (at least to my parents) but since I really dislike tomatoes, I didn't really care for it. the skewered beef was pretty delicious, it was tender, and it had just the right amount of seasoning on it. The Indian dish was also really good, it was like a meatball-ish sort of thing, but it wasn't meat... We tried the bombe, and it was... an interesting experience. My family agreed that olive oil part of it was too strong. but the chocolate part and the sauce was really good.
(4)K B.
Plan your week, carve out a solid 1.5-2 hours and go to The Silk Road. There is excellent wine reasonably priced and a great beer selection. Consider one of the wine flights also. Now for the hard part.....what not to order. Lean on the servers, they will steer you correctly if you tell them your preferences. The menu changes 3-4 times a year but the dishes voted best by the patrons are rarely unavailable for long. We never get less than 5-6 dishes per couple plus dessert. If I had one place to go in Missoula, this would be it.
(5)Amy P.
I planned a party for 25ish people at the Silk Road based on the other reviews from YELP. All of my dealings with The Silk Road were terrific. Our menu was impressive; the food was outstanding; great wine & beer list. The root beer draft was a big hit with the kids & adults. I added stuff last minute, which wasn't a problem at all. We had the upstairs room, which included a bar, to ourselves. Our group was loud with singing, dancing, laughing, crying, group photos - we had plenty of space. Staff was professional, organized and just amazing. Everyone had such an awesome time; it's a bummer that we can't do it again next weekend. Fun. Fun. Fun. - that describes our night out at the Silk Road. Thank you to the team @ Silk Road!
(5)Susan S.
I've only eaten brunch here, but it's delightful. The breakfast burritos, french toast, and Eggs Benedict were all tasty, and service was great. Our server today said that starting next month, they'll be going to a more tapas-like brunch menu, which I look forward to. Brunch is available weekends only until 2pm.
(4)