Horn and Cantle — Restaurant in Big Sky

I travel for work and this is my favorite restaurant in the country. I ate here multiple times during “Cowgirl Up” week on the ranch.

Breakfast - the Huckleberry pancakes were absolutely incredible, the bacon is crispy, and the eggs are cooked to perfection. It’s also not your average oatmeal.

Lunch - the bison chorizo queso was out of this world, the salads are phenomenal, the smash burgers are juicy and delightful, and their soups are excellent. I was shocked at how much I loved the butternut squash and crab soup.

Dinner - I don’t even know where to begin…best filet I’ve ever had, the elk and bison are both delicious, the mushroom appetizer was incredible, the s’mores baked Alaska was fantastic. The mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables were also standouts. I’m a sourdough baker at home and I enjoyed their bread as well.

Cocktails - I particularly loved the Lone Mountain as it’s a great take on the Manhattan. I formerly worked in the whiskey business in Nashville and they really nailed this drink. The Bramble is good as well if you’re looking for something sweeter.

Atmosphere - saloon has a Yellowstone tv show vibe and the whole place feels very authentic Montana. They have fireplaces inside and outside and space heaters outdoors. I loved sitting by the fire and outside. They’ll even bring you a blanket which is so cozy outside on the benches. We saw wildlife from our outdoor seats.

Team - their service standard is high. It’s not stuffy at all and we enjoyed the personalities of our wait staff. The GM, Wes, is incredibly kind and has great recommendations both on the menu and for the ranch and area. Shannon and Hannah were wonderful in the mornings and afternoons - they are so friendly and will accommodate your every need. Joel is an evening waiter with a great personality - he’s very attentive and excellent at describing the menu. He made us laugh a lot and we enjoyed him so much we tried to get him to join us.

Dietary Restrictions - I’m a holistic nutrition educator and I was blown away with the options. They had something for everyone, whether you have a gluten or dairy allergy or if you’re looking for a well-rounded,...

Very Poor Communication and Customer Service

A group of 8 of us were in Big Sky to celebrate two birthdays this past weekend. We set our sights on Horn and Cantle for the celebratory birthday dinner. A few days before we plan to go, we call to attempt to make a reservation and are told that they aren't taking reservations at this time and that we should come at 5pm when they open for the best chance of being seated.

After reading some google reviews on the day we planned to go, we found that many folks recommended making a reservation to ensure a spot. This was confusing as we were told that couldn't be done. So, we call again. We are told that as long as we show up between 5-5:30pm we should be fine, although we may have to wait.

Our group shows up RIGHT at 5. Upon walking in and saying we have 8 in our party, a very rude staff member just shakes her head and says 'NO' with very little explanation. We explain what we are willing to split up our group into multiple tables if that helps, but the staff member tells us "120 people always show up between 5 and 5:30 so we can't accommodate everyone". The dining room was completely empty with place settings on every table. There was one other group of 12 that was waiting by the host stand, and it appeared that they were being assisted.

How can the dining room already be reserved if they aren't taking reservations?

Based on reading more reviews, it sounds like Horn and Cantle has been short-staffed recently and folks staying on the ranch get first dibs for eating there. This information would have been great to know upfront and is completely understandable - our group is reasonable and would have just selected somewhere else to eat. However, due to a lapse in communication, we wasted almost an hour to learn that we really never had a shot at a table.

Summary: Poor communication and a rude staff member left our group with a very sour taste in our mouth.

Cherry on top? The same staff member who turned us away showed up 20 minutes later at the restaurant we ended up going to....

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Horn and Cantle, and overall, it was a mixed experience for me. The ambiance of the place was definitely one of the highlights, as it had a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. The rustic décor, warm lighting, and comfortable seating all contributed to a cozy and enjoyable environment.

The drink selection at Horn and Cantle was impressive. They offered a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including craft cocktails and a decent variety of wines. I found the drinks to be well-crafted and satisfying, which added to the positive aspects of the dining experience.

However, when it came to the food, I must admit I was a bit disappointed. I really wanted to enjoy the dishes at Horn and Cantle, but unfortunately, they fell short of my expectations. While the presentation was appealing, the flavor and execution of the dishes were just average. The menu did offer some unique and interesting options, but the taste didn't deliver the same level of excitement. It left me craving for more depth and creativity in the flavors.

On the bright side, I must commend the wait staff at Horn and Cantle who were attentive, friendly, and accommodating throughout the dining experience. Their helpful and professional demeanor added a positive touch to the evening.

In conclusion, although the atmosphere was very nice and the drinks were enjoyable, I must admit that the food at Horn and Cantle failed to impress me. While it's possible that my experience may not be representative of the restaurant as a whole, I personally would not go back solely based on the dining experience I had. However, if you're simply looking for a place to grab drinks and enjoy the ambiance, Horn and Cantle might still be worth...