One Legged Magpie — Restaurant in Red Lodge

Having lived in Red Lodge off and on for (gulp), forty-one years (can I really be that old??!), I can't tell you how thrilled I am by the dining options now available in our beloved downtown, including the beautiful One-Legged Magpie. Kat, Mike and crew serve up such delicious food and drinks, and always with genuine TLC. The pizzas are delicious with their tender, light, chewy, and flavorful crusts and their traditional and non-traditional toppings. My favorite is the pistachio pie with a handful of arugula thrown on top. It rivals pizza I've eaten far from here, be it in Bozeman or Italy and I'm not exaggerating.

The small plates, too, including the meatballs!, are all made with talent, skill, care, and the highest quality ingredients. And, not only is the food fabulous, it's often very good for you (thanks for sneaking that in, Kat!).

The drinks and the lovely, fun atmosphere are bonuses. And the staff are so kind and warm. The OLM, along with a few other new establishments downtown, are doing so much to make dining out in Red Lodge interesting, fun, and culinarily diverse. The choices nowadays offer a breath of fresh air, an incredible departure from the iceberg lettuce salads on the menus of my RL childhood.

Full transparency: I don't often write reviews but I saw the negative review below and couldn't not respond. Frankly, I am stunned by it. Has that person ever worked in a restaurant? It seems not or they'd actually understand that there are times when an owner or a server can't respond exactly the way we hope. Life happens, whether Kat stubbed her toe that night or a close friend or family member got a bad diagnosis, she can't expect to be "on" 24/7. To anyone quick to write a bad review of the OLM or anyplace: give a person, and a place, the benefit of the doubt. Use your imagination to picture that maybe they're having a difficult day. If your first experience disappointed, then go back, certainly before you write a review. Or you're doing them a grave injustice, one that could well affect their livelihood, especially when posting in such a public forum.

Thanks, Kat, Mike and staff for all you do for Red Lodge, be it for our tummies or our community. (And don't let the naysayer...

We initially came to Magpie for cocktails before a dinner reservation at a different restaurant. We were very impressed with the service and drinks so we decided to make a reservation for the following night. THANK GOD we did.

Though we were there for maybe 20 minutes the first night, we were recognized and greeted as though we had spent hours there. Travis is absolutely phenomenal. He made sure that we felt at home, giving us fantastic suggestions and pairings and timing everything perfectly.

The food itself has to be the best in Montana. Each dish was perfectly curated- tasty and beautiful. We got various seafood dishes- which can be pretty risky in a landlocked state. With our first drink, we were sent a shrimp amuse-bouche. YUM. We started with some tiny and briny (Travis’s favorite) oysters and smoked scallop ceviche. So fresh and balanced that I definitely shed a tear or two. Next we had salmon sashimi, chili shrimp, and the roasted carrots. I wanted to bathe in whatever sauce they served the sashimi in and the crème fraiche with the carrots was to die for.

Finally we moved to entrees. We took Travis’s suggestion and got the halibut and pork chop. The presentation was beautiful for both. The halibut was delicate and served on a bean puree- a super interesting concept unlike anything I’ve had before. The pork chop was perfectly cooked with the most delicious polenta I have ever tried.

Of course we got desert as well. A deconstructed tiramisu- yet another dish unlike anything I’ve had before, and a pecan-sweet potato cake with cream cheese icing. Paired these with some delicious whiskey espresso martinis.

Finally, I absolutely have to highlight the service and how much the owner and employees all clearly care about the food and the patrons. We had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Mike, who made it a point to come over and introduce himself. Great guy with a great story- he and Kat clearly care so deeply about the restaurant and those who visit. Thank you Mike, Kat, Travis, and our bartender from the first night (so sorry I’m drawing a blank on the name, but you were the one to get us to come back).

We will be back and I will be telling absolutely everyone in the area...

Hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. We celebrated our marriage tonight at The One Legged Magpie, and everything—from the food to the atmosphere to the people—was phenomenal.

We started with the salmon sashimi and lamb kebab appetizers—both were fresh, flavorful, and plated beautifully. For entrées, we shared the pork saltimbocca and the whole chicken over risotto, and I don’t say this lightly… they were both next level. Cooked to perfection, balanced seasoning, and just rich enough to feel indulgent without being heavy.

We paired the meal with a couple of mocktails that were seriously some of the best we’ve ever had. Creative, well-balanced, and crafted with as much care as any cocktail menu I’ve ever seen.

And don’t even get me started on dessert… the butterscotch flake sea salt pudding was absolute magic—sweet, salty, creamy, and gone in about 60 seconds.

The service was outstanding. Our server was knowledgeable, warm, and attentive without hovering. The bartender clearly knew their craft. And to top it all off, Chef came out to check on us personally, and Michael, the owner, came by to say thank you and welcome us in. That kind of genuine hospitality is rare—and unforgettable.

The portions were phenomenal, and the pricing was extremely fair—especially considering the quality, creativity, and experience. We also noticed they have a delicious pizza menu, which we definitely plan to come back and try. It’s clear this is a place everyone can enjoy, whether you’re celebrating something big or just looking for a great meal out.

The vibe of the restaurant is welcoming and refined, with just enough edge to make it feel unique. You can tell everyone here really cares about what they’re doing.

If you’re looking for a spot to celebrate something special—or just want to treat yourself to food that hits on all cylinders—The One Legged Magpie is a must. We’ll...