A bit out of town but in an idyllic setting high on hill with a fantastic lake in the backdrop, the place is huge, there was only the 28 of us in the restaurant, we wanted to sit inside and outside! As both as fantastic settings, we settled on 3 big tables inside. Good wine was flowing, starters of calamari, crispy spring rolls, duck and pork dumplings were really good. Main course was outstanding, boneless buffalo short ribs with truffle mashed potatoes and baby green beans. Key indicators to the quality of food, thus chef, are: the meat falls apart as you stick the fork in it, and the beans are blanched perfectly so the droop slightly but crunch as you bite them. The meat was plentiful and went very well with the Demi-glace. For deserts, the hukleberry peach crisp with vanilla ice cream was rich and delicious. This is a real treasure of a place and sets a high standard for outstanding food and fresh ingredients in Montana. Not to be missed if you are in the vicinity! read more

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Saturday the 12th my husband and I went to Schafers for a Valentine's Day dinner. Hadn't eaten anything all day so the first food I touched was my meal at Shafers. I ordered cream of mushroom soup and had the pork loin. By 7 AM, I started vomiting. I vomited over 100 times, lost 10 pounds, ended up in the ER three times, was admitted and spent three days in the hospital with extreme food poisoning. I'm not sure what happened, but can't imagine I'll go back. read more

We had dinner there last night. The whole experience was wonderful, from the view to dessert. We had the calamari and house salad to start. I had the halibut and my husband had the beef tenderloin. Both were cooked to perfection and had good flavor. We ended with the carrot cake, which was fabulous. They also have a nice wine list. You won't be disappointed! read more

We sat outside for lunch, and in the five days staying in Bigfork and looking for some quality food to eat, unless you go to Whitefish, this lunch was outstanding. I had grilled salmon salad, the fish was fresh, grilled beautiful, with a declious light citrus dressing on the side. The waitress was fantastic. Great wine selection too. read more

Sadly, I don't have anything nice to say. We arrived early before our reservation to enjoy a drink at the bar. My husband wanted to order champagne to celebrate our Anniversary. The bartender told my husband we couldn't sit at the bar. We asked if we could sit in the two seats by the door. Making conversation I mentioned the lights were bright the bartender replied with an attitude ...the lights will go done with the light outside... I told him that wasn't very nice. He instantly demanded an apology or we would not be dining there. We asked for the manager ... he said he was the manager and owner. Again demanding I apologize or we would not be dinning there and told us to leave. Please don't mention the bright lights if your going there expecting a romantic ambience. I heard the real owner was very nice. read more

Doesn't matter if it's steak or fish.... Excellent food! Nice wine selection as well! Well done Schafer's

Prompt seating and service. Good variation on the menu and wine list. Excellent wedge salad and homemade mushroom soup. Wagyu sirloin and steak Diane were cooked perfectly and presented nicely. Our waitress, Suzanne, was appropriately attentive and friendly. Will definitely go back. Noise level is high as room really has no curtains or ceiling tiles to absorb sound, but for us it was OK. read more

This is the closest to a serious place to eat. The food is quite good. Biggest issue is the lack of choices because the menu is pretty static. The Halibut is wonderful & the presentation very good. Desserts are very good. If you are in Bigfork this is definitely a place to eat. Nice atmosphere, some great views & excellent service read more

Went to "The Grill" side of Shafer's for dinner. It'll do in a pinch but there are definitely better choices out there. Ordered a couple of appetizers - fine but nothing special. Dinner was ribs, fish and chips, crusted chicken and a burger. Food was very mediocre pub grub - most entrées were actually pretty greasy. Server was nice enough but not very good - everything was a long wait. Wouldn't go back. read more

Had a nice dinner Saturday at this new location. Service was a 9. Food was an 8. Atmosphere was a 7. The dining room, though attractive, with a nice view to the golf course, is very noisy. Almost to the point of not being able to carry on a normal conversation. It would be helpful if they could add some soft surfaces to absorb sound. It's a must. read more

Omg!!! When I walked in Natasha the most friendliest bartender asked me what I wanted.. of course I did my stand by... please, extra dirty Tito's martini up no vermouth... she said with blue cheese olives?!?! Omg... I almost pooped my pants!!! My favorite. Yes please!!!! YES!!! I said, i looked on your website before I arrived to your beautiful state and it said it was prime rib night... well yes it is and it's served with truffle mashed potatoes and green beans... WTF... did I just walk into my favorite place in the whole entire world?!?!!?! If you would called my mom right now and ask her what my favorite drink and meal was or if if was on death row what I would ask for THIS IS IT!!!!!!! WTF. I'm in BIGFORK MONTANA and have one of the best meals of my life and share wine with the owners. How could it be ANY better. If you come through this town please visit this place. Natasha is wonderful. Super friendly. Welcoming!!! I can't say enough!!! Prime rib off the hook!! Wine menu...hello... ca we have people looking at us!!! Come here!!! You won't be disappointed!!!! read more

Schafer's Restaurant - New American Near Me - Bigfork, Montana

This was a special treat for us. Schafer's was a up scale restaurant with a casual atmosphere. Our appetizers were perfect the pork and seafood roll had just the right amount of wasabi balance. We had two steak and two shrimp ravioli at our table. The steak was the best we've had in Montana, the pasta was very flavorful. Finally, dessert we were stuffed but shared the carrot cake and key lime cheesecake. My only thing close to a complaint is that the carrot cake was a little dry. It did not seem fresh baked. However, the Keylime cheesecake couldn't have been fresher with the chunks of lime and fresh lime zest. The service wasn't anything out of the ordinary but met the expectations one had when they go into a restaurant of this caliber. read more

A hidden treasure with great ambience, beautiful views, wonderful staff, and delicious food. Amazing cocktails to start with, the margarita was phenomenal. Had a Kobe steak cooked to perfection with a great wine selection available & music chilling in the background. Sits atop woods bay with a beautiful view of Flathead Lake. The deck is excellent. read more

We visit each year from CA...and always dine at Schafer's at least once. I don't know if there are new owners, but what a completely different vibe this year! The food is still amazing...but this time we actually had fun. It was upbeat, the music was great and there are fresh, friendly new faces in the staff, who seemed to really enjoy working there. We made another reservation on our way out the door! Go for the Halibut, stay for the wine list. You can't beat the selection or the prices! Just go, but you better make a reservation! read more

Oh my goodness! This place is phenomenal! They were understaffed and still delivered one of the best meals I have had in Montana. The steak with the sweet potato fries was amazing. We also had the pork with the apricot glaze and were blown away. And the forbidden rice - sweet goodness - get the forbidden rice. My youngest had the Mac and cheese and loved every bite - note it is heavy on parm - no American cheese here. Eat here. You will not be disappointed. read more

We've been in the area for 2 weeks and been to Schafer's Restaurant 3 times - the food, service and views are fantastic. We discovered this "gem" last summer when we were visiting and couldn't wait to return. We are fortunate to dine out quite often in our hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona and throughout our travels across the U.S,. and Canada and Schafer's is definitely one our our favorites. If you like Beet Salad - it's the best I've ever enjoyed. The halibut is amazing, as are the steaks and bison short ribs. Save room for desserts! Definitely recommend this restaurant. As we are staying in Polson, it's quite a drive for us - but WELL worth it! read more

Great food! Had brunch outside, loved everything, great service. You need to make a reservation or you'll be waiting

Hands down the best food in the valley. Staff is very well trained and gives great service. The chefs in the kitchen are consistent. Overhear people say this is the best ____ they have ever had, almost every time I am there. The bartender, Natasha, makes a mean manhattan. read more

We had a great dinner tonight at Schafers. The service was great, the food was delicious and we had a fantastic view of the lake. The menu has lots of different choices and the wine list had reasonable prices. Try it! read more

Schafer's was such a delight. The food was wonderful, good wine selection. The owner Casey Engel took great care of us. The ambiance was lovely. It was a great place to celebrate my birthday. We will defiantly return. read more

Highly recommend this for those looking for a wonderful evening. With fabulous food, awesome service and a great view!! Best place in the area!! We'll definitely be back!!!!!! read more

This is our new favorite restaurant! We have eaten at this restaurant about five times over the past few years and our meals have always been awesome! This is our go to restaurant for birthdays and anniversaries. Starting with the wine, they carry a very good selection and Toby sure knows how to pick them! The 2015 pinot noir by Bergstrom was perfect with both our meals, not too dry, with a hint fruity flavor and an excellent nose. Toby also knows how a make a tasty beverage, our cocktails were yummy. The chef made the best cioppino I have ever had, the sauce was very tasty, not too thick and not too thin, just the right flavor and full of just enough seafood that I even shared some. My husbands ribeye steak was delicious and melted in our mouths, the mashed potatoes were tasty and the baby green beans were cooked perfect. Finishing off the night we had a nice aperitif and shared an apple crumble a la mode. The service from the staff made the dinner a very memorable as well as a pleasant experience. Thank you Shafer's! Ardrene & Terry read more

Unbelievable evening! Spectacular view, warm & inviting staff, and absolutely delicious meal! We had frequented the sports bar downstairs numerous times as a family, but my husband and I met friends at Schafer's the other night and had a wonderful experience. I had the halibut and my husband chose the pork chop - beautiful presentation, generous portions, wonderful wine pairings and superb food! Thank you! read more

We love our host, Toby, but we are disappointed in the food and service this summer as compared to that of a year ago. We could feel the obvious extra attention being paid to patrons who are dribbling with expensive jewelry and clothes. We were not told of any specials. Perhaps the waiter was in training but he forgot things pertinent to our order. The Alaskan cod was chewy, the "Caesar salad" dry and lacking that special Caesar flavor. Hoping to see Schafer's come back as the topnotch dining experience it used to be on the East Shore. read more

Had the baby clams as a starter and they were fantastic! Entree (Steelhead) was pretty good, but not sure if it lived up to the price. Otherwise, great location and great service. read more

Schafer's is most likely the best restaurant in the area. Love this place! The food is great. Halibut is a must to try.

Great, diverse food. Have had steak, pork chops and more. Outstanding service. Have been several times and always top notch, although not cheap. Views of the lake really add the magical touch to dinner. read more

What a lovely gem tucked in an unlikely place! We went to Schafer's on a Wednesday evening in the 'off season." My filet was delicious, perfectly cooked, accompanied by haricots verts, new potatoes. My husband loved his bison ribs, and as he said, "Not dry, perfectly cooked." The ambiance was lovely, the service was attentive, but not intrusive. We had a lovely Oregon Pinot Noir. We will be back to this restaurant. read more

I have always taken my visitors to this restaurant for Sunday breakfast.....but NEVER again! We had a wedding this weekend and SEVERAL of our guests stayed there at the adjoining Mountain Lake Lodge. After we were almost finishing our breakfast, the manager told us we had to leave "because we were ruining HIS business (we were quiet AND respectful) as he had other customers coming in and the restaurant was really for hotel guests"--which I know was totally untrue. He was totally rude and had a scowl on his face the minute we got there and remained there the whole time time. I need to mention there were 3 empty tables that I could see. He ruined the end of our totally happy wedding weekend. The venue for the wedding complimented us on our respectful guests (MANY young people and how clean we left the venue, and we were the same respectful people at your restaurant.) I might mention the waitress was very nice and the cook got our food out quickly. This manager, or whatever his title is, is NOT an asset to your business. read more

Schafer's is absolutely fantastic! I dare say it is Bigfork's finest...Incredible ambiance, delicious food and unparalleled service make it a "Must Visit" on any Bigfork itinerary. The lamb chop special was out of this world and the wine list makes other restaurants look like dive bars. I am so looking forward to my next visit and am already dreaming about that key lime cheesecake. read more

I took my family visiting to the restaurant. The server was okay. The food was over priced but good. The chef doesn't understand simple. Too many sauces and added elements which masked the protein ordered. Will not return due to price, service. Seemed pretentious for a family restaurant in Montana. Too impressed with themselves. read more

I don't think I've had a bad or even Ok meal here. All excellent! My sisters came to visit from IL. last early fall and they just loved the atmosphere and food. Just can't go wrong with the food and views! read more

This place inspired me to write my first Yelp review. Everything about our experience here was wonderful. The staff was friendly and welcoming, the food was outstanding and the view was lovely. Chance was our server and he went above and beyond to make the evening fun and pleasant for our family. We had the shrimp and pork shumai starter, the bison short ribs, the special cioppino, and the beet salad. All were delicious. And the desserts exceeded our expectations as well. This place is worth going out of your way...and even better if you happen to be staying at the lodge. read more

This place has the best Sunday brunch and their dinner is outstanding.

Great food , service was spot on! Anniversary celebration & they had candles in the dessert! Views good & very accommodating!

Finally made it to the Sunday Brunch at Schafer's. The food was incredible! I ordered the Shrimp, Goat Cheese & Avocado Scramble. It was so delicious and I was very full upon leaving. Other items on the menu include Caramelized Banana French Toast and Smoked Salmon Benedict. It's great to have such diversity to choose from for breakfast. If you're looking for great food along with a phenomenal view of Flathead Lake, you don't want to miss Sunday Brunch at Schafer's! read more

Might have been an off night, but this place was the definition of average to below-average as far as quality of food and overall experience. We walked in to an empty restaurant, and were seated due to our reservation--thankfully, as he turned down literally everyone who did not have a reservation quite rudely. At one point, he even disrespectfully told paying customers that he turned away, "Come back in an hour. I guarantee it is packed!" Needless to say, an hour later..NOBODY has entered the restaurant. Host treats the restaurant as though it is a 5 Star dining experience, though the food quality is similar to an Outback Steakhouse or Johnny Carino's. We left disappointed, as we had looked forward to the dinner after reading many positive reviews and heard great things. Honestly, save yourself the drive to Big Fork and just grab some dinner at a Buffalo Wild Wings or Mackenzie River. Overall, very underwhelming and a total bummer. read more