Montana's BBQ & BAR is a Canadian comfort food BBQ restaurant and sports bar. Enjoy in-house smoked pork ribs, beef brisket, grilled steaks and juicy burgers which are paired perfectly with catching the game. Montana's Nanaimo celebrates fun-to-eat, finger-licking smoked and barbecued comfort food that breaks the 'proper' rules. Located near Lakeview Park & Regional General Hospital in the Northern end of Nanaimo, we are a short turn off of Island Highway North. Experience the fun, casual and unpretentious vibe, where you can laugh heartily, enjoy classic BBQ cooking, cheer on the game and enjoy your friends and family. We can't wait to serve you.
Mixed reviews on food quality; some enjoyed the dishes while others found them cold or lacking in flavor.
Service Consistency
Service quality varied; many praised specific servers while others reported poor or disengaged service.
Atmosphere
Generally positive atmosphere, described as lively and cozy, though some noted cleanliness issues.
Menu Availability
Frequent complaints about running out of menu items, particularly on busy days.
BB
Bruce
3 days ago
4.0
Dakota, our waitress was great. Appie - spinach dip was great. Side Caesar salad was too saucy & all core unfortunately. But otherwise main meals were great.
RG
Robert Goldsmith
3 days ago
5.0
Danae has served us a few times, she is very welcoming and friendly. We are regulars at the Nanaimo location, the service is always amazing and even the hostesses have gone above and beyond for us. I always go for steaks and quality is top notch and the cooks never disappoint.
MR
Marthe R
Jan 1, 2026
1.0
Not really impressed with Montana #steak house# to run out of 4 major steak options. On new year day yet. Not cool, not good customer service either as they never told us 1 hour before when we confirmed our reservation. There was 7 of us wanting a special family dinner.we left full of disappointments.
MD
Mimi Shewchuk (Bijoux Designs)
Jan 1, 2026
1.0
Had a reservation for 7 people at 6pm. Showed up and they ran out of ribs, all pork, steak and everything else beef. They only had Chicken available. Also found out it happens there quite often. Very disappointed. How do you run out of almost everything on your menu by 6pm?!? Also you had my phone number, you could have called to let us know. Do better!
MF
Matt Fletcher
Dec 30, 2025
1.0
Terrible experience.
Server was inexperienced and dismissive.
When a drink was sent back due to being awful (sangria - sickly sweet with no wine in it) the server asked if anyone else at the table would like it?
Food was cold. Wings cold. Fries cold. Beans cold.
Steak fajitas had a piece of chicken and a French fry in it. 3 tortillas only.
One diner asked for a side of burnt ends; told these were off the menu but they could sub brisket. These arrived on another diner's plate. Side dish ordered arrived half way through the meal.
Waitress was asked for mustard... a busser came by and told us she was ordered to drop it off, as if it was a real imposition on her to do so.
Staff totally disengaged and food was very poor quality.
Extremely disappointed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montana’s BBQ & Bar
Does Montana's BBQ & Bar Nanaimo have a patio?
Yes, Montana's at 4715 Rutherford Rd, Nanaimo does has an enclosed a patio for dining, open based on weather conditions.
Does Montana's BBQ & Bar Nanaimo show sports on the TVs in the restaurant?
The game is always on at Montana's Nanaimo! Nothing pairs better with saucy BBQ than cheering for your team. We love watching our favourite teams, from classic Canadian curling to hockey and football. Don't forget to grab a beer or cocktail from our bar to enjoy while you cheer!
Does Montana's BBQ & Bar Nanaimo offer a Braille menu?
Yes, every Montana's location has both a Braille and large print menu for visually impaired guests.
Is Montana's BBQ & Bar Nanaimo Canadian owned?
Yes, this Montana's restaurant located at 4715 Rutherford Rd in Nanaimo is Canadian owned and locally operated!
Does Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo accept reservations?
Yes, Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo accepts reservations which can be made online via OpenTable.
What are the opening hours of Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo?
Montana's BBQ & Bar Nanaimo is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Does Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo offer takeout and delivery?
Yes, they offer both in-store pickup and delivery services. You can order online through their website or mobile apps.
Is there a patio at Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo for outdoor dining?
Yes, Montana’s Nanaimo has an enclosed patio which is open depending on weather conditions.
Does Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo provide vegetarian and gluten-friendly menu options?
Yes, Montana’s offers vegetarian-friendly items such as veggie burgers and salads. They also offer gluten-friendly options like ribs and a gluten-friendly bun. Please notify staff of any allergies due to possible cross-contamination.
Can I watch sports at Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo?
Absolutely, the restaurant features TVs showing various sports including Canadian curling, hockey, and football, providing a perfect atmosphere for sports fans.
Is Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo family-friendly and accessible?
Yes, Montana's welcomes families, offers high chairs, accessible seating, braille menus, changing tables, and wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking, and restrooms.
Where is Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo located and what are some nearby points of interest?
Montana's is located at 4715 Rutherford Rd near Lakeview Park and Regional General Hospital. Nearby places include Driftwood Great Chinese Buffet for diverse dining, London Drugs for pharmacy and electronics needs, and Prime Golf for recreational activities.
How can nearby attractions enhance my visit to Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo?
You can enjoy a meal at Montana’s before or after visiting nearby attractions such as Lakeview Park for outdoor activities or shopping at Best Buy and Ardene. This makes for a convenient and enjoyable day out in the area.
Are there convenient transportation or service locations near Montana’s BBQ & Bar Nanaimo?
Yes, the restaurant is a short turn off Island Highway North and is near the Regional General Hospital. Nearby service locations include medical clinics like Dr. Adam Zanbilowicz and LifeLabs, as well as banking ATMs like Scotiabank and RBC Royal Bank for added convenience.