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 at our restaurant.
This place has unfortunately gone downhill a bit over the last year. I’ve had a few disappointing experiences recently, and tonight’s visit left me feeling let down.
Our waitress seemed rushed and inattentive throughout the meal. Right after we sat down, she asked for our drink orders without much of a greeting or introduction. My food also arrived lukewarm, and it took a few minutes and several attempts at eye contact before we were able to get her attention.
After we finished eating, our dishes remained on the table for quite a while before they were cleared, and only one of the two plates was taken before the bill was brought over. The service overall felt a little impersonal, which took away from the experience.
I understand restaurants can have busy nights, but I hope the service improves because this used to be one of my go-to spots.
AM
Anita Maria
6 days ago
2.0
We arrived just before 6pm. We were told it would about 20 minutes to be seated. While we were waiting another group came in. Along with them was a mouse! It ran in front of my feet and directly to the bar area. Apparently it didn't realize that happy hour was over. The young girls at the hostess desk tried to pretend like nothing happened. I probably should have left from there but I understand, mice can sometimes enter into businesses easily. We were seated just behind the hostess desk. We have eaten here approximately 4 times prior. The first time (about 3 years ago) we were seated in the exact same area. I was uncomfortable because the upholstered benches were all cracked. It doesn't feel very good on the backside. I assumed that over time this would have been fixed. We sat in the far back area for our 2nd & 3rd visit & the upholstered seats were fine there. Today I realized that nothing has improved and now the upholstered seats are so bad they have added duct tape for your seating/dining pleasure. I can only assume they don't care about the ambiance of the restaurant. I ordered the chicken fajitas, which are always excellent. Unfortunately this time they just weren't. On top of tasting "off", the chicken/veggies were cold, even though the cast iron skillet was somewhat hot. The vegetables smelled odd and tasted like they were mouldy. I let 2 servers know. The first server looked at me like I was a weirdo and didn't reply. The second server said she would let the kitchen know. I don't think I will return anytime soon. It was overall a disappointment.
MN
Monica Noon
May 10, 2026
5.0
This was a great dinner with excellent staff. There was ample parking near the restaurant. We were greeted by a nice hostess named Briar that brought us to our table. We then met Kyle that was our server. He was very kind and offered many choices on the menu. He was very attentive to all our needs and he was a made the experience very enjoyable. He came back many times to check on us and he made sure we had what we needed. The food was brought to us a staff member named Sophie that was very sweet and she made sure that we had everything for our meal to make it perfect. Thank you for the wonderful meal we look forward to returning.
LP
Lori Pollock
May 6, 2026
5.0
My husband and I have been to Montana’s twice for lunch over the last few weeks, and both experiences were excellent.
The first time, we tried the soup, salad, and sandwich combo. The soup was delicious, the salad was fresh, and the pulled pork sandwich was incredibly thick and satisfying. Everything tasted fresh and homemade, and it was all served by a cheerful, friendly waitress who made the experience even better.
The second visit was just as good. We decided to split one of their platters, and without us even asking, they thoughtfully divided it into two separate portions for us. I’m pretty sure they even added a few extra fries and sides to make sure we both had a full plate, which was such a nice touch and made it an amazing value.
The food has been consistently good, the restaurant is always clean, and the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming. We always leave happy, and we’ll definitely keep coming back.
CW
Chris Wolfe
Apr 30, 2026
5.0
I don’t usually take the time to write reviews, but this one is earned.
Every time I come to Montana’s BBQ & Bar the experience gets better, and this visit honestly put it ahead of places like Cactus Club Cafe and Browns Socialhouse for me.
The food was amazing as always, but what really stood out was the service.
Chloe was hands down one of the best servers I have had in a long time. I eat out almost every day and I have a pretty simple but specific routine. Water with no ice, a plate of lemons, and a plastic straw. For whatever reason, this almost always gets messed up somewhere. Either I get ice, no lemons, or no straw. And at places like Cactus or Browns, they usually swap my glass out for a fresh one filled with ice which I just end up dealing with.
Chloe got it right immediately and never missed a beat. She kept my water filled the entire time with no ice, made sure I had lemons, and even found a plastic straw which is rare these days. On top of that, she was warm, easy to talk to, and made the whole experience feel personal instead of transactional.
What really made this unforgettable though happened after I left.
I realized on my way home that I had left my wallet at the restaurant, and it had over a thousand dollars in cash in it. That is not a great feeling. I called right away and the general manager let me know they had it. Not only that, he had already secured it and, recognizing there was a significant amount of cash, placed it in the office for safekeeping.
When I got it back, everything was exactly how I left it.
That goes way beyond good service. That is integrity. That is people doing the right thing without being asked. In a time where you are not always sure how things will be handled, this meant a lot.
Between the consistency, the care, and the way this situation was handled, this place has officially become my favorite restaurant in the city.
Chloe and the GM, thank you. You guys absolutely crushed it.
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 restaurant 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.
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