
Running Bear Pancake House
A beloved West Yellowstone diner famous for its generous, homemade pancakes and classic American breakfasts served in a cozy, charming atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Running Bear Pancake House

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved West Yellowstone diner famous for its generous, homemade pancakes and classic American breakfasts served in a cozy, charming atmosphere.
"The place boasts an old-fashioned theme that adds a unique and cozy ambiance, making it a perfect spot to unwind."
Beat the Crowds
Visit mid-morning on weekdays around 9 am for a more relaxed dining experience.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Try the highly recommended buttermilk or buckwheat pancakes with fruit or nut toppings.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(406) 646-7703
Address
538 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Pancake Paradise
Indulge in a variety of delicious pancakes, from classic buttermilk to unique cinnamon roll and banana flavors.

Cozy Charm & Friendly Faces
Experience a warm, welcoming atmosphere with local charm and exceptionally friendly service.

Hearty Breakfast Classics
Savor generous portions of classic breakfast staples like fluffy omelettes and crispy hash browns.
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Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Beat the Crowds
Visit mid-morning on weekdays around 9 am for a more relaxed dining experience.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Try the highly recommended buttermilk or buckwheat pancakes with fruit or nut toppings.
Pet-Friendly Patio
Leashed pets are welcome to join you inside the restaurant for a meal.
Sweet Treat Alert
The cinnamon roll pancakes are a must-try; consider pairing with coffee.
Tips
from all over the internet
Beat the Crowds
Visit mid-morning on weekdays around 9 am for a more relaxed dining experience.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Try the highly recommended buttermilk or buckwheat pancakes with fruit or nut toppings.
Pet-Friendly Patio
Leashed pets are welcome to join you inside the restaurant for a meal.
Sweet Treat Alert
The cinnamon roll pancakes are a must-try; consider pairing with coffee.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Running Bear Pancake House is celebrated as a top breakfast spot in West Yellowstone, praised for its generous portions, delicious and varied pancake options, and exceptionally friendly service. While often busy, most diners find the wait worthwhile for the hearty, classic American breakfast fare. Some guests noted that while pancakes and certain dishes shine, items like breakfast burritos might be less impressive.
"This is THE place for breakfast in West Yellowstone. Fast, friendly service. If you’re looking for sweet tea, they have it! We ate here twice on our vacation and both times the food quality and quantity was excellent. All of the staff were very welcoming and made it a great dining experience!"
Nealy Hamson
"This place was very popular and we had to wait about 20 minutes before we got a table. Once we did, it was very good food. I would definitely get pancakes here all over again. We got the cinnamon bun pancakes and they were absolutely divine. We also got the brisket breakfast burrito, which was just OK.
The staff was very warm and friendly. The place was clean and had a nice amount of character to it."
Val ME
"Busy place with excellent food. They have a wait list and with lots of tables, it goes fast.
Cordon blue, breakfast burrito, both excellent. the crispy hash browns were the surprise hit, compliments to the cooks for well prepared and plated dishes.
They had a selection of espresso drinks that looked good. The fresh baked cinnamon rolls"
Red Truck
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant is renowned for its wide variety of delicious pancakes, including cinnamon roll and banana flavors, as well as classic American breakfast staples.
It's recommended to visit mid-morning around 9 am on weekdays for a less crowded experience.
Yes, pets are welcomed inside the restaurant without any issues.
The name comes from an incident during construction when a bear got into the storage building and ran off.
While not explicitly detailed, the menu includes omelettes, pancakes, and French toast, which can often be prepared vegetarian.
Yes, breakfast is served all day at Running Bear Pancake House.
Yes, there is a 3% surcharge for using a credit card, which is communicated to customers before ordering.
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The Top Restaurants In West Yellowstone, Montana
Running Bear Pancake House gets its name from an incident that happened when the building was being built. A bear got into the construction site and took off running when the workers showed up that morning. While better known for pancakes than wildlife now, Running Bear also offers other breakfast classics, and the large sandwiches are just the sort of comfort food you’re missing while you’re away from home.
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All the pies, muffins, and cinnamon rolls are made on the premises at this casual, family-friendly eatery. There are a lot of choices, but trust the name and go for the buttermilk or buckwheat pancakes topped with blueberries, strawberries, peaches, coconut, walnuts, or chocolate chips. Breakfast is served all day.
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Top 10 Best Diners Drive Ins and Dives in West Yellowstone , MT - June - Yelp - Firehole Bar-B-Que, Bullwinkles, Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, The Gusher, Las Palmitas, Riverhouse BBQ & Events, Iron Horse Bar & Grill, Big Juds, Emigrant Outpost, The Cowboy's Grille. Browsing all of West Yellowstone , MT - The Buffalo Bar, Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, Madison Crossing Lounge, Firehole Bar-B-Que, TR's Burgers, Bullwinkles, Running Bear Pancake House, Beartooth Barbecue, Ernie's Bakery & Deli, Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza and Pasta. Serving: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Favorites: Homemade hash browns.
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The Running Bear Pancake House provides the West Yellowstone community with a family-style dining experience, known for its friendly and clean atmosphere, homemade baked goods, and delicious pancakes. The Running Bear Pancake House was originally opened by a couple named Thompson in 1965, running the pancake house during the summer seasons through the year 1974. The name actually comes from a bear once locking itself in the storage building during construction of the restaurant.
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Running Bear Pancake House is a breakfast institution in West Yellowstone, known for its extensive menu and generous portions. As the name suggests, pancakes are the star of the show here, with a variety of flavors and toppings to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for classic buttermilk pancakes or something more indulgent like blueberry or chocolate chip, Running Bear Pancake House has you covered.
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Running Bear Pancake House in West Yellowstone is an excellent breakfast spot, especially if you’re not in a rush to visit Yellowstone Park. Known for their exceptional pancakes—with varieties like cinnamon roll and buckwheat—it’s a family-friendly restaurant serving classic American breakfast staples like eggs, sausages, and bacon. We highly recommend their hash browns and French toast.
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Running Bear Pancake House is actually the #1 rated restaurant in West Yellowstone, MT on TripAdvisor and it definitely didn’t disappoint!. Open for breakfast and lunch, it has a down-home feel with great service and great food (think strawberry crepes)!. TIP: Either be the first one in the door or go mid-morning around 9am during the week when most people have already left for the park!
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538 Madison Avenue West Yellowstone, Montanarunningbearwestyellowstone.com. Running Bear Pancake House, a community fixture for more than 50 years, got its name from a bear that found himself accidentally locked in a storage shed on the property and took off running the second he was freed. Spoiler alert: it’s not the same taxidermied black bear you’ll see on display in the dining room.
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Dish to Try: Trout and Eggs for Breakfast.Start your Yellowstone morning right with a hearty breakfast at this beloved West Yellowstone staple. Their trout and eggs plate offers a protein-packed kickstart, featuring a pan-fried trout fillet alongside perfectly cooked eggs, hash browns, and toast. It’s rustic, satisfying, and the perfect fuel for a day of hiking or geyser-spotting.
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Running Bear Pancake House is a simple eatery known for its large portions and makes an easy, affordable stop before the day’s adventures, with attentive staff and excellent lattes. Three Bear Restaurant is a West Yellowstone institution (order the sweet cream pancakes with local huckleberries), and the Timberline Cafe serves up comfort food in a casual atmosphere.
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Stop by for classic breakfast cuisine to fuel you on your journey. Known for its Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, Veggie Omelette, and Hash Brown Toasts, Running Bear Pancake House is a delicious place to fill your appetite with a great variety. It is recommended to visit this popular restaurant in the early morning to avoid long wait times.
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The Running Bear Pancake House in West Yellowstone is often abuzz with visitors looking to fuel up before a day in the park. Famous for its pancakes, this hometown breakfast spot also whips up omelets, waffles, and homemade baked goods. The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a favorite among both locals and tourists.
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You’ll recognize this breakfast and lunch spot by the large brown bear found on the outside of the brick building. Running Bear Pancake House is one of the top things to do in West Yellowstone. This is one of the West Yellowstone restaurants open daily, so you can grab a bite to eat here before any of your Montana plans.
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This tasty dinner is consistently rated the top dining spot in West Yellowstone. Here’s what one reviewer had to say: “On our family road trip last year we stopped and ate breakfast here and I would have to say it was the best breakfast of the whole trip. And we went thru 17 different states in 11 days!
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Two of our favorite breakfast and brunch spots in West Yellowstone are Ernies Bakery & Deli and Running Bear Pancake House. Ernies Bakery & Deli is a charming little bakery that serves up delicious pastries, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches. Their freshly baked bread and flaky croissants are a must-try.
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Running Bear Pancake House is an attractive breakfast restaurant located near the West Gate of Yellowstone. The breakfast menu offers a wide variety of options that will satisfy everyone. Each dish is served piping hot, and the hamburgers and pancakes, in particular, are highly recommended.
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two-thirdsRunning Bear Pancake House offers family style dining also including a children’s menu. We are known for our delicious pancakes, homemade baked goods and our clean and friendly atmosphere. We proudly serve locally roasted Hellroaring Espresso with our in house espresso machine.
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Indulge in a tasty pancake and homemade baked goods and relax in our clean and welcoming ambiance. Serving Montana roasted Espresso 81 beans from our in-house espresso machine to box lunches, Running Bear Pancake House is perfect for family-style dining, including a children's menu.
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Browsing all of West Yellowstone , MT - The Buffalo Bar , Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, Madison Crossing Lounge, Firehole Bar -B-Que, TR's Burgers, Bullwinkles, Running Bear Pancake House, Beartooth Barbecue, Ernie's Bakery & Deli, Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza and Pasta.
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Running Bear Pancake House specializes in American and Cafe cuisine, making it a top choice for starting your day right. Its 4.5/5 rating speaks volumes about its quality. Enjoy these award-winning spots and make the most of your West Yellowstone visit.
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And even had gluten free toast (not listed on the printed menu, so I was pleasantly surprised!). Will definitely be back on our road trips through. Val was our server and did an amazing job even though she was plenty busy with lots of tables to manage .
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The Running Bear Pancake House is among some of the good restaurants in West Yellowstone, especially for pancake lovers. This family-friendly restaurant is known to have a clean and friendly atmosphere, and a kids’ menu for the little guests as well.
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In Cody, Wyoming, previous visitors suggested dining at The Local and The Cody Cattle Company, while past travelers who visited West Yellowstone, Montana, raved about the dishes served at Wild West Pizzeria and Running Bear Pancake House.
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Running Bear Pancake House is just what I think of when I think “mountain breakfast.” And, it’s the best restaurant in West Yellowstone to carb up with with tasty pancakes before that big hike in Yellowstone National Park.
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Running Bear Pancake House is a go-to breakfast destination in West Yellowstone that serves up affordable, generous-sized breakfast options including its famed pancakes and also offers gluten-free options.
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Great pancakes. I love the Hasbrowns too. Three generations work so beautiful. Large family business that is really important. A must for anyone looking for a great breakfast place.
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Start your morning with a delicious breakfast at this beloved local diner. ✅ Pancakes, omelets, and fresh coffee.✅ Kid-friendly with generous portions. 👉 Running Bear Pancake House
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538 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone, Montana, 59758, United States. "Good food, good staff, reasonable prices. I 'll be back.". ★ 4.6 / 5 from 742 reviews
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Running Bear Pancake House | 538 Madison Ave GPS: - Tempat sarapan yang sangat baik. Terkenal dengan penkek mereka, tetapi barangan lain juga lazat.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit