At a glance
- Roasts inWhitefish, MT
- Founded1981
- CafesWhitefish and Columbia Falls
- VisitorsOpen to the public
Montana Coffee Traders is one of the beloved local roasters we follow in Montana: an independent roaster based in Whitefish, founded in 1981. Here is what their own pages and public sources say about them, in our words.
Their story
Montana Coffee Traders began in 1981 and works out of a landmark old farmhouse south of Whitefish, easy to spot by the chuck wagon out front. Over the years it has watched Whitefish change from a quiet mountain town into a resort town, and says it has deepened its ties to the town and to coffee farmers along the way. It sources and roasts arabica coffees, with certified organic and fair trade options, aiming to present each bean at its peak.
Management commits to training and supporting its staff with strong professional development. The company is a member of 1% for the Planet. The roastery doubles as a cafe and hosts a weekly roast tour and tasting, and the company runs two more cafes in downtown Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
It roasts on a pair of Loring Smart Roasters and buys high grade arabica from farmers worldwide, including direct to farm partnerships. Its wholesale team offers espresso training, coffee bar layout and menu help, and installs and repairs equipment across Montana.
What they roast
Roast levels run medium and dark. House blends include Montana Blend, Grizzly Blend, Organic Montana Morning, Organic Trailblazer, '81, Rising Wolf, Northern Lights, Organic Treasure Blend and Cafe Monteverde Dark. Single origins on the list when we checked: Cafe Monteverde and Organic Bolivia Alijiri. Espresso drinks at all three cafes. Organic Guatemala Decaf; method not stated. Offerings change with the seasons, so this is what their own pages listed on 2026-09-27.
Where to drink it
The Roastery and Cafe south of Whitefish is open weekdays and hosts a roast tour and tasting on Tuesday mornings by reservation. Two more cafes in downtown Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
- The Roastery and Cafe: 5810 Hwy 93 South, Whitefish
- Downtown Whitefish Cafe: 110 Central Ave, Whitefish
- Columbia Falls Cafe: 30 9th Street West, Columbia Falls
Address
5810 Hwy 93 South, Whitefish, MT 59937
Roastery and cafe.
Why buying from Montana Coffee Traders matters here
Roasting south of Whitefish since 1981, in a farmhouse marked by a chuck wagon. Runs cafes on Central Avenue in downtown Whitefish and on 9th Street West in Columbia Falls. Offers a Tuesday morning roast tour and tasting at the roastery, by reservation. Has roasted and served coffee in the Flathead Valley for more than 40 years.
Every bag bought from a Whitefish roaster pays roasting and cafe wages in Montana, and the coffee reaches you days after roasting instead of months. That is the reason the club exists. Why local roasters matter.
About this listing
Listed as a local favorite. A listing does not mean Montana Coffee Traders is part of the club.
Are you Montana Coffee Traders? Email roasters@lastbestcoffeeclub.com to correct or remove this page.
More Montana roasters
- Firetower Coffee House and Roasters, Helena
- Florence Coffee Company, Butte
- Ghost Town Coffee Roasters, Bozeman