GREAT FALLS — A new restaurant called Annapurna is bringing more than just food to Great Falls — it's introducing an entirely new cultural experience with Indian and Nepali flavors now making their way into the food scene.
Inside, those flavors are rooted in culture and a personal journey that brought owner Law Tamang from Nepal to Montana. He said when he arrived in Great Falls, he saw an opportunity.
"It's a good place to have a restaurant on it. And when I see the place in Great Falls. I see there's one restaurant. So I was like, why not open there, you know?" Tamang said.
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That vision turned into a restaurant named Annapurna after something meaningful from back home.
"Because in Nepal, we have a mountain. It's called Annapurna. So we call that restaurant here," Tamang said.
This is his first time owning a restaurant, and while the process has not been easy, it has been worth it.
"Kind of hard having employee. It's kind of hard time. You know, we're getting better every time," Tamang said.
The menu reflects a mix of Indian and Nepali cuisine, something not often found in Great Falls; items include Butter Chicken, Tandoori, Biryani, Momos, and fresh Naan.
"If you see there's like a five page menu. So many different flavors," Tamang said.
The restaurant offers a range of dishes and spice levels tailored to each customer.
"There's a spice level in the top, one to seven. You get to pick which one is your level," Tamang said.
For those trying it for the first time, there are also traditional Nepali options like momos, a type of dumpling made fresh in-house.
"We have steamed momo and fried momo, and we make them fresh. Everything fresh," Tamang said.
Tamang described momos as being similar to dumplings, but made in a Nepali style. Bringing those flavors to the community is something he takes pride in.
"This is our first restaurant. You know, so this should be best. And I'm really happy. I really enjoy serving people. And there's like good people in Great Falls. I’m really happy," Tamang said.
In a city where options for this kind of cuisine are limited, Tamang hopes to offer something new. It is more than what is on the plate; it is the stories, the culture, and the connection behind it now being shared in Great Falls.
Annapurna is at 1220 Ninth Street South in Great Falls (formerly occupied by Maria's Mexican restaurant). They are open every day from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Click here to visit their Facebook page, or call 406-750-3710 to place an order for take-out.
This article has been lightly edited with the assistance of AI for clarity, syntax, and grammar.
(MARCH 2026) New restaurants continue to open across Great Falls - recent arrivals include Texas Roadhouse, Panera Bread, Pomodoro, and Xochitl. Restaurants that have recently closed are The Pit Stop and Maria's.
Here are updates on several more restaurants:
Street Burgers shut down on Tuesday, March 17. Street Burgers opened in May 2021 at 2319 Tenth Avenue South. The owners posted on Facebook this week: "We want to sincerely thank everyone who has stopped in, shared a meal with us, and supported our small business over the years. Being part of this community has truly been an honor." They also noted that Street Burgers gift cards will be honored at Tracy’s Diner, Homestead 1909, and Electric City Catering for family meal options.
Haunted Scoops ice cream shop opened on Friday, March 13, at 1900 Fourth Street NE in the space formerly occupied by Nitro Creamery. The owners say will be serving "handcrafted artisan ice (s)cream that's so good it's scary!"
Dave's Hot Chicken plans to open at 1225 10th Avenue South (adjacent to City Brew) within the next two or three months. The chain has two locations in Montana - one Billings and one in Missoula. It serves chicken sandwiches and sliders, cheese fries, and slaw, and features seven spice levels for their chicken, ranging from "no spice" to "reaper." In October 2025, Wyatt Prime, the franchise owner for the Missoula location, said that Dave's Hot Chicken will be coming soon to Great Falls and Helena.
Annapurna Indian restaurant is opening soon at 1220 Ninth Street South, the space formerly occupied by Maria's Mexican restaurant. Annapurna says on its Facebook page that they will serve "traditional Himalayan and Indian dishes," including Butter Chicken, Tandoori, Biryani, Momos, fresh Naan, and many more authentic Himalayan flavors. They plan to open in late March.
Chick-fil-A has announced it is opening a Great Falls location, but there is no word yet on the date. The proposed location is 711 10th Avenue South. The popular fast-food restaurant specializes in chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, and has more than 3,000 locations across the country, including several in Montana — in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings. There are also plans in the works for Chick-fil-A restaurants in Butte and in Helena.
River & Range Bistro plans to open soon in Great Falls. The owner says that at this point, they are planning to open in late April, but have not yet announced the location. Sample menu items that they have shared on Facebook include Osso Buco, Caramelle Pasta, and Poached Cod Vin Blanc.
Stadium Sports Bar & Casino at 1121 Fifth Street South announced that it will be closing its kitchen, and the last day that they will be serving food is March 29th. They posted on Facebook that "our casino will continue to serve the best drinks with the hottest machines and the friendliest staff. Gift certificates can be use for food till 29th after that they my be used for drinks or in the liquor store.
Homestead 1909 is opening soon inside Annie's Tap House at 112 Central Avenue. The Facebook page says it will serve "elevated pub fare," including artisan flatbreads, handcrafted burgers, and signature sandwiches. Owners plan to open mid to late March, but have not yet announced a specific date.
Buffalo Noir opened recently at 415 Third Street NW (suite 106) in the West Bank Plaza. Owners say it is "Great Falls' first vinyl bar, offering music, wine, and food in a relaxed lounge setting," and their goal is to establish a multipurpose location where people may come after work, meet friends, or unwind before or after supper. Click here to visit the Facebook page.
