Five on Black is a fast-casual Brazilian restaurant located at 325 North Higgins Avenue in downtown Missoula, Montana. Founded in 2013 after its creator—a University of Montana finance student inspired by time spent in Brazil—won a statewide business plan competition, this flagship storefront launched a small regional brand that now spans Montana. The name itself is a nod to the five-step ordering system and the black beans at the core of Brazilian home cooking. Operating out of a 100% dedicated gluten-free kitchen, Five on Black draws downtown walkers, university students, and travelers looking for scratch-made customizable bowls, slow-simmered feijoada, and warm tapioca cheese bread at an approachable budget price point.
What to Expect at Five on Black
Ordering at Five on Black centers on a five-step counter service line designed for speed and dietary flexibility. Diners start by selecting a base of white rice, brown rice, or fresh salad greens, both of which are topped with a ladle of seasoned black beans. Step two focuses on the grill or stewpot: choices include flame-grilled churrasco chicken, marinated steak, spicy pork sausage, or roasted sweet potatoes and vegetables for vegan and vegetarian guests. Alternatively, diners can select traditional feijoada—Brazil’s national black bean and pork stew—which operates as both the protein and the rich sauce for the bowl.
In step three, guests add a hot or cold side such as garlic-sautéed collard greens, tangy mango slaw, or extra pão de queijo. Step four introduces house-made sauces ranging from bright chimichurri and cooling cucumber-mint to rich spicy coconut and warming coconut-herb blends. Finally, step five finishes the bowl with up to three Brazilian toppings, including toasted farofa (seasoned cassava flour that adds a smoky, buttery crunch), fresh pico de gallo, chimichurri, lime wedges, or pickled onions. Because the entire facility is 100% gluten-free, guests with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities can order any base, protein, sauce, or baked item without cross-contamination concerns. The dining room features casual table and counter seating looking out onto North Higgins Avenue, along with seasonal sidewalk tables during warmer months.
- Five-Step Custom Brazilian Bowls: Build-your-own bowls combining rice or greens, seasoned black beans, grilled meats or roasted sweet potatoes, sides, house sauces, and up to three toppings.
- Traditional Feijoada: A slow-cooked Brazilian national stew of black beans and savory cuts of pork that coats the rice base in its own rich broth.
- Pão de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread): Baked daily using tapioca flour and cheese, resulting in a crisp exterior and chewy, airy center that is naturally gluten-free.
- 100% Gluten-Free Kitchen: Every ingredient on the line—from the toasted cassava farofa to the spicy coconut sauce and marinades—is prepared in a strictly gluten-free environment.
- Scratch-Made Sauces & Sides: Daily prepared accompaniments including garlicky sautéed collard greens, mango slaw, chimichurri, and creamy spicy coconut sauce.
Five on Black at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 325 N Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59802 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Downtown Missoula (Heart of Missoula) |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $ (Budget-friendly; individual bowls and meals typically $10–$15) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Mountain Line Downtown Transfer Center (1 block west on Ryman St); metered street parking on N Higgins Ave and Central Park Garage at 128 W Main St |
| Official Website & Phone | fiveonblack.com | +1 406-926-1860 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because Five on Black sits right on Missoula’s primary pedestrian spine, the weekday lunch window between 12:00 PM and 1:15 PM sees steady lines of downtown office workers and University of Montana students. The line moves quickly—usually under ten minutes from door to table—but visiting at 11:15 AM or between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM offers immediate counter access and plenty of seating. Reservations are not required or accepted for standard dining, though online ordering for pickup and boxed or family-style catering for groups of 6 to 200 are available through the restaurant’s website. If you are arriving by public bus, the zero-fare Mountain Line Downtown Transfer Center on Ryman Street is just a two-minute walk west; drivers can use metered street spots along Higgins Avenue or park one block south at the Central Park Garage on West Main Street.
The Missoula storefront features a step-free street-level entrance off North Higgins Avenue, wide ordering lanes suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, and accessible single-stall restrooms on the main floor. Its central location makes it easy to pair lunch or dinner with downtown Missoula landmarks: the historic Art Deco Wilma Theatre and Caras Park along the Clark Fork River (home to A Carousel for Missoula and Brennan’s Wave) are a five-minute walk south down Higgins Avenue, while the Missoula Art Museum at 335 North Pattee Street is two blocks east.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours at Five on Black in Missoula?
Five on Black in downtown Missoula is open seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For the quickest counter service and easiest indoor table selection, arrive right at opening or during the mid-afternoon lull between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
Is Five on Black safe for diners with celiac disease or vegan diets?
Yes, the entire Five on Black kitchen is 100% gluten-free, including the baked pão de queijo cheese buns and toasted cassava farofa. Vegan and vegetarian diners have dedicated options including brown or white rice, black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed collard greens, mango slaw, and dairy-free sauces like chimichurri and spicy coconut.
How much does a meal cost and do I need a reservation?
Five on Black operates as a budget-friendly ($) fast-casual counter restaurant where standard customizable bowls and kid-sized portions generally run between $8 and $15. Reservations are not needed; guests order directly at the counter or place pickup orders online via the official website.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Most guests spend 30 to 45 minutes ordering at the counter and eating in the casual dining room. If you are grabbing a bowl to take down to Caras Park by the Clark Fork River, counter assembly takes less than five minutes outside of peak noon rushes.
When planning your Missoula travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Missoula, pair this stop with standout local spots including Greenough Park, Ciao Mambo, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Missoula Northwest, an IHG Hotel, and Plonk Missoula (nearby).
