[2] The Coffee Shop was designed by Burt L. Gewalt of the Kalispell, Montana architectural firm of Brinkman and Lenon.

The 40-foot (12 m) by 100-foot (30 m) rectangular one-story shop is set on a small hill, surrounded by a lawn with mature conifers shading the site.

The present monitor has been modified from the original cap structure, which did not cope well with the heavy snow loads at the site.

The stucco panels near the entrance feature metal sculpture designed by Gewalt to express the surrounding mountains.

Interior finishes were stained cedar batten panels and vinyl asbestos tile, with an open ceiling space.

The firm designed the Logan Pass Visitor Center and the Saint Mary Visitor Center, Entrance Station and Checking Stations at the eastern side of the park as well as other structures at West Glacier, Saint Mary and Rising Sun.

[2] The Lake McDonald Coffee Shop was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 2008,[1] before the usual 50-year anniversary requirement for NRHP properties, in recognition of its status as an exceptional example of Mission 66 design.