The restaurant scene in the Black Hills area is pretty causal with a few foodie destinations sprinkled in between. South Dakotans are meat lovers, and you’ll find a lot of laid-back American style grills, steakhouses, and diners in the area.
However, as of late we’ve been lucky enough to attract some top chefs and creative culinary geniuses to the area (I’m looking at you Skogen Kitchen!). Our list of best restaurants in the Black Hills area covers our favorite tried-and-true restaurants that have been around since our youth, the newcomers that are making moves, and all the casual eateries that are perfect for your family vacation on-the-go.
Below you’ll find the list broken down by city. Those bolded are what we consider our favorites and have become regular stops for us.
JUMP AHEAD TO AN AREA:
Hill City | Keystone | Custer | Rapid City | Spearfish
Best Restaurants in Hill City, SD
Hill City is a gem in the Black Hills! This quaint town is filled with history, fun shops and great restaurants. We love spending our summers on the rooftop patio at Bumpin’ Buffalo, or having dinner at the historic Alpine Inn.
- Alpine Inn – This is a Hill City staple and, while known for its steak dinner, it also has a fantastic German style lunch menu. The evening menu consists of the (extremely popular) steak dinner with one vegetarian option and a few kids menu items. It’s simple, but delicious! However, their lunch menu is property my favorite and includes a plethora of sandwich options, all served with German potato salad. Of course, their dessert menu is also not something you want to pass up.
- Bumpin Buffalo – If you’re after American / South Dakota classics, with large portions, all severed with great beer, this is your place. Try the Buffalo burger! They are open for lunch and dinner. Consider eating on their rooftop patio if the weather is nice.
- Black Hills Bistro – Serving breakfast and lunch, this is a new place in Hill City and it’s worth visiting. The menu has classic breakfast and lunch options, soups, daily specials, and delicious baked goods.
Options Just Outside Hill City
- Prairie Berry Winery / Miner Brewery – Stop by here to taste some South Dakota wine and/or local beer, along with some great food options. Sandwiches, salads, cheese and meat plates, and more — with a great outside patio.
- Firehouse Winery’s Smokejumper Station – This winery also serves up some South Dakota wine, along with a variety of food options. Stop by for lunch or dinner and enjoy sandwiches, burgers, salads, and soups — and maybe even some live music if you’re lucky!
Best Restaurants in Keystone, SD
The city of Keystone is at the base of Mt. Rushmore, and therefore it has become extremely touristy with seasonal openings. The city virtually becomes a ghost town from October through May. That being said, it can be a really fun area to explore in the summer when the sidewalks are filled with people and shops and restaurants are all open. When we find ourselves there, these are the places we’d eat at:
- Powderhouse Lodge Restaurant – This place has a great reputation, and known for their Prime Rib. It’s also a great spot for breakfast!
- Ruby House / Red Garter Saloon – The two places are attached and we love the vibe of these places — especially in the middle of summer. Catch some live cowboy entertainment at the Red Garter Saloon! It’s a fun place to eat and drink with early 1900s decor.
- Grapes and Grinds – This is an awesome coffee shop and wine bar, with some lighter breakfast options. You can easily grab something to go on your way to Mt. Rushmore or sit and enjoy the view!
- Carver’s Cafe – This is located at Mt. Rushmore so you’ll be able to eat with a view! While it’s not a regular stop for us, it’s certainly worth a mention for those visiting the area and want to spend more time at Mt. Rushmore!
Best Restaurants in Custer, SD
Custer is a fun town to shop around and dine, and it has one of the BEST restaurants in the Black Hills. It would be a shame not to experience Skogen Kitchen while you’re in the Black Hills — whether it’s for breakfast or dinner. And if you can, catch a live show at the Custer Beacon to round off a wonderful day in Custer!
- Skogen Kitchen – This is by far our favorite restaurant in the area! It’s a delicious dinner option for foodies in the Black Hills, as well as breakfast/brunch on the weekends (but call in advance to get reservations). It’s a smaller place run by chef Joseph and his wife Eliza, who excel at making “fine dining” extremely causal and approachable.
- Hjem A.M. (breakfast only) – This place is a cozy and delicious option for your breakfast outing! The menu is inspired by Scandinavian/American flavors and will not disappoint.
- Black Hills Burger and Bun – Often seen with a line out the door, this place has a fantastic reputation. Their burgers are inventive with a great selection of local craft beer. Try the popular “Hot Granny” burger!
- Custer Wolf – The Custer Wolf is a gem in Custer, with a comfortable environment, casual eats, and a great selection of beer and wine.
- Beggin’ Burro – This Mexican restaurant has great margaritas, a small outside patio space, and classic Mexican food that won’t disappoint!
- Baker’s Bakery – We love stopping here for breakfast or brunch, but they are also open for lunch. They have amazing caramel and cinnamon rolls that seem to always sell out late morning — so get there early!
Best Restaurants in Rapid City, SD
Rapid City is the largest city in the Black Hills area and offers a plethora of restaurants and shopping. There are some restaurants that have been around since Garrett and I’s youth growing up here! They are still some of our favorites today. There are obviously way more options than this list, but for the sake of supporting the local greats, I’m not including chain restaurants.
- Tally’s Silver Spoon – This is one of our favorite places for breakfast in Rapid City, and you’ll likely see a line out the door on the weekends. It was a small diner for most of its life, but was re-invented with new ownership many years ago. It’s a great option for breakfast and mimosas, or for dinner which has more of a fine dining menu.
- Delmonico Grill – This is a great option for a fancy night out! It’s one of the best fine dining steakhouses in the area.
- Kathmandu Bistro – If you love Indian food, this is your place. Located right downtown, it’s one of our favorite places to go out for dinner. If you’re around during the lunch hours they also have a lunch buffet.
- Pour 54 – Due to them offering a self-serve beer tap wall, all guests must be 21+ to eat and drink here. They offer a wide selection of local (and non-local) beer, wine, and hard ciders, as well as appetizers, salads, and pan pizzas. The environment is fun and filled with plenty of TVs and couches to lounge and watch the game.
- Independent Ale House – Another great option downtown, Independent Ale House has an impressive beer menu and great pizza. They have a few salad options as well, but their pizza menu is where they shine, and it’s all served in a great environment.
- Murphy’s Pub & Grill – This is a sports bar downtown with great food and drinks. They have a full bar so order your favorite cocktail! The outdoor patio area is spacious and a great option in the summer months.
Best Restaurants in Spearfish, SD
Spearfish is a great city in the northern part of the Black Hills, nestled next to the infamous Spearfish Canyon (a must-visit area for hiking). This quaint college town has fantastic eats and breweries alike.
- The Farmhouse Bistro & Bar – The Farmhouse is a newer restaurant for the area, and it comes with a great atmosphere! From the craft cocktails to the fancy entrées, this place is perfect for special occasions and date nights — or just because you’re a foodie and you’re worth it.
- Antunez – This place serves top-notch dishes inspired by Mexico, South American, and Spain — with a great wine list to go with it. They also try to source as much local produce and meat as possible, which we love.
- REDwater Kitchen – This gastro pub is centrally located in Spearfish and is a great option for a quick lunch or dinner. It has modern decor, local beer, and great food options — from the Avocado Toast to the Mac and Cheese!
