As one of the nation's most agriculturally rich states, South Dakota is a natural destination for culinary tourism. From foodie cities like Sioux Falls and Rapid City to small towns with surprisingly great dining scenes, like Deadwood and Watertown, there are endless culinary possibilities to discover. Our Scandinavian, German, Dutch and Indigenous ancestries influence the restaurants in South Dakota in the tastiest ways, creating flavors you simply can’t find anywhere else.
Discover everything from traditional Midwestern foods to award-winning chefs, roadside icons and craft breweries. Explore the flavors, restaurants and local favorites that make South Dakota worth tasting.
Must-Try South Dakota Foods
From fry bread to hunted game, don't miss the regional foods that give South Dakota its distinctive flavor.
Chislic, the official state nosh, is a cubed, skewered and fried meat with a deeply South Dakotan origin.
Ranched on the Great Plains and served across the state, bison makes its way into everything from burgers and steaks to piping-hot bowls of ramen.
Fry bread is a crispy, deep-fried dough served sweet with honey or powdered sugar or savory as the base for Indian tacos.
Kuchen, South Dakota's state dessert, arrived with German immigrants and never left. Sink your teeth into sweet yeast dough crust filled with fruit and custard.
Walleye and pheasant offer a taste of South Dakota’s longstanding hunting and fishing traditions.
Award-Winning Dining
South Dakota restaurants and chefs are earning national recognition for everything from inventive fine dining to prize-winning pizza. Check out a few of our favorites.
The Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge
The state's first-ever James Beard America's Classics® Award winner, The Pheasant has been a Brookings institution since 1949. Don't miss the Nordic waffles, duck wings and hot beef sandwiches on homemade bread.
Dempsey's Brewery Pub & Restaurant
Owner Sean Dempsey is a graduate of the International School of Pizza and a multiple winner at the International Pizza Expo. Taste why this Watertown brewery — the second-oldest in the state — just keeps earning raves.
Crawford's Bar & Grill
In Sioux Falls, Crawford's is known for its craft cocktails and award-winning burgers. Order the two-time Downtown Sioux Falls Burger Battle champion, the truffle burger, topped with prime beef, arugula, jalapeno bacon and black truffle cheese spread on a pretzel bun.
Find Places to Eat & Drink
Craft Beer & Local Sips
South Dakota’s bar scene is as diverse as its landscapes. In Sioux Falls, Fernson Brewing Co. and WoodGrain Brewing Co. have put the state on the craft beer map, while a thriving downtown bar scene keeps the nights lively well past sundown. Over in the Black Hills, Deadwood's legendary Saloon No. 10 pours whiskey with a side of Wild West history, while the Iron Horse Saloon in Sturgis pairs three stories of live music with open-air revelry. Whether you're raising a pint or a whiskey neat, South Dakota knows how to show you a good time.
Local Favorites
Cheyenne Crossing
A fixture of the old Cheyenne to Deadwood stagecoach route since 1878, Cheyenne Crossing is part cafe, part general store and part legend. Try its famous Indian tacos and Heifer Dust, a seasoning perfect for steak, seafood and just about anything else.
B&G Milkyway
A Sioux Falls favorite since 1954, B&G Milkway is one of the last remaining walk-up drive-ins in the Midwest. Its signature red-and-white sign and made-to-order menu have been drawing big crowds for more than 70 years.
Tally's Silver Spoon
This beloved breakfast and lunch institution has been dishing out homestyle comfort food in downtown Rapid City for decades. Locals pack in on weekday mornings, and the pancakes are worth every minute of the wait.
Mouthwatering Trip Ideas
Sound Bites
Tune into our podcast for stories from South Dakota's food and drink scene.
South Dakota on a Plate
South Dakota's culinary traditions have been shaped by Indigenous people, immigrants, farmers, hunters and even church-basement ladies. Take a four-course road trip to meet some of the talented people making South Dakota so delicious.
A Taste of Farm Life
Explore vineyards. Learn how to make cheese. Meet friendly farm animals and the people behind your favorite foods and drinks. Step inside South Dakota’s agritourism scene, where breweries, creameries and family farms offer a glimpse into rural life few visitors see.
