Do you need some help in finding the best places to eat in Rapid City, South Dakota? Check out our list below!
1. Juniper
Juniper is a modern American eatery that’s embraced the recent movement of locality. They order all produce as locally as possible, selecting from organic, ethically sourced meat, fish, and produce. This allows them to create something genuinely local and unique. Juniper is open from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and closed Sunday-Monday.
The food on offer at Juniper is a constantly rotating affair of seasonal, simple eats. They’ve embraced the to-go trend that grew with the pandemic, serving several truly excellent meals. Currently, they serve salads, seared ahi, charcuterie, Jamaican jerk chicken, and a handful of other seafood, pork, and beef dishes – though this will change as autumn rolls through.
Head to Juniper’s Facebook page to get in touch.
2. Ron’s Café
Ron’s Café is a longstanding name in the Rapid City food scene. They’re a classic American greasy spoon serving breakfast and lunch in a super relaxed, well-serviced little out-of-the-way stop. The focus here is simple, filling breakfast and lunch, and they deliver every time. Ron’s Café is open from 7-2 p.m. Monday-Friday and is closed on weekends.
The menu at Ron’s is simple, consisting of two menus – breakfast and lunch. For the early birds, egg dishes, hashbrowns, breakfast burritos, and hashes all await. And for lunch, you can find sandwiches (both hot and cold) and a selection of lunch plates such as liver and onions, chicken fried steak, and top sirloin, to name a few.
Head to Ron’s Café’s Facebook page to reach out.
3. A&D Jamaican Restaurant
A&D Jamaican Restaurant stands out in Rapid City, as Jamaican fare (while delicious) is often far too difficult to find in the Midwest. A&D knows that and chose to solve the issue by bringing the most perfectly prepared Jamaican fare they can to Rapid City. A&D Jamaican is open from 11-8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and closes an hour later Saturday-Sunday.
A&D’s food is, simply put, comfort food that brings out all the best memories of home-cooked meals. While you may not have eaten Jamaican cuisine previously, it’s time – so what can you expect? Perfectly spiced chicken and pork, rice dishes, stews, and more are each awaiting – so why are you still sitting there? Go!
Head to A&D Jamaican Restaurant’s Facebook page to learn more.
4. The Mud Hole of the Black Hills
This is an odd one on the list. While the name doesn’t evoke the best images when entering a restaurant, that skepticism will soon disappear. The Mud Hole is a cafe and second-hand store that serves breakfast and lunch alongside an eclectic assortment of various oddities and curiosities. The Mud Hole is open from 7-1 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, from 7-11 a.m., and is closed Sunday-Tuesday.
The food on offer at The Mud Hole is surprisingly delicious. You can grab various burritos alongside scrambles, hashes, baked goods, and pearl sugar waffles for breakfast. Lunch is a sandwich and wrap affair, with hot dogs, melts, chicken sandwiches, and a few standout options like the “Mud Rice” sandwich.
Swing by The Mud Hole’s contact page to get more information.
5. Independent Ale House
The Independent Ale House is an old-school pub serving delicious wood-fired pizzas and some of the best brews in the area. Their tap list rotates regularly, the pizzas are always baked to crispy, cheesy perfection, and the environment is truly something else. Independent Ale House is open from 3-9 p.m. from Sunday-Wednesday, from 3-10 p.m. on Thursdays, and 11-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
The food at Independent Ale House is simple but crafted perfectly. They serve a few surprisingly fresh salads alongside top-notch thin-crust pizzas. Each pie is creative, unique, and not to be missed, bringing innovative solutions to the age-old question of “what should I top this pizza with?” From the mashed potato pizza to the Mediterranean-inspired selection of the Althea, there’s a pie here for everyone.
Head to Independent Ale House’s home page to learn more.
6. Sumo Japanese Kitchen
Sumo Japanese Kitchen is one of the only Japanese spots in the area and has earned a name for serving classic Japanese fare in a welcoming environment. The service is professional and friendly, the food fresh, and the building homely – what more could you need? Sumo Japanese Kitchen is open from 11-3 p.m. and 4:30-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and is closed Sunday-Monday.
The food is precisely what you’d expect from a Japanese kitchen. The appetizers are classic entries – edamame, miso soup, crab rangoons, spring rolls, and more. As for mains, they serve rice bowls, poke, yakisoba, and more – though sushi is the primary focus. Sushi rolls and sashimi have over a whole page of the menu dedicated to them alone – so you know they’re excellent.
Swing by Sumo Japanese Kitchen’s contact page to get in touch.
7. Pauly’s Pizzeria & Sub Co.
Pauly’s Pizzeria & Sub Co. is another Rapid City hometown name. They’ve been serving top-tier pizza and subs since 1984 and have only grown in success since then. Pauly’s is a classic American pizzeria – laid back, relaxing, and packed with delicious food for all palates. Pauly’s is open from 10-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and closed Saturday-Sunday.
As for food, Pauly’s serves precisely what its name implies – pizzas and subs. Whether you want a classic deli sub, a specialty sub (generally meaning classic sandwiches like Reubens, French dips, and BLTs), or a pizza, they’ve got quite the extensive menu. The pizzas are traditional but delicious – though you shouldn’t expect anything groundbreaking from their pies.
Head to Pauly’s Pizzeria & Sub Co.’s contact page to reach out.
8. The Gyro Hub
The Gyro Hub solves one of the Midwest’s most prominent issues in terms of food – Mediterranean fare is suspiciously lacking. The Gyro Hub brings perfectly cooked Greek and Middle Eastern food to small-town South Dakota – and best of all, it’s shockingly affordable. The Gyro Hub is open from 11-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 11-7 p.m. on Sundays.
The menu is a simple affair. You’ll find all the usual suspects; hummus, falafel, dolmas, spinach pies, and (obviously) gyros. Additionally, customers can grab gyro rice bowls, burgers, kebabs, and salads, each created with incredibly fresh, delicious produce and meat. Ultimately, the Gyro Hub is an excellent stop for a quick, refreshing meal that won’t break the bank.
Head to The Gyro Hub’s online ordering page to grab yourself a plate.
9. The Bestro
The Bestro is a bistro that’s manifesting greatness by calling itself the best – and it’s apparently working! They’re a simple cafe, serving quick breakfast and lunch eats alongside sweets and perfectly-prepared coffee and tea drinks. The Bestro is open from7-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 9-3 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
As for food, Bestro keeps things simple. They serve house-baked sweets, including cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins, and pies, among others. Additionally, one can select from a handful of (daily rotating) breakfast specials, sandwiches, soups, or salads. Ultimately, The Bestro isn’t your stop for a massive breakfast – but they’re a great place to get a quick bite.
Head to The Bestro’s Facebook page to learn more.
10. Harriet & Oak
Harriet & Oak is a little hip joint in downtown Rapid City that’s quickly built a name for itself. They serve breakfast and lunch in a bare-brick building with a VW van parked dead center in the lobby. While they’re a refreshingly eclectic joint, the food and drinks are truly top-notch. Harriet & Oak is open from 7-4 p.m. all week.
The food at Harriet & Oak takes a more European approach to breakfast. Toasted croissants with cheese and fruit, yogurt bowls with vegan granola, and the millennial favorite of avocado toast are each waiting. They also serve burritos, sandwiches, acai bowls, salads, and more, ensuring that no matter your needs, they’ve got a delicious, fresh meal just for you.
Swing by Harriet & Oak’s contact page to reach out.
