Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills Restaurants

Like neighboring Wyoming, the Black Hills are not known for culinary diversity, and no matter where you go in this part of the world, beef is king. Nevertheless, thanks to a growing population and increasing numbers of visitors, the area is beginning to see more dining options. Rapid City and Spearfish have an abundance of national chain restaurants, and both communities have local eateries that specialize in Continental, contemporary, Native American, and traditional American cooking. Although dining in Deadwood's casinos usually involves an all-you-can-eat buffet, the tiny town also claims some of the best-ranked restaurants in South Dakota. Don't be afraid to try wild game dishes: buffalo, pheasant, and elk are relatively common ingredients in the Black Hills.

Sort by: 13 Recommendations {{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }} 0 Recommendations
CLEAR ALL Area Search CLEAR ALL
Loading...
  • 1. Black Hills Burger & Bun

    $

    The focus on simple, fresh, and delicious food at affordable prices has made this very small establishment into a phenomenon with one of the best reputations of any restaurant in the Black Hills. It's located in a renovated, downtown building with exposed brick walls and stained-glass accents. The only problem here is the difficulty getting a seat in the small dining area: hours are limited, the place fills up fast, and because the reputation is so stellar, people are willing to endure long waits outside on the bench or even just standing on the sidewalk.

    441 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer, South Dakota, 57730, USA
    605-673--3411

    Known For

    • Delicious, juicy burgers made from fresh-ground meat
    • Black-bean vegetarian burger options
    • Rotating selection of mouthwatering desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues.
  • 2. Leones' Creamery

    $

    Leones' is the kind of quiet, locally beloved, hole-in-the-wall place you could easily miss but definitely shouldn't---its handcrafted and ever-evolving ice cream flavors are the best in the Black Hills. The owners pour their passion into creative creations that often incorporate locally produced beers, produce, and other novel ingredients. Leones' is the ideal place to treat yourself after a day of exploring the Black Hills.

    722½ Main St., Spearfish, South Dakota, 57783, USA
    605-644--6461

    Known For

    • Transforming surprising ingredients (like rhubarb) into amazing ice cream
    • Small outdoor seating area
    • Rotating specialties including popsicles, floats, and ice-cream sandwiches

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.--Thurs.
  • 3. Bobkat's Old Fashion Purple Pie Place

    $

    This seasonal bakery serves homemade pies and ice cream, as well as lunchtime fare like salads and paninis. Believe us when we say, the peach pie is divine, but if you're looking for something more exotic, there's rhubarb, strawberry rhubarb, cherry, blueberry, bumbleberry (that's everything together), raspberry rhubarb jalapeño, peanut butter, and a daily cream pie. Yes, there is apple, too.

    19 Mt Rushmore Rd., Custer, South Dakota, 57708, USA
    605-673–4070

    Known For

    • Its purple exterior
    • Pie by the slice or whole
    • Ice cream sundaes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed winter and spring
  • 4. Gold Country Inn Cafe

    $

    For a change of pace from Deadwood's upscale dining options, try this affordable, comfort-food café with a small-town, unassuming atmosphere and a menu full of traditional options like eggs, hash browns, burgers, and chicken salad sandwiches.

    801 Main St., Deadwood, South Dakota, 57732, USA
    800-287--1251

    Known For

    • Friendly, hard-working waitstaff
    • Raspberry French toast on the breakfast menu
    • One of the most affordable dining options in Deadwood

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 5. Grapes & Grinds

    $

    Start your day with some caffeine, get a late-morning pick-me-up, or grab a glass of wine and tasty treat at this quick-stop coffee shop and wine bar along the main road through Keystone, which features indoor seating and an outdoor patio.

    609 Hwy. 16A, Keystone, South Dakota, 57751, USA
    605-666--5142

    Known For

    • Life-size chessboard and pieces on the outdoor patio
    • Gelato in a variety of flavors
    • Coffee from local roaster Dark Canyon

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Oct.--mid-May
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Horatio's Homemade Ice Cream

    $

    One of the most interesting examples of early architecture in the city, the 1881 First National Bank building, hosts this old-fashioned ice cream parlor where local owners make small batches of ice cream and customers enjoy it outside on warm summer days. Inspiration for the name comes from Horatio Nelson Ross, who discovered gold in Custer in 1874.

    548 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer, South Dakota, 57730, USA
    605-673--4009

    Known For

    • Waffle cones
    • Homemade ice-cream sandwiches
    • Daily specials and changing flavors
  • 7. Laughing Water

    $

    With windows facing the mountain sculpture, this airy pinewood restaurant is noted for its buffalo burgers. There's a soup-and-salad bar, but you'd do well to stick to the Native American offerings. Try the taco made with traditional fry bread or the Tatanka stew featuring prime cuts of buffalo meat. A short kids' menu is available.

    12151 Ave. of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota, 57730, USA
    605-673–4681

    Known For

    • Monumental views
    • Generous portions
    • Native American tacos

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 8. Lotus Up Espresso & Deli

    $

    In a building that looks like a ski lodge, this multilevel coffeehouse has lots of private nooks and comfy chairs to settle in with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It's also in a great location with windows looking out to the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and the Open Cut.

    95 E. Main St., Lead, South Dakota, 57754, USA
    605-722--4670

    Known For

    • Outdoor deck seating available
    • Quick breakfast and lunch items
    • Italian sodas

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 9. Miner's Cup

    $

    Stop into this little drive-through joint for a coffee or smoothie to go, or sit down and enjoy it at one of the picnic tables on the lawn. There's also a surprisingly good selection of fresh-made breakfast and lunch sandwiches, wraps, salads, and pastries.

    1021 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Custer, South Dakota, 57730, USA
    605-673--3882

    Known For

    • Signature drinks
    • Fast service
    • Creative breakfast food combos
  • 10. Mornin' Sunshine Coffee House

    $

    Coffee, tea, smoothies, and quick choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in a small, historical, and architecturally interesting structure with exposed-stone interior walls. This friendly, locally owned establishment is a great place to stop on your way through Hot Springs, before or after your adventures in the area.

    509 N. River St., Hot Springs, South Dakota, 57747, USA
    605-745--5550

    Known For

    • Wide selection of coffee
    • Hearty breakfast selections
    • Friendly staff
  • 11. Pump House at Mind Blown Studio

    $

    This eclectic, locally owned establishment is a combination coffee shop, deli, and glassblowing studio all housed in a retro Texaco station that looks like something straight out of the 1950s, complete with old gas pumps and period signage.

    73 Sherman St., Deadwood, South Dakota, 57732, USA
    605-571--1071

    Known For

    • Locally roasted coffee
    • Opportunities to watch glassblowing in action
    • One of the few non-casino-affiliated, truly local shops in town
  • 12. The Green Bean Coffeehouse

    $

    Local character and flavor permeate this hip, comfortable coffeehouse inside a spacious former residential home, where the window seating is plentiful and padded chairs are tucked into corners and alcoves. Besides coffee and tea, there are also quick breakfast and lunch items on the menu.

    304 N. Main St., Spearfish, South Dakota, 57783, USA
    605-717--3636

    Known For

    • Cozy setting and atmosphere
    • Tasty paninis and grilled sandwiches
    • Smoothies, iced coffee, and other cold drinks
  • 13. Turtle Town

    $

    Treat yourself to a delectable dessert item from this tiny shop and enjoy it on one of the nearby boardwalk benches next to the 1880 Train depot.

    117 Winter St., Keystone, South Dakota, USA
    605-666--4675

    Known For

    • Hand-scooped ice cream
    • Specialty chocolates
    • Shakes and malts

No Restaurants Results

Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:

There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:

Recommended Fodor’s Video