I’m going to be completely honest with you. There are not as many food options as I know you’re probably hoping for in Rapid City, but I promise there is good food out there. Emil and I have been loyal to a few restaurants here ourselves. I’ve compiled this list of a few of our favorite restaurants, and what we consider to be the best restaurants in Rapid City.
But first, a disclaimer: The reviews you will find online of restaurants in Rapid City can be particularly misleading. For this reason, I have only included restaurants that I have had the chance to experience first-hand. In no way is this list complete or exhaustive. If you feel like I’ve forgotten one of your favorite restaurants, by all means, please share it in the comments! We all need to be aware of the possibilities for more yummy food in our lives 
What better way to start this list than with Emil and I’s favorite restaurant, Tally’s Silver Spoon. This is one of the only restaurants we consider to be comparable to big city restaurants. We love it so much that we’ve often eaten here multiple times in one week. We especially love their breakfast, but they are also excellent for lunch and dinner. They create a new “omelet special” and “breakfast special” everyday, which is what we tend to go for and are never disappointed.
For lunch, they have burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Yet somehow, my favorite lunch item is their sweet potato fries with the cinnamon bacon butter they have – it’s unbelievably savory and delicious.
The “Indecision” course option during dinner is a bit nerve-racking since you have no idea what you will get, but you can trust the chefs at Tally’s. They are very much culinary artists, and the experience is one that Emil and I cannot stop talking about for months afterward. I can confidently recommend Tally’s Silver Spoon as one of the best restaurants in Rapid City
This restaurant is relatively new to Rapid City. It opened in late 2019, replacing the Vietnamese restaurant that was previously in this building, which was a long-time favorite spot for many locals. Luckily, Thai Thai did not let the previous restaurant down, and have continued to create excellent Asian dishes – this time, Thai food. As you’d expect, they have amazing pad thai – surprisingly authentic and enlightening for this area in US. I’ve also heard great things about their drunken noodles, and basil stir fry as well. This is another restaurant that Emil and I have had to resist eating at too frequently. I definitely recommend Thai Thai.
Tacos from a food truck – say whaaat? Yes, that’s right. I was skeptical as well, but the speed and convenience at Eddie’s Tacos, fortunately for us, does not compromise the flavor or quality of his food. In fact, it’s a damn good taco if I do say so myself. All the flavors mesh really well together. They use high-quality meat, Eddie grates the cheese fresh for every order, and his sauces are perfection. You can see straight inside the truck. It is very clean and well ventilated, which are my concerns when ordering from food trucks. The only problem you might have is with tracking him down, but don’t let that stop you. The burritos are very worth it in my opinion.
I absolutely love gyros, and Gyro Hub can definitely hold it’s own. They’ve actually recently moved to a bigger location on Eglin St. because they are that good. My favorite is their Classic Spicy Supreme Gyro. The pita bread is so fresh and fluffy, and the sweet vinaigrette on the salad is scrumptious. To make it even better, the spicy sauce, feta, and extra veggies really add to the depth of flavor in a Spicy Supreme. This is one restaurant I could probably eat at everyday, and not get tired of.
If you’re looking for an adventurous Indian fix, then Kathmandu Bistro is for you. They have an interesting menu, which includes chicken, lamb, goat, alligator, and vegetarian options. It’s okay if you can’t pronounce it, just try it and you will see that these chefs really know how to bring out the best flavors with their spices. That’s how I discovered the Lamb Bhuna; I’ve never tasted lamb that good before. I’m sad that I never had the opportunity to try their lunch buffet, but I’d imagine it’s even better than dinner since you get to try more things
While El Sombrero does not have the most inviting storefront, their food is pretty good compared to the more popular Mexican restaurants in the area. I like their combination plates, because I don’t have to decide between tacos, tamales, or enchiladas – I can have them all! Everything that comes out of their kitchen is seasoned perfectly and pairs well with everything else on the plate.
Although I’ve outgrown the theatrical performance associated with hibachi grills, the chefs at Fuji have managed to overcome that for me to create an even more enjoyable experience than I’ve had before. The food is shockingly good as well, like the husband will steal your leftovers kind of good. They also serve sushi, which I haven’t had myself, but have heard is delicious.
The thing that makes Pauly’s unique is their self-serve taproom. With over 20 beers on tap, you won’t find anything else like the Beer Wall in Rapid City. And what better way to pair it than with pizza, wings, and subs. Their subs in particular have grown a following among the locals. Pick one of their classic pizzas or subs off the menu, or build your own if you need more customization.
Golden Phoenix is the top choice for Chinese takeout in Rapid City. However, they also have a large dining area for those who want to dine in. I was pleasantly surprised by their serving sizes, and also the innovative flavors. It appears they make their orange chicken sauce themselves, since it has a different kind of sweetness and a more natural-tasting hint of orange. I really appreciate the ingenuity, and feel as though they are an all-around great option for Chinese food.
This is one of the only restaurants in Rapid City that serves pho, and we’re lucky it’s good. The size and proportion of meat are spot on. The broth is not the best I’ve had, but it definitely has good flavor. The remainder of the menu includes a variety of Asian fusion options such as stirfry and pad Thai, which are just as good. The best part about Pacific Rim Cafe, in my opinion, is their speediness.
This one is a special mention because while it is not local at all, it is my favorite fast-casual restaurant for pizza. You can build your own 11-inch pizza with all the toppings you could possibly want for less than $10, which is just insane to me. The ingredients are all very fresh and I love the taste of a fired pizza. As I travel the US more, I realize that Blaze is sadly not a common restaurant in some regions, but it really should be at the top of everyone’s favorite pizza places.
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Again, don’t be afraid to leave a comment below if you think I missed your favorite restaurant on this list. I’d love to hear from you. If you’re looking for more things to do in Rapid City, check out my complete South Dakota Travel Guide.
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