Are you looking for the best restaurants in Pierre, South Dakota?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
Pierre is the capital city of South Dakota, but it has a population of just over 14,000 people.
Despite it being one of the smallest capital cities in the United States, there are still plenty of places to eat in Pierre SD.
Along with all the great restaurants in Pierre, the city also has plenty of history and it’s near some great outdoor adventures.
In fact, Pierre is one of the best small towns in South Dakota to explore.
If you’re exploring South Dakota’s many things to do, Pierre SD is the perfect place to stay.
You’ll have plenty of options for delicious restaurants in Pierre South Dakota to enjoy after a day spent exploring!
So, let’s take a look at some of the best restaurants in Pierre SD.
15 Best Restaurants In Pierre SD You Must Try
Mad Mary’s Steakhouse And Saloon Is One Of The Best Restaurants In Pierre
If you’re looking for a delicious restaurant in Pierre SD with a fun atmosphere, head to Mad Mary’s Steakhouse and Saloon.
It’s been open since 1999 and has since become a staple restaurant for locals and visitors to enjoy.
The restaurant got its unique name from its owner, Mary, who opened it shortly after her divorce.
Her sister joked she should call it Mad Mary’s since she was mad at her ex-husband, and the name stuck.
It’s a unique Pierre SD restaurant that has a fun history. Plus, despite being a steakhouse, there is no required dress code.
Guests can come as they are and enjoy a delicious steak dinner.
On the menu, you’ll of course find different cuts of Steak, Pan Seared Walleye, Lobster Tail, and a variety of Sandwiches, Burgers, and Salads.
Mad Mary’s is not only one of the best restaurants in Pierre SD, but it’s also one of the most highly rated.
You can’t go wrong enjoying dinner at Mad Mary’s Steakhouse and Saloon.
Enjoy Mexican Cuisine At Gallos Mexican Grill And Taqueria
One of the best restaurants in downtown Pierre SD is Gallos Mexican Grill and Taqueria.
It is a family-owned and operated restaurant serving authentic Mexican cuisine.
Gallos is actually one of the few Mexican restaurants in Pierre and it’s known for its authentic flavors.
They serve lunch and dinner daily for both dine-in and take-out.
Gallos’ menu includes traditional Mexican dishes like Fish Tacos, Gorditas, Menudo, Enchiladas, and Burritos.
They also have a variety of Nachos and Salad options with distinct Mexican flavors.
Everything is made fresh daily and you can enjoy your meal with a selection of mixed drinks and alcoholic beverages, as well as desserts.
Taste The Flavors Of Italy At RedRossa Italian Grille
RedRossa Italian Grille is known for being an amazing Italian – American restaurant in Pierre, South Dakota.
Everything is made fresh and is full of flavor.
Along with the charming atmosphere, RedRossa is actually very affordable and they are proud of that.
The affordability of their authentic Italian – American dishes makes them more accessible.
You’ll get to enjoy amazing dishes like Sirloin Blue Bella, Baked Ravioli, and Honey Almond Chicken Penne without breaking the bank.
They also have an extensive wine menu that has perfect pairings to go along with every menu item.
Finish your meal with a classic Italian dessert like Tiramisu, Cappucino Toffee Torte, or NY Cheesecake.
One bite and you’ll see why this is one of the best places to eat in Pierre SD!
Big Tom’s Diner Has A Classic Diner Atmosphere
Big Tom’s Diner is a restaurant in Pierre SD that has a classic charming diner atmosphere.
This old-fashioned diner specializes in BBQ.
So, on their menu, you’ll find dishes like Pulled Pork, BBQ Ribs, Burgers, Sandwiches, and Philly Chicken.
The entire menu is reasonably priced, especially for the amount of food you get!
Along with their standard menu, they also have daily specials.
In the past, daily specials have been things like Lasagna, Tater Tot Casserole, Country Fried Steak, and Meatloaf.
If you’re looking for comfort food, classic diner dishes, or delicious BBQ, then you’ve got to try Big Tom’s Diner.
Pure Bliss Bakery And Cafe Is One Of The Best Places To Eat In Pierre SD
Not far from the Capitol Building, you’ll find one of the best places to eat in Pierre SD.
Pure Bliss Bakery and Cafe is known for ‘baking done the old-fashioned way.’
That means everything is made from scratch!
The result is truly amazing baked goods, like homemade Donuts, Cinnamon Rolls, Cheesecake, and Soft Pretzels.
Along with their baked goods, Pure Bliss also serves light lunch options.
They include Salads, Sandwiches, Wraps, and more!
It’s easily one of the best restaurants in Pierre South Dakota!
Cure Your Ice Cream Craving At Zesto
Zesto is a well-known place to eat in Pierre SD if you want to enjoy some incredible homemade ice cream and sherbet!
In fact, every ice cream and sherbet on the menu is soft serve and homemade.
Along with their incredibly frozen treats, they also serve a variety of dishes like hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken strips.
That’s one of the reasons why it’s such a popular Pierre SD restaurant.
Their dessert menu includes milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and a variety of freshly made sherbet flavors that change weekly.
If you’re looking for one of the best Pierre SD restaurants, then you have to visit Zesto.
Silver Spur Restaurant Has Been Open Since 1949
The Silver Spur Restaurant in Pierre originally opened on St. Patricks Day in 1949.
That’s because it was owned and operated by a man nicknamed ‘Irish’ O’Leary.
Since opening, it has become an incredibly popular Pierre SD restaurant with both locals and visitors.
Although it is no longer owned by O’Leary, it is still locally owned and operated.
You can stop by for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
On their menu, you’ll find items like the mushroom and Swiss burger, steak, Atlantic salmon, or the Three Cheese Turkey Melt.
It’s a menu with no frills, but everything is absolutely delicious.
You can’t go wrong with a dinner at the Silver Spur, one of the best restaurants in Pierre SD!
La Minestra Is One Of The Best Restaurants In Pierre South Dakota
La Minestra is an Italian restaurant in Pierre that specializes in gourmet pizzas and traditional Italian cuisine.
This Pierre SD restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, so you don’t have to get dressed up or anything to enjoy their menu.
They serve gourmet NY-style pizzas that you won’t find anywhere else at places to eat in Pierre SD.
You can choose from a classic Cheese Pizza, Vegetarian Pizza, Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza, and more.
Or, you can create your own pizza with your pick of toppings.
Their menu also has a variety of salads and pasta like baked manicotti, chicken parmesan, and chicken tortellini.
Whether you’re in the mood for pizza, pasta, or salad, you’ll find something delicious to eat at La Minestra.
Enjoy Chinese Cuisine At Wonderful House One Of The Delicious Restaurants in Pierre
Wonderful House is a Chinese restaurant in Pierre that is open daily for lunch and dinner.
They also offer a daily lunch buffet for only $8.25 per person, which is a ton of food for a great price.
If buffets aren’t your thing, don’t worry. They also have a ton of meal options on their extensive menu.
You’ll find dishes like General Tso’s, Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Orange Chicken, and other Chinese – American classics.
It’s a small restaurant that is simply decorated, but it’s a great place to get Chinese food in Pierre.
Wonderful House is also very reasonably priced, so you can get a lot of food without having to break the bank.
If you’re in the mood for Chinese – American cuisine, head to Wonderful House.
Richie Z’s Brickhouse BBQ And Grill Has Some Of The Best BBQ In South Dakota
If you’re looking for some of the best BBQ in South Dakota, then head to Richie Z’s Brickhouse BBQ and Grill.
Richie Z’s is one of the most highly rated Pierre SD restaurants, and for a good reason.
You can visit from Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.
On their menu, you’ll find items like St. Louis Style Pork Ribs, Smoked Chicken, Beef Brisket Sandwich, and more.
If you’re not sure what to get, they also offer platters where you can choose up to 3 different bbq grilled types of meat.
The platters also come with a variety of sides you can choose from like Cheddar Mac N Cheese, BBQ Beans, and French Fries. They all come with homemade cornbread too.
Richie Z’s is easily one of the best places to eat in Pierre SD if you love BBQ!
Sample Sushi At Tokyo Japanese Restaurant In Pierre
Tokyo Japanese Restaurant is one of the few sushi restaurants in Pierre South Dakota.
So, if you’ve got a craving for sushi and other Japanese cuisines, then this is the place to go!
Their menu is mostly sushi rolls, like the Red Dragon Roll, Philadelphia Roll, and Tiger Roll.
However, they do have a few other menu items for those who aren’t a huge fan of sushi.
You can also get Hibachi and Teriyaki marinated meats and vegetables along with combination dinners.
They also have simple dishes like Fried Rice, Udon Noodles, and Bento Boxes if you want to sample a few different things.
Tokyo Japanese Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Pierre South Dakota, and you’ll quickly see why when you visit.
Jake’s Good Time Place Is A Family Friendly Bar And Restaurant In Pierre SD
Jake’s Good Time Place is a family-friendly sports bar in Pierre South Dakota.
They are best known for their wings, but they also have a variety of other menu items.
It’s a typical sports bar and restaurant, so you’ll find menu items like Burgers, Sandwiches, Jalapeno Poppers, and Beer Battered Pickle Spears.
They also of course have a full bar where you can order mixed drinks or other alcoholic beverages.
Jake’s is really popular during football season, thanks to the many TVs in the restaurant.
They host game nights which are very popular, so keep that in mind when you are planning to visit.
Branding Iron Bistro Is A Charming Cafe In Pierre
If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat for breakfast or lunch, then head to Branding Iron Bistro.
It’s one of the best Pierre restaurants that specializes in gourmet coffee, baked goods, and hearty quick bites.
Branding Iron Bistro is open daily for breakfast and lunch, but they have shorter hours on Sundays.
They have a full espresso bar, so there are tons of different coffee options on their menu.
You can choose from Lattes, Espresso Shots, Cappuccinos, and just a simple cup of freshly brewed coffee.
To go with your drink, they have Croissant Sandwiches, French Toast, Baked Oatmeal, Omelettes, and Breakfast Burritos.
For lunch, you can choose from dishes like Grilled Cheese, a Cuban Sandwich, the Roast Beef Philly, and a variety of salads.
Branding Iron Bistro is easily one of the best restaurants in Pierre for a quick, but delicious, breakfast or lunch.
Pizza Ranch Is A Chain Restaurant In South Dakota That’s Worth A Visit
Pizza Ranch is actually a chain restaurant, which I don’t typically feature on my restaurant lists.
However, it’s a really fun chain that is great if you’re traveling to South Dakota with kids.
That’s because Pizza Ranch is actually a pizza buffet, and many of the locations have an arcade for the kids to play in!
They are open daily for lunch and dinner, and you pay one flat rate per person.
Kids have a discounted rate and on Wednesday nights, they eat free.
So, it’s a great budget option where you’ll get tons of food and the kids will have fun too.
On the Pizza Ranch buffet, you’ll typically find classic pizzas like Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Meatlovers, and Supreme Pizza.
They even have a Fruit Dessert Pizza!
Drifters Bar And Grille Features A Fresh From Scratch Menu And Is One Of The Best Restaurants In Pierre
Perched on the shores of the Missouri River in Pierre SD, you’ll find Drifters Bar and Grille.
They have a beautiful outdoor patio where you can sit and enjoy the view along with their newer restaurant building.
Drifters Bar and Grill specialize in elevated American cuisine that is always made fresh from scratch.
Their signature menu item is their Walleye Tacos, but they have tons of other menu items too.
On their menu, you’ll find dishes like Smoked Salmon Dip, Stensland Cheese Curds, the Bacon Jam Burger, and Roam Dakota Beef.
They also take special care to perfectly curate their drink menu.
The drink menu often includes new local brews, signature cocktails, and wines that pair perfectly with their menu options.
Drifters aims to support the local community in many ways and does this by purchasing local produce whenever possible.
If you want to support the Pierre community while enjoying a delicious meal, then Drifters Bar and Grille is a great place to eat in Pierre SD.
Even though Pierre is the capital city of South Dakota, it’s still fairly small.
But that means that the restaurants in Pierre are almost all locally owned and operated.
This means that when you eat at one of these Pierre restaurants, you’re not only getting a good meal but also supporting local families.
With so many great places to eat in Pierre SD, it’s hard to pick just one! But, I hope you enjoy dining at any one of these Pierre restaurants.
15 Best Things To Do In Custer SD