Top 4 restaurants in South Dakota for business dining

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including restaurant and dining expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

Understanding South Dakota's restaurant landscape requires analyzing real spending data that reflects both local business activity and tourism impact. With 14.9 million visitors in 2024 contributing to the state's economy, business dining patterns reveal establishments that successfully serve both traveling executives and local corporate clients across this geographically diverse state.

Understanding South Dakota restaurant industry

South Dakota's restaurant and food service sector generates $2.6 billion in annual sales across 2,001 establishments, employing 48,900 people as the state's third-largest private employer. The industry serves a population of 899,194 residents while accommodating record tourism numbers. Culinary preferences reflect the state's agricultural heritage and immigrant influences, featuring signature dishes like chislic, bison specialties, and German-Russian kuchen. This unique market dynamic creates opportunities for establishments ranging from upscale steakhouses to innovative food halls that balance tourist expectations with local business dining needs.

Top 4 restaurants for business meals and client dining

Based on corporate spending data, South Dakota's business dining landscape reveals surprising diversity beyond traditional steakhouses. The top establishments—including Minervas Restaurant & Bar locations in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, Look's Marketplace, and Café 1325—demonstrate how successful venues combine professional atmospheres with regional culinary traditions. This data reflects business expense patterns, not individual consumer spending.

Minervas Restaurant & Bar (Sioux Falls)

Minervas has anchored downtown Sioux Falls since 1977 in a historic building that housed restaurants since 1917. This white-tablecloth establishment specializes in hand-cut, dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood flown in daily, served across multiple dining rooms with preserved architectural elements. The restaurant maintains sophisticated yet approachable service standards that attract both power lunches and client dinners, operating Monday through Saturday with dedicated lunch and dinner services.

Notable facts: Located at the corner of Phillips Avenue and 11th Street in a building that originally operated as Schockley's confectionery, Minervas features two levels of dining space with historic architectural details. The restaurant's extensive wine program and classic cocktail menu complement its American steakhouse traditions, while the kitchen's commitment to scratch preparation includes house-made desserts and dressings.

Signature dishes:

• Hand-cut, in-house aged steaks
• Fresh seafood selections (salmon, sea bass, scallops)
• Wild mushroom ravioli
• House salad with Maytag blue cheese
• Warm chocolate cake with raspberry sauce

Best for: Executive dinners requiring privacy and polish, particularly when hosting out-of-state clients who expect traditional steakhouse excellence. The downtown location provides convenient access for financial district meetings, while the multi-level layout accommodates both intimate negotiations and larger team celebrations.

Minervas Restaurant & Bar (Rapid City)

Minervas Rapid City operates inside the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, serving as the Black Hills region's premier business dining destination since the 1970s. This location emphasizes regional specialties like bison steaks and walleye alongside traditional steakhouse offerings, maintaining seven-day service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to accommodate the area's significant tourist and business traveler traffic.

Notable facts: Situated at 2111 N Lacrosse Street within the hotel complex, this Minervas features Western-inspired décor with leather booths and stone accents creating an elevated casual atmosphere. The restaurant's popular happy hour from 3-6pm daily draws local professionals, while weekend live entertainment adds energy without compromising the dining experience.

Signature dishes:

• Black Hills bison ribeye
• Pan-seared walleye with lemon caper butter
• Prime rib with horseradish cream
• Wild game meatloaf (venison and bison blend)
• Huckleberry cheesecake

Best for: Business travelers needing reliable dining options near Mount Rushmore tourism corridors, particularly for hosting clients interested in experiencing regional cuisine. The hotel location ensures consistent quality for multi-day meetings, while the full-service breakfast menu accommodates early morning strategy sessions.

Look's Marketplace

Look's Marketplace transformed from an 1883 German immigrant butcher shop into a 17,000-square-foot culinary destination that opened in 2019. This food hall concept combines a premium meat market with multiple artisanal vendors, five kitchens, three patios, and unique amenities like bocce courts and community gardens, creating an innovative business dining environment in Sioux Falls.

Notable facts: The marketplace maintains its 141-year heritage while embracing modern food hall dynamics, featuring a grassy communal area with bench seating and a small dog park. The venue's commitment to locally sourced ingredients extends through its various vendors, while the multiple kitchen setup allows groups to customize their dining experience from different culinary concepts under one roof.

Signature dishes:

• Artisanal butcher shop premium cuts
• Multi-vendor food hall diverse culinary options
• Specialty cheese selections
• Locally sourced produce and ingredients
• Seasonal patio dining experiences

Best for: Casual team lunches and after-work gatherings that benefit from variety and flexibility, particularly for accommodating diverse dietary preferences within larger groups. The outdoor spaces and recreational amenities make it ideal for extended working sessions or relationship-building events that blend business with relaxed socializing.

Avera McKennan DBA Avera Restaurant

Café 1325 at Avera McKennan Hospital reopened in October 2023 following a comprehensive renovation funded partially by an anonymous donor. This unique hospital cafeteria transcends institutional dining through its innovative Heritage Inspiration Station featuring weekly cultural themes suggested by diverse staff, alongside a dedicated sushi chef and classic American offerings.

Notable facts: Located at 1325 S Cliff Ave in Sioux Falls, Café 1325 serves hospital staff, patients, and the public in a modern environment designed for efficient traffic flow with multiple specialized stations. The culinary program's emphasis on dietary inclusivity includes allergy-friendly options and nutrition-conscious adaptations of traditional recipes, reflecting the healthcare setting while maintaining restaurant-quality standards.

Signature dishes:

• Weekly cultural specials (Lakota-inspired dishes, German cuisine)
• Freshly prepared sushi varieties
• Signature soups and chili
• Poke bowl salad specials
• Swedish Flying Jacob Casserole

Best for: Healthcare industry meetings and pharmaceutical sales presentations where proximity to medical facilities matters, plus budget-conscious team lunches that don't sacrifice quality or variety. The cafeteria's public accessibility and diverse menu options accommodate working breakfasts through afternoon meetings at institutional pricing.

Tips for business dining in South Dakota's restaurant scene

South Dakota's business dining culture reflects its agricultural roots and tourism economy, creating unique considerations for corporate entertaining. Make reservations at least 48 hours ahead during summer tourist season (May through September) when millions of visitors compete for prime dining slots near Mount Rushmore and Badlands attractions. Winter months offer more flexibility but require weather contingency plans, as blizzards can strand traveling colleagues unexpectedly.

Local dining customs favor hearty portions and straightforward preparations over elaborate presentations. When hosting out-of-state clients, consider ordering regional specialties like chislic or bison dishes as conversation starters that showcase local culture. Business lunches typically run 60-90 minutes, with dinner meetings extending to two hours—both shorter than coastal standards but aligned with Midwest efficiency expectations.

For maximum flexibility, establish accounts at both Minervas locations if you conduct business statewide, as their consistent quality and professional service translate across properties. Consider Look's Marketplace for casual Friday lunches or team celebrations where dietary restrictions vary widely. Hospital cafeterias like Café 1325 offer surprisingly sophisticated options for healthcare sector meetings while avoiding potential conflicts of interest that traditional restaurants might present.