Dining at national chains can be convenient. But sometimes it’s wonderful to savor a meal where you can actually taste the local character, and maybe even support some community gems. Fortunately, Sioux Falls has plenty of spots where you can do this. From historic downtown eateries to cozy neighborhood cafes where you can watch chefs craft seasonal specials, here are the best places to eat in South Dakota’s largest city.
Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza
$ | (605) 362-4664 | WEBSITE
Papa Murphy’s is a take ‘n’ bake pizza spot with friendly service every day of the week. For around $15 to $25 per pizza, you can choose from their signature pies or build your own with fresh toppings. There’s usually a steady stream of customers picking up orders, but you can also watch the action from a bench in the open kitchen area surrounded by colorful menu boards and family photos. Plus, they offer online ordering in case it’s going to end up being that kind of busy evening.
Crack’d Pot Restaurant & Bakery
$ | (605) 338-9713 | WEBSITE
As you drive through Sioux Falls, you might notice Crack’d Pot Restaurant & Bakery: A small business with a straightforward exterior and a simple sign. But the welcoming atmosphere inside is the real reason to stop here. Truth—Crack’d Pot is a clean, affordable spot with cozy booths and a soup and salad bar near the entrance. There are options like half-pound burgers, daily specials, and bakery items.
But regardless of what you order, the fast service and family-friendly vibe make it easy to enjoy a meal here any time of day.
Applebee’s Grill + Bar
$ | (605) 362-1926 | WEBSITE
This Sioux Falls location started as a neighborhood grill in the 1990s, but has evolved into a reliable casual dining spot with quick service, accommodating staff, and family-friendly meals. Applebee’s Grill + Bar has attentive servers, so whether you’re dining with children on the autism spectrum or just looking for a satisfying meal, you’ll receive everything with genuine care.
And despite being part of a national chain, the space has maintained its familiar-yet-comfortably-bright atmosphere that makes eating here feel like a dependable neighborhood experience.
Pho Thai
$ | (605) 274-1686 | WEBSITE
Despite its name, Pho Thai in downtown Sioux Falls is not exclusively about pho. Sure, you can absolutely come here for transcendent green curry that will make you wonder if you’ve ever truly tasted Thai food before. But this popular local spot also has everything from fresh spring rolls to a selection of sushi rolls.
And if you need a quick lunch before heading back to work, their lunch special offers a great deal on dishes like Tom yum soup with shrimp and other seafood or tasty yellow curry chicken. The friendly staff provide excellent service in a space with nice decor, though you might notice some music playing nearby. While the mango bubble tea can be somewhat bland, the generous portions and efficient service keep customers coming back.
Fernson Downtown
$ | (605) 789-2012 | WEBSITE
Fernson Downtown has become a staple on Phillips Avenue, and is still the best spot for craft coffee and beer in Sioux Falls. The cozy venue is open all day, and has a lovely patio and plenty of indoor seating. Plus brew pub fare like the Texas Smashburger and breakfast sandwiches. There’s a reasonable price point for everything, with most items hovering around $12 to $18.
The space is constantly full of people relaxing, from families enjoying the bright atmosphere to coffee enthusiasts savoring that homemade vanilla syrup.
SF 41st Fryn’ Pan Family Restaurant
$ | (605) 361-6230 | WEBSITE
SF 41st Fryn’ Pan is a welcoming family restaurant. Meals are reasonably priced, and range between $12-18, depending on the choice: a hearty Panhandlers Combo Burger, or a lighter Rosey Special. But when we just want to fill up, we head for the all-you-can-eat spaghetti special. Here, we don’t need to choose, and while we might skip the salad bar, the taste of fresh, delicious food makes our visit feel better.
Brioux Falls
$ | (605) 215-0636 | WEBSITE
Brioux Falls is a great downtown coffee shop with plenty of comfy seating, a nice window counter for people-watching, and over a dozen specialty drinks on the menu. It also doubles as a morning refuge that serves energizing beverages, gluten-free options, and something called a “blended mocha frappe.” Most drinks are reasonably priced (amazing blended mochas included) and served in their cozy interior, but there are occasionally seasonal specials at the main counter.
Check their hours for important information about availability—perhaps more importantly, their fresh fruit choices.
Teriyaki Madness
$ | (605) 271-1119 | WEBSITE
Stopping by here is a fantastic way to grab a quick, satisfying meal while also getting your teriyaki fix. Teriyaki Madness is a popular restaurant in Sioux Falls that offers a delightful dining experience. One visit, you might try the mouthwatering teriyaki salmon with noodles and vegetables, another visit you might go for the crowd-pleasing orange chicken, and on one occasion, we even split both dishes to share.
The menu is always full of flavorful options, and the generous portions and made-to-order meals are solid.
Chasers Food & Spirit
$ | (605) 335-9633 | WEBSITE
This no-frills, neighborhood bar used to be one of Sioux Falls’ favorite chill spots, complete with rock music and cold beers on tap. Fortunately, those are still in full swing (so you can enjoy them without any pretension), and this place still maintains the laid-back atmosphere, with a fantastic regular line-up of tasty appetizers.
Come here to sit at their well-maintained bar and sip on a cold draft beer, or to enjoy a Bacon Cheeseburger with crispy fries in a big booth while the friendly staff keeps the TVs tuned to the game.
Johnny Carino’s
$ | (605) 361-7222 | WEBSITE
Named for its family-friendly vibe and featuring deals like the Monday half-price platters or the popular Bowtie Festival pasta, this Sioux Falls Italian spot has plenty of welcoming nods for groups and kids. While you can definitely stop by for a quiet weeknight meal, Johnny Carino’s also accommodates large parties, birthday celebrations, and the occasional rowdy family gathering.
You can find the manager circulating attentively throughout the dining room, but grab a booth near the entrance if you want to avoid the over-stimulating noise levels that can overwhelm young children.
Pizza Cheeks
$ | (605) 271-0974 | WEBSITE
This Sioux Falls spot is the real-life incarnation of our pizza daydreams. Pizza Cheeks showcases true New York style thin crust that’s phenomenal and worth returning for. And just finding the place is one of the best parts—it’s tucked away on the other side of Philips Street with no clear signage, but once inside, you discover delicious NY style pizza that’s slightly salty yet leaves you craving more.
The small restaurant is roomy enough for families, plus it has an arcade with games for kids and those young at heart. The cool vibe includes friendly staff and owners who create a welcoming atmosphere, and you can order some excellent meatball sliders that are a gourmet experience of succulent, perfectly seasoned meatballs. Recent visitors enjoyed the sweet meat pizza with ‘Hot Honey’ sauce, which was recommended and found to be a tasty addition.
The highlight for us was the delightful service by Ceara, who made our dining experience memorable with her charm and impeccable attention. Desserts like the ‘Brownie Tiramisu’ are large and delicious, perfect for sharing after your pizza. Overall, Pizza Cheeks provides a top-tier pizza experience with homemade crust, homemade sauce, and high-quality ingredients that make everything stand out—except maybe the focaccia bread, which was a bit bland.
But with pizza this good and service this excellent, we’re already eager to return.
Tokyo | Japanese Cuisine
$ | (605) 274-1688 | WEBSITE
Tokyo | Japanese Cuisine in Sioux Falls offers the kind of Japanese dining experience you visit because you crave authentic flavors that will linger on your palate for days. With dimmed lights and soft music creating a comfortable atmosphere, this well-maintained spot serves talent across Japanese cuisine: ramen, sushi, sashimi, bento boxes, and beyond. It’s a welcoming venue with pleasant service, where the tempura is very good and the tuna melts in the mouth.
Tokyo is reasonably priced, which means there’s no “I can’t afford it” excuse when you’re craving high-quality Japanese food.
Bigs Bar
$ | (605) 275-2447 | WEBSITE
We love catching big-name acts at downtown venues. But when we want a lively spot where we can also play some pool, Bigs Bar is the perfect destination. Most of their entertainment features tribute bands like ’40oz to Freedom,’ but occasionally they’ll host well-known acts like LILIAC when they open up their patio area during warmer months.
It’s spacious, with a large stage and multiple pool tables, and the affordable prices make it ideal for a date night or anytime you want to feel the vibrations without earplugs while you grab a slice from a food truck and browse the merchandise. The fluorescent lighting near the stage could use an update, but the friendly staff and great sound quality keep the experience fun.
Pho Thai West
$ | (605) 274-1689 | WEBSITE
Pho Thai West in Sioux Falls is a favorite spot for many due to its fantastic food and excellent service. In addition to the hearty pho and satay chicken appetizer, they serve dishes like pad kra pao with fresh Thai basil, all made with high-quality ingredients. And if you’re in the mood for something special, the menu even has something called a “Happy Ending”—a complimentary dessert for first-time visitors.
The staff is incredibly friendly and approachable, with fair prices and generous portions that keep families coming back. The food was exceptional, with flavorful broth and tender beef that left me impressed and eager to return.
Chick-fil-A
$ | (605) 275-1010 | WEBSITE
This Sioux Falls favorite handles all sorts of lunch rushes.
It’s not uncommon for a typical afternoon to have a mix of drive-through regulars, families grabbing quick meals, and people who specialize in “on-the-go efficiency.” We’re mainly familiar with “on-the-go efficiency” like perfectly timed errand runs, but if you want to enjoy a consistently delicious chicken sandwich in a clean, well-lit restaurant while watching a friendly staff member coordinate orders with cheerful precision, check out Chick-fil-A.
Divine Taste of Africa Cuisine/catering
$$ | (605) 323-5144 | WEBSITE
If the warm, inviting atmosphere and the vibrant aromas wafting from the kitchen weren’t clear about what you’ll be tasting at Divine Taste of Africa, the menu says it all: “Delicious and Divine-Tasting African Cuisine.” Since opening, this welcoming spot has been a go-to for authentic West and East African dishes, from savory Potato Greens and Checked Rice with Gravy to flavorful Atchike and Alocco, plus Pepper Soup and Egusi with Pounded Yam.
Should you want to dive into something special, their Liberian food is a must-try for first-timers. And while most dishes here are hearty and satisfying, it’s worth bringing around $15–$25 per entrée to fully enjoy this excellent, delicious food—the clean environment and friendly service from Joy, Lou, and Vick make every visit feel like you’re part of the family.
Vinyl Taco
$ | (605) 271-2262 | WEBSITE
This Sioux Falls spot is built with what we like to call the “Taco Joint Starter Pack”: solid barbacoa tacos, a fun atmosphere, attentive staff, and a cool vinyl menu vibe (even though they charge for chips and salsa). But Vinyl Taco’s real charm is its social club. There’s a 21+ lounge open only on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you’re the friend everyone bothers for weekend plans, it’s a good place to gather and enjoy a Proud Mary pina colada.
Club David
$ | (605) 274-0700 | WEBSITE
A decade ago, this multi-level venue in Sioux Falls was a go-to spot for locals who weren’t going to let limited food options stop them from having a good time. Now, the atmosphere is legendary, but Club David has become one of the city’s most versatile nightlife destinations. It’s essentially just a converted building with multiple floors, but it’s a perfect space when you want to be as close as possible to the fun.
They often have a wide variety of entertainment—karaoke nights to pool tournaments—and a great outdoor deck if you want to enjoy some music on a patio.
Taichi Bubble Tea, Ramen and Poke Bowl – Sioux Falls
$ | (605) 271-2033 | WEBSITE
If you’ve been keeping up with Sioux Falls’ dining scene, chances are you’ll find yourself at Taichi Bubble Tea, Ramen and Poke Bowl. This relaxed spot is a popular destination for those seeking fresh, healthy options, so it’s an excellent resource on what’s currently satisfying. The restaurant offers meals that are made to order, so you’ll want to plan accordingly if you want to enjoy your poke bowl or sushi burrito without feeling rushed.