Seafood cravings are like sudden rainstorms in South Dakota – they can strike without warning. Unlike unpredictable weather, you can prepare for them by knowing where to go. But when that oceanic urge hits in Sioux Falls, you can’t just settle for any fish fry. You need a place that serves impeccably fresh catches, understands proper preparation, and offers an atmosphere worthy of your appetite. Here are nine fin-tastic destinations that deliver.
La Plaza Fiesta
$$ | (605) 274-2101 | WEBSITE
This spot is tucked away in a strip mall on the west side of Sioux Falls, not far from the Empire Mall. And the bright, modern restaurant is perfect if you want to have a lively meal and soak up some cheerful atmosphere. The space feels a little like a contemporary cantina, or maybe the setting for a festive family gathering. The menu is pretty authentic (with dishes like shrimp chimichanga and fajita mix) but the food is excellent.
Plus afterward, you can go grab some dessert—the flan is highly recommended.
Chef Lance’s on Phillips
$$$$ | (605) 271-7800 | WEBSITE
OK, so Chef Lance’s on Phillips is one spot on this guide that does take reservations. But if you need to have a romantic dinner with a special someone who probably watches The Great British Bake Off on PBS, take them here. This cozy restaurant has been serving exceptional cuisine for years, and its location on Phillips Avenue also makes it convenient for people who live downtown (and food critics).
Red Lobster
$$ | (605) 361-6952 | WEBSITE
Sioux Falls doesn’t have the same frantic seafood scene as coastal cities, and there are not as many people celebrating anniversaries every night. But that doesn’t mean they don’t happen, and Red Lobster is a great option if you want someplace reliably comfortable in town. The food is classic American seafood, with dishes like the seafood boil with crab legs and linguini.
The spacious dining room has plenty of big comfortable booths, which everyone knows is the right place to enjoy a shrimp festival with family.
Big J’s Road House
$ | (605) 767-8000 | WEBSITE
You might be surprised to learn that Big J’s Road House – a popular local restaurant between Harrisburg and Sioux Falls – also serves the best ‘damn BBQ’ in the area. It’s in a roadhouse setting, and full of happy-looking people in casual wear. So it can feel a little like being at a community cookout, but the food is amazing, and the large patio seating area adds to the enjoyable dining experience.
Plan a weekend feast while eating the brisket sandwich with jalapeno bacon, or ribs with waffle fries and baked beans.
Johnny Carino’s
$ | (605) 361-7222 | WEBSITE
This Italian restaurant on the list of Sioux Falls’ best seafood spots is a little busier and noisier than most of the places mentioned here. But it’s a solid choice if your family outing includes kids who are also secretly pasta enthusiasts – the kind who after enjoying the Bowtie festival, head straight for half-price family platters on Mondays and then beg to come back next week.
Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen
$ | (605) 370-0711 | WEBSITE
This Sioux Falls spot has fantastic food and a well-rounded menu that will work for just about anyone. You can order anything from Alligator Po’Boy to Blackened Shrimp with Jambalaya to fried alligator bites, and count on all of it being impressive. And although Swamp Daddy’s is decorated with interesting artwork and located in a mini food court with other eateries, it’s actually a pretty low-key place to enjoy your Cajun meal.
Marlin’s | Family Restaurant
$ | (605) 368-2027 | WEBSITE
If you need a place more conducive to savoring down-home comfort instead of chasing trendy fusion, consider going to Marlin’s | Family Restaurant in Sioux Falls. This place pretty much feels like the restaurant incarnation of a family reunion. That also means the menu stays reliably classic, but there are some standouts, like bourbon glazed ribs, a hamburger steak meal, and French toast breakfast for dinner. And unlike your experimental cooking at home, whatever you get will be good.
Szechwan Chinese Restaurant
$ | (605) 336-9488 | WEBSITE
We really enjoy heading to this Chinese spot for any kind of meal where we want bold flavors, but still feel comfortable and familiar. Szechwan’s menu is extensive, but has some classics, like the sweet and sour chicken with its crispy coating, or the Szechwan pork with its decent spice kick.
And while there’s a good chance you’ll be able to call in and get your order ready, plan ahead if you don’t want to wait for your beef chop suey or sesame chicken, like regulars who know the best times to avoid the rush.
Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant Sioux Falls
$$ | (605) 271-1518 | WEBSITE
Plaza Azteca works well for a variety of situations – for instance, dinner with a family who probably loves authentic Mexican flavors. And the Sioux Falls location is a good choice for a sit-down, kind-of-festive meal. You’ll find options like chicken fajita bowls and Texas Fajitas, plus more substantial dishes like enchiladas with that amazing white salsa. And in case you’re feeling celebratory, you can stop by the guacamole station on your way in to watch the entertaining tableside preparation.