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As the largest city in the state of South Dakota, Sioux Falls boasts a cosmopolitan, comprehensive dining scene to match its cultural prowess and riveting natural history; the Falls themselves were created 14,000 years ago, following the last ice age. Continuing from our earlier investigation into the finest restaurants of Sioux Falls, we take another look at the 10 best restaurants and cafes in the area, featuring both familiar faces and exciting newcomers.

Sioux Falls
CH Patisserie’s Chocolate Dream

CH Patisserie

Patisserie, Pastry Shop, European, Pastries, Dessert

One of Coffea Roasteries signature coffees
Courtesy Coffea Roasterie
The European inspired delicacies at CH Patisserie are a sight to behold and a true credit to sugar mastermind and World Champion Pastry Chef Chris Hanmer. The ever-changing and evolving menu typically features melt-in-the-mouth macarons – both traditionally flavoured and showcasing innovative and popular experiments such as pumpkin spice and passion mango varieties. In addition to the delicate macarons, Hanmer creates an extensive petit gateau selection that features the turtle cheesecake – comprising caramel, peanut crunch and chocolate cream – and a chocolate éclair gateau with chocolate cream, dark pearls and praline cremeaux. With the simple yet chic, modern interior – with its neat white, rustic tables and a display counter promising innumerable delights – CH Patisserie is a slice of Europe fused with the contemporary vision of artisan America.

Falls Overlook Café

Cafe, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Tea , Coffee, Fast Food

Falls Overlook Café, Sioux Falls
Image courtesy of Falls Overlook Café
Nestled on the East Bank of the Big Sioux River in Falls Park, Falls Overlook Café is situated in a restored 1908 hydro-electric plant with an unrivalled view across the falls. Enjoy asparagus and pepper jack cheese baked inside puff pastry followed by the famous Falls Reuben: slow-cooked corned beef, sliced and piled on pumpernickel with fresh sauerkraut, swiss cheese and thousand Island dressing. The balcony seating area is particularly spectacular: summer provides the ideal opportunity to enjoy delicious food whilst soaking up the view and the sunshine, whilst if you can stand the chill, winter provides magical delight on the balcony with the twinkly lighting of the trees for the Christmas season.

Azteca

Restaurant, Mexican

The rigorously trained chefs at Azteca deliver mouth-watering, authentic cuisine that has become renowned for its excellent flavour and presentation. The Mexican menu features favourites such as nachos – everything from bean chili nachos to shrimp and chorizo nachos – quesadillas, burritos, fajitas and a speciality, Mexican cheese fondue. There are also a variety of succulent, highly seasoned meat dishes such as traditional pork carnitas with rice, beans, pico de gallo and salsa or chargrilled skirt steak served with slices of fresh green pepper, shrimp, chicken, onions, salsa and spicy jalapeños. Step inside the highly decorated, multi-coloured and quirky restaurant to enjoy a smorgasbord of dishes using the finest, freshest ingredients.

Carnaval Brazilian Grill

As South-Dakota’s only Brazilian-style steakhouse, Carnaval Brazilian Grill offers unrivalled dishes that pack a flavour punch, cooked to perfection over a smoky grill. Enjoy exceptional, grass-fed steaks or, for something a little lighter, opt for one of their hand-tossed, authentic, thin-crust pizzas or lavash flatbreads, loaded with flavours such as rotisserie pineapple, parmesan chicken, spicy pepperoni and jalapenos, or simply sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, olives and creamy mozzarella. On the third Thursday of the month, experience the Brazilian Grill’s wine dinners, when delicious cuisine is served and matched with beautiful wines.

Coffea Roasterie

Bar, Coffee Shop, American, Tea , Vegetarian

Falls Overlook Café exterior
Courtesy Falls Overlook Café
The motto of Coffea Roasterie is ‘coffee without compromise’ and they fulfil it perfectly. Sourcing the very best green coffee beans ethically from Ethiopia and Costa Rica, they then roast them in the café under the careful supervision of their rigorously trained baristas. Awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014, there is, in short, no better place for coffee in Sioux Falls: each cup is smooth, delicious and well-rounded. For something to complement this cup of liquid gold, choose a slice of bespoke cake – perhaps citrus cake with frothy, buttercream frosting or a decadent, flaky pastry. Pair the warm, bitter beans with a flavoured syrup to create the most indulgent of hot drinks – complete with a crumbly cookie to dunk on the side

Foleys Fish, Chop and Steakhouse

Foleys prides itself on exceptional customer service and reaching the pinnacle of hospitality. With its stylish, chic interior accented with dark wood and sensitive, low lighting, Foleys has become both locally and internationally renowned as a first-class dining venue. Choose from succulent bone-in ribeye steak, filet mignon, creole chicken with chipotle mashed potatoes or perhaps Asiago trout cooked to perfection. Pair this with a glass or bottle of the carefully selected wines before finishing with a light and fluffy New York Style cheesecake or Foleys decadent custard crepes.
Foleys Fish, Chop and Steakhouse, 2507 S Shirley Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, United States, +1 605-362-8125

Minervas

Since 1977, Minerva’s has provided the mid-West with sumptuous dining in stylish, plush surroundings. The Minerva’s at Sioux Falls is the flagship restaurant – a self-professed hallmark of the downtown experience, it comes complete with crisp white table cloths, mellow, dark wood fixtures and carefully chosen lighting. Enjoy a cranberry pecan salad with punchy gorgonzola and heaps of fresh spinach or perhaps opt for fresh Atlantic salmon, oven-broiled with honey, fresh ground pepper and béarnaise sauce, served with fresh asparagus and a nutritious, multi-grain blend. For a pre- or post-dinner tipple, head to the bar for a selection of fine wines or a handcrafted cocktail with the finest spirits.
Minervas, 301 S Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, United States, +1 605-334-0386

Parker’s Bistro

Bistro, American

The atmospheric and romantic ambience at Parker’s Bistro befits its elegant cuisine. Observe excellent presentation to match delicious culinary execution: enjoy bison carpaccio before progressing to house-made parpadelle with cajun meatballs or light tofu with cilantro lime rice. For the more inquisitive, order a selection of small plates, ranging from baked ravioli with roasted garlic and a balsamic reduction to pea and fava bean tortine. Each small plate comes equipped with a wine-pairing recommendation, helping you to get the very best dining experience. The building itself is steeped in history: built in 1901 and originally named the Ballard and Son monument building, the elevator that has been in operation for 110 years within this historic structure now proudly displays the glowing amber bottles of scotch and other fine spirits.

Shahi Palace

First-class Indian cuisine comes to Sioux Falls with Shahi Palace. Perched in the meadows against the River Plaza, Shahi Palace promises authentic flavours created using only the freshest ingredients. Fresh vegetables, succulent meats, flaky, fragrant fish and perfectly toasted naans are prepared in the traditional wood burning tandoor oven, showcasing authentic presentation and preparation methods. Begin with fish pakora, seasonal fish deep-fried in fresh chickpea batter, before progressing to the boti kebab, featuring tender slices of lamb rolled and marinated in a selection of special, hand selected herbs and spices, broiled over time in the tandoor. The warmly coloured and spacious interior is accented with golden light fixtures and pieces of exquisite Indian art, creating the perfect ambience in which to enjoy hearty Indian fare.

Wild Sage Grill

Wild Sage Grill offers the opportunity to enjoy fine food with a clear conscience: Nancy Gellerman, owner and chef of Wild Sage Grill strikes solid relationships with the producers who raise the buffalo and cows featured on the menu, all of which graze free-range in 19,000 acres, ensuring ethical handling from farm to table. Added to this, the seafood served at Wild Sage is, as the name suggests, wild-caught mainly from North America and is both sustainable to the environment and fresh, adding quality to the dining experience. Sample hot artichoke dip with parmesan, artichoke hearts and crackers before trying their signature buffalo burger or the wild Alaskan sockeye salmon melt on marbled rye, with roasted garlic aioli topped with field greens.
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