Last Update in April 2024! We’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores in South Dakota that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.
We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.
Photo from Oh My Cupcakes! in Sioux Falls
Dairy-Free South Dakota: Recommended Restaurants & Shops
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.
⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)
Aberdeen
- Natural Abundance Food Co-op – Everyone can shop at this local co-op. They’re purely a grocery spot, but have a gluten-free section and carry many special diet products for dairy-free and vegan customers.
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
Brandon
- Lee’s Cupcakery ⭐️ – This little cupcake shop specializes in dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free cupcakes, cookies, and cakes. They also do custom orders.
- King Bird Coffee – They offer four different types of milk alternatives and a whole array of syrups for coffee drinks. They also have Black Hill Bagels. At last check, they didn’t have dairy-free cream cheese alternative, but can still make a mean dairy-free bagel sandwich.
- Salsas Salsas – This mother daughter duo makes a whole range of salsas, their own chips, and tamales. This includes vegan and dairy-free tamales. They don’t have a storefront but offer order and pick up.
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
Brookings
- Agua Fresh – Their smoothie menu is vegan, and they offer dairy-free acai bowls and pitaya bowls. They also offer vegan tomato soup, a vegan wrap, and have a few more menu items that can be ordered dairy free.
- ‘Brosia Bowls – This is a local plant-based meal delivery service that serves entrees in, you guessed it, bowls. They have breakfast and lunch/dinner options.
- Chick-Fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
Chamberlain
- Upper Crust Pizza & Wings – They have dairy-free cheese available for pizzas and oven-baked sandwiches. They actually have two vegan sandwiches on the menu (including vegan meatball), and also offer herbivorous and omnivorous salads, that can be ordered dairy free.
Custer
- Horatio’s Homemade Ice Cream – This seasonal shop is open about six months of the year. They typically have at least one house-made, dairy-free, coconut milk ice cream flavor on hand.
- Wild Spruce Market – This local store offers specialty food with many dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. They also sell local grass-fed meats and game, and have a bar with wine, local beers, and kombucha on tap.
Fort Pierre
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
Keystone
- Grapes & Grinds – This coffeehouse and wine bar offers dairy-free milk beverages for coffee drinks, blends vegan fruit smoothies, and serves local bagels from Black Hills Bagel (in Rapid City) with local nut butter. They also scoop a couple sorbetto flavors, which are made in-house.
Mitchell
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
Parker
- Heart of the City Bakery – This is a gluten-free, peanut-free bakery that sell via farmers markets and through local stores, but they also take custom cake orders. They have dairy-free and vegan cupcake and cake options. some of their regular menu is also dairy-free, like vegan crisps and paleo desserts.
Pierre
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
Rapid City
- Alternative Fuel Coffeehouse – They offer a few milk alternatives for coffee drinks and granola, and offer other basic eats like bagels with peanut butter and salads
- Armadillos Ice Cream Shoppe – They haven’t branched out into ice cream yet, but do offer Italian ice in a couple flavors, fruit smoothies sans dairy, and some dairy-free slush options to help you cool off.
- Bengal Kitchen – This Indian food restaurant is happy to share their dairy-free options, including curries and biriyani.
- Black Hills Bagel – They are friendly toward food allergies and special diet guests, and have a good range of dairy-free menu options. Of course, most of their non-cheesy bagels are made without dairy, and they have hummus and honey-whipped peanut butter as spread options. They also offer a vegan sandwich, and can make several sandwiches and salads dairy-free. We’ve also heard rumor that they have vegan cookies for dessert!
- Blaze Pizza – See our Blaze Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Breadroot Natural Foods Co-op – They reportedly have a great inventory of dairy-free and vegan special diet foods.
- Dixon Coffee Co. – They have a great selection of dairy-free milk alternatives for coffee drinks, tea lattes, and smoothies. And they use Monin syrups, which are all dairy-free. Some dairy-free and vegan snacks are typically available.
- Everest Cuisine – This is a Nepalese and Indian restaurant with many dairy-free and vegan options that the staff is happy to help with. They also have a buffet.
- Fork Real Cafe – Give back by having lunch or getting meals-to-go at this community cafe. They have a pay-what-you-can model, and have some dairy-free options daily.
- Harriet & Oak – They have acai bowls with house-made vegan granola, offer a range of dairy-free coffee bar options, and have many made-to-order food choices, from oatmeal to salads to toasts and sandwiches.
- HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our Hu Hot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Juniper at Vertex – This is the Sky Bar at the Alex Johnson hotel. They typically have a couple dairy-free options on the menu, including dairy-free, gluten-free bread with olive oil dipping. And they can reportedly accommodate a few custom order options.
- Kathmandu Bistro – Vegan options are clearly labeled on their menu, and they have several additional dairy-free Indian dishes.
- Nerdy Nuts – This unique shop is only open on weekends, and sells their house-made nut butters in an array of flavors. Many of them do contain milk, but they typically have a few dairy-free options.
- Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Panchero’s Mexican Grill – See our Panchero’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
- Pita Pit – See our Pita Pit Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Staple & Spice Market – This natural food store offers a big bulk section and many dairy-free specialty products and alternatives.
- Tally Silver Spoon – They offer vegan cheese pasta (and a gluten-free option), and additional menu items can be easily ordered without dairy.
- The Gyro Hub – This Mediterranean restaurant has dairy-free options available, and is also happy to customize for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan customers.
- The Market – This is a well-loved store for local and organic foods. They also sell a wide range of dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan foods, and have a very well labeled online ordering system for special diets.
- The Silver Lining Creamery – In addition to a house sorbet, they have been known to scoop dairy-free oatmilk ice cream.
- Z’Mariks Noodle Cafe – They have allergen info available, and offer information on how to make some of the dishes vegan and/or gluten-free. Most of the bowls start out vegetarian, but they have added protein choices. Dairy-free options include some noodle bowls, rice bowls, and salad bowls.
Sioux Falls
- Agua Fresh – Their smoothie menu is vegan, and they offer dairy-free acai bowls and pitaya bowls. They also offer vegan tomato soup, a vegan wrap, and have a few more menu items that can be ordered dairy free.
- Baking Up a Storm – This small bakery can do dairy-free and gluten-free custom order cupcakes and cakes.
- Bee Loved Kitchen – This is a local, plant-based meal delivery service. Their menu includes healthy dairy-free foods with many raw options.
- Breadico – This is a local sourdough bread company uses traditional methods to bake about a dozen different types of dairy-free, sourdough loaves.
- Breadsmith – They do use dairy in many of their products, but you’ll find some milk-free surprises, like biscotti, apple cinnamon pecan bread, blueberry cornbread, and more. Many of their classic yeast breads are also made without milk.
- ‘Brosia Bowl ⭐️ – This is a vegan restaurant with a global menu of bowls, salads, wraps, and sweets.
- CherryBerry Frozen Yogurt Bar – The flavors rotate at this Midwestern chain, but at any given time, you can usually find at least a few dairy-free flavors. They offer creamy vegan Silk almondmilk frozen yogurt in Chocolate and Vanilla. And they swirl numerous dairy-free sorbets, including Chocolate Fudge and a variety of fruity flavors. The staff has ingredient information, and can open new topping bags if cross-contamination is a concern. They have two locations in Sioux Falls.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – See our Chipotle Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Coffea Roasterie – They offer soy, almond, and oat milk for coffee drinks, make their flavor syrups in house, and use a vegan chocolate sauce for their hot chocolate (order it with dairy-free milk!). At last check, they had gluten-free, vegan cinnamon rolls daily, and usually offer one or two other dairy-free treats. They have several locations around the city.
- Crisp & Green – You can enjoy their full menu of smoothies and acai bowls, and they offer a great allergen menu to help you custom order their savory bowls. They also cater to vegan and gluten-free guests, and even have some dairy-free grab ‘n go dessert treats.
- Daily Clean Food & Drink – This fresh and healthy organic restaurant offers an abundance of dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options. Breakfast is a nice menu of grain bowls, acai bowls, dairy-free smoothies, and toasts. Lunch and dinner include a big array of savory bowls (including build your own), entrees, and pizzas. They make special diet ordering easy with several dairy-free milk beverages (coconut-hemp, oat, almond, and more!), dairy-free cheese alternatives, grain-free noodles, gluten-free grains, gluten-free breads, and plant-based faux meats. Many menu items are naturally dairy-free, and most can be made without dairy.
- Firehouse Subs – See our Firehouse Subs Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Glory Garden – They offer delivery spots throughout the city and sell from various local companies. Their online store includes a full range of Wholly Balls plant-based protein bites, Breadico breads, and fresh foods from local farmers.
- Heart of the City Bakery – They don’t have a storefront, but you can order and pick-up one of their dairy-free options. They offer dairy-free carrot and vegan Dutch chocolate cakes and cupcakes. They also bake gluten-free, vegan fruit crisps using coconut oil and gluten-free oats.
- HuHot Mongolian Grill – See our Hu Hot Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Lam’s Vietnamese Restaurant – Their food is traditional Vietnamese, but they tend to be more special diet friendly than most. As expected, most of their menu is dairy-free, but they also have a separate vegan menu, many gluten-free options, and do their best labeling for top allergens. Plus, we hear their food is quite good!
- Nautical Bowls ⭐️ – This smoothie bowl shop has signature blends, but also has a build your own bowl option, where you even choose the base (acai, pitaya, mango, cacao, coconut, blue majik, or chia). All of their ingredients are reportedly gluten free, dairy free, and plant-based.
- Nature’s Way Juice Bar ⭐️ – They make juices and smoothies with pure fruits and vegetables, and blend dairy-free acai bowls with coconut or almond milk.
- Noodles & Company – See our Noodles & Company Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Oh My Cupcakes! – This local cupcakery offers vegan flavors daily. Their standards include Cloud 9, Razz My Berries, Vanilla-Almond Chocolate, and Vanilla-Almond Lemon in both regular and mini cupcake sizes. They all of have a vanilla-almond cupcake base, but different flavored icing. However, they also offer a chocolate vegan cupcake base.
- Panchero’s Mexican Grill – See our Panchero’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
- Parker’s Bistro – Their petite but refined menu includes vegan lasagne. They have a few other dishes that are, or can easily be ordered, dairy free.
- Parlour Ice Cream – Get a scoop or two of sorbet while while exploring the Kirby Science Discovery Center at the Washington Pavilion.
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
- Pita Pit – See our Pita Pit Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Polar Bites – They offer shaved ice and dairy-free Dole Whip soft serve. And they’ve added hot food, like paninis to their menu. Dairy-free cheese alternative is available.
- Pomegranate Market – They have a good selection of dairy alternatives, carry various natural food and special diet brands, and also sell great local foods.
- Power Plate Meals – This is a prepared meals service that has order pick-up, delivery, and in-store purchase options. Their menu changes bi-weekly, but they always have at least a few dairy-free options, and the ingredients and allergens of each meal are prominently disclosed.
- Salsas Salsas – This mother daughter duo makes a whole range of salsas, their own chips, and tamales. This includes vegan and dairy-free tamales. They don’t have a storefront but offer order and pick up.
- Sanaa’s Gourmet ⭐️ – Ordering lunch is easy at this Mediterranean restaurant. They label vegan items, and additional items that are just dairy-free. More than half of their menu is vegan, but omnivores can enjoy some chicken and beef, dairy-free and gluten-free options.
- Shahi India Grill ⭐️ – Their menus are thoughtfully labeled for dairy-free and gluten-free diners. For dairy-free guests, they have roti, several soups, and a handful of classically dairy-free entrees.
- Sinless Sweets ⭐️ – This is a gluten-free vegan bakery that makes all types of goodies. They have Butterfinger bars, cinnamon rolls, two-layer cakes, and much more.
- Sioux Falls Chef – This personal chef has a shop with pre-made meals. You can order only and pick up, or walk in and choose from their grab-and-go selection. They have a vegan menu of dishes, plus a couple of desserts (including dairy-free ice cream), and usually have a few additional dairy-free meals.
- Sioux Falls Food Co+op – This co-op has been around for nearly 50 years, but their inventory has evolved with the times. They still offer local and farm fresh foods, but also have many special diet products, including dairy-free ice creams, cheeses, and yogurts. They also have a hot bar with a daily vegan and gluten-free soup and entree; a grab-and-go kitchen with vegan wraps, soups, entrees, and baked goodies; freshly prepared, savory dairy-free bowls; a dairy-free smoothie bar; and a coffee bar with dairy-free options.
- Slim Chickens – They make dairy-free custom orders easy, and are trained to be friendly to allergen requests. Their grilled chicken tenders are made without dairy, and can be subbed on meals, wraps, or salads. They also have a good allergen menu, with a nice selection of dairy-free sauces and sides. Just use caution when ordering sandwiches. At last check, their brioche sandwich buns were dairy-free, but they are brushed with butter.
- Sweet Cheeks – They offer a range of dairy-free soft serve sorbets and Italian ice.
- The Silver Lining Creamery – In addition to a house sorbet, they have been known to scoop dairy-free oatmilk ice cream.
- Toppers Pizza – They have three signature vegan pizzas on their menu (two with plant-based chicken), and you can sub their dairy-free mozzarella to make most other pizzas dairy-free. They also offer vegan cheese sticks and have several dairy-free sauces.
Spearfish
- Good Earth Natural Foods – This nice stores packs a good supply of special diet foods, and has an organic café inside (Sunshine Cafe). They have a simple menu with several options that you can order dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan.
- Harriet & Oak – They have acai bowls with house-made vegan granola, offer a range of dairy-free coffee bar options, and have many made-to-order food choices, from oatmeal to salads to toasts and sandwiches.
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
Vermillion
- Chick-Fil-A – See our Chick-fil-A Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Silk Road Cafe – This is a popular spot for Asian food. They have an eclectic menu of Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese dishes. They have many naturally dairy-free options.
Watertown
- Firehouse Subs – See our Firehouse Subs Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
Watertown
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
White
- Bizzy Lizzy Bakery – This is a “flourless” bakery that uses oats for baking. They offer gluten-free and dairy-free muffins and dessert bars, along with some vegan options.
Yankton
- Papa Murphy’s – See our Papa Murphy’s Dairy-Free Menu Guide for details.
- Perkins Restaurant – At last check, the whipped margarine for spreading and oils they used for cooking were dairy free. They offer dairy-free build-your-own omelets, breakfast skillets, country fried steak (sans gravy), and other custom order breakfast. Later in the day, cheese-less burgers, grilled dinners, and other hearty meals are great dairy-free options.
Photo from Fork Real Cafe in Rapid City
Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout South Dakota
Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.
Photo from Daily Clean Food & Drink in Sioux Falls
Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in South Dakota
These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in South Dakota. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!
- Bizzy Lizzy – This flourless baker uses whole grain oats to craft a variety of treats. They offer several dairy-free goodies, like muffins and bars. Some items are also vegan and/or use certified gluten-free oats. They are located in White, but sell through stores and ship.
- Char’s Kitchen – Char makes jams, jellies, syrups, and salsas with fruit from their farm. You can find her condiments in many South Dakota stores.
Photo from Bee Loved Kitchen in Sioux Falls
This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations
We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.
Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!
This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.