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Buffalo Dreamer, Hot Springs, SD

Buffalo Dreamer

4.6
4.6
465 Reviews
$50 and over
American
Top Tags:
Guest must be 18 +

Balancing flavor in food is always a journey and a work of art. To create food alchemy is to get in touch with the ingredients, feel the little creative nudges, follow your instincts, take risks, have courage and just allow.

At Buffalo Dreamer, Chef Rebecca Christensen is a relentless perfectionist, pursuing harmony in American cuisine as she brings together food flavors and recipes from absolutely everywhere.

Located at Moccasin Springs, an ancient mineral spring with newly renovated soaking pools, Buffalo Dreamer offers the transformative experience of food prepared with love and deep intention. Come dine with us and rest awhile. You just might feel the spirits of the majestic buffalo that once bathed, wallowed and fed in this historic and sacred site.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    American, Fusion / Eclectic, Farm-to-table
  • Hours of operation
    Fri–Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (605) 745-6100
  • Website
    http://buffalodreamer.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Rebecca Christensen
  • Private party facilities
    We would love to host your private event. Please visit BuffaloDreamer.com for your requests!
  • Location
    1829 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs, SD 57747
  • Neighborhood
    Rapid City
  • Cross street
    Minnekahta Ave
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 465 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • South Dakota

    Best Overall

  • South Dakota

    Best Food

  • South Dakota

    Best Service

  • South Dakota

    Best Ambiance

  • South Dakota

    Best Value

  • South Dakota

    Innovative

  • South Dakota

    Healthy

  • South Dakota

    Neighborhood gem

  • South Dakota

    Good for special occasions

  • South Dakota

    American

  • Rapid City

    Best Overall

  • Rapid City

    Best Food

  • Rapid City

    Best Service

  • Rapid City

    Best Ambiance

  • Rapid City

    Best Value

  • Rapid City

    Good for special occasions

  • Rapid City

    Most Booked

465 Reviews

  1. GregC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Overall a fabulous experience; The food was top notch. Wow. The wait time was longer than anticipated. We did order an appetizer that was great and came in a reasonable time. Then about 45 min to an hour before dinner, after finishing appetizers. Some table bread could have solved this issue. And a breath mint on the way out would have been nice. Definitely a good overall experience though. Would recommend to others. Sometimes a wait for good food is worth it though. I would rate at 4.5/5 honestly.

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  2. Rochelle

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Overall everything was really good! There was quite a bit of a wait for us to get our food (90 mins) which was hard since we were so tired and had a long drive home. But the food was fantastic.

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  3. RichardS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food here is amazing. Small restaurant with big tastes. So glad Hot Springs has a place like this.

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  4. Linart62

    South Dakota

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Beautifully balanced flavors and seasoning. Food is creative and artistically presented. We loved it and will ll return again.

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  5. Tree

    South Dakota

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We ❤️ the Buffalo Dreamer! We eat there a couple tomes per month & the food is always amazing. It is our favorite because most of the time it is gluten-free and local sourced. Chef Rebecca makes everything taste delicious.

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  6. NelidaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Very small space but absolutely glorious food and pristine service!

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    South Dakota

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We love Chef Rebecca’s food. One of our top places to dine in the Black Hills. Appreciate that everything is gluten free, and the dessert’s are phenomenal. Recommend starting with dessert 😊!

    Is this helpful?

  8. ShellyJ

    South Dakota

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is amazing and very unique. Quaint and pleasant atmosphere. It is a bit pricey, but worth it. Great for a special occasion. Love it!

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  9. OpenTable Diner

    Salt Lake City

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Absolutely fabulous food. Highly recommend eating here. Just be sure to come prepared to wait quite a while for your food and do be sure to order an appetizer since the wait for the main dish is quite long. But, the chef prepares everything exquisitely and the plating is so great that the wait is worth it.

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  10. ColbyL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Entire menu is amazing. Outstanding service and beautiful setting in the Southern Hills.

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  11. CarsonP

    Minneapolis

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    In my Opinion, the best restaurant in South Dakota. Always incredible food and incredible service from James.

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  12. AllegraP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best restaurants I've ever been too. Food is definitely worth the hour wait- this is a restaurant that you would find in NYC, but fortunately is here in the Black Hills!

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  13. Meghan

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    We came here for our anniversary dinner. The server was great and had nice suggestions. The food was absolutely incredible! The only complaint would be that is was pretty hot in the restaurant, but even though, it was still a beautiful experience! We will be back!

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  14. BachFan24

    South Dakota

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This is a beautiful little eating place with high quality food, well-prepared and tastefully plated. I really like the waiter I had. He's just friendly enough and very efficient.

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  15. LukeH

    South Dakota

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience1
    Food so-so, service negligent Our second visit and same experience. Food is “over-engineered”, to many ingredients and a mix of flavors so it all ends to be a undefinable, pricey mash. My wife’s Halibut was tasty by itself but the sauce that came with it made it almost inedible, it was so hot. More of a chemical spill then Alchemy. At the time of ordering we asked the server about the characteristics of the dish, the uninspired answer was: “ It comes with a sauce.” At both visits, we had to wait for one and a half hour for our food, although the place was half empty. How disregardful the Staff is proved itself after our visit. I left my credit card behind and called the place the next day. The message I left was not answered. Once I finally was able to get a hold of someone, I was reassured, that they would send me the card. An offer on my part to reimburse any expenses to do so was declined. The card was never returned to me, even after a second Call to check on it. What a way to operate a business, disgraceful.

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  16. SFEating

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a find!!! A spectacular meal with exquisite service. Our waiter was wonderful as he explained the different items on the menu in great detail and answered all of our question. The food was wonderful and cooked to perfection. Everything we had was absolutely delicious, including the wine. This is a true gem of a restaurant in Hot Springs, South Dakota. I would come here again just so I could eat here!!!

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  17. KathleenM

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience2
    We were looking forward to a nice meal and was surprised that our salads were really spicy. Jalapeño peppers were cut into small bits in the salad and the dressing was overpowered by vinegar. The main course was good but not worth the hefty price tag. We were seated at a table that was very cramped and once we sat down, one could not move for fear of hitting a chair abutted against each other.

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  18. ArtB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food. Beautifully prepared and crafted. This should be a “must stop” for anyone looking for a wonderful culinary experience when visiting Hot Springs South Dakota

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Des Moines

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic dinner as always ! It’s our favorite place in the hills

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was the best meal I have had from a restaurant in a few years. Everything tasted amazing, the service was great and the atmosphere was wonderful.

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  21. KaylaD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Buffalo Dreamer was recommended by multiple people and as visitors, we decided to try it. We made a reservation. We got there and were sat down promptly. While we were waiting for our food, they brought us a small salad, which was delicious! They were super accommodating to food allergies (e.g., dairy) and stated clearly on the menu that they can do vegan! Our food was delicious and great portions! The service was great! We’d highly recommend Buffalo Dreamer!

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  22. BlackHillsDiner

    South Dakota

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    As always, Chef Rebecca creates amazing food with amazing ingredients. There is no other restaurant in the area producing the kind of dishes she does - a wonderful and unique experience in the Black Hills.

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  23. RachelW

    Orlando

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The dinner was healthy, delicious and prepared perfectly, including a lovely presentation. The service was also spot on!

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  24. MarthaT

    Grand Rapids

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely fantastic food!! The flavors were amazing!! Took a little long to get the food but worth the wait.

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  25. Jamie

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 15, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Food is always amazing!! Couple things they could improve on… -The chairs are so not comfortable:/ especially when you are sitting for the time it takes eat at this restaurant. Which is the second area that needs improvement… -Length of meal…who doesn’t like a nice, relaxing dinner with friends and family?? But 3 hrs is a bit excessive. Not sure what they can do to resolve this as I know the food is prepared perfectly…more staff? Apart from those two things this is def one, of if not the best restaurant in the Black Hills area

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  26. Local47

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food is fresh and fantastic. Vegas & California worthy! Presentation, top notch! Love this place and the the staff is awesome 😊 If you’re disappointed, you can’t be pleased.

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  27. BriMar

    Greensboro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I took my family of six here for dinner and loved the dining experience we had! Our server, James, was very thorough, attentive and relaxed, and the food was fantastic. One of my favorite aspects about the experience was the deliberateness of the experience. What I mean by this is we were not rushed and able to have unhurried conversation. If you want to relax and enjoy a delicious and high quality meal with a significant other, friends or family, then Buffalo Dreamer is the place for you!

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  28. OFamily

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on July 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    James is a wonderful server and always gives us great recommendations!

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  29. AllanW

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 2, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    A small but beautifully executed menu. Wonderful presentations and superbly prepared from the app to the dessert. A small but distinguished wine list that covers all the bases on the menu, a good selection of artisanal beers, most local to the Hills. A definite "thumbs up". Having been disappointed at Geronimo in Santa Fe and The Witchery in Edinburgh, that means a LOT....

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  30. KellyB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was one of the best meals I’ve ever had. The food is so fresh, delicious, and local (our steak came from 10 miles down the road!). The presentation was also stunning.

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  31. ShaunaK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a fantastic meal and the service was excellent !!! We did have a rather long wait but we were told ahead of time so that was okay.

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  32. PaulH

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    I overheard the table next to us tell the waiter that it was the best salad they had ever eaten.

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  33. StephanieF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every bite was an experience! Fantastic. Plan to take your time, drink wine and enjoy. Thank you!

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  34. SuSax

    South Dakota

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 22, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Lovely intimate, clean and friendly restaurant with incredible views and ambience. Food quality mpresentation and preparation not up to same standards as last summer. Smaller portions of small plates and large plates. Steak of the Day, ordered med.rare was tough to chew. Still lovely wine list, friendly server, and beautiful surroundings. Would say there was less value for prices charged compared to last year.

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  35. BrandonC

    Salt Lake City

    36 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Cute place in Hot Springs...intimate, great views, amazing food. The service was top notch. The food is not quick to come out, but you are made aware of this from the beginning which makes it much easier to accept. The starters and beverages are a great idea here if you walk in the door hungry. My entree was well worth the wait!!! I did not expect such a great food find while on our trip in S. Dakota. Thanks for making the trip that much more enjoyable!!

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  36. TinaH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic experience! Loved the food and the service was outstanding. Our waiter was very attentive and kept our water full and the food was done to perfection.

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  37. Foodie1234

    Dallas

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience4
    Small restaurant with good ambience. Plan on spending at least two hours because the service is slow. The presentation of the dishes was less impressive.

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  38. LaVonE

    Columbus

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went for our anniversary & had a wonderful time. The food, the service, and the atmosphere was excellent. We really enjoyed ourselves. Highly recommended.

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  39. ErnieS

    Denver

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The buffalo dreamer is a magnificent specialty restaurant in a beautiful location. Chef Rebecca does an outstanding job of food preparation and presentation. Nothing else like it in the Black Hills.

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  40. MichaelS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best meals I've ever had. The burger at lunch was amazing. After having that, we altered our vacation plans to eat dinner there the next evening.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Buffalo Dreamer is rated 4.6 stars by 465 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Google Map for Buffalo Dreamer

1829 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs, SD 57747

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Minnekahta Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Rapid City
  • Hours of operation
    Fri–Sun 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    American, Fusion / Eclectic, Farm-to-table
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Rebecca Christensen
  • Additional
    Beer, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://buffalodreamer.com/
  • Phone number
    (605) 745-6100
  • Private party facilities
    We would love to host your private event. Please visit BuffaloDreamer.com for your requests!
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