Amazing food! Had the chef's menu with a trout starter and pheasant main course. Took my time to savor every bite. We'll be back the next time we are in Custer. read more

Skogen Kitchen is our favorite restaurant ever! We come for every birthday from Nebraska. Skogen is the kind of place where no matter what you get, even if it's not something you'd typically order, it's amazing. We had the paquillo peppers and oysters on the half shell for appetizers, and wild mushroom risotto, halibut and the filet for entrees. Then a birthday sorbet, crème brûlée and the butter cake for dessert. Amazing as always! read more

Skogen Kitchen - Dimock Butter Cake - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

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This place was recommended to us by friends. I was a little worried when looking at the menu because it's definitely not our normal food, but it was fantastic! I don't think you could get bad food there. We had the filet and risotto the first night we went, both were amazing, and we would order again. The second night, my husband decided to go outside his comfort zone and ordered the duck, it was great. The lobster bao buns are a must. The desserts were also perfect. Service was great. Only complaint, the building is very small and cramped and you are sitting very close to other people. read more

If you have a trip planned to this area in the next few months, check right now, right this second for reservations at Skogen Kitchen. The restaurant is small, but Oh My God, worth trying to get into. We scheduled our visit for a Wednesday night about mid-way through our South Dakota tour. We were really looking forward to it. REALLY REALLY. We are foodies, from foodie towns, so the standard fare in South Dakota was really getting boring. We arrived for our reservation and were seated not too long after. We got the tartare app and it was scrumptious, the favors were so interesting and multilayered, we loved it. Perfect start. Our entrees were equally as spectacular. Every accompaniment was delightful. Every bite a delight. We ordered a few desserts too, they were also amazing. The notable one was the Melon sorbet. Get in to this restaurant and you will not regret it. read more

Amazing experience and food. I would travel hours to experience this restaurant again.

This place is amazing! Everything- the service was great and the food was amazing. Custer is a small town but this restaurant would rate highly in any city! read more

High end food, medium prices. Knowledgeable staff. They know the food and how it's prepped. Popular do reservations required. Small and has a great vibe. My favorite fine dining. Chef is a James Beard finalist. read more

Had a wonderful dinner here on a road trip through North and South Dakota and it was for sure the dining highlight of our trip! We started by sharing a very generously portioned arugula salad, loved both the entrees (rabbit leg and filet) and finished with both the choc tart and the butter cake and they were equally delicious! The wait and kitchen staff were all very welcoming and friendly as well! An overall excellent and surprising experience to discover in a small town like Custer! read more

The food was so unique and the presentation was amazing. Our waitress, Sidney, was extremely knowledgeable on the menu and the wine list. You will not be disappointed if you eat here. read more

This is by far the finest food in all of the Black Hills. Each plate is so thoughtfully prepared, and Chef Joseph has put together a beautiful selection of local ingredients. If you love watching a kitchen staff, ask for the chef's counter table! You will be able to watch every move and you will also see the very quiet yet brilliant guidance of Chef Joseph. Everything in the exceptionally clean kitchen ran like a well oiled machine and I did not see any plates coming back. I cannot express how unexpected this place is. It's tiny, and you absolutely need a reservation... But it will be a very memorable meal for you! read more

Skogen Kitchen - Soft egg raviolo- this appetizer has a lamb Bolognese sauce and is absolute perfection! - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

If you are searching for the perfect evening for the most memorable dinning experience ... you have found your Nirvana... Chef driven menu everything prepared to perfection... Enjoy! read more

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My boyfriend and I ate here in a recommendation from the owner of Hjem A.M., the Scandinavian breakfast spot in town. It was the best recommendation of our entire trip. The star of our meal were the lobster bao buns. Neither of us care much for lobster, we prefer the briny flavor of crab over the sweetness of lobster. However, we could have eaten the lobster bao buns by the dozen. The balance of flavors was perfect, with a little touch of miso, and the bun itself was pillowy and soft. We also ordered the soft egg raviolo (homey and comforting), the black sea bass (cooked to perfection, and the blistered cherry tomatoes were full of flavor), and the filet mignon with the meunière sauce which, honestly, I could have bathed in it was so delicious. For dessert, I had the chocolate panna cottage, which came with graham crackers and toasted marshmallow meringue. Not to sweet, and a great way to end the meal. The service here was wonderful as well. Our server Sydney was personable and engaging, but never in an overbearing way. She always seemed to swoop in right when we reached a lull in our meal or conversation, and chatting with her only enhanced our experience. I cannot recommend this place enough, and I truly hope I get to come back and experience this place again! read more

Sometimes the most pleasant surprises come in the most unexpected places. Take this restaurant for instance. The food, ambience and pacing were spectacular. The prices were fair for the incredible experience you receive when dining here. Our server Mark was also perfect too: very well-informed, timely, genuine and not pushy at all. Such a warm and inviting place in such beautiful natural surroundings... We're already dreaming of when we can come back. read more

I do not understand why anyone would give Skogen fewer than 5 stars. We made a reservation before we arrived in Custer because it had so many glowing reviews and it certainly lived up to the hype. No, this may not be a Michelin star restaurant, but it should be. I believe the chef moved to the Black Hills from San Francisco or some place like that. Wherever he came from, I am sure glad he ended up in Custer. We got mostly appetizers. The soup special was Gazpacho and it was some of the best gazpacho I have ever had outside of Spain. Another highlight was the Shishito Peppers, which were cooked perfectly and came garnished with walnuts. The Prosciutto plate was sizable with burrata and parmesan but I wish it had come with more bread. We also tried the sashimi, which was surprisingly good considering how far we were from the ocean. For dinner, we got two orders of the Rabbit Leg, which felt appropriate for the Black Hills. I have not eaten much rabbit but I imagine this is some of the best you will find. It was not gamey and practically fell off the bone. It came with delicious mashed potatoes and carrots. I would recommend getting at least one plate of this to share. For dessert, I tried the Caramel Butter Cake which came with popcorn ice cream and even had a few pieces of caramel corn on top! My ONLY complaint about the entire meal was that ice cream was too melted (although I suspect this is intentional - it almost served as a sauce for the cake). Please try this place, you will not regret doing so. Skogen gets five star all around, from the food, to the drink menu and coffee, to the wonderful wait staff. I may come back to Custer just to eat here again. Thank you all for doing such a wonderful job off the beaten path! read more

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It's true - the food here is quite good. During tourism season, a reservation is definitely required because the restaurant is small. It is well staffed and quite pricey. There is a surprisingly large wine list for such a small restaurant and surprisingly fee Gluten free options for such a high quality restaurant. Began with the arugula salad that included apple matchsticks, shaved parmesan and pistachios with a tart dressing. Simple, and tasty. The duck leg entrée came in a unique sauce that was spicy, a little sweet and with zing from mint. It was served with wild rice and carrots that tasted like citrus. The branzino came in an herb emulsion like a pesto, that was very flavorful and bit intense that hinted of North Africa, along with broccolini. The intense flavors rather ruined the pinot noir from Cristom we ordered. The service was friendly and helpful. read more

The food and service here were exceptional. I would have licked my plate if I could. I tried mushroom soup, duck, scallop. Everything had such a different flavor but the one thing they all had in common was how good they were. Service and atmosphere were great. I recommend sitting at the chefs counter. You get to see all the food being prepared and interact with the staff more. It's so good I'm visiting again! read more

Skogen Kitchen - Duck - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

Really fine dining in Custer! This is obviously a labor of love, and the wonderful food and service show it. Deviled eggs are a spicy highlight. We also enjoyed the Salad Lyonaisse and the scallop crudo. Short ribs were a home run, too. There's an excellent wine list. The outside patio offers quieter seating than the busy interior space. The servers and owner were extremely friendly. A real gem. read more

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The person that booked our reservation told is to come half hour early but the manager told us we would have to wait. She was rude to my wife when my wife asked why we now had to wait till 8:30pm. She gave us complimentary drinks but got in my wifes face and said that she is trying to please you, so you should accept it. read more

We had dinner reservations at Skogen. We were seated promptly. The service was great. We got the ravioli as an appetizer. I wish it had come with a spoon. Two of us got the filet. Wow. So good! I got the bison short ribs. They were also excellent. Dessert was a cheesecake. This really must be the best food in South Dakota! read more

Food was incredible and the service was top notch. Sam took great care of us throughout the entire meal. Good recommendations, not overbearing, and stayed around if we needed anything. 10/10! read more

Fascinating menu, truly a dining experience. Fabulous flavors in everything we had. Wonderful service, Destiny was great! I rate service staff on the timeliness of being there when you need stuff. Never were we sitting for more than a minute looking for our server if that. The staff works more as a team, if there was an empty plate or two on the table someone would stop and ask if they could take them. Let me start at the top on the food. Shishito peppers were an extremely pleasant very slight variation from the norm. They were cooked with walnuts, snap peas and unique seasoning with a very pleasant goat cheese crème. Lobster steam buns left me wanting to order a second round. This is a must have! We had Seabass, Shortribs and Cavatelli which were all very flavorful with wonderfully original flavors. Just make sure to wrap your evening with the butter cake! If you're not too full get one per person. One thing to know the decor and ambience don't align with the food experience. This isn't so much of a problem because the food was so good you don't notice it. When i first walked in I thought this isn't what i was expecting based on what i had been told about the restaurant. The indoor area where we sat was smaller than expected and it was very brightly lit. Once the food starts arriving that all fades away. It is exceptionally clean and it was easy to have a conversation. If you are interested in dining here make your reservations a couple weeks ahead of schedule. It is very popular and for good reason. Their prices are mid range for high quality food experiences. Expect to pay $80-$100 per person but it's worth every penny! read more

Wow! Wow!! I didn't expect this on our Western US road trip. This is a true hidden gem. Very friendly staff. Nicely priced wines. The entrees were spectacular. Enjoyed the bison short ribs, but the filet was one of the best accompanied by the green peppercorn sauce. As good as any big city steakhouse filet. Bravo Skogen! read more

I found this place on yelp with good reviews. I decided to try it. It seems like reservations are highly recommended because I was asked for one, but I didn't have one. Since I was by myself, I was able to get in and they seated me at the 2-person "bar", which was fine. I was able to talk to, the cooks, which was pretty cool. The food was more expensive than I normally pay for, but it was very, very tasty. The butter cake was uniquely delicious. read more

Skogen Kitchen - Chilean sea bass - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

If I could give Skogen Kitchen more than 5 stars I happily would. From beginning to end our dinner was a wonderfully flavorful experience. Starters were the gazpacho soup and Lobster steam buns. Dinners were Roasted Halibut and Buffalo Short Ribs. Desserts were Basque cheesecake and Chocolate Tart. And I wouldn't change a single thing about any of it. All of the flavors were fresh, well-balanced, inventive and absolutely delicious. I, perhaps embarrassingly so, made 'yummy noises' all the while I was eating. We're traveling thru Custer but sure hope we can get back here someday and SOON! read more

Amazing evening at Skogen Kitchen! Food was amazing, we started with the egg ravioli....can I just say divine, we next tried the lobster Buns topped with hollandaise.....the best I have ever had and we are huge foodies....we then tried the special appetizer of linguini with chanterelle mushrooms...delight. For our dinner we shared the Buffalo short ribs with blood orange reduction, salted spinach woth cherries....so tender and the meody of flavors was just incredible. read more

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My family and I came to the black hills to spend time with friends and other family that have moved to Custer recently. For dinner one evening we made reservations at Skogen Kitchen. As we were seated the server told us about the specials and promptly took our drink order. They had wine and beer on the menu that I haven't seen in restaurants before. (I'm from California). The wine selection alone was worth the trip. We ordered appetizers and immediately understood what we were about to get ourselves into. Our entrees were delivered by the chef himself! The salted caramel pudding topped off the evening or so I thought before they delivered a specialized coffee with my picture on top of it. (They have a machine that can print any picture on the coffee) I recommend Skogen kitchen to any diner as there is something for everyone. It was a fine dining experience in a place I least expected. Bravo everyone! read more

Skogen Kitchen - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

This is a must..absolutely must place to eat when in South Dakota. It is very obvious that the chef loves what he does..the flavors in every dish stand out and are amazing. The Pork Chop is the best I have ever had. (From Spain). Don't forget to try the ravioli and the shishito peppers as a starter.. read more

Skogen Kitchen - This is their pork chop-the best I have ever had. (I know it is partially eaten.) - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

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This is the best meal I've eaten in my life! From my quiet seat in the window, I had a front row view of the chefs preparing all of the dishes for the entire restaurant. Their craftsmanship and ease in the kitchen was impressive. The waitstaff was kind, helpful, and provided great recommendations. They were thorough in their knowledge of each dish, including the specials. I ordered 2 apps and both of the desserts for my meal, along with a glass of wine, and this was the perfect amount of food. I feel fortunate to have been able to get a seat without a reservation in this clearly popular location! read more

This small town restaurant has a big city menu with stellar execution. It was a charming and amazing experience we never expected to find in Custer SD. The restaurant is modern and cozy. Our server was fantastic and educated with the menu. We enjoyed 3 courses and each item we ate was delicious, cooked to perfection. Don't sleep on the butter cake. We couldn't have had a better time at Skogen. Highly recommend if you're in the area. read more

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I would give six stars if I could. Amazing menu and dinner! The owners are delightful. The staff terrific. But the food steals the show. We had a party of four - fish, steak and scallops. All amazing. The beef tar tar and lobster buns appetizers are to die for. The dessert amazing. Small place so get a reservation. You will not be disappointed. The owners sister runs Hjem AM and also amazing! Have breakfast there! read more

We always find one splurge meal on our trips and this was it! Skogen Kitchen finds a way to fit into laid-back Custer while bringing serious culinary chops. We lucked into sitting at the Chef's Table for a great view of the kitchen. We asked the server to decide our meal for us and were delighted with oysters in the *best* mignonette sauce, tuna tostada, and an unbelievable asparagus salad with burata and prosciutto. Mains were incredible braised rabbit and carrots and a lovely salmon with yuzu cream, corn, mushrooms, sea beans and pickled onions. Thankfully, we had room for dessert... butter cake with kettle corn and the silkiest creme brulee. Great wine list so we were able to pair with every morsel. Amazing service. Perfect night. read more

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What a delightful find. Menu and food reflected the passion Chef Jason has for his craft. Eliza graciously offered a seat in the covered outdoor dining area (with heaters and provided blankets) when we learned they were booked all night with reservations. (Since we had just pulled into Custer, we were unaware.) It was raining, but we were comfortable under the awning. (To be clear, I would have sat cross-cross applesauce IN the rain for this food.) We can't say enough about the creativity, presentation, and wonderful and unique flavors of EVERY dish we tried. My husband, also a chef, was impressed and delighted to find this gem of a restaurant. Despite showing up without reservations, we were treated like old friends. The service was great (despite the fact that our server had to walk in the rain between the restaurant and out to the patio). I wouldn't put it past us to make the 8 hour drive just to dine there again. We enjoyed: Shishito peppers and lobster buns for appetizers, veal cheek and salmon (foie gras added) for entrees, and a s'mores-inspired chocolate dessert with graham cracker and smoke infused whipped cream and butter cake with popcorn infused once cream for dessert. We did not leave hungry! read more

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Wonderful experience every time we go to Skogen. We love getting to try the new seasonal menus, and this year I attended the New Years Eve seating at 9pm which was such a fun night. Eliza and her staff do a great job of welcoming and attending you in the restaurant. Chef Joseph creates delicious and masterful food. Just can't say enough good things about this restaurant and the owners + staff. We are very lucky to have them in the Black Hills! We will be going tonight for Custer's restaurant week and are very excited for another wonderful meal! read more

Skogen Kitchen - NYE dinner - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

This is one of the best restaurants in the Black Hills. It's a great place if you want a charming atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and delicious food. Save room for dessert! read more

Skogen Kitchen - Kimchi Brussel Sprouts - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

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Very limited menu. Way overpriced. Didn't know this until speaking to someone at the restaurant shortly before dinner time

My wife and I tried this restaurant on our recent visit to Custer. It was recommended by... wait for it... almost everyone we ran into. Let me do my own review now. Cons first... little pricey (to be expected)... that's it. Pros are many. Loved everything we had. We started with Asparagus soup, Shishito peppers and chicken buns. For main entrees we had Halibut and Roasted Beef Cheeks. Every dish was absolutely amazing. Wait staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Great experience overall. A must visit if you are in Custer. For sure... make a reservation online. Very small place. Walk in's have little chance of getting a table. read more

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This place is amazing. I follow notable chefs when traveling and am not a professional critic, but I look for great finds, accolades help me find them. This place was highly rated by my fellow Yelpers, but this is James Beard quality cheffing. The food was absolutely amazing. I Even looked up how to nominate them for James Beard for the chef category. OMG...amazing! read more

From soup to desert, the meal was amazing. Good Flavors, takeout on time, and we believe we've found the best restaurant in the areal I highly recommend Skogen, and I wish you bon Appetit! read more

Absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Not to underplay the chefs "sauce game"....it's totally on point .....but his ingredient selection and combinations with any protein are of the highest quality (we had the duck breast, beef cheek, and halibut.....all fantastic!) read more

Skogen Kitchen - Beef cheeks - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

I was leaving my vacation at Yellowstone and stumbled on the restaurant. OMG, I am so happy to dine where the executive chef table side shaves white/ brown truffles on any dish. This cozy restaurant was comfortable but upscale. Everything was in small portion but fulling. Each plate was plated with such a delicate touch. It was such a romantic date. read more

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