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    Carver's Cafe

    3.2 (54 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

    Carver's Cafe Photos

    CARVER'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Touristy
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Carver's Cafe

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    Lauren N.

    It's a must! you need to try the ice cream here! Cookies n cream was actually invented in south dakota, so i had to get a scoop of it. i also had thomas jefferson's vanilla. it was great, i love how it had th specks of vanilla bean in there. i didn't like how you had to get two scoops, i felt wasteful. they should make a smaller size too. there wasn't a line and service was quick. it was seemingly clean in there an we ate outside with a nice view of mount rushmore.

    Interior
    Albert T.

    The only reason we came here to Carver's Cafe was to try Thomas Jefferson's original recipe vanilla ice cream. We actually originally visited Mt. Rushmore a couple of years ago, but the cafe was closed thanks to Covid. This time, we managed to make it when they were open. TJ's Vanilla, Single ($6.75) - I think they either have some issues with the ice cream freezer or perhaps this recipe just doesn't store very well. Even though this is probably the most popular flavor in the cafe, I found a ton of ice crystals throughout the ice cream, giving a distinctively non-creamy texture. In terms of taste, it's full of vanilla flavor with a good sweetness level. The ice cream is not stringy or stretchy at all, which is good. It's churned until decently dense. I wouldn't say it's super premium, but it has decently low overrun. Note: TJ's Vanilla is the only ice cream here that is unique. The rest of the ice cream is sourced from Sysco. Overall the ice cream is just okay. I'm not sure I would get it again, purely because of how much ice was in the ice cream. If not for that, I think it would be a good choice.

    The cheeseburger
    Elizabeth S.

    It's the fast food cafe inside Mt Rushmore monument park. Regular burgers and fried menu. Nothing extraordinary Yet the place was clean, service was fast. Overall it was good. I ordered cheeseburger and fries for lunch . Again this specifically critic with my experience.

    Huge portions. Get a scoop of vanilla and something else.
    Bob T.

    If you're here then you have to. You Stop in for the ice cream and stay for the view. You also get to change scenes from North By Northwest.

    View from Carver's Café patio

    Awesome scenery in an historic location. Needed a cup of coffee during our chilly October visit. Servers were husband and wife team from our hometown of Pasadena. Just had coffee, but absorbed the magnificent view from inside the café, very reminiscent of the classic scene in North by Northwest by Alfred Hitchcock. See the movie. Come here for the grandeur and a cup of coffee. Food looks pretty good too.

    Buffalo Bacon Cheeseburger and French fries
    Brandon S.

    The ambience is nice and professional, I expect no less from the park services. The service was meh, one person was training the other person, and they were the entire staff. The food is meh as well, it's basically cafeteria food. The french fries were slightly overcooked.

    mint chocolate chip
    Maggie D.

    Our cashier Liberty was awesome when my group came up for food and then a second time for ice cream. There are clear gluten free and vegetarian labels on each menu item. I got the veggie burger with the (surprisingly good) gluten free bun. The patty was southwest style but not too spicy and had many condiments to top it with. Inside was decorated cutely and was another great edition to the historical ambiance.

    the entrance to the restaurant
    Kevin M.

    There's not much around when visiting Mt. Rushmore. Good thing Carver's Cafe is there! I thought the restaurant was nice with a pretty decent selection of healthy and fatty foods. I had a cold ham sandwich. My brother had the buffalo burger with fries. We thought each of our selections were tasty. I also thought the prices were pretty reasonable. They've got a friendly staff willing to assist you.

    Ice cream from original recipe of Thomas Jefferson
    Keo N.

    Had the cone from America's first ice cream recipe. Simple, unadulterated and delicious; all from a patio with a great view! Great way to end the Rushmore experience!

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Ok food. Flatbread pizza was meh. Husband's cheeseburger n fries was nothing special. Definitely paying for the convenience.

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    11 years ago

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    Photo of Dennis S.
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    10 years ago

    Bison burger was very good. Much more lean then beef. A little pricey. $10 for a bison burger, but you do get a side of fries with that.

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Pretty sure we all got dysentery from the bison burgers. Don't eat the pasta salad, either.

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    Carver's Cafe - cafes - Updated August 2026

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