Nice Italian place with more atmosphere than I expected. Friendly and helpful service. The food was really good, but not over the top. Will go back there mainly for the atmosphere. The pasta is cooked in chicken broth. If you are vegetarian request them to cook it in water; they will accommodate you. read more

Fresh herbs and veggies. Homemade pasta. I wanted to lick my dish! The service was equally divine. I am a vegetarian and the chef made me a special dish -- so amazing! I will be back! read more

La Minestra - Chicken cordon blue ravioli - Italian Near Me - Pierre, South Dakota

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Marks favorite is probably the best pasta dish I've ever had. The perfect texture and ingredients are just right. If your in the mood for a steak, you've gotta order 'The Royál' it's blue cheese with avocado on top of the most tender ribeye or strip you'll have in Pierre. Definitely a great place to hang out at the bar or take your date. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and best food on the river. read more

Best cake ever!!!! The food is really good and there is a nice selection, but the desert is my favorite......you can never have too much chocolate! read more

I been here twice in one week. It was a good place for lunch. I had pasta both times and it tasted good. Busy place with pick your own seating. Waitress I had was very positive and always refilled my drink. Recommend this place if you like pasta or Italian. read more

La Minestra - Shrimp with linguine - Italian Near Me - Pierre, South Dakota

The only reason they are getting 1 star is that the beet and goat cheese salad we had was delicious but that was the ONLY redeeming quality of our experience here. I would like to start with, I almost never leave reviews on yelp. You either have to be the most fantastic place/food/experience EVER or completely terrible. And I have a very low bar for what constitutes terrible service but this place takes the cake! First we walked in at 820pm (the posted hours say they close at 9pm). We asked upon walking in if they were still serving food. The server asked the kitchen staff and they said yes so we were seated. We had already looked up the menu online cause we knew we were coming in late. We had been driving since 8am. We sat and ordered our food within 5 minutes. And mind you, there was only 2 other people in the restaurant eating at this time. We ordered a full salad and a pasta dish to split between the two of us. I am a vegetarian. The pasta dish had prosciutto in it...I ordered it without the meat. The server (brunette woman with glasses...receipt says her name is Marlo) said "no problem". We had some very delicious bread and our salad came out promptly. At this point it's 835pm. Next our server brought out our pasta already split into two plates, which we didn't ask for but that's fine. As she set down the plates she said, "um I'm really sorry but I forgot to tell them no prosciutto." And then proceeded to shrug her shoulders and stare at me like it was no big deal and I got the very distinct impression she expected me to eat it. She told me it was shaved so I could pick it out. I politely told her I could not eat it. I don't eat meat. She stared at me and asked what I would like her to do. I actually told her, "I know you guys are closing up soon so just make me the easiest, fastest pasta. I'm not picky about sauce either as long as there is not meat on it." She was CLEARLY irritated and being a total rude ass at this point. She said "red or white sauce?" Once again I answered, "I don't care. Whatever is easiest for you guys." She walks away and returns moments later and informed me the kitchen is closed. Even though it is 840p and the posted hours are for 9pm. Keep that in mind if you want/need a late meal. They don't actually cook till the posted closing time. At this point, we are still very cordial, even if we are somewhat at a loss. The rude server told us she would bring us some complementary bread when we asked her to pack up the pasta (my friend does eat meat). She then takes the pasta in the back to box it up. She brings us our bill and she not only charged us for the pasta SHE ADMITS to screwing up on and has the nerve to charge us a split plate charge....on a meal I couldn't even eat! Then she doesn't bring us back the boxed up pasta. We have to ask the kitchen guy for it. And she doesn't bring us our "comp'd bread" that was promised. $30 for a salad essentially...and one of the rudest serving experiences I have ever had. We left cause I was starving and tired. Taco Johns for a bean burrito..at least they can get an order right. I hope the management or owners address her rude behavior and terrible service. To charge us for that pasta was absolutely ridiculous. read more

I found this place looking on yelp. Several great reviews. They were spot on. Outstanding Italian food !!!!! & the staff were genuinely friendly & very attentive. Highly recommend this place. Downtown, easy to find. Great restaurant. read more

Great authentic Italian options abound within a great atmosphere. Unique flavor offerings mixed with traditional greatness. Prompt, courteous staff that appears to really care about their guests. As an out of town visitor, I would happily return again down the road. read more

La Minestra - Tiramisu - Italian Near Me - Pierre, South Dakota

Owner of this place needs to throw in his apron. Group of us (16 hunters) went in on a Friday for a large Italian meal and good wine. La Minestra has been a Friday night staple of ours every time we come to Pierre - 7 years running. Well, after an unbelievable show of disrespect and downright horrible service to the customer by the owner, I think his name is Mark, our party headed next door for a wonderful steak dinner. Peeked my head in about an hour later and La Minestra was nearly empty by 8pm. We won't be going back. read more

Best place to eat in Pierre. Staff is always very friendly and the entire menu is delicious! This place is always a special treat when I'm in town. read more

La Minestre does not take gift cards for La Minestra anymore. Don't order this food it's cold and bad.

Creative menu and friendly staff. Never had a bad experience. Great service and reliable food. Pierre is getting a few nice spots like this. read more

Best restaurant in Pierre by far, and probably the best restaurant in all of South Dakota. My fiancee, an Italian from Philadelphia, had Mark's Favorite and couldn't stop talking about it for a few days. She even made it a point to call her grandfather in Philly to tell him about this place. A must-experience if you find yourself in Pierre. read more

I was on my way through Pierre looking for something that wasn't fast food for lunch and found this place on Yelp. I was thoroughly impressed with both the food and the friendliness of the staff-even though I came in fairly close to their lunch close. I will definitely be making my way back their on future trips through! I suggest you do the same read more

La Minestra - Lunch special was a ham panini (I think?) and chicken curry wild rice soup. Soooo good! - Italian Near Me - Pierre, South Dakota

I stopped in for lunch. The atmosphere is very cozy and the service was attentive and friendly. I ordered a pit ham sandwich with fries. The food got to me quickly and was delicious. I ordt the sandwich without cheese, so it was just thinly sliced ham and dried egg on rye, but it was excellent. I thought it was supposed to have mustard, but was served without any sauce. The fries were also great, with just the right amount of salt. I'm not usually big on sandwiches, but this one hot the spot. read more

La Minestra - a sandwich and french fries on a plate - Italian Near Me - Pierre, South Dakota

Best atmosphere in town, but can get a little pricey. The food quality is superb, and unlike other restaurants, it carries through at lunch and happy hour. Don't miss the happy hour wings! read more

Their lunch specials are amazing! Wish I could get their recipes, especially for their soups. I've never had bad food here.

Went here for a lunch date with my husband a few months ago. We got the an hour and a half before they closed for lunch and they were out of a lot of things, so we had a burger with sweet potato fries. It was delicious! The menu looks great but its quite pricey. It's not a place we frequent but it's a very cozy atmosphere for a date! read more

This is probably the best place to eat out in Pierre. I'm from out of town and was in town for work. I have tried alot of the most popular places and didn't really like any. I had take out (pizza) and it was impressive. While I was waiting for my food to be ready they also made sure my water was filled which is something I notice. Only b.c. I have waited before to have my water refilled and was really thirsty @ other places. I liked this place enough to come back a 2nd time, but it was being rented out for a private party. So we went next door instead. Mad marys isn't bad but I think I still would have preferred to eat here. It was kinda a going away dinner with my friends in town. Won't be back until next year. There food is really good, and they have good customer service. I was like OMG finally a place I'd eat out at in town. lately I had just been eating in cause I didn't really like any of the places in town that much. read more

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La Minestra is my savior when I'm in town visiting family, one of the few places in town with good food for someone that doesn't eat red meat. Would this be a 5 star in a different (more urban with more choices) context? Maybe not but it would be a solid choice most anywhere. read more

Great service and good food! Sat at the bar tonight and had quick and nice service. Cocktails were good and fairly priced. I loved my grilled salmon and my hubby had a sausage pasta dish! The place was pretty busy too which is a good sign and the service didn't get compromised! read more

We stopped in here for lunch on my move to North Dakota from Colorado. When the place next door was closed for lunch, we gave this place a try. What a delight! As a vegetarian fearful of the meat-centric cuisine of the Midwest, I had the yummiest grilled veggie sandwich. My partner had some of their homemade sausage and it was incredible. The rosemary fries and bread were to die for. The service was fast and friendly and they let me use their wi-fi until closing. I'll be coming through Pierre several times a year and I plan on making this place a must-stop. I'm only withholding the fifth star until I try their dinners.... read more

Pizza was burnt & overdone first bad meal I've had here. hope it was just one bad night.

Service was horrible, prices too high, and food mediocre. New Italian Restaurant in town am going to try. Too Bad.

Very good! I stopped in for dinner Aug 1/16, and was impressed. The decor is warm and comfy. They have Italian beer which was great. I ordered a small Caesar salad to start which was very good ( homemade dressing and garlic croutons ) They also provided fresh bread with Olive Oil and Balsamic vinegar for dipping. I ordered the pasta special of the day which was Lobster Pappardelle with mushrooms in a cream sauce. It was absolutely excellent, from the homemade pasta cooked perfectly to the amount of Lobster. Highly recommend ! read more

Absolutely the best restaurant in Pierre, and its not really that close. The reserve wine list is a little limited, but the selections they do haver are excellent and amazing prices. Caymus for $100 and Orin Swift for $60 are the lowest I have seen in any restaurant ever. Food is great. They like spice so be aware of that and ask for a little less if you are sensitive. Will be back for sure. read more

Everything here is fantastic! I would recommend to anyone who has never been here and encourage people who have been here to keep coming back. read more

My first night in Pierre (I am here for work) brought me to La Minestra. This place came to me from several recommendations. I had just enjoyed a weekend in North Beach (San Francisco's Little Italy) before coming to Pierre. The exquisite tastes of the City were still on my mind. But, this place is good. Sure, Its a far shot from the best Italian I have enjoyed - even as recently as the night before my dinner here... but a little wine and light pasta did the trick. Plus, La Minestra seems to be a local hot spot. read more

Was in town for work recently, and had dinner/drinks here. Bartender was very friendly and recommended some other good spots. I had the greek chick pasta dish. Food was good, although a little more expensive than most other restaurants in the area. Probably one of the best places to dine in Pierre. read more

Very nice spot for lunch. We had the mushroom barley soup (Craig H., they were serving soup) and flatbread sandwich, and the pit ham sammich and rosemary fries. My wife enjoyed the soup and flatbread sandwich. I found the pit ham sandwich, which included egg and cheese, to be a bit salty, but it's ham, eh? The Rosemary fries were better than expected. Coffee was quite good! Service was friendly and energetic. read more

fantastic, fresh pasta from a real italian family. An unexpected delight. I will be a regular here while business keeps me coming back to South Dakota. read more

This is easily the best restaurant in Pierre, nothing else really comes close. Atmosphere is great, especially if you sit at one of the high tops in the entry way. Mark's Favorite is unreal; get anything with homemade Italian sausage and homemade pasta. Pizzas are New York style, and are wonderful. Steaks are second to none. read more

Stopped in at the end of the lunch hour. Tuna melt with soup was the daily special. Thick, homemade Texas toast with o.k. tuna salad and cheese. But the crawfish gumbo was the nice surprise. Hearty portions of each, well seasoned gumbo. Will probably stop back for lunch when I'm in town! read more

One of the gems in Pierre. Amazing service and outstanding food. Pretty much always get the Lobster Rockefeller. Highly recommend La Minestra! read more

Not too many choices in Pierre SD, glad we picked this place! Nice atmosphere. Wait staff was extremely attentive! Food was very good. Portions are large. Pasta is homemade! You must try the pepperoni dip! read more

I have eaten here once and ordered a pizza once. There is a reason I haven't been back. The pizza was good, but that's about it. The food was nothing special (I ordered the shrimp scampi) and I was really dissapointed because the actual restaurant seemed like a nice place. Next time I want a nice Italian meal I will cook it myself. read more

Really enjoyed this place. We sat at the bar and got to visit with the owners a bit. Friendly, hardworking people. Great food. Chicken Parmesan was outstanding. read more

Amazing service. Delicious food, everything on the menu is scrumptious. A must-eat spot!

I side-tripped to Pierre to see the state capitol building and it just happened to be around lunchtime when I left. Looked on the GPS for nearby restaurants and picked the first non-chain that looked interesting -- La Minestra. This is a downtown restaurant and does not have its own parking lot. I found a parking spot about a block away and there were plenty of other parking spaces available. I ordered the pizza slice and Caesar salad. The slice must have been a quarter of a whole pizza. Because of the size of the portion, I couldn't eat it New York style (folding it over) and it was hard to cut with a fork, so I wound up tearing it in two and eating it that way. The crust had a nice chewy texture to it. The sauce and the cheese were excellent. read more

Stopped here for lunch on our way through town on a road trip from MI. Excellent food & service. I had the pit ham sandwich which includes shaved ham, cheese, a fried egg & Dijon mustard, with the rosemary fries. One of the best sandwiches I've ever had. My boyfriend had the chicken cordon bleu ravioli- nice chunks of grilled chicken & sliced ham in a heavenly white cheese sauce with the ravioli. I also had a Caesar salad- a little heavy on the dressing, but very tasty. Service was great- enjoyed watching the cooks in the open kitchen. Would definitely recommend! read more