Stumbled on to this gem of Custer nearly two years ago when moving from Michigan to Arizona. I wanted to see the Black Hills and do all the things so I included Custer on my itinerary. Absolutely loved Skogen! We are on a road trip back to Michigan with a weekend stop in Deadwood and decided to add a stop in Custer this time around as well and, gratefully and thankfully, we were able to secure a reservation. Again, Skogen was AMAZING! We sat in the outside patio area which was cozy and comfortable. Because I have acclimated to 115 degrees in Arizona summers, the 79 degree temperature was a bit chilly so I grabbed a super warm blanket that was supplied and they offered to turn on the heaters. I know it sounds ridiculous to most people who travel to South Dakota. Honestly, Arizona ruins you for everywhere hahahhah. Anyway, I thought it was super kind for them to make me comfortable! It was greatly appreciated! Service: Our server, Curtis, was fantastic! He catered to our every whim! He was personable and friendly and we had a very nice conversation. He helped me decide the best entree between two of my choices and it sure didn't disappoint! Excellent service! Food: The hubby and I shared the lobster steam buns were phenomenal. I mean, if you're reading this and you're going to Skogen, don't hesitate. Just order them. I wasn't a fan of Hollandaise prior to trying theirs, so I asked for it on the side. I literally could have licked the Hollandaise sauce. It was light, airy and absolutely scrumptious! The lobster was delicious and delicate and perfect! We both said we could have eaten the entire four buns by ourselves--and not shared! They were incredible! I had the halibut with asparagus and fingerling potatoes. It was absolutely delicious! The hubby had the duck confit. The white bean preparation with the smoked bacon was amazing but the duck---what magic have you created? It was tender with crispy skin and so moist! Dessert was shared and consisted of the chocolate cheesecake with pistachio ice cream. Unbelievable! So delicious! We had the honor of meeting the owner, Joseph, and shared a wonderful conversation with him. We loved his passion and enthusiasm for his craft, his love of people and we never felt like he was rushing to get back to doing what he needed to do. We truly felt like we were guests at his own home dinner table, sharing stories. It was really a lovely experience from start to finish. We just loved Skogen and look forward to coming back any and every time we manage to swing back into this wonderful town. We have really fallen in love with Custer! read more

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Love love love! Very small space so bring your patience. But the staff and food are wonderful and genuinely care that you enjoy your experience. Endive salad, lobster buns and filet are all SO GOOD! Hoping for this spot to be an annual staple on our Black Hills trip. read more

food and service were excellent. cramped, but very friendly environment. waiter was prompt and did a great job of balancing attentiveness with space. lobster appetizer a winner. bison tartare has a kick with good crunch on shell... worth trying but i wouldn't get it again. all 4 entrees were good. my protein ranking was duck, filet, halibut, then salmon a distant fourth... the duck had a nice crispy skin while maintaining moist flesh and wasn't gamey- winner. filet cooked well... i liked the sauce even though peppercorn isn't my favorite. halibut a good choice if you're looking for a milder flavor. all4 of us thought that the butter cake was vastly superior to the cheesecake. read more

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Excellent food, service and experience. Wagu filet was wonderful along with the white asparagus and peas. Butter cake was the best dessert ever! Nice beer and wine selection. Highly recommend. read more

This restaurant needs a differ scale. On a 1-10, it's an 11. From the minute you walk in the greeting is the friendliest fine dining atmosphere I have ever been to. The server was very helpful and knew her stuff. The dining room is cozy but works well with the vibe. Then the food. I haven't even gotten to the food... Best duck confit ever prepared. Soup and apps were insane. Dessert...we just could not stop eating. 100% worth the $$$. read more

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

An amazing dinner! Reservations, not only recommended, but required in order to get a seat at this most impressive table in front of this Jame Beard nominated kitchen. Street parking is readily available in the area, but you may have to hunt a peak hours. Our reservation was for not the dining room area but more of an enclosed porch that was added onto accommodate more people. We were pretty cozy although you do have to go outside and back into the restaurant to find restrooms, trust me, the food makes up for this! We enjoyed an à la cart experience and tried many wonderful dishes. The Parmesan soup was by far most outrageous experience for a soup that I've ever had. Entrées, one all better than the next, are all prepared to order with super fresh ingredients. The dessert, which was hard to believe that we had room, was amazing as well. Chef Raney checked on us several times and even shared one of his recipes! So totally unassuming for having been nominated not once, but twice, as a finalist for James Bread recognition. Chef Raney is a maestro. This is a must stop when in the Custer South Dakota area. read more

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Skogen was a happy surprise after our almost 7 mile hike to Black Elk's peak! We woke up early from camping in the badlands to do the Notch trail hike then drove to Custer State park to explore what they had to offer and get another hike in! We checked into our cabin and were ready to eat a good dinner. Our cabin had a list of places to try in Custer and I looked up Skogen curious because the name stood out to me and I saw that it had been a James Beard recognized we knew we had to check it out. We were almost discouraged because it said reservations are recommended but walk ins are welcome if available. Their earliest reservation availability was 8:00pm. My boyfriend suggested we just go, hiking attire and all, and see if they can seat us. We did, and we were seated on their patio pretty promptly! The patio area was cozy, they had heated lamps above us to cut the chill that would blow through every once in awhile. Our waiter was Eugene, he was friendly, had great recommendations on appetizers and entrees and managed to serve the tables in the patio pretty well considering there was a door and steps to get to it. My boyfriend and I went back and forth on what we wanted for our appetizers but finally decided on espressos to start, the beef tartar tacos and the bluefin sashimi. We finished each with satisfying smiles and were eager to try the Buffalo Short Rib. We both decided on the short rib because it's something we can't get in Omaha so we went for it. I especially loved the romesco sauce spread on the side of the plate along with the spinach, toasted pine nuts (huge lover of pine nuts!) and the dried cherries added a bit of sweetness to the hearty fall tasting meal. The pine nuts added a nice crunch while the shaved manchego cheese provided a nice milky nutty taste that balanced out the whole meal. Everything on our plate married well together and provided a harmonious wholesome meal. We were both equally impressed and satisfied. Being that this dinner was the only meal we ate "out" for we were happy we chose Skogen. The chef certainly knows what he's doing and deserves the recognition he's received. If you ever find yourself in Custer South Dakota, I highly recommend you check out Skogen! (just not during Sturgis Rally or January) read more

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Skogen is a small but amazing restaurant in the heart of Custer. There is an outdoor, heated patio in the back where we sat as we did not have a reservation. The menu is purposely limited as they perfect the dishes offered. There is something for everyone from appetizers to entrees to desserts. We started with the bone marrow and beef tartar which was a first for both of us. Incredible flavors in this dish! For our entrees we ordered the pork chop and halibut - both were beautifully presented and delicious. We finished the meal with the butter cake which is sweet and savory and understand why a mainstay on their menu. Finally, the service, Cindy is a gem. She walked us through the menu and offered recommendations of some of their most popular dishes. She is personable, knowledgeable and made every effort to ensure we had the best dining experience. Highly recommend but encourage reservations. read more

We enjoyed dinner here and we can't say enough great things about this place! The food was flavorful and we both loved both of our meals. We got a salad to share and I got the risotto as an entry! The risotto and salad were both amazing! We both ordered a glass of Merlot from Goldschmidt Vineyards in Sonoma County. Being from Sonoma County, we were excited to see a Sonoma County wine on the menu and it was amazing! The service was excellent! This is a cute restaurant tucked away in the downtown area! Highly recommend to all looking for an amazing dining experience while in Custer! read more

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Since my last post, I have been to dine at Skogen several more times when lucky enough to be in the Black Hills and it is always exceptional. The food is incredible, the wine selection is great, and the staff are happy and well-cared for by the owners, which carries over to how they treat their guests. Seriously, these are some of the nicest people in the business. And they've recently been recognized by the James Beard Foundation for the second time! This time around we got the lobster rolls and asparagus soup for appetizers and the Thai curry pork chop and duck confit for dinner -- all amazing, but the duck confit was especially fantastic. Just be sure to make a reservation (and be sure to check out their sister restaurant, Hjem A.M. for breakfast). read more

This place was small but super popular. We didn't make reservations and 5pm was a full house. We ended up sitting outside which was cozy as well. We liked all the dishes and the dessert too. Highly recommended. read more

The food was Outstanding! Very cozy and friendly atmosphere. Our server Tiegan was amazing This place was highly recommended by a local so we decided to try it out and we were totally impressed/satisfied!! read more

The food was amazing!! If I could give it 10 stars, I would! We had the pumpkin ravioli to start, followed by short rib and filet mignon. All was so delicious. Great service!! Do not pass up the butter cake, no matter what, get it! read more

Skogen Kitchen - Butter cake and chocolate cake- both so good but butter cake is unreal! - New American Near Me - Custer, South Dakota

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What a find A chefs table dining experience in the middle of Custer SD on the off season. A fine dining experience with a relaxed atmosphere. We had such an awesome experience from the service to the food, this is a can't miss. We ordered the lobster buns which were amazing! The goat cheese beet raviolis are to die for. For the main course the steak, sauce was awesome, and the salmon. Everything is an order again My only regret is not being able to order everything on the menu! Don't question and make a reservation! read more

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This is a very unique place to eat in our area!! The menu is limited but everything we ate was cooked to perfection and had great presentation. Things to know are it's expensive and you need to make reservations! The service is top notch, but the inside and outside are very deceiving! The outside would not draw you in for sure and the inside is very small and a little crowded feeling, with a long bench along the wall and little tables and chairs all along it! My husband had filet mignon and he said it was the best steak he's ever had. I had lobster linguini and even though it was on appetizer menu, it was a perfect size serving and delicious! With recommendation from our server, we had the fried chicken sammie's for our appetizer and she was right, they were perfection. We did not have dessert, but it looked delicious. I would say Skogen is perfect for that special evening out! read more

Wonderful ambiance, great service, haute cuisine! Impressed With everything...just wished we had room for desert! Might need a third $ but food was definitely worth every penny. read more

Fabulous restaurant! Food was so excellent it could be in any city. Quaint and very popular with locals as well as people like us traveling through Custer. Our server Travis gave us great service, he was attentive and answered all our questions. Can't wait to return! read more

This was the best meal I've had in a long time. Everything was cooked perfectly. The service was impeccable. If you enjoy fine dining, make a reservation. You won't be disappointed! read more

Something's never change. From the apps to entree to dessert... "perfectomundo". When in Custer treat yourself to 5 Star excellence. read more

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I didn't expect to see a fine dining restaurant in Custer SD. I was skeptical that Skogen was the real thing. It is truly fine by any standard. The building itself is a typical local place, probably an old bar. The vibe is energetic, but not too loud. Service was excellent, clearly benefiting from intensive training. The food, tomato salad, lobster buns, and the great butter cake, could not have been better. We shared a nice California Chardonnay, fairy priced. We were a little disappointed that martinis were not allowed, but we got over it. Great! read more

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This place has a great menu with some interesting choices. I also want to shout out the fantastic hostess who worked her magic to bump our reservation up early and our waitress, Destiny, who was so great. We got the carrot ginger soup which was very good. The endive salad was a great idea, but it was overdressed and pretty vinegar-forward for our tastes. My father got the halibut, which was excellent, but the absolute standout was the goat cheese and beet ravioli. It was beautiful to look at and every bite, from first to last was incredible! read more

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One word .... Exquisite ! Had a wonderful time at Skogen Kitchen. Everything you read about it in the reviews is spot on. Flavors were superb and portion sizes were very adequate. The restaurant itself seats about 30, has an open kitchen and a chef that remains right in the middle of the preparation and patrons. He supervises everything coming out of the kitchen, and he interacts table side. The menu had about 8 appetizers and 6 entrees. Appetizers were very creative. We chose the Lobster Rolls and Shishito Peppers. Lobster Rolls (3) were delicate rolls stuffed with perfectly prepared lobster and fresh bushed off with a light hollandaise sauce. Pepper dish was sautéed with veggies and walnuts over a light crema. Shishito peppers were plentiful and delicious. We could have easily made a meal from the appetizer listing. We chose the Sea Bass as the main course. Perfectly prepared with a light lemon sauce and accompanied with fingerling potatoes and a vegetable medley. The sauce was tremendous. We finished with a Carmel butter cake accompanied with popcorn ice cream. Crazy good. Highly recommend without any reservations. Superb rating on everything start to finish. Wish I lived in the area. read more

What a treat in Custer! The menu and flavors were fabulous! We went with all the recs from Brit, who provided excellent service. The Endive salad had flavor for days, the pumpkin ravioli was light and refreshing, the lobster baos...yummmmm, and the Bison short rib was cooked perfectly. Such a cute little cozy place. Thank you for a great experience! read more

Don't let this seemingly small, non-descript building deceive you. Inside is a culinary experience to tantalize your taste buds. Service was exceptional from recommending a delicious Grenache wine to pair with our sweet potato agnolotti topped with shelled lobster - Mmmmm. We started with carrot soup and a caprese salad that were both exceptional. And we ended the meal with the most delicious butter cake topped with Carmel popcorn and salted Carmel ice cream - WOW. My husband was seriously considering licking the plate but re-thought the plan for fear someone would take a video of him. Needless to say, we are coming back again before we leave the area to try other dishes on the menu. Chef Joseph greats customers and works as hard as his staff to provide an exceptional experience. read more

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This place ruined me for steak anywhere else for a long while after our visit. Everything we had was expertly prepared from the Ahi sashimi appetizer to our steaks and OH the butter cake! Service was exceptional and made for a truly special evening in the Black Hills. read more

So happy we found this spot!! Everything was excellent including the service. We were here from out of town, and this was the best meal of our trip. A small joint so make sure you have a reservation. read more

Tucked quietly into its mountain town setting, Skogen Kitchen makes a resounding case for destination dining. The evening begins with a staff whose attentiveness never slips into formality -- a rare balance of warmth and precision that frames the meal without overshadowing it. The tasting menu, offered with an intelligent wine pairing, reveals a kitchen unafraid of nuance. A starter of truffle-ponzu-glazed foie gras is both daring and delicate: the earthiness of the truffle and the sharp lift of citrus-laced ponzu coax unexpected brightness from the richness of the liver. Equally thoughtful is a dish of egg and pasta, deceptively simple but revealing layers of texture and depth that mark the chef's steady hand. The centerpiece, a venison cooked to a perfect medium rare, arrives tender and succulent, its flavor lifted rather than masked by a red-berry sauce that resists the common trap of excess sweetness. Each bite balances game, fruit, and acidity in a way that feels inevitable, as though the dish could exist no other way. Skogen Kitchen is more than a restaurant -- it is an argument for care, craft, and a clear culinary voice. It is rare to find a kitchen where every element, from service to seasoning, aligns toward a singular expression. Here, it does. read more

Made a reservation and came here after visiting the local sights. Super cute little restaurant that seems constantly busy. I reserved a seat in the side patio which was a nice little getaway from the crowd. I had already seen the menu so I knew exactly what I wanted so I just went for it and a treat yourself type of meal. Shishito peppers (5/5) - the goat cheese crema was a great sauce for the snap peas and shishito peppers, which were expertly blistered. The walnuts were a great bit of crunch. Tuna sashimi (4/5) - nice to get some seafood but this probably had a little too many components that took away from the fresh fish. Still good though! Good kick from the green chermoula and calabrian peppers. Blood orange for a bit of sweetness. Roasted Halibut (5/5) - I was surprised, it was pretty big filet! The yuzu butter sauce had bits of rhubarb giving it a citrusy/tart yet rich flavor. Fish was perfectly flaky and tender. Basque cheesecake (5/5) - amazing cheesecake! Super fluffy and not at all dense. Topped with salted caramel ice cream and a drizzle of olive oil. The olive oil was an interest component and did go great with everything! Spent about $130 with tax and tip, so not light on the wallet but definitely worth it for the satisfying food! Will be back shortly haha read more

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This is the best restaurant in the state if not the best in the region. Amazingly friendly staff and owners, excellent food, and a comfortable setting make this one of my favorite restaurants of all time. Highly recommend. read more

We arrived in Custer Friday night and noticed this restaurant had very high reviews on yelp and James Beard nominated. Somehow we got lucky to get a reservation for the same night. The restaurant was very small and packed as it was Labor Day weekend. Our hostess worked very quickly to get us seated and the server was not far behind. Everything on the menu looked so good It was hard to decide. We chose the duck confit and the Buffalo short ribs. Everything was moist and tender, perfectly cooked, made form scratch of course and the flavor combinations were outstanding. We only wish we could have gone back during our stay in the Black Hills. We will make sure we have a reservation next time we're in Custer. Advice: book at least one night at this restaurant while you are in the Custer area. You will not be disappointed. read more

Just ate at Skogen and believe it was the best meal I've had in a very long time - start to finish. I travel a lot and try to find the best restaurant in any location I'm going through and I would estimate Skogen tops any restaurant I've been to in years. I've had really good individual items at many a restaurant, but Skogen nailed every course - total perfection. In fact, the starters and deserts were simply incredible - full of flavor and texture and nuance. The endive salad blew me away, and the stuffed lobster puff was perfection. We had the buffalo short ribs and filet mignon and both were delicious. And then the deserts came. Wow. The butter cake...how do I get that in front of me daily? Loved it. And then another desert we had was amazing. Every course was spot on and I'd like to go back and do it all again. The wait staff and workers were very friendly and welcoming. And the pricing was very fair for how good everything was. And all this in the little town of Custer SD? Completely unexpected. I'd say one of the best restaurants in the country. read more

A true foodie experience sitting at the chefs table tonight. An incredible amount of kitchen activity to prepare one of the most tender filets I've ever had. Fantastic sorbet and campfire chocolate plus cappuccino to finish the evening. From soup to nuts / Skogen Kitchen is a special dining experience! read more

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Best meal we've had in ages! Couldn't go wrong with anything on the menu and our server was awesome and very attentive. read more

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So squeeze in between tables couldn't relax. Very rushes and staff pounced on us after every sip. Food was good but atmosphere was terrible for the outrageous prices. Don't waste your hard earned money on this dive. read more

Renata was our server and she was wonderful. She provided great suggestions and was very attentive. We had looked at the menu before hand and went with the shishito peppers and was delighted at the alternative cooking with a goat cheese sauce, zaatar spices and walnuts. Came together very nicely. My husband had the Black Sea bass. The sauce was a unique tangy smoky tomato based and paired very well with the fish that was nicely cooked. The buffalo spare ribs just melted off the bones. The sauce on the side had a nice nutty flavor but wasn't needed for the ribs that already has a sweet glaze. The spinach salad with dried cherries, pine nuts and manchego cheese was a delight. (Personal preference for light or no salt, so this was on the salty side for me. Still enjoyed a few bites). Overall the spare ribs were a highlight being able to fall off the bones and simply a delight on its own without the sides. Popcorn fan but not a butter cake fan... but WOW! if you like a dense moist cake with nice caramel flavors but still feels light after finishing a bite (or the whole slide), this is it! Kettle corn is a favorite snack but like top chef, this dessert +/- the popcorn on top...one popcorn got a little soft. It really did add an element of texture compared to dense full cake with light ice cream. I get it, the crunch factor from the popcorn was fun. And yet, perfect as well without. This restaurant is on our list of recommendations for sure if you want something new, flavorful, creative, and simply done well! Make reservations well ahead of time. It is a small quaint restaurant. We went mid week so noise level was not an issue. Great for smaller groups, date night, a get-away from the kids dinner. read more

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

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Omg it was so delicious we went there 2 days in a row! We think it's the best restaurant in the state of South Dakota. The menu is small farm to table fresh and seasonal! The staff and owner are so friendly and welcoming. Ambiance is great they have two adjoining rooms in addition to the main dining room. Reservations are definitely recommended! read more

Best restaurant is South Dakota hands down. Cozy and intimate interior and atmosphere with creative, gourmet food and great service. My wife and I had the bison short ribs main dish while my son had the Iberico pork chop special. Shared appetizer were the lobster buns. All outstanding with perfectly blended flavors. Desserts were to die for. Very, very highly recommended. read more

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