Rapid City first began seeing a rise in tourism as the “Gateway to the Black Hills.” It’s only 25 minutes from Mount Rushmore, so many would stay in town before heading out to explore the Hills. Over the years it has begun to really make an identify for itself. Family-friendly, great dining, and a strong arts and culture scene are only a few things that make it a great destination to visit. While the city and downtown region has its fair share of Starbucks, I must say I love the local coffee shops that call the city home. Here is a quick round-up of my Top 5 local coffee shops in Rapid City. In no particular order:
Essence of Coffee
908 Main Street
Owned by roasters from Australia, Essence of Coffee is a small, quiet shop on the edge of downtown Rapid City. I love going to Essence of Coffee when I’m wanting to catch up with a friend, or work on website and blogging. They offer a great breakfast and lunch menu. My recommendation? Order a flat white. I’ve never experience such a perfect pairing of espresso and milk…not to mention the beautiful latte art! Be sure to check out their selection of beans to take home to brew. It’s one of my favorite gifts to give when I want to share a taste of Rapid City.
Pure Bean
201 Main Street
Pure Bean got its start in Rapid City out of the garage of one of the owners. They air roast their beans to a level of absolutely perfection. Every cup I’ve had has been full of flavor with no acidic bite. Now, they have opened an amazing shop in the historic Fairmont Creamery Mall. I love the rustic details of pallet furniture and the natural light that floods through the giant windows.
There is plenty of seating, making it great to pull up a seat and write or read. I will say that it can be a bit loud during the busy times, making it less appealing for long visits with friends. I have yet to fall into a true regular order when I visit, but have gotten a Cardigan latte quite often. They also have some amazing homemade desserts – I get a scone nearly every visit!
Rumours
5509 Bendt Drive
Rumours opened on the south side of town, making it a great stop if you’re heading out to see Mount Rushmore or explore the Black Hills. Rumours has created a welcoming atmosphere that begs for you to sit and chat with a friend. They have vases of fresh flowers on every table, of which there are plenty. You will also find chess boards and conversation cards near the bar area. Rumours is a one-of-a-kind coffee shop in Rapid City, in that it boasts being Rapid City’s only Coffee and Wine bar. Yep, you can also get wine, craft beer and frequently listen to live music.
Alternative Fuel
512 Main Street
If you are in need of espresso while you’re exploring downtown Rapid City then stop in to Alternative Fuel at Main Street Square. The Square is a popular site that features fountains for kids to play in and plenty of local shopping. Alternative Fuel has a snack type food menu but also features amazing smoothies. Their coffee is pretty standard. One cool thing is that Alternative Fuel is owned by the same person as Silver Lining Creamery…which means their Affogato is going to have some amazing ice cream to pair with your espresso on a hot summer day.
Most of the time I end up at Alternative Fuel purely out of convenience, but it is great if you have kids playing in the fountains and you need a pick-me-up!
Dixon Coffee Company
915 Omaha Street
Dixon Coffee is located right off the interstate when you come into Rapid City, making it super convenient to drive thru. I used to pass them on my way to work, meaning I stopped quite regularly. The owner is one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met, and you can tell her heart is in her shop. Kayleigh only buys fair trade beans and they are always looking for ways to lower the impact on the environment. The vanilla, hazelnut and almond syrups are all homemade. They also boast of using only flavor that are free of preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. When you drive up to the window you’ll be greeted by homemade goodies as well.
I absolutely love how kind all of the baristas are. And my absolutely favorite thing? Their cups! It’s amazing what one word can spark in our thoughts. The only thing I don’t like about Dixon is that it’s only a drive-thru shop. I have a feeling that a sit-down Dixon would be an amazingly beautiful place!
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