Sioux Falls, South Dakota has no shortage of places to grab a bite, but every so often, a restaurant comes along that doesn’t just feed you — it transports you.
ROAM Kitchen + Bar is exactly that kind of place — a rustic, wood-fired, frontier-inspired dining experience that has become one of the most talked-about restaurants in the city since opening its doors in April 2019.
With its roots planted deep in the spirit of the American frontier, ROAM brings together smoked meats 🍖, craft cocktails 🍹, and a warm communal atmosphere that makes every guest feel like they’ve stumbled upon something truly special. 🔥
How Roam Kitchen + Bar won Sioux Falls’ hearts
When ROAM Kitchen + Bar first opened inside the Empire Mall area of southwest Sioux Falls, skeptics raised an eyebrow or two — after all, the location had seen more than one restaurant struggle before.
But ROAM didn’t just survive — it thrived, and the secret weapon was hiding in plain sight: a wood-fired rotisserie spinning slowly in the open kitchen, filling the entire space with the irresistible aroma of campfire smoke. 🔥
That sensory hook was intentional. Co-owners John Sheehan and Lynn Reimer — who between them boast 38 years in the restaurant business — designed every inch of ROAM to tell a story, one rooted in the idea that campfires bring people together.
From the murals painted by a Minneapolis artist (one featuring buffalo, one depicting frontier settlers riding toward a campfire), to the reclaimed wood lining the walls and metalwork crafted by a Midwest blacksmith, every detail was chosen to create a sense of belonging and nostalgia. ✨
The restaurant features several distinct dining rooms, including the fan-favorite Rickhouse, a space designed after the whiskey aging warehouses the owners have personally visited, complete with stacked barrels overhead.
Add “firefly lights” strung throughout the space — a nod to catching fireflies on a summer evening — and you have an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and completely alive. 🌟
That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident — it’s earned one smoked dish, one perfectly poured bourbon 🥃, and one unforgettable Sioux Falls dining experience at a time.
Food Highlights
- Fire Sampler: Can’t decide what to order from the fire? This shareable showstopper is a curated assortment of ROAM’s most popular “From the Fire” selections, paired with your choice of three sides. 🔥
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Beef Brisket: Marinated and slow-smoked to deep, tender perfection, served alongside a savory barbecue sauce. 🥩
- Bourbon Glazed Salmon: Pan-roasted with a bourbon glaze and served with wild rice pilaf, spinach, and lemon butter sauce. 🐟
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Rotisserie Chicken: The crown jewel of the menu — dry-rubbed and slow-roasted on the wood-fired rotisserie, this bird delivers crackling, salty skin and juicy, smoke-kissed meat. 🍗
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Smoked Grape Salad: Topped with applewood-smoked bacon, rotisserie chicken, candied almonds, and goat cheese dressing. 🍇
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Pork Shoulder: Slowly roasted and smoked until fall-apart tender, served over Texas toast with ROAM’s house golden barbecue sauce.
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Baby Back Ribs: Slow-cooked and smoky, these ribs are a staple on the menu that locals rave about, with one diner describing them as “fall off the bone.”
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Roam Chicken Corn Chowder: Filled with chicken, corn, bacon, and potatoes, this hearty chowder is warming, filling, and deeply satisfying. ☕
Atmosphere
ROAM Kitchen + Bar wraps you in frontier warmth the moment you walk through the door. The perpetual campfire glow from the open rotisserie, the reclaimed wood walls and firefly lights overhead create a vibe that feels rustic yet refined — effortlessly relaxed but never lazy. 🔥
With six distinct dining areas to choose from, including intimate private rooms and the whiskey barrel-lined Rickhouse, every visit can feel like an entirely new experience.
The music, the murals, and the lingering smell of woodsmoke make it the kind of place you linger far longer than you planned — and one diner described the overall feel as “modern rustic cowboy style” done with a genuinely adept design touch. 🥃
Bottom Line
ROAM Kitchen + Bar is a rare find in the Sioux Falls restaurant scene — built on real craft, real community spirit, and genuinely exceptional wood-fired dishes.
The frontier-inspired atmosphere, smoked-to-perfection meats, and craft cocktail program seal the deal. Go roam. 🤠🔥
Address:
4525 W Empire Place, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
📞 (605) 215-0020
🕔 Open Mon–Thu, 11 AM–10 PM | Fri–Sat, 11 AM–12 AM | Sun, 11 AM–10 PM