Best Restaurants in Alaska
Wondering where to eat in Alaska? There’s not a large restaurant scene in Alaska and a lot of that is because I learned most people prefer to live off the land and eat the meat they hunt, the fish they catch and the produce they grow (with the help of greenhouses of course). After spending a summer driving all over this state, here are my favorite places to eat organized by city!
ANCHORAGE
Familia- located in Anchorage Brewery, this culinary experience was brought to life by 2 seasoned chefs. With a rotating minimal menu, they serve unique dishing using fresh and quality ingredients.
Snapshot of Their Culinary Creations via Their Instagram
Altura Bistro- Made with local Alaska ingredients, Chef Bentley knows how to put an elegant spin on seasonal items. From fine dining, to casual burgers and sandwiches, there are options for anyone’s taste buds!
The Rustic Goat- great food & great ambiance, what more could you ask for? Chef Adam puts an elevated spin on American food and no doubt anyone could find something here that will satisfy their craving. Their pasta is locally handmade truly one of a kind.
The Rustic Goat
Moose’s tooth- and Anchorage classic. Your typical pizza & beer joint. They occasionally have live music here as well.
Simon & Seaforts- If you want upscale seafood with a view this is the place. I recommend dining here around sunset time and making sure you get a table next to the window!
49th state brewing- definitely the best place to get good quality bar food, but also the rooftop views are incredible! Another place to aim for sunset time to enjoy those notorious Alaskan sunsets.
SEWARD
Resurrect Art- arguably one of the most scenic coffee shops in Alaska. This coffee shop is located inside an old church in downtown Seward. They still have remnants of the old church with the pews, altar and stained glass windows. They sell local art as well as the best coffee & pastries in Seward! Once you’ve finished perusing the shop my favorite thing to do is walk along the shoreline with my coffee admiring the beautiful landscape.
Resurrect Art
The Cookery- if you’re looking for a delicious cut of wild Alaskan salmon cooked to perfection this is your place. While the Cookery is only open during the summer, they get enough business to make sure you book your reservation as soon as possible. My favorite part about this restaurant is how fresh and foraged everything is. They have a farm located in Kasilof where most of their produce comes from and their oysters & fish are all fresh and local.
Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon From the Cookery
COOPER LANDING
Cooper Landing Brewery- the perfect spot for your post hike meal. The burgers are grass-fed deliciousness and they have great local beer! Be sure to check on the days their kitchen is open because some days they are only serving beer. My favorites: the burger and fried pickles.
Kenai Princess Lodge- by far the best views of the Kenai river and Cooper landing. They have a stunning outdoor patio that is first come first serve. Serving your typical American food, this restaurant has a special ambiance that no other place in Cooper Landing has.
View From the Kenai Princess Lodge Patio
Two Brothers BBQ- If you’re in the mood for BBQ this is the spot for you. There aren’t many BBQ options in Alaska but this one definitely hits the spot!
SOLDOTNA
Addie Camp- if you’re looking for fresh cuisine in Alaska look no further. What makes Addie camp so special is the hydroponic farm that supplies the restaurant to ensure they have the freshest ingredients. You can trust their salad or anything with greens because it comes from their hydroponic farm right on site! They take the time to carefully curate a menu that exemplifies Alaskan cuisine. Not only do they have incredible food but part of their restaurant extends into an old Alaskan car train that served on the railroad! They’ve done an amazing job at restoring part of Alaska’s history and creating a unique ambiance.
Wild Alaskan Salmon Platter Offered During Brunch
Brew 602- This cozy coffee shop is owned by the same owners as Addie Camp so of course this also is located inside a car train! They truly know quality coffee and authentic experiences. They also serve delicious sweet or savory waffles to pair with your latte (and gluten free options!).
Cafe Seating in a Retired Alaska Railroad bi-level Passenger Car Train
Lucy’s Market- This was one of my staple stops while living on the Kenai Peninsula. They bake the most delicious sourdough breads and well as some of the best sweets. They also carry fresh soups, salads and sandwiches. Their fresh hummus is a must try and whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory they have it all. My Favorites: the breakfast cookie, chocolate sourdough bread, hummus, Quinoa salad
The Goods + Sustainable Grocery- Now I know this is technically a grocery store but they also have a cozy little cafe inside. What I love about this cafe is their commitment to quality fresh ingredients. They are dedicated to connecting the community with Alaskan farmers and it shows in all the fresh ingredients they use and have available in their store!
Inside the Cafe at The Goods + Sustainable Store
True Blue- If you want the best drive-thru coffee hut, this one is your spot! Right off the Sterling Highway, this coffee hut by far serves the best coffee (and trust me I’ve tried all the spots and my coworkers also agreed this one is the best!). They also serve some of Lucy’s Market goods like the breakfast cookie to accompany your coffee
Everything Bagels- Now this is no NY bagel but what made this place special to me was the wild Alaskan Salmon lox they carry. Whether you want to put it on a bagel, or grab their fresh salad for lunch, I loved throwing their lox on whatever I was feeling that day. Their greens are also supplied by the hydroponic farm at Addie Camp, making it a very fresh salad!
GIRWOOD
Birch & Alder- If there is anything you take away from this blog post my hope is that you know how amazing this little cafe is. They use fresh and occasionally foraged ingredients for their pastries and breakfast items. Their newest menu items include a housemade bagel with wild Alaskan salmon lox. One of my favorites is their fiddlehead quiche. Fiddleheads are a plant foraged before the summer starts that tastes similar to a brussel sprout and it was an incredible experience to be able to try something fresh and foraged from the area. My favorites: fiddlehead quiche & breakfast focaccia
Breakfast Foccacia from Birch & Alder
Girwood Brewery- there aren’t many food selections in Girwood but the greek foodtruck that accompanies the brewery takes the cake. You can taste the freshness.
HOMER
The Saltry- The entire experience of going to the Saltry makes it one of the most unique restaurants in Alaska. The Saltry is located in Halibut Cove, across Kachemak Bay from Homer and you have to take a water taxi to get there. You will board a restored antique fishing boat as they take you on a small tour across the bay stopping at rock structures to point out different species of birds, also giving you the opportunity to see otters and many other sea creatures! How many restaurants can you say you’ve had to take a boat across a beautiful bay surrounded by mountains to get there? Not to mention the fresh and local seafood you will also get to experience.
(They are particularly strict about using their water taxi company to get there unless you are already staying in Halibut Cove for lodging. This restaurant also books up very quickly so it’s important you request a reservation as soon as you can. Once they confirm your reservation, then you will be prompted to book your water taxi).
Arriving to The Saltry from the Water Taxi
Finns Pizza- Now I know Fat Olives gets all the reputation for being THE pizza spot in Homer but I dare you to venture down the spit to this adorable seaside pizza joint. The rustic exterior with the beautiful view of the mountain range and the quality of their pizza pies is what sold me. Whether you want to stop in for a quick bite or make a reservation to sit up top with an even better view, I feel pretty strongly about Finn’s pizza being a strong competitor with Fat Olives.
Lower Deck of Finn’s Pizza
Two Sister’s Bakery- there’s a reason the line for this bakery can be 30 minutes on a weekend. Not only is the coffee delicious, but the pastries are phenomenal, and there’s plenty of options for any craving you have. I also loved exploring this little corner of Homer with rustic bookshops and art galleries.
