Alaska Restaurants

Sampling a city's local fare can be a big part of the adventure to any vacation and Alaska is no exception. Incredible restaurants are literally around every corner. Seafood is usually the main attraction and Halibut and salmon are on the menu at most restaurants around town. Because Alaska’s cold waters hold the freshest, unspoiled populations of wild salmon, halibut, King crab and other fresh and salt water delicacies, the world’s finest restaurants and grocers import Alaskan fish and game. If you think our food is good when you eat it in your hometown, come to the source and have it served to you while you enjoy the breath-taking mountain, ocean, and river views that only Alaskan restaurants can provide.

Anchorage:

Downtown:

• Club Paris, 417 W. Fifth Ave., 277-6332. Great place for steak.$$

• Corsair Restaurant, 944 W. Fifth Ave., 278-4502. The restaurant specializes in Continental and American cuisine, with an emphasis on French haute cuisine. It has one of the state's largest wine cellars. $$$

• Crow's Nest, in the Hotel Captain Cook, Fourth Avenue and K Street, 343-2217. It has excellent light American dining, super wine and a fantastic view. $$$

• Downtown Deli and Cafe, 525 W. Fourth Ave., 276-7116. It has a great location along busy Fourth Avenue. It's popular with breakfast diners for its sourdough pancakes. Enjoy chicken soup, and Alaska reindeer stew. $

• Glacier BrewHouse, 737 W. Fifth Ave., 274-2739. Beer and wood-fired pizzas top the menu at the bustling restaurant. It's always busy; that should tell you something. $$

• Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse, 610 W. Sixth Ave., 276-2337. About 50 beers are on tap in the busy bar. You've got to try the halibut tacos. $

• Josephines, Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, 401 E. Sixth Ave., 276-8700. This rooftop restaurant has excellent views. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $$

• Kodiak Kafe, 225 E. Fifth Ave., 258-5233. Breakfast and lunch are served in a comfortable yet classy setting. $

• The Marx Bros. Cafe, 627 W. Third Ave., 278-2133. The restaurant is in one of Anchorage's oldest homes and offers innovative cuisine, a famous Caesar salad and excellent wine. There are more than 500 choices on the wine list. $$$

• Muffin Man, 817 W. Sixth Ave., 279-6836. There are more than muffins here: Grab deli sandwiches, homemade soup or fresh salad. The building has a touch of history too. $

• Phyllis' Cafe, 436 D St., 274-6576. A salmon bake is served outdoors under canopies, along with other seafood favorites, steak, ribs and desserts. $$

• Ristorante Orso, 737 W. Fifth Ave., 222-3232. It's a touch of Italy mixed with Alaska. The menu reflects the seasons, and the atmosphere is hard to beat. $$$

• Sassafras Coffeehouse and Cafe, 343 W. Sixth Ave., 222-2512. The coffeehouse sells more than a good latte. The menu includes salads, sandwiches, quiche and smoothies. It's easy to find across from Nordstrom. $

• Simon & Seaforts, 420 L St., 274-3502. Simon's is where many locals go for their "special" meals, and a large part of the allure is the view -- a stunning look at Cook Inlet. The food, especially if you like prime rib, won't disappoint either. $$

• Snow Goose Restaurant and Brewery, 717 W. Third Ave. 277-7727. The beer is excellent, but the Goose's draw in the summertime is its twin decks. $$

• Snow City Cafe, 1034 W. Fourth Ave., 272-2489. Great breakfast. The food is creative, with many vegetarian options and sandwiches. $

• Sweet Basil Cafe, 335 E St., 274-0070. Continental breakfast is on the menu, along with unique selections of pasta, salads and sandwiches for lunch. It's right in the heart of downtown. $

Around Anchorage:


Many Anchorage visitors never leave downtown. While that's understandable -- lots of shopping, plenty of places to eat and nifty views of Mount Susitna and Mount McKinley -- consider a trip out of downtown for some good grub.

• Aladdin's, 4240 Old Seward Highway, 561-2373. The restaurant offers a wide variety of foods from the Mediterranean region. There are many vegetarian entrees and appetizers. $$

• Arctic Roadrunner, 2477 Arctic Blvd., 279-7311; 5300 Old Seward Highway, 561-1245. If you're looking for a burger (even salmon and halibut burgers) and some tasty fries or onion rings, this is the place. Enjoy your juicy burgers alongside Campbell Creek at the Old Seward location. Don't miss out on the Roadrunner's shakes -- thick and creamy with tons of real fruit. $

• Bear Tooth Theatre Pub and Grill, 1230 W. 27th Ave., 276-4200. Watch second-run movies for $3 and dine on pizzas, Southwestern and Mexican fare along with fine beer. $ (Highly Recommended for a good time.)

• Flying Machine Restaurant, Millennium Hotel, 4800 Spenard Road, 266-2249. Watch a sunset over Lake Spenard or watch floatplanes take off and land while dining on Alaska seafood. $$

• Gwennie's, 4333 Spenard Road, 243-2090. Gwennie's says "Alaska dining" -- the portions are huge and the restaurant is stocked with tons of Alaska memorabilia. It's like a trip to the museum, where you'll need a doggie bag. Sourdough pancakes and omelets are breakfast specialties. $ (A must visit in Anchorage)

• Jens' Restaurant, 701 W. 36th Ave., 561-5367. The Midtown restaurant with one of Anchorage's most popular and well-respected chefs has a Danish menu at lunch and French and new American for dinner. $

• Kincaid Grill, 6700 Jewel Lake Road, 243-0507. It's one of Anchorage's hot spots. Fine seafood, creative specials and decadent desserts. $$

• Maxine's Glacier City Bistro, Mile 0.5 Crow Creek Road, Girdwood, 783-1234. Outstanding prices for outstanding food. Unexpected menu items may include wild boar and garlic and rosemary lamb. $$

• The Middle Way Cafe, 1200 W. Northern Lights Blvd., 272-6433. The cafe offers creative food with a vegetarian touch, smoothies and espresso. $

• Organic Oasis, 2610 Spenard Road, 277-7882. The funky little restaurant features soups, salads and sandwiches that are 100 percent organic. If you need a wheat-grass drink, this is the place. $

• Roscoe's Catfish and Bar-B-Que, 3001 Penland Parkway, 276-5879. Roscoe's, an Anchorage institution, serves soul food such as fried catfish, barbecued ribs, North Carolina chopped barbecue and pig's feet. Sides include red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese and fried okra. $$

• Seven Glaciers Restaurant, Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, 754-2237. The view is outstanding from atop Mount Alyeska. The restaurant regularly receives rave reviews. $$$ (Best view from a restaurant in all of Alaska)

• Southside Bistro, 1320 Huffman Park Drive, 348-0088. Nightly specials only add to the regular menu that features seafood, beef, pasta, duck, lamb and venison. $$

• Tempura Kitchen, 3826 Spenard Road, 277-2741. It is popular with many local sushi lovers. $$


We're still working on adding other towns to our list.