When traveling across Alaska, one of the best ways to capture the genuine “flavors” of this unique state is to taste the state’s most interesting and iconic foods and explore its amazing restaurants. From King crab to King salmon, local berries to veggies, delicate-but-delightful halibut and scallops, surprising sides like reindeer sausage and saltwater harvested kelp, you can discover so many Alaska-grown-and-crafted foods, creatively combined into magnificent Alaskan meals. In the hands and pans of talented chefs and kitchen crews, the freshest of Alaska ingredients (proteins, veggies, herbs and even local sea salt) start you down a path to the best of culinary adventures.
Enjoy mouthwatering delicacies amidst pristine backcountry surroundings at Kenai Backcountry Lodge.
So where in Alaska can visitors find the best dining opportunities? Well, just about everywhere across the state. Alaska-based restaurants even have their own takes and twists on classic cuisine: from the gourmet to pizza and burgers, Mexican and Thai, you name it. But nothing compares to a truly Alaska dish – done right.
What is the Most Famous Food in Alaska?
Alaska’s most famous foods are heavily influenced by the amazing natural resources found here and by indigenous traditions. Some of the most famous foods in Alaska include:
Wild Salmon – A staple in the Alaskan diet and rich in flavor and nutrients, Alaska’s rivers are filled with delicious wild salmon that have been enjoyed here for centuries. The best time to eat salmon is from May to September as it’s salmon season.
King Crab – Another classic Alaskan dish, King Crab lives up to its name! King Crab is low in fat and calories, while providing a big hit of protein.
Reindeer Sausage – A unique Alaskan twist on traditional sausages, reindeer sausage is combined with beef or pork and can be spicy or mild. It can be eaten any time of day, but it’s especially popular with breakfast.
The Best Restaurants in Alaska
Given Alaska’s sheer size, it’s best to break the best restaurants in the state down into some of the most popular regions. Read on to learn more!
Anchorage
Anchorage boasts a vibrant culinary scene, with plenty of excellent dining options. Here are some of the best restaurants in Anchorage:
Marx Brothers Cafe: This innovative restaurant serves fresh Alaskan seafood and quality meats. They also pride themselves on being home to one of the largest wine cellars in Alaska.
The Glacier Brewhouse: A favorite among locals and visitors alike, The Glacier Brewhouse serves delicious food and thirteen of their own beers, so you know they’re fresh!
49th State Brewing: One of the few restaurants in town with an outside deck, you can chill here with one of their delicious beers and enjoy the warm summer sun.
Seward
Seward has a diverse array of restaurants that cater to every taste. Here are some of the best restaurants in Seward:
Firebrand BBQ: Well-known for its delicious smoked meats, Firebrand is a casual spot that BBQ lovers will adore. Try the brisket!
Klondike Pizzeria: Offering a truly Alaskan take on pizza, try the reindeer sausage pizza for something different!
Gold Rush Bistro: A family-friendly restaurant offering exceptional seafood items. Fish and chips and honey bacon sweet potato fries are among the recommended dishes here.
Ray’s Waterfront: Enjoy spectacular views of the harbor surrounded by mountains while tucking into some local seafood or a juicy steak.
Denali National Park
Denali National Park offers a wide range of dining options for visitors. Here’s some of the best restaurants in Denali National Park:
229 Parks Restaurant and Tavern: Located south of the park, this restaurant is known for its international cuisine and is committed to locally grown ingredients.
Prospector’s Pizzeria & Alehouse: Known for its wood stone fired pizza topped with Alaskan specialities such as Elk or reindeer, Prospector’s offers an unforgettable experience in Denali.
49th State Brewing: Tuck into a Yak burger, Alaskan-raised pork ribs or an award winning craft beer brewed on premises.
Homer
Homer has a wide variety of restaurants to enjoy. Here are some of the best restaurants in Homer:
La Baleine Cafe: Known for its American-style cuisine with a healthy twist, it’s a popular spot for breakfast and lunch.
Two Sisters Bakery: A cozy place with a great selection of homemade bakery items and sandwiches.
Fat Olives Restaurant: Offers Italian cuisine and pizza, known for its quality food and service.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is home to a diverse and exciting culinary scene. Here are some of the best restaurants in Fairbanks:
Jazz Bistro On 4th: Known for its Latin and Spanish cuisine, this restaurant is highly rated for its Steak Cuban Churrasco Style and Chef Rico’s creations.
The Crepery: A popular spot for American and cafe-style food, with standout dishes like the Alaska Breakfast crepe and the strawberry cheesecake crepe.
Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine: Offers a great variety of Thai dishes. Their seafood options, like scallops, squid, and salmon, are particularly praised.
Lavelle’s Bistro: A firm favorite in Fairbanks for the last 18 years, Lavelle’s offers delicious food and an extensive wine selection.
What Type of Restaurants are in Alaska
There’s a huge variety of restaurants in Alaska, so every taste is catered for. From fine dining to street food, Alaska has it all.
Fine Dining in Alaska
Foodies who fantasize about fine dining will not be disappointed during an evening spent at one (or many) of the state’s top restaurants, large or small, that have restaurateurs and staff who pull out all the stops to elevate Alaska’s best to dreamy heights.
Imagine a perfect piece of just-caught flaky white halibut or beautiful oily red salmon balanced with a touch of blueberry glaze or cranberry chutney, and paired with Alaska potatoes, carrots or broccolini. Simple yet spectacular! Looking for even more luxury? World-famous King crab, Copper River salmon, and giant Alaska prawns, scallops and oysters don’t need much embellishment to set off taste bud fireworks. These Alaska restaurants create so many courses and menus built from Alaska inspiration: magnificent mains paired with salads of Alaska-grown vegetables topped with fresh-caught salmon, shrimp and halibut; soups and other sides made with local love; and meals completed with desserts crafted in-house or in partnership with nearby kitchen experts. Even plate presentation has Alaska flair – tiny wildflowers, fireweed and ferns brighten any bite and palate.
Denali Backcountry Lodge freshly prepared dinner.
Roadside Lodge Restaurants
When traveling Alaska, even pulling over at a roadside lodge while traveling one of Alaska’s infamous highways or ducking into a downtown dive bar during a walk through town offers dining surprises. Deep-fried delights like Alaska-caught halibut and crab cakes are mainstays. Alaska clams can be found in the shell basting in bowls of butter and broth or chopped and sprinkled into rich chowders. Even dining standards come with an Alaska twist: sizable salmon and halibut cuts on sandwiches, and Alaska-bred beef on burgers. Want to sample an awesome Alaska appetizer? Order some smoked salmon spread with some freshly baked sourdough bread and your travel party just might come to blows over the last bite! Don’t worry, there’s plenty for everyone. No matter what you order, your server or bartender will make sure your Alaska menu items are paired with one of the dozens of locally crafted beers that are brewed in every corner the state. They may even tell you about how your requested side of ranch dressing actually originated in Alaska. True story!
Tutka Bay Wilderness Lodge expertly prepared fresh local food.
Alaska “Street Food”
Even Alaska’s food trucks and carts set up at urban markets, in parking lots, and along sidewalks bring out big-time taste sensations like salmon quesadillas, halibut tacos, deep-fried Alaska-grown veggie baskets, and more. Want to really eat like an Alaskan? Stop at one of the dozens of farmers market across the state during a summer weekend or spend a fall day at one of Alaska’s state fairs – just be sure to arrive with an empty stomach!
If you’ve planned a day in downtown Anchorage shopping, cruising museums, and checking out local sites, you’ll surely work up an appetite. Simply stop at one of the many hot dog carts operating downtown at just about all hours and order a reindeer sausage. These aren’t your average hot dog: they are larger and pack a unique, slightly spicy zing. Ask for fried onions as a topping and you’ll be fueled up and smiling for the rest of your wanderings. If you love it on a bun, you’ll also find reindeer sausage on many breakfast menus as a super substitution over traditional bacon, ham or pork sausage.
And Alaska-harvested kelp might be an unexpected menu item, but it is a crazy nutritious and very versatile menu item whose popularity is growing at Alaska’s restaurants. Kelp can be found sliced, pickled and served much like pickles themselves, and also used in salads and soups, and chopped, whipped or creamed into sauces and salsas.
Top Off Your Alaska Cuisine with the Right Dessert
There’s always room for dessert, right? Travelers will be surprised that it’s difficult, if not practically impossible, to find a big Baked Alaska on Alaska menus … seriously, that’s not a thing here. But they will find an endless lineup of Alaska sweets, baked and otherwise. Alaska-ingredient infused baked goods like pastries and pies, cupcakes and cakes are fascinating and aplenty. There’s also a hot trend of infusing fresh ice cream with Alaska-local ingredients like berries, fireweed, honey, sea salt, and even Alaska-made chocolate. Add a scoop to an Alaska-brewed root beer and you just might find yourself floating to nirvana!
Sweet treats (Wayde Carroll/Visit Anchorage)
Explore Alaska’s Restaurants
As you can see, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to Alaska’s restaurants. No matter what foods you’re into, there’s something for everyone.
Would you add anything to our list? Let us know your thoughts!