Anchorage Dining & Nightlife

Satisfying hungry downtown workers and Anchorage tourists for nearly 25 years, Café 817 (formerly known as Muffin Man) has the perfect formula of quality deli food served in a classic setting.

Perched atop a 1920s railroad bridge that straddles a stream filled with salmon, Bridge Seafood restaurant is the only venue in the state where you can dine on fresh-caught Alaska seafood while looking out the window at fishermen casting for sockeye or king salmon. Indeed, they’re fishing for the same species of fish on your plate. This restaurant operates seasonally, mid-May through August.

Three great tastes that taste great together—pizza, pool, and local beer—have made this Anchorage hangout a quirky-but-fun hit. Named for the nearby mountain, Flattop was opened in 2013 by the same team that created Anchorage institution Humpy’s Alehouse and the urbane bistro bar SubZero.

This downtown Anchorage lounge originally started as an Arctic-themed ice bar—hence the name—but it has morphed into a warm but urbane haven for local executive types and lovers of well-crafted cocktails and food.

Benihana is famous for tender steaks, juicy chicken and succulent seafood prepared to order by a showman chef. There are 16 hibachi tables around which guests are seated, and a large teppan grill in the center where the performance takes place.

In addition to the traditional offerings, Benihana’s menu includes some interesting entrees such as Hibachi Tuna steak –  More...

If the Hotel Captain Cook sits in the heart of Anchorage’s buzzing business district—and it does—then this coffee bar, right off the lobby, could be its nerve center. And while it is undeniably a convenient spot to swing by to pick up an espresso or iced coffee, local fans come back because it’s the kind of friendly place where the barista remembers your name when you order.

At the Solstice Bar and Grill you’ll find fire-roasted peppers, slow-cooked prime rib, scratch-made desserts, and fresh soups, plus plenty of fresh seafood and fine meats. Breakfast and lunch menus include continental and hot buffets, as well as burgers and salads. And for being in such a large hotel (the Westmark), the restaurant is surprisingly small and intimate. 

You may not expect a restaurant in a Ramada hotel to be so popular with the locals, but the Slippery Salmon’s great food and fun bar have attracted a loyal following in Anchorage. One of the bar’s main attraction is its deck, which features a terrific view of Mt. Susitna and a grill where they cook up fresh seafood and steaks in the summer. 

The treats at this downtown Anchorage bakery taste as good as they look. After all, the folks who run Alaska Cake Studio see dessert as edible art— but they also offer a European café-style spot where you can enjoy a delicious snack, sip a coffee and watch downtown life go by.

Williwaw sets itself apart in a few big ways, too:  for one thing, it is the only multi-use-style venue found in Anchorage—a coffeehouse-eatery-live-music space is more like something you'd see in San Francisco, Seattle or Portland.  Part of Williwaw’s complex includes a branch of local coffee roaster SteamDot Coffee, and there’s even a discreetly tucked-away speakeasy on the premises.

Located atop Tower 3 of downtown Anchorage's Hotel Captain Cook, this AAA-four-diamond fine dining restaurant—the only one in Anchorage—offers a blend of French and New American cuisines, a 10,000-bottle wine cellar and stunning views of Downtown, Chugach Mountains, and Cook Inlet. Dishes reflect local resources, such as venison loin and Bering Sea king crab  More...

Artisan bakery near Downtown Anchorage. Open Wednesday - Sunday 7am - 6pm.

This restaurant on the main floor of downtown Anchorage's Hotel Captain Cook offers gourmet pizza, fresh pasta dishes and seafood specialties in an English pub-style setting. Named for Fletcher Christian, the man behind the historic mutiny on the Bounty, the pub also offers local, micro-brewed beers, wines by the glass or cognac.

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The intimate setting, quality food, and good wine list make this the place where locals go for celebrations or romantic dinners. Standouts include the steaks and the maytag salad.

Regularly voted the best live theatre in Anchorage. Cyrano's Theatre Company produces a new play every month with an eclectic menu of comedies, drama's, musicals and world premieres.

Pizza-lover? This downtown find will surprise you with its take on America’s favorite food. Fat Ptarmigan’s uber-fresh, wood-fired pizzas feature high-quality, seasonal ingredients and a crispy crust that takes two full days to mature.

Festive, colorful and plenty of both tamales and tequila: Is this really that far north of the border? Downtown Anchorage’s La Cabana offers a friendly atmosphere and a classic (and extensive) Mexican lunch and dinner menu, as well as a Sunday brunch buffet. There’s a large patio for warmer weather, while inside you might find live Mariachi music, dancing, or beer and  More...

It’s hard to believe that one of Anchorage’s best wine bars used to be a sandwich shop.  Completely revamped in the fall of 2011, this new hot spot in the Hotel Captain Cook has Alaska’s only on-tap wine machine. Choose from 32 wines, selected by the hotel’s sommelier, for a 2-ounce sampler or a 4-ounce pour. The bar also has a limited menu, including  More...

Dinner and a $4 movie. Bear Tooth brings together inexpensive, late-run movies, food, and draft beer and wine. Order yummy pizza and burritos from full-service kitchen, delivered to your theater table. Adults sit on the main floor, while anyone can sit in the balcony. Not in the mood to catch a show? There's a separate restaurant. Part of Moose's Tooth family.

Not only will you get the best falafel this side of Tel Aviv, but you’ll be treated like long lost family at this bustling, little Mediterranean restaurant. Immigrants from Israel, Sima and Avi Avraham opened the restaurant because they couldn’t find good falafel in Anchorage. Sima, who studied cooking in Israel, now whips up succulent shawarma and schnitzels, heaping pitas  More...

Even people who have visited all kinds of bars, all over the world, tend to say they’ve never been to a watering hole quite like this iconic Anchorage bar. Or, to be more accurate, bars. This rather rambling compound in the funky Spenard area actually includes 10 bars—with enough distinctive vibes, atmospheres and offerings to suit pretty much any taste or mood.   

This is a local favorite that serves what could be the best pizza in Alaska. It's also a microbrewery. That said, its crowded and loud. They don't accept reservations and a wait isn't unheard of. But there is plenty of space inside and outside to wait for your table. And, you can even enjoy a brew (or a homemade cream soda or root beer) while you wait. 

Enjoy great views of Lake Spenard in an atmosphere that celebrates the Alaska’s rich aviation history. Dine on contemporary Alaskan cuisine with new American influences and sustainable seafood offerings. Sip creative cocktails while you take in the picturesque lake views. Brunch featured on Thanksgiving, Easter and Mother's Day in the hotel lobby.

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Coming down the street, you can't miss the shiny, stainless steel exterior of this classic, 1950s-style diner near Spenard. But this diner has serious, contemporary street cred, too: It’s run by two of Anchorage’s most erudite restaurateurs. The menu is rich in comfort-food nostalgia. Classics include Lenny’s Reuben, Monte Cristo sandwiches, pot roast, and liver and onions (dubbed "Put Out the Lights and Cry"). 

If you shop at REI (right next door), you'll like this place. The menu is created for the health-conscious, active, foodie type. There are lots of vegetarian/vegan options and they specialize in healthy wraps, homemade soups and chili, and fruit-packed smoothies and fresh juices. Of course they have a large selection of teas and some coffee. They have a nice patio with views of  More...

In an Anchorage neighborhood between the airport and Kincaid Park, Tastee Freez is a place travelers used to find only if they got lost. Those lucky folks got to visit an Anchorage institution that’s been open since 1958. Today, you don’t have to get lost to find some of the city’s best soft-serve ice cream and affordable fast food. Of course, Anchorage families know  More...

A few miles from Anchorage’s Kincaid, this seemingly out-of-the-way restaurant has a menu that lives up to its sophisticated atmosphere. The sumptuous menu features duck lollipops, wild troll caught salmon, grilled duck with mango glace and Alaskan king crab with saffron risotto. You’re best off changing out of your hiking gear before you arrive.

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Alyeska’s Sitzmark Bar and Grill offers alpiners the best of both worlds – daytime refueling between ski runs, and a festive nighttime hangout with live music, open mic, trivia and movie nights. (The summer season has similar offerings – just think “après hike” or “après bike” instead of “après ski.”)

Beer steins, hats, hub caps, and license plates all hang from the rafters and walls of this fun restaurant. Sure, its chaotic, crowded, cramped, and loud. But you'll find one of the best steaks in Alaska, if not the entire country, as well as great seafood and appetizers, often made with Cajun/creole seasoning.

This cavernous, slightly rundown bar at the base of the mountain is a great spot for après-ski. You'll find an extensive selection of tap beers and good whiskeys, along with large portions of traditional bar food like burgers and pizza. And as with any après-ski venue, it can be loud and wild, even on weeknights.

Don't let the strip-mall exterior throw you—inside, you'll find very good Greek and Italian food, including pizzas, salads, dolmas, and lasagnas. Coming here with little ones? They'll love the kids' pizza, and you'll love the price.

Pizza's the specialty here, and Pizza Man does it well. The sauce is a nice combination of sweet and spicy, and they'll make the dough with whole wheat, if you ask. They also serve "schooners" of beer.

This small-town coffee shop features couches, comfortable tables, and a fireplace, along with top-quality coffee, tea, and baked goods. It's definitely a local hangout: friends chat, teens do their homework, and the baristas know most everyone.