Halibut tacos? Absolutely—here in Alaska, fresh fish is the name of the game. And not just any fish—the salmon, halibut, snow crab, mussels, and shrimp come from some of the cleanest, most pristine waters in the world. There's more to be found than just seafood. Enjoy steak slathered in peppercorn sauce or freshly-prepared Japanese yakisoba noodles. Choose between elegant or down-to-earth restaurants: Some boast 10,000 – bottle wine cellars, while others feature stuffed grizzly bears standing over indoor creeks. Those with simpler tastes can enjoy one of many brewery/eateries, offering award-winning beers and great food at affordable prices.
Listed below you'll find our favorite choices for dining out in Anchorage. All the restaurants reviewed are either long-standing classics or newer standouts that are beginning to leave their mark on the Anchorage dining scene. Expect a very enjoyable and memorable experience at any of the fine-dining options.
Another glimpse into Alaska's food culture is available with Big Swig Brewery Tours and Alaska Farm Tours.
Expert Advice
Jump to Section: Downtown | Midtown | South Anchorage | Girdwood | Eagle River
Downtown//Within walking distance to most downtown Anchorage hotels
ORSO
Giving fresh Alaskan dishes a unique touch, Orso serves dinner in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Classics like grilled wild Alaskan salmon are served with an olive and tomato salsa, while Bering sea scallops come with a walnut-gorgonzola risotto. And you don’t want to miss the desserts.
Simon & Seafort’s
At first blush, this traditional downtown restaurant may seem like just a special occasion place: steaks, lobster, oysters Rockefeller and impeccable service. But, its also an Anchorage mainstay for business power lunches, date nights and even upscale prom nights. They also have one of the best Happy Hours in town with drink specials and discounted appetizers.
Crush Wine Bistro & Cellar
At this hip, inviting wine bistro, you can choose from 40 wines by the glass with your lunch or dinner. Sit and enjoy a glass, or share a bottle among friends.
Ginger
Ginger is located in historic downtown Anchorage, Alaska. Open since March of 2007, we specialize in Pacific Rim cuisine and classic Asian specialties. Our meals are hand-crafted from fresh ingredients by a devoted crew of local restaurant veterans.
Hard Rock Cafe Anchorage
Rock out with the rest of Anchorage at the lively and energetic Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Anchorage. Known for its support of live music and hip service, lunch or dinner at the Hard Rock promises more than just tasty food. Hang at the bar or enjoy a full meal, surrounded by a treasure-trove of rock’n’roll memorabilia adorning the walls.
Glacier Brewhouse
The Glacier Brewhouse is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Meals are served in a large rustic dining area, complete with a fireplace in the middle, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s always abuzz with conversation. Here you can enjoy fresh seafood and meats while sampling a spectrum of homemade beers. Before or after you meal, be sure to check out the brewing equipment on display through the glass wall.
49th State Brewing Company - Anchorage
Craft beer, locally sourced food, and a terrific location in the heart of downtown Anchorage all add up to a can’t-miss experience. Dine inside the two-story restaurant, or step upstairs to the rooftop deck for magnificent views of the Alaska Range and Cook Inlet.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Featuring the fine steaks and lively atmosphere that have made Sullivan’s Steakhouse a nationwide hit, this outlet adds a northern twist: fresh-caught Alaskan seafood and locally distilled spirits. You’ll find Alaskan salmon, king crab, and fresh, seasonal specials, along with house-made cocktails like the “Knockout”: Alaska-made vodka and hand-squeezed More...
Club Paris
This classic steakhouse in downtown Anchorage has a lot of stories to tell: While the restaurant started in the 1950s, its home building dates back to the 1920s. Cut and aged on the premises, the steaks—some four inches thick—have been voted the best in Anchorage for 12 years running. No surprise, though, there is surf as well as turf: the menu features halibut, scallops, prawns and the much-sought-after red king crab.
Snow City Cafe
Nothing beats a good breakfast to kick off a day of adventure in Alaska, and according to locals, nothing beats this popular downtown café for egg scrambles, omelets, salads and more.
Snow City Café been voted "Best Breakfast" by Anchorage Press readers for years, thanks to their from-scratch bakery items and creative combos, such as eggs benedict with More...
The Kobuk
This downtown shop and café is a little glimpse into old Anchorage—a city that wasn't completely about logging, fishing and tough guys. Built in 1915, the Kimball building, on Town Square Park at the corner of 5th and E, is a stop on the historic walking tour and still has antique fixtures and flooring. It’s eclectic, “quaint-meets-cool” gift and More...
McGinley’s Pub
Hankering for a stout and fresh-cooked corned beef, or looking for a fun happy hour? You'll find both at McGinley's Pub, the only Irish pub in downtown Anchorage and the only place in Alaska to get a pint of Murphy's Irish Stout. It's a favorite lunch spot for downtown professionals and a popular watering hole for locals (Mayor Dan Sullivan is a co-owner) who come for More...
Tequila 61
Summer: lunch & dinner. Winter: dinner
Tequila 61, a unique gastropub in downtown Anchorage, fuses authentic, handmade Mexican dishes and classic Alaskan ingredients to create an entirely new take on contemporary cuisine. This modern approach extends to the creative, handcrafted cocktails and the rustic, industrial interior, where every table is handmade. The result is a memorable dining experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Midtown//5 - 10 Minutes from Downtown Anchorage
Spenard Roadhouse
Who can't be tempted by a place that offers a Bacon of the Month? This Anchorage restaurant in the heart of the Spenard neighborhood serves contemporary comfort food in a casual, eclectic setting.
Local newspaper readers have voted Spenard Roadhouse Best Restaurant, Best Bartender, and Best Waitstaff for a reason. Year round, its menu shows a local and sometimes More...
Fancy Moose Lounge
Adorned with rich woods and polished brass, the Fancy Moose Lounge offers a colorful environment where you can mix good times and beverages with a spectacular view of the lake. Casual dining features fresh seafood, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups and finger foods, and an assortment of specialty drinks. Summer draws locals and visitors to the outdoor patio with the promise of More...
South Anchorage//15 minutes from Downtown Anchorage
South Restaurant + Coffeehouse
Created by the folks behind Anchorage’s award-winning Snow City Café, Spenard Roadhouse and Sack’s Cafe, South Restaurant + Coffeehouse was launched to take the best qualities of those popular eateries to the South side of town. Located in a new development near the famed Alaska Sand and Gravel— and off Old Seward Highway—South Restaurant + Coffee House channels a bit of the area’s industrial past, with a clean, modern space, featuring a distinct personality throughout unique, intimate dining spaces.
Southside Bistro
Don't let the strip-mall locale fool you: This is one of the best restaurants to open in Anchorage in years. No matter which side of the open kitchen you sit on (either the "restaurant" side or the casual "bistro") side, you can enjoy the 200-plus wine list, excellent salads and wide selection of entrees, such as Kodiak scallops, fresh troll caught King salmon, and Scandinavian duck. Save room for the creative, beautifully plated desserts, such as the chocolate terrine with pistachios and sea salt.
Girdwood//45 minutes South of Anchorage
Seven Glaciers Restaurant
A night at the Seven Glaciers restaurant, perched 2,300 feet above sea level on Mount Alyeska, is a dining journey that begins with a tram ride high above the treetops, followed by an elevator lift, then a stroll along a golden carpet, past a glimmering, glass-and-steel, wine-tower wall and into a dining room radiating the colors of alpenglow and glacial ice. Seven Glaciers is one of only three AAA Four Diamond restaurants in Alaska. You can show up in furs and heels or blue jeans and work boots and no one will blink an eye in this dress-code-free state.
