Anchorage Dining & Nightlife
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.
Downtown
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.
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.
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.
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 tea shop is an extension of a famed dry goods and sewing notions store that has been in business… ...more
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 sockeye salmon cakes, or hot oatmeal topped with homemade granola and blueberries. At… ...more
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.
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.
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
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 brilliant Alaskan sunsets. Operating Hours 11:00 AM — 12:00 AM ...more
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 whimsical flair: Bacon Jam Burger, Reindeer and Chevre Pizza, and S’mores for… ...more
South Anchorage
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 ...more
Created by the folks behind Anchorage’s award-winning Snow City Café, Spenard Roadhouse and Sack’s Café, 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 ...more
Girdwood
A creative menu, gorgeous views, and just enough indulgence. Under the banner of “Fat & Lean World Cuisine”, this resort-town favorite offers proof that healthy cuisine need not be serious — or feel like a sacrifice.
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 ...more
North of Anchorage
Just a 45-minute drive from Anchorage, Raven’s Perch lies within the main lodge at the cozy Knik River Lodge, with big windows and an outdoor deck looking out to a spectacular view. The focus here is on local, sustainable ingredients and products. The staff talks with local farmers and plans ahead to see what vegetables are coming into season to create their menus.