The 26 Must-Try Restaurants in Anchorage

It's a five-hour flight from Anchorage to Honolulu, and many Alaskans feel a strong connection to Hawai‘i, which is why Islander cuisine is popular here. This casual lunch spot in an East Anchorage outdoor mall serves up classic dishes like shoyu, spicy masago, and sweet and spicy poke, all made fresh daily with rotating specials. Don’t miss the fresh malasadas from the nearby Wiki-licious malasada shop. It’s an ideal stop if you're heading north on the Glenn Highway.

This affordable takeout restaurant located in a strip mall in Anchorage’s Mountain View area specializes in Peruvian-style chicken, cooked over a wood-charcoal rotisserie. They offer a variety of well-prepared sides, including beans, arepas, agave-lime slaw, and sweet, sticky plantains. Be sure to call early to place an order, as they sell out of chicken quickly.

This casual wine bar in downtown Anchorage offers fantastic food and has excelled in its takeout options since COVID-19, particularly their hot chicken with fries, which comes highly recommended. Enjoy a flight of wines paired with a crispy Brussels sprout salad, deviled eggs, and prosciutto-wrapped dates. Wine enthusiasts may also want to explore the neighboring wine store, a great stop for take-and-bake patrons. Crush also serves cocktails, so reservations are advised.

This quaint little Mytoury, nestled in a quiet downtown strip mall, comes alive each morning with a delightful array of homemade biscuit breakfasts, featuring both sweet and savory options, including breakfast sandwiches and Benedicts. Gluten-free breakfast scrambles are also on offer, paired with a cup of excellent coffee. Seating is limited, both indoors and outdoors, and dogs are welcome.

A visit to this quaint, historic diner in downtown Anchorage is a delightful experience, especially if you indulge in their halibut sandwich. Tall and crispy, it's layered with iceberg lettuce, tomato, and ample tartar sauce—truly one of the best and most affordable options around. Snagging a seat at the bar is a bonus!

This seasonal taco truck in Downtown Anchorage serves all proteins—including pork, tofu, chicken, brisket, and local favorites like Alaska salmon and halibut—smoked with birch and alder. It's the perfect place for a local fish taco, with plenty of gluten-free and vegan choices available.

This bustling lunch spot in downtown Anchorage specializes in hearty breakfasts like eggs, hash browns, French toast, and pancakes—all with a unique Alaskan twist. Their menu features snow crab omelets, reindeer sausage scrambles, and salmon cakes with eggs. The espresso is top-notch, there's a full kids' menu, and they offer beer and wine as well. It's wise to make reservations for breakfast and brunch during the tourist season, especially before noon, but couples or singles might find seating available at the bar.

A ride in the elevator to the top of the iconic Captain Cook Hotel brings you to the elegant Crow’s Nest restaurant, which serves both French and American cuisine and is one of the most upscale dining venues in the area. Inside, you'll find a walk-in bar offering a panoramic view of the city. Enjoy your meal in one of the intimate booths while savoring a limited menu that features a fantastic burger and, when in season, fresh local oysters. The cocktails are pricey but of exceptional quality.

As one of Anchorage's oldest dining establishments, Club Paris features one of the last remaining neon signs that once adorned downtown businesses. This dimly lit, eclectic steakhouse boasts a full bar, a nostalgic ambiance, and many loyal patrons. It is known for its classic cocktails, Alaskan seafood, and expertly prepared filet mignon. Reservations are highly recommended.

A beloved local bakery with three locations—one in South Anchorage, another downtown, and the latest in East Anchorage's Airport Heights—Fire Island specializes in fresh artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches, and soups made daily. The newest site is located within the new K Street Market building in downtown Anchorage, alongside That Feeling Co, a charming plant shop serving excellent coffee, Johnny’s Produce, a small shop offering juices and smoothies, and La Bodega, a boutique liquor store. Each Fire Island location features both indoor and outdoor seating.

This laid-back bakery and lunch/dinner spot in Midtown Anchorage offers some of the finest Chinese cuisine in the city. Popular dishes include the delicate crystal dumplings, mu shu pork wraps, and sticky rice steamed with chicken and pork in lotus leaves. On Saturdays, the menu features additional dim sum options. Don't miss the bakery section, which boasts barbecue pork buns, egg tarts, red bean cream pie, and fluffy birthday cakes.

In Anchorage, the perfect post-hike food choices revolve around pizza and tacos, and Bear Tooth alongside its bustling partner, Moose’s Tooth, hits the spot. This beloved second-run movie thMytour and cafe, nestled in the Spenard neighborhood, is often filled with patrons. (Tip: Weekend brunch at the grill is typically quieter and just as tasty, and you might sneak into the cafe if the grill is busy.) The movie thMytour offers pizza, salads, tacos, beer, and wine, while the local fish tacos paired with a second-run film can brighten any rainy day. The grill features a menu with a Mexican twist, showcasing seasonal local specials in summer, and the margaritas along with house-made chips and guacamole make for a satisfying meal. Family-friendly, but be prepared for waits at the grill on busy nights.

A laid-back, family-friendly restaurant and bar located in the vibrant Spenard neighborhood, this roadhouse features decor that celebrates Alaska's culture and a menu focused on bourbon, bacon, and creative tater tots. Diners can choose from small plates like crispy brussels sprouts, pimento cheese dip served with saltines, and mac and cheese, alongside a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, burgers, and pizzas, plus rotating local specials. Standout dishes include the hot honey salmon and a much-loved tomato soup. The restaurant caters well to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners, offering a fun and changing drink menu filled with cocktails and mocktails. The kids’ menu, which includes a drink, popcorn, a meal, and dessert, is considered one of the best bargains in town.

This cozy two-story Mytoury in West Anchorage enjoys a dedicated local following, featuring a charming upstairs fireplace and serving Kaladi Brothers coffee throughout the day. Chef Shane Moore, a new addition to the kitchen, specializes in Alaska seafood, so be sure to check out the daily specials. Popular dishes include clams and sausage as well as pulled pork nachos. It's advisable to make evening reservations.

This fantastic pizza place features spacious, heated outdoor seating in Anchorage’s Spenard area. The menu is packed with vegetable-focused dishes that surprise and delight, such as a simple yet flavorful plate of veggies roasted in the wood-fired oven paired with homemade aioli, meatballs served with spaghetti squash, and a kale-quinoa salad topped with pumpkin seeds. Vegan diners will find plenty of choices, and the gluten-free pizza crust is exceptional — a remarkable achievement. Enjoy local cider, beer, and kombucha on tap, along with efficient takeout service.

This small Mytoury located next to a pawn shop in Spenard is always buzzing, and it’s easy to see why. Tommy’s burgers never fail to impress, as evidenced by the constant line of customers. Each patty is griddle-smashed and seasoned with Cajun spices. The aloha burger, topped with teriyaki sauce, pineapple, and grilled onions, is a must-try, as is the stella blue, which features blue cheese and mozzarella in the patty. The menu also includes an array of po-boys and cheesesteak sandwiches. Be sure to check out the dessert case for Cajun delight, made with whipped cream cheese and pudding in a butter-pecan crust from the Double Musky Inn in Girdwood. Seating is very limited both indoors and outdoors.

This spacious sushi restaurant is located in a mall in Midtown Anchorage, surrounded by global culinary offerings like a Greek bakery, a poke bowl place, and Korean and Filipino Mytouries, all nestled between a Japanese travel agency and a Dollar Zone. Here, you can enjoy expertly crafted sashimi and nigiri, along with Korean-style sushi featuring pickled vegetables, and an extensive array of unique custom rolls, including those made with fresh and cured Alaska salmon. Don’t miss the hae dup bap, a delightful spicy Korean sashimi bowl.

This ice cream parlor is a must-visit for anyone in Anchorage who loves ice cream. The ever-changing menu resonates with Alaskans, reflecting both their culture and local ties. Scoops offers unique flavors such as spruce tip, birch syrup, rhubarb, and local honey, all served in locally made cookies and coffee, featuring an impressive variety of ingredients from mochi to malasadas. There’s often a line, but the wait is definitely worth it. Vegan choices are plentiful, and don't miss the toasted baked Alaska topping.

Visit this Malaysian-inspired ramen haven during off-peak hours to snag a seat amidst the summer rush in Anchorage. Once a burger joint, Kami was founded by three friends — Jiahui Sim, Chiiwen Choo, and Leon Chew — who previously ran a pop-up Malaysian bakery called Roti. The ramen menu highlights a rich tonkotsu broth crafted from simmered pork bones, with vegetarian and gluten-free options also available. Indoor seating is limited, but takeout is an option.

This beloved restaurant in Midtown Anchorage celebrates chef Nathan Bentley’s Italian influences. Weekly menus feature carefully sourced local ingredients — such as spot shrimp from Prince William Sound and white king salmon — along with a fun weekly burger special to satisfy any craving. Reservations are a must.

While Anchorage boasts a variety of Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese Mytouries, Thai Orchid in East Anchorage truly shines. Currently operating as take-out only since the pandemic, this spot is known for its quality service and diverse menu. Popular choices include the pad ped pork belly, pad kee mao with house-made noodles, chicken angel noodles, and yum neua salad. Dishes are often spicy, so be sure to indicate your spice preference.

This vibrant bakery, influenced by Asian and Pacific Islander flavors, is a visual delight. Look for stunning two-tone croissants, fluffy coconut bread, savory meat pies, pork buns, and cream puffs, along with unique “cruffins” filled with cream and injected with flavors. Enjoy an array of pastry flavors like green tea, ube, guava, mango, lychee, Fruity Pebbles, and cookies and cream. They also excel in bubble tea and offer a delicious banh mi selection. Don’t miss the neighboring pho spot, PhoNatik, also family-owned, where the oxtails are a must-try! Arrive early for the freshest selection.

This vibrant restaurant and bar in South Anchorage boasts a lively atmosphere. Though the windows overlook a gravel pit, the interior is bright and contemporary, adorned with local artwork. Enjoy fantastic espresso along with light breakfast and lunch options at the coffee shop, while the bar features a selection of craft gin cocktails. The dining room offers a menu highlighting Alaska’s produce and seafood, with a variety of small plates like polenta fries, warm dips, and charcuterie. Family-friendly, with a kids menu available, and reservations recommended for weekend evenings.

Situated a half-hour drive down the Seward Highway in Girdwood, yet still within Anchorage’s city limits, this popular Mytoury features a menu rich in local seafood along with vegan and gluten-free options. Highlights include loaded vegan nachos, fresh Kodiak scallops drizzled with miso ponzu sauce, and a hefty halibut burrito. With both indoor and outdoor seating available, this place operates on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations. A great kids menu and a selection of beer and wine enhance the experience.