The Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska Restaurants

The best way to describe the hospitality industry in Alaska is "informal," and this applies all over the state—even in Anchorage. Don't worry if you still have your hiking clothes on when you go out to eat. Every kind of food is available, especially in larger towns, but options decline considerably from mid-September through April.

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  • 1. A Rogue's Garden

    $

    For a quarter century, this downtown natural foods store has been serving Valdez and its visitors espresso and organic coffees, delicious fresh-baked goods, and fruit smoothies. There's also a sandwich bar for paninis and soups made from scratch.

    354 Fairbanks St., Valdez, Alaska, 99686, USA
    907-835–5880

    Known For

    • Best lunch destination in town
    • Fresh rustic bread
    • Great selection of natural foods and kitchen items

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 2. Anchor Bar & Grill

    $$

    A fisherman's bar, the Anchor is built for appetites and not ambience. There's a great deck outside overlooking the water, though, and the burgers and sandwiches—enormous, delicious, and made with fresh bread —are all the rage in Cordova.

    207 Breakwater Ave., Cordova, Alaska, 99574, USA
    907-424–3262

    Known For

    • <PRO>fresh-made bread and hamburger buns</PRO>
    • <PRO>genuine local hangout</PRO>
    • <PRO>beautiful outdoor seating with lake views</PRO>
  • 3. Baja Taco & Espresso Bar

    $

    A funky bus turned food stand with an attached dining room, Baja Taco serves creative Tex-Mex dishes. Some come with a little added Alaska pizzazz, like the halibut-cheek tacos or the fish of the day. In addition to lunch and dinner, Baja serves breakfast—and possibly the only migas (Spanish scrambled eggs) for many a mile. There's also an espresso bar and plenty of room to eat out of the rain.

    1 Harbor Loop Rd., Cordova, Alaska, 99574, USA
    907-424–5599

    Known For

    • Super groovy school-bus kitchen
    • Best salsas and tacos in the region
    • Location right next to the water

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–May
  • 4. China Sea

    $$

    This classic Chinese restaurant features local seafood and amazingly fresh vegetables. The grilled halibut is fantastic, and for nonfish lovers, the Mongolian beef and kung pao chicken are excellent choices.

    6 Harbor Rd., Whittier, Alaska, 99693, USA
    907-472–3663

    Known For

    • One of the best Chinese restaurants in Southcentral Alaska
    • Fresh fish and vegetables (a rarity in these parts)
    • Location right near the ferry terminal

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed mid-Sept.–late May
  • 5. Fat Mermaid

    $$

    This funky waterfront eatery delivers tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining year-round indoors as well as outside on a smoke-free patio on warm summer days. The menu includes gourmet pizzas, Alaskan seafood, burgers, and plenty of vegetarian and healthy options. Be sure to try the halibut tacos or the clam chowder. Reservations are recommended in summer.

    143 N. Harbor Dr., Valdez, Alaska, 99686, USA
    907-835–3000

    Known For

    • 15 craft beers on tap
    • Great specialty cocktails
    • Outside harbor-view seating
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Lazy Otter Café & Gifts

    $$

    Amid the summer shops and docks, this little café offers warm drinks and soups, sandwiches, and fresh-baked pastries, along with an Alaskan favorite, soft-serve ice cream. The busy shop has only a couple of indoor seats, but there's outdoor seating overlooking the harbor, which is quite pleasant on sunny days. They also sell boxed lunches for those embarking on a cruise or day hike.

    Whittier, Alaska, 99693, USA
    907-694–6887

    Known For

    • Excellent seafood chowder and salmon spread
    • Outdoor seating with views of harbor
    • Only good coffee in town

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed late Sept.–early May
  • 7. MacMurray's Alaska Halibut House

    $$

    At this very casual family-owned establishment you order at the counter, sit at the Formica-covered tables, and check out the photos of local fishing boats. The battered halibut is excellent—light and not greasy. Other menu items include homemade clam chowder, but if you're eating at the Halibut House, why try anything else?

    208 Meals Ave., Valdez, Alaska, 99686, USA
    907-835–2788

    Known For

    • Old-school fish-and-chips
    • Relaxed atmosphere
    • Amazing fried halibut

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No dinner
  • 8. OK Restaurant

    $$

    This Asian food dining destination specializing in Chinese and Korean cuisine is a favorite with locals who want a little diversity in their palate. OK is particularly known for its outstanding Mongolian beef and fresh sushi in summer.

    616 1st St., Cordova, Alaska, 99574, USA
    907-424–3433

    Known For

    • Only Asian eatery that doesn't require a boat ride
    • Fantastic interiors
    • Delicious homemade kimchi

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 9. Old Town Burgers

    $$

    Not every burger is created equal, and the cooks at Old Town are dead set to prove it with its collection of Hawaiian burgers, mushroom burgers, and cheeseburgers. This restaurant favored by locals also serves up food for those seeking Alaska-specific fare such as halibut sandwiches, halibut and chips, and fried salmon (perhaps the only place in the state where you can find that). Old Town opens at 5 am for breakfast but stops serving at 10 pm.

    139 E. Pioneer Dr., Valdez, Alaska, 99686, USA
    907-461–8335

    Known For

    • <PRO>enormous portions of breakfast plates</PRO>
    • <PRO>best burgers in town</PRO>
    • <PRO>delicious curly fries</PRO>
  • 10. Powder House Bar and Grill

    $$$

    On clear summer evenings, you can relax on this roadside bar's deck overlooking Eyak Lake and enjoy whatever the cook's in the mood to make. Located inside a former storage shed for railroad explosives, this place serves homemade soups, burgers, and sushi (on Friday); seasonal seafood, including shrimp, scallops, razor clams, and whatever else is fresh, is also available every night.

    Copper River Hwy., Cordova, Alaska, 99574, USA
    907-424–3529

    Known For

    • Rustic charm
    • Scenic mountain views from the back porch
    • Fantastic burger specials
  • 11. Reluctant Fisherman Restaurant

    $$$

    This restaurant is about the closest thing to fine dining in Cordova, and it's generally packed with tourists, fishermen, and locals who appreciate both the food and the drinks. Each summer, the chef blows the menu up with something new and fabulous, but you're guaranteed to find a number of excellent fish dishes always fresh and right off the fishing boats. During the summer, the restaurant offers breakfast on Wednesday through Sunday until 11 am.

    407 Railroad Ave., Cordova, Alaska, 99574, USA
    907-424–3272

    Known For

    • Great outdoor seating
    • Location next to the boat docks
    • Ceviche and grilled salmon
  • 12. Roadside Potatohead Valdez

    $

    This cozy little converted house overlooks the harbor and is the go-to place for locals in the summer. Whether it's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, they're all about the potato—be sure to try the potatohead burrito or the spuds with gravy.

    225 North Harbor Dr., Valdez, Alaska, 99686, USA
    907-835–3058

    Known For

    • Excellent breakfast burritos
    • Tastiest fries for hundreds of miles
    • All things potatoes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Apr.
  • 13. Varly's Ice Cream & Pizza Parlor

    $

    On a hot summer day and even on not-so-hot days, locals yearn for some Varly's ice cream, or if the weather's cold and rainy, for some decent pizza. The owners (who also manage Varly's Swiftwater Seafood Café) take great pride in what they do, and it shows: the homemade pizza here is certainly something to write home about. It might sound odd, but the pizza topped with sauerkraut and pepperoni is the one of the best pies. If you're not sure which way to lean (pizza or ice cream), opt for a little of each.

    Whittier Harbor, Whittier, Alaska, 99693, USA
    907-472–2547

    Known For

    • Homemade pizza dough and breads
    • Outdoor seating
    • Authentic frontier feel

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Apr. and Wed.
  • 14. Varly's Swiftwater Seafood Café

    $$

    The epicurean heart of Whittier for more than two decades, Varly's offers delightful surprises like its famed calamari burger—squid tenderized and fried in a secret batter. Other menu items include burgers, homemade chowders, rockfish, halibut, and salmon.

    Whittier, Alaska, 99693, USA
    907-472–2550

    Known For

    • Best fried fish in the state
    • Fresh seafood straight out of the water
    • True fishermen's wharf atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed mid-Sept.–May

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