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Anchorage's dining scene has, to the relief of repeat visitors and, even more so, locals, been on the rise for the past several years. Established (and still highly recommended) restaurants like Jens’ and Marx Bros. Café have been joined by the likes of the small-plate and wine-focused Crush Wine Bistro and Cellar and the Pacific Rim cuisine–focused Ginger. No matter the restaurant, the local catch is a frequent star. Beware: eating salmon or halibut in-state may ruin you for fish served in the Lower 48. Anchorage also offers up plenty of worldly flavors thanks to the city's ethnic diversity. And nobody should leave Anchorage without trying the local fast-food specialty: a reindeer sausage from the cart in front of the courthouse on 4th Avenue.
On summer days, Snow City attracts some serious crowds—and for good reason. This modern but unassuming café, convenient to many of the Downtown hotels and just a block from the ocean, serves one of Anchorage's best (and yet reasonably priced) breakfasts. If you're not an early riser, join the virtual waitlist on their website before walking over.
Just blocks from Downtown hotels, this family-run bakery makes a perfect destination for a leisurely morning muffin run. The bustling Downtown location anchors K Street Market, a sunny emporium shared with a plant store, produce stand, and bottle shop.
The scent of hops permeates the cavernous, wood-beam BrewHouse, where at least a dozen beers are brewed on the premises. Locals mingle with visitors in this noisy, always-busy heart-of-town restaurant, and dinner selections range from chili-lime shrimp to fettuccine jambalaya. Summer reservations are recommended, even for lunch.
Historic photos, mounted animals, and state memorabilia adorn this old family favorite near the airport. Lunch is available, but the restaurant is best known for its old-fashioned all-day breakfasts, which include menu items like reindeer sausage and crab omelets. Don't expect anything fancy; this is diner food in an Alaskana-filled setting.
Part eatery and part community center and event space, this café offers plenty of healthy (or, at least, healthy-sounding) fare, including fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, organic sandwiches, fresh soups, and tempeh wraps. While vegans and vegetarian visitors to Anchorage should definitely make a beeline to Organic, omnivores are not left out in the cold: the menu also includes Thai chicken salads, grass-fed burgers, and lamb.
This luminous lunch spot supplies an instant burst of sunshine no matter the month, with vibrant ingredients, tropical drinks, and a dining area filled with lush, greenery. The out-of-the-way cafe specializes in dishes from lower latitudes, like tortas, tostadas, and chilaquiles.
Perched on the edge of the city, South's expansive menu and bright airy space make it a destination brunch spot in Anchorage. The menu offers fresh Alaska spins on brunch classics like sourdough pancakes, cod tacos, and reindeer sausage as well as a wide range of salads, sandwiches, and tapas. If you need a caffeine jolt or grab-and-go dish as you drive south out of town, the attached coffeeshop is open all day long.
The amusing assortment of wall art here pays homage to the roadhouses that dot the state, but Spenard Roadhouse is by no means just a place to grab a quick meal while traveling. The warm and inviting restaurant offers creative comfort food, plus a daily brunch menu; the cocktails alone are worth the journey.
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