5 Best Restaurants in Anchorage, Alaska

An absolute must for epicures and adventurous eaters, Crow's Nest uses inspired combinations to highlight, but never overpower, the freshest ingredients Alaska has to offer. Located on the top floor of the Hotel Captain Cook, this is also the best restaurant view in Anchorage, spanning the Chugach Mountains to the east, the Alaska Range to the north and west, and the city 20 stories below. The dress code, like everything in Alaska, is relaxed: business casual, but no sandals and no shorts.

The combination of shared small plates and an international wine list makes this Anchorage's most conversation-friendly dining venue. Although it's more fun to share, diners who prefer a plate of their own can also opt for inventive entrées ranging from scallop pad thai to shawarma-spiced lamb chops.

The dining room here offers a range of meat and seafood entrées, while the lounge's separate menu feels suitable for a romantic date or a girls' night out. Kinley's also has a special knack for finding wines that taste luxe, but don't break the bank. Pair with an appetizer or one of their exquisite desserts, such as the mocha pecan torte.

This refined yet relaxing mountaintop restaurant is perched 2,300 feet up Mt. Alyeska, accessed by a 60-passenger aerial tram (free with dinner reservations, otherwise $48 round-trip). The forward-thinking prix fixe menu capitalizes on local produce and seafood and rotates seasonally. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook seven glaciers in an unforgettable panoramic mountain view.

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.