11 Best Restaurants in The Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska, Alaska

Set amid a strip of colorful old wood-frame buildings on Homer Spit, this casually upscale seafood bistro with large windows overlooking the water turns out consistently fantastic, artfully presented contemporary seafood dishes, often with Asian or Mediterranean influences. Start with the Alaskan crab sushi bake or spot prawn toast on house-baked focaccia, before tucking into a plate of tempura-halibut bibimbap or Kodiak scallops in a sweet-corn soubise. Save room for the out-of-this-world carrot cake. Reservations are a good idea at this popular spot. 

At the top of the dock overlooking Halibut Cove, this is one of Southcentral's most beautiful places to sit and soak up the pleasures of a summer afternoon. Locally caught seafood, the restaurant's specialty, is prepared with finesse, and there's always a mouthwatering vegetarian option. Before or after dinner you can stroll Halibut Cove's boardwalks and visit the Experience Gallery, which features works by 18 local artists, or just relax on the dock. Reservations are essential for the ferry, which requires that you return the same way in which you came unless you've secured lodging on the Cove.

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

This locally owned spot is one of two situated right on the harbor, with big windows that offer terrific views of marine life, water, and mountains. They have a sleek downstairs bar, and a quiet upstairs dining area with large windows that look out into the bay. Most dishes are Alaska-themed with fish, crustaceans, and reindeer. There's a reliable wine list and a dozen Alaska-brewed beers on tap.

Featuring local oysters harvested daily along with locally sourced meats and vegetables, this convivial bar and grill has a loyal following. In addition to freshly shucked and broiled oysters, chef-owner Kevin Lane is known for his inventive melding of flavors to make scrumptious and dishes like the wild and tame mushroom toast. Be sure to make a reservation in summer.

This funky waterfront eatery delivers tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining year-round indoors as well as outside on a patio on warm summer days. The menu includes creatively topped pizzas, Alaskan seafood, burgers, and plenty of vegan and plant-based options. Be sure to try the fresh cod or halibut dishes. Reservations are advisable for dinner.

HCL hosts this dining event several times throughout each summer. Seating is outside on an enormous deck that overlooks the bay, and live jazz music is performed on a floating stage. Each event, raises money for a community nonprofit in Homer, features a renowned guest chef from somewhere in the state, locally grown produce, and fresh seafood. Dinner is a set price and includes boat transportation from Homer.

A simple but sublime option for lunch, Johnny's serves a short menu of around a half-dozen Asian-influenced bowls with sticky rice, sesame slaw, kimchi, marinated mushrooms, and an egg along with a variety of proteins (hazelnut-crusted halibut, seared sockeye salmon, crispy curried tofu) and sauces. Every bowl can be prepared vegan, and there's also a teriyaki chicken option. You order at the window, and seating on a patio overlooking the bay, at the end of Homer Spit. Johnny's sources from adjacent Salmon Sisters, one of the best fish markets in town, and there's also a neighboring coffeehouse, Mug Up.

This converted powerhouse facility allows a close-up view of Near Island and the channel connecting the boat harbors with the Gulf of Alaska. Enjoy fine steaks and classic seafood dishes or fresh sushi and sashimi while watching the procession of fishing boats gliding past on their way to catch or bring back your next meal. Keep your eyes peeled for sea otters, seals, sea lions, and eagles, too. The menu also features gyoza, shumai (fried noodles), and rice specials.

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, pizza (by the slice), and sushi (on Friday); seasonal seafood, including shrimp, scallops, razor clams, and whatever else is fresh, is also available every night.

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.