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. La Baleine

    $

    Open at 7 am, this place is a perfect stop before a day of fishing, but lunch is an equally fulfilling experience. La Baleine serves fantastic breakfast sandwiches on fresh ciabatta rolls—complimentary cup of locally roasted coffee included. Owner and renowned chef Kirsten Dixon and her daughter Mandy, both of them graduates of Le Cordon Bleu, Paris cooking school, create simple, highly pleasing meals such as the noodle bowl: fresh ramen with homemade broth, local vegetables, and seasonal fish. All the wild seafood dishes here are tremendously flavorful.

    4450 Homer Spit Rd., Homer, Alaska, 99603, USA
    907-299–6672

    Known For

    • Best breakfast sandwiches in town
    • Fantastic homemade ramen bowls
    • Locally sourced ingredients

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner
  • 2. 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.
  • 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. Burger Bus

    $

    A great spot to hit after a day of fishing, the Burger Bus is just as it sounds: an old school bus converted into a kitchen, with a shack built around it, and delicious burgers on offer. The portions are big and the flavors are great. The place might look a little sore on the outside, but you can tell by the way the locals hover that it's worth the visit. Try the halibut burger or the local favorite, the Kenai Killer Burger.

    409 Overland Ave., Kenai, Alaska, 99611, USA
    907-283–9611

    Known For

    • Excellent halibut burger
    • Great grub-on-the-go stop before or after a fishing excursion
    • Unique school-bus kitchen setup

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 5. Fritz Creek General Store

    $

    Be sure to check out this old-fashioned country store, gas station, liquor store, post office, video-rental shop, and deli. The latter is the primary reason for stopping at Fritz's: the food is amazingly good—brisket smoked right out back, homemade bread, pastries, and pizza by the slice. Pull up a chair at a table crafted from an old cable spool and join the back-to-the-land patrons as they drink espresso, talk Alaskan politics, and pet the cats.

    55770 E. End Rd., Homer, Alaska, 99603, USA
    907-235–6753

    Known For

    • Best sandwiches in town
    • Great place to mingle with locals
    • Off-the-beaten-path vibe
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Java Flats

    $

    This great coffee shop represents the true essence of Kodiak life. Fantastic breakfast burritos, vegetarian sandwiches, and excellent coffee make this the perfect place to stock up on provisions before embarking on exciting bear-watching and salmon-fishing adventures.

    11206 W. Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, Alaska, 99615, USA
    907-487–2622

    Known For

    • Tasty vegetarian sandwiches
    • Grab-and-go options
    • Best coffee in town

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 7. 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.
  • 8. Talkeetna Spinach Bread

    $

    This iconic food truck is known for its highly popular cheesy spinach bread and also serves breakfast and rotating daily specials, like Thai curry, Ethiopian beans and rice, and a Hawaiian poke bowl. Just look for the shiny metal trailer with a long line of people waiting for their favorite meal. It's worth the wait, and don't forget to grab some Brazilian limeade to wash it all down.

    13487 E. Main St., Talkeetna, Alaska, USA
    907-671–3287

    Known For

    • Heavenly spinach bread
    • Tasty breakfasts
    • Long lines that are worth the wait

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and in winter
  • 9. The Potato

    $

    What started as a food truck with an indoor-order bar is now a full-blown restaurant. This is where locals come for tasty comfort food, live music, and a super laid-back vibe.

    McCarthy, Alaska, USA
    907-554–4405

    Known For

    • Fries, fries, and more fries
    • Fun and relaxed ambience
    • Live-music venue

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Apr.
  • 10. The Sea Bean Cafe

    $

    This splendid café offers a good selection of teas and organic coffee, as well as soups, wraps, pastries, and smoothies.

    225 4th Ave., Seward, Alaska, 99664, USA
    907-224–6623

    Known For

    • Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options
    • Great place to eat and read or work on your computer
    • Grab-and-go options for those heading off on tours

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 11. Turnagain Kayak Coffeehouse

    $

    This is the only combination kayak rental shop and coffeehouse in Hope—maybe anywhere. They offer up great coffee, fresh fruit smoothies, and house-made pastries.

    19796 Hope Hwy., Hope, Alaska, 99605, USA
    907-715–9365

    Known For

    • Nearby kayaking excursions
    • Terrific coffee
    • Excellent smoothies and baked goods

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Thurs. and Fri.
  • 12. Two Sisters Bakery

    $

    This very popular café is a short walk from Bishops Beach, Beluga Slough, and the Islands and Ocean Visitors Center. In addition to fresh breads and pastries, Two Sisters specializes in deliciously healthy lunches, such as vegetarian focaccia sandwiches, homemade soups, quiche, and salads. Sit on the wraparound porch on a summer afternoon, or take your espresso and scone down to the beach to watch the waves roll in. Be sure to check their Facebook page for what's available that day.

    233 E. Bunnell Ave., Homer, Alaska, 99603, USA
    907-235–2280

    Known For

    • Fantastic fresh bread
    • Best place to drink coffee and read the morning paper
    • Wraparound porch perfect for summer

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sat.–Mon. No dinner
  • 13. Vagabond Blues

    $

    The folks at this aroma-filled spot serve up fresh and tasty pastries, quiches, wraps, salads, panini and other sandwiches, and espresso drinks. A convivial setting for meetings, board games, and pleasant conversation by day, Vagabond is a popular venue for touring musical acts several times a month. There's Wi-Fi here, too.

    642 S. Alaska St., Palmer, Alaska, 99645, USA
    907-745–2233

    Known For

    • Best coffee in town
    • Healthy food options
    • Grab-and-go meals

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 14. 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.
  • 15. Wild Honey Bistro

    $

    Located in Old Town next to the Bunnell Street Arts Center, Wild Honey features sweet and savory crepes along with housemade soups and salads, most of which showcase ingredients the owners have harvested themselves. Everything else is bought from local farmers.

    106 W Bunnell Ave., Homer, Alaska, 99603, USA
    907-435–7635

    Known For

    • Cozy ambience
    • Great outdoor seating
    • Drunken Monkey (strawberry and banana) mimosas

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No dinner

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