Savor the Flavor of Trips to Alaska: 4 Restaurants to Try in Anchorage
Alaska's cuisine is an eclectic mix of the state's native food culture, infused with Russian and Nordic flavors. If you're about to head out on one of your next trips to Alaska, make a point to spend some extra time in Anchorage as part of your trip. It's one of the best places to truly experience the state's rich cuisine. For uniquely Alaskan dining experiences that will thrill your taste buds and keep you engaged with the local culture, start with these Anchorage restaurants.
Glacier Brewhouse
Whether it's fried, baked, topping off salads, or served plain with a side of rice, halibut is an Alaskan favorite that you'll find in many restaurants throughout the state. And when you taste halibut at the Glacier Brewhouse, you'll see why. Glacier Brewhouse is a classic Americana, surf-and-turf restaurant and brewpub with an Alaskan flair. Pair their herb-crusted Alaskan halibut with one of the many craft beers they have on tap. At the end of the night, finish your dish off with a slice of their Original Peanut Butter Pie.
Snow City Cafe
Historically, Inuits survived the harshest of winters by smoking salmon with their families. This tradition continues in modern Alaskan cuisine, where you can find this popular fish in everything from salmon cakes to tacos. And while you can find salmon on menus throughout the city, you'll want to make some time to try it at Snow City Cafe. There, fresh-squeezed orange juice paired with unique options like their Ship Creek Benedict (complete with poached eggs and smoked salmon cakes served over an English muffin with a side of reindeer sausage) will expand your culinary horizons. On weekends, get to Snow City Cafe early — it's a popular spot with locals and tourists alike.
Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse
Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse is as much about the experience as it is about the food. Almost every day of the week you'll find game nights, open mics, trivia, or live music to entertain you while you eat. Their Alaskan Halibut Alehouse fish and chips are otherworldly, with the halibut delicately battered and deep fried to perfection. Try pairing it with one of the many Alaskan microbrews they have on tap.
Harley's Old Thyme Cafe
The original miners and pioneers of Alaska wouldn't go anywhere without their sourdough starters, reportedly sleeping with the dough during bitter winter nights to keep it from freezing. Today, the love of sourdough still lives on in Alaskan cuisine, and it's expressed in many ways — breads, desserts, and pancakes, to name a few. If you're looking for an authentic Alaskan breakfast, look no further than the sourdough pancakes at Harley's Old Thyme Cafe. Their Old Time Sourdough Griddle Cakes can't be beat — and for dedicated foodies, there's a wide array of other options, too.
When you cap off your trips to Alaska at these Anchorage restaurants, you'll reinvigorate your taste buds, engage with Alaskan culture, and come back new.
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Image Source: Flickr/Anchorage Downtown Partnership