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For eating inside the park, your only option is what you carry in—and don’t forget the bear-proof food container (available at the visitor center). Just outside the park entrance, in summer, there are dozens of restaurants to choose from. In winter, do what the few year-rounders do: get your groceries in Fairbanks or Anchorage. Really.
Top-notch craft beer and plenty of food options make the 49th State Brewing Company a must when passing through Healy. Committed to using local ingredients whenever possible, the kitchen turns out plenty of Alaska-grown dishes, the keystones being the Alaskan-raised yak burger and pork ribs. More than ten in-house beers are on tap to go along with the outdoor beer garden. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are also available.
For a casual and family-oriented atmosphere, dine with a view in this lodge-style, off-the-beaten-path locals hangout. The menu features hand-pressed burgers, New York steaks, crab cakes, penne pasta, salads with local and organic greens, and fresh-baked desserts. For a full day, try the ATV tours, a game of golf, fishing at nearby Otto Lake, or horse-drawn carriage rides that include a lunch or dinner featuring salmon and barbecue ribs.
Situated in a cluster of restaurants and cabins along Carlo Creek, Panorama is one of the more lively and festive options. Hand-tossed pizzas include one with Alaskan craft beer baked into the crust. Lawn games such as cornhole and horseshoes add to the atmosphere.
Built on top of an old glacier moraine, the Perch offers dining in a more removed and relaxed setting than elsewhere in the area. Steak and seafood make up the menu—local ingredients are used when possible—although gluten-free and vegetarian options are also available. Home-cooked breads and desserts make this a worthwhile stop as you head to or leave the park. There are also 20 cabins available on the premises starting at $125 per night.
