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Most restaurants fly in fresh salmon and halibut from the coast. Meat-and-potatoes main courses, pastas and pizzas, and pub fare dominate most menus, but an increasing number of both ethnic restaurants and establishments serving healthier fare have opened in and around Fairbanks in recent years. The food isn't the only thing full of local flavor: Alaskan pride runs strong, so expect to see snowshoes, bear hides, the state flag, and historic photos incorporated into restaurant decor. As for attire, even in the most elegant establishments Alaskans sometimes wear sweats or Carhartts.
This crepes-all-day spot is the place to be on summer mornings, specifically if you can nab a seat on the expansive patio. Located in the center of downtown, the Crepery offers a lengthy menu of sweet and savory crepes stuffed with ingredients from brie and pear to salmon and crab.
This summer-only stand serves luscious artisanal ice cream made with local ingredients like fireweed, blueberries, and cranberries. Near the university, it's a favorite of locals—it can take a few minutes before you get your scoop, but the fun ambience makes the time go fast.
With its tasty treats and eclectic artwork from around the world, this hangout is so popular that a line often curls out the door. It's a worthy stop either for a to-go lunch to bring on a hike or a well-made espresso and a cookie, a scone, or a muffin to savor inside. The kitchen also serves up breakfast burritos, quiche, soup, and sandwiches, along with pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven. Desserts include tiramisu and cheesecake. The "roasting" in the shop name isn't just for looks—all the beans brewed here are also roasted here.
This classic car hop sits right where the Richardson and Alaska highways converge. It's all-American road-trip food—think burgers, fries, and ice cream—but the sunny patio next to Sullivan's Roadhouse provides a nice spot to unwind. It's cash-only, but there's an ATM on-site.
This casual bakery serves well-crafted espresso drinks, excellent baked goods, over-stuffed sandwiches, and some of the best bagels in the city. The well-lit dining is a locals' favorite spot to meet up with friends, read the newspaper, or watch the bakers knead fresh dough through a viewing window from the dining area.
Fairbanks locals have been going mad for Nadav Weiss's falafel and hand-baked pitas ever since he started serving them at the farmers' market before he opened this stand on College Road. In summer, enjoy the comfy outdoor seating with quick, casual, and delicious Middle-Eastern fare.
