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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 hole-in-the-wall eatery elevates Thai cuisine with local produce in the summer from area farms as well as dishes featuring fresh Alaskan seafood. The creamy curries and crispy fresh rolls here earn plenty of kudos from Thai-food-obsessed Fairbankseans. Prices are slightly higher than other Thai spots, but the attractive interior and delicious food are worth it. There can be a wait for a seat during the dinner rush.
Fairbanks is famous for its number of Thai restaurants, and many locals consider downtown's Thai House the city's best. The food itself is complex, flavorful, and exceedingly fresh. Ginger fans may want to head straight for the Ginger Lover, an aptly named dish with warm, robust aromas. Vegetarians will find deep satisfaction from dishes such as the green curry tofu, with zucchini, peas, and basil leaves in just the right proportions.
