15 Best Restaurants in The Bush, Alaska

Background Illustration for Restaurants

Dining options are few when traveling around Alaska's Bush; smaller communities may have one or two eateries, if any at all. On the bright side, you won't need to worry about reservations. If they're open, they'll let you in, and you'll likely be surprised at the variety available: in addition to Alaskan seafood, game, and locally grown vegetables, Mexican and Asian fare are standard, even in the state's remotest corners. Usually Bush restaurants will feature two or three different cuisines. All food prices, including at grocery shops, reflect large transportation charges, so be prepared to pay more than you would back home or even in Anchorage.

Airport Pizzeria

$$ Fodor's Choice

Don't let the name fool you: Airport Pizza bakes pies, for sure, but also serves an impressive variety of dishes, including Korean specialties, burgers, sandwiches, ramen, beer-battered halibut, nachos, and even sushi. A few decades ago, the restaurant used to fly pizzas out to remote villages with the help of a regional airline with no added delivery charge. They don't do that anymore, but they do serve reliably good food, and they serve cold beer and other beverages.  

Pingo Bakery-Seafood House

$$ Fodor's Choice

Open early for breakfast and into the afternoon, Pingo serves up freshly made bread and fresh seafood meals Wednesday through Sunday. The menu changes daily, with items like seafood omelets, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and burritos often making an appearance, along with sandwiches, soups, noodles, and pizza, plus an assortment of fresh pastries. They have gluten-free items on the menu, and can also cater to special diets.

Uncommon Pizza

$$ Fodor's Choice

This pizza place opened in the area in 2022, features a popular bar, and has a casual vibe. There's an impressive selection of appetizers like nachos and wings as well as a good array of pizzas, burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and subs.

401 Chief Eddie Hoffman Hwy., Bethel, AK, USA
907-543–1307
Known For
  • Homemade ice cream and pizza dough
  • Satisfying pizzas, burgers, and cheesesteaks
  • Can be loud and packed sometimes

Something incorrect in this review?

Recommended Fodor's Video

Arctic Pizza

$$

Go to Arctic for good pies and huge calzones, plus Mexican and Italian entrées. Everything is made to order, and the wait is worth it. While you wait, enjoy great people watching and the view.

125 Apayauk S, Utqiaġvik, AK, USA
907-852–4222
Known For
  • Tasty calzones
  • Reasonable prices
  • Good views of the Arctic Ocean

Something incorrect in this review?

Baba Pizza and Subs

$$

In the local debate over who makes the best pizza in town, Baba regularly lands on top. It offers satisfying and filling American food like calzones, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and milkshakes. Delivery service is available.

Golden China

$$

You'll find Japanese and Korean food, burgers and bento boxes, and seafood baskets and pho along with standard Chinese fare at this casual spot on Front Street. It truly has something for everyone and ample seating, too.

231 Front St., Nome, AK, 99762, USA
907-443–2300
Known For
  • Lots of cuisine choices
  • Comfy booths
  • Fast and friendly service
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun.

Something incorrect in this review?

Harbor Sushi

$$

This sushi spot features wild-caught Alaska salmon and the usual selection of rolls and sashimi, with vegetarian choices and the usual sides. They also offer pork, beef, and chicken bowls, tempura, dumplings, and salads with or without ahi tuna or sockeye salmon.

498 Salmon Way, Unalaska, AK, USA
907-581–7191
Known For
  • Scenic, harborside ambience
  • Tasty salmon rolls
  • Fresh seafood
Restaurant Details
No lunch

Something incorrect in this review?

Hawaiian BBQ

$$

This reliable spot for tasty Hawaiian barbecue also serves plenty of pork and other meaty fare, plus Chinese, Korean, and fusion dishes. Breakfast is served all day, and delivery is available.

431 Ridgecrest Dr., Bethel, AK, USA
907-543–5551
Known For
  • Spam musubi sandwiches and soft-tofu soup
  • Hawaiian bento boxes
  • Hearty loco moco
Restaurant Details
Closed Tues.

Something incorrect in this review?

Husky Restaurant

$$

This American and Asian spot offers everything from tempura, burgers, steak, and deep-fried halibut and shrimp to fried rice, noodle dishes, and Japanese and Chinese favorites like teriyaki chicken and kung pao beef.

235 Front St., Nome, AK, 99762, USA
907-443–1300
Known For
  • Japanese dishes
  • Crab rangoon
  • Economical prices for Nome

Something incorrect in this review?

Little Louie's

$$

This basic but cozy eatery offers a range of food from morning to night. The menu includes pizza, burgers, omelets, wraps, nacho burritos, milkshakes, barbecue, and even packaged candy to go.

Margaret Bay Café

$$

With its lovely waterfront and mountain views, this bright and airy café is a great place to start the day with traditional American breakfast or lunch. The menu includes egg dishes, pancakes, burgers, wraps, and sandwiches and salads, plus smoothies and brunch favorites like mimosas and Irish coffee. There’s also an express lunch buffet during the work week.

1745 Airport Beach Rd., Dutch Harbor, AK, 99692, USA
907-581–7122
Known For
  • Crab pot omelet
  • Weekday express lunch buffet
  • Filling lunch bowls
Restaurant Details
Closed Sun. No dinner

Something incorrect in this review?

Milano's Pizzeria

$$

This popular Front Street restaurant has a casual atmosphere and offers dine-in service as well as takeout from midmorning to late. They serve pizzas with a wide assortment of toppings, along with steak dinners and Japanese (including sushi), Korean, and Italian food. One side of the restaurant has an Italian theme and the other a Japanese style.

2824 Front St., Nome, AK, 99762, USA
907-443–2924
Known For
  • Arguably the best sushi in town
  • Lots of local customers
  • Good value pizza

Something incorrect in this review?

Red Basket

$$

Located next to the Long House Hotel, Red Basket offers a varied menu with entrees ranging from Mongolian beef, yakisoba, spaghetti and meatballs, and fettuccine Alfredo to king crab, pancakes, omelets, burgers, and club sandwiches.

751 3rd Ave., Bethel, AK, USA
907-543–7001
Known For
  • Eclectic menu with something for everyone
  • Opens early and stays open late
  • Traditional American-style breakfast
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

Something incorrect in this review?

Snack Shack

$$

This longtime Chinese and American restaurant is known for its rice and noodle dishes. Look for udon and egg foo young, along with fried food baskets, sandwiches, and family dinner specials like burger packs that include four burgers with fries and soda.

520 3rd Ave., Bethel, AK, USA
907-543–2218
Known For
  • Family-friendly burger packs
  • Well-prepared Chinese dishes
  • Big portions
Restaurant Details
Closed Sat.

Something incorrect in this review?

Tundra Restaurant

$$

A longstanding Bethel eatery, Tundra focuses on Chinese, Korean, and American food. Choose from a range of rice and noodles dishes or mix it up with bento boxes and lunch or dinner combos.

473 Ridgecrest Dr., Bethel, AK, USA
543–5005
Known For
  • Bento boxes and lunch specials
  • Popular Chinese dishes
  • Reasonable prices
Restaurant Details
Closed Mon.

Something incorrect in this review?