49 Best Restaurants in The Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska, Alaska

With an unusual setting inside a 1913 railroad car, this superb farm-to-table eatery is the hippest place to eat in the area. It's part of Whistle Hill, a respected local company that also has a railcar coffeehouse, a gift shop, an art gallery, a hydroponic farm, and a Tesla car charging station. The kitchen uses a lot of locally sourced produces and meats in dishes goat cheese balls with blueberry-apricot chutney and hot honey–glazed salmon with rice noodles, veggies, and a sesame-ginger sauce.

Set amid a strip of colorful old wood-frame buildings on Homer Spit, this casually upscale seafood bistro with large windows overlooking the water turns out consistently fantastic, artfully presented contemporary seafood dishes, often with Asian or Mediterranean influences. Start with the Alaskan crab sushi bake or spot prawn toast on house-baked focaccia, before tucking into a plate of tempura-halibut bibimbap or Kodiak scallops in a sweet-corn soubise. Save room for the out-of-this-world carrot cake. Reservations are a good idea at this popular spot. 

Owned by Chef Kevin Lane and his wife Stacey, who also operate the renowned Cookery restaurant up the street, this festive taqueria offers out-of-this-world taco fillings, such as lightly breaded and fried rockfish and slow-cooked pork carnitas. Other good bets include tortas and burritos, and there's a terrific selection of house-made sauces and salsas.

At the top of the dock overlooking Halibut Cove, this is one of Southcentral's most beautiful places to sit and soak up the pleasures of a summer afternoon. Locally caught seafood, the restaurant's specialty, is prepared with finesse, and there's always a mouthwatering vegetarian option. Before or after dinner you can stroll Halibut Cove's boardwalks and visit the Experience Gallery, which features works by 18 local artists, or just relax on the dock. Reservations are essential for the ferry, which requires that you return the same way in which you came unless you've secured lodging on the Cove.

This airy two-story microbrewery serves eclectic and creative gastropub fare prepared with locally sourced ingredients—think Alaskan salmon poke steam buns with a crunchy wonton and spicy mayo, and exceptional pizzas topped with fried-garlic olive oil, braised oyster mushrooms, sausage, fontina, and burrata. The high-ceilinged restaurant's design blends rustic-chic, modern deco, and industrial elements and is anchored by an enormous copper fish welded by a local artist.

The epicurean heart of Whittier for more than two decades, Swiftwater offers delightful surprises like its famed calamari-steak sandwich—squid tenderized and fried in a secret batter. Other menu items include burgers, homemade chowders, rockfish, halibut, and salmon.

A fisherman's bar, the Anchor is built for appetites and not ambience. There's a great deck outside overlooking the water, though, and the burgers and sandwiches—enormous, delicious, and made with fresh bread —are all the rage in Cordova.

A funky bus turned food stand with an attached dining room, Baja Taco serves creative Tex-Mex dishes. Some come with a little added Alaska pizzazz, like the halibut-cheek tacos or the fish of the day. In addition to lunch and dinner, Baja serves breakfast—and possibly the only migas (Spanish scrambled eggs) for many a mile. There's also an espresso bar and plenty of room to eat out of the rain.

A great spot to hit after a day of fishing, the Burger Bus is just as it sounds: an old school bus converted into a kitchen, with a shack built around it, and delicious burgers on offer. The portions are big and the flavors are great. The place might look a little sore on the outside, but you can tell by the way the locals hover that it's worth the visit.

Hearty fare fills the menu at this diner-style café, including homemade pies, juicy burgers, burritos, pasta dishes, and pizzas turned out of a wood-fired oven. The owner describes the decor as "Alaska minimalist," but the booths are plush and comfortable, and hand-rubbed wood is evident.

This classic Chinese restaurant features local seafood and amazingly fresh vegetables. The grilled halibut is fantastic, and for nonfish lovers, the Mongolian beef and kung pao chicken are excellent choices.

This locally owned spot is one of two situated right on the harbor, with big windows that offer terrific views of marine life, water, and mountains. They have a sleek downstairs bar, and a quiet upstairs dining area with large windows that look out into the bay. Most dishes are Alaska-themed with fish, crustaceans, and reindeer. There's a reliable wine list and a dozen Alaska-brewed beers on tap.

Featuring local oysters harvested daily along with locally sourced meats and vegetables, this convivial bar and grill has a loyal following. In addition to freshly shucked and broiled oysters, chef-owner Kevin Lane is known for his inventive melding of flavors to make scrumptious and dishes like the wild and tame mushroom toast. Be sure to make a reservation in summer.

This roadhouse diner is a great place to grab a bite and a libation and soak up the sun (when it makes an appearance) on the outside deck. The café offers an array of dishes, but they're particularly known for their excellent variety of burgers. Breakfast is served on weekends, and the country-fried steak is out of this world. On weekends, the venue presents outdoor concerts by bands from all over the country (and in winter, acoustic music is performed indoors). This makes lodging and comping a hot commodity when concerts are scheduled, so make sure you have your lodging and tickets in place before making the long drive.

Like every good brewery, Denali Brewing Company has a large outdoor porch for sunny days, and a menu of savory items to soak up the beer. Burgers, fish-and-chips, and a host of appetizers pack their menu. Denali Brewing is also home to Alaska Meadery, Alaska Ciderworks, and Denali Spirits.

This restaurant and acoustic music venue (adjacent to Bear Creek Lodge) prides itself on epic meals with a twist, like two-layer crab cakes and deep-fried cheesy rice and Alaska sausage. The food is delicious, but the interior, with its one wall that opens up to let the delightful summer outdoors in, really makes this a terrific place to dine, drink, and enjoy great live music.

This trusty spot for burgers, sandwiches, and seafood specials is known for generous portions and reasonable prices. There's often live music in summer.

This funky waterfront eatery delivers tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining year-round indoors as well as outside on a patio on warm summer days. The menu includes creatively topped pizzas, Alaskan seafood, burgers, and plenty of vegan and plant-based options. Be sure to try the fresh cod or halibut dishes. Reservations are advisable for dinner.

Pumpkin-color walls, light streaming through tall front windows, and a playful collection of Italian posters add to the appeal of this fine Tuscany-inspired bistro. The menu offers up appetizers, salads, sandwiches, calzones, and pizzas, and in the evening they have rotating specials that often include seafood. If you're in a hurry, just get a giant slice of the thin-crust cheese pizza to go. You can order meals at the bar, where you'll find a great wine selection, and there's always something decadent for dessert.

This casually stylish restaurant offers excellent views of the flats at the mouth of the Kenai River as well as the surrounding mountains. The menu emphasizes produce and seafood sourced locally as well as house-smoked meats—try the confit and roasted half organic chicken, or grilled rockfish with garlic butter, romesco sauce, and butternut-squash risotto.

A longtime local favorite, Fu Kung serves some of the best sushi (Japanese- and Korean-style), Chinese, and Thai food in the region. From the extensive menu, consider flavor-packed dishes like shrimp with lobster sauce, pineapple-fried rice, and a slew of inventive sushi rolls. It's a popular stop in the summer, so reservations are highly recommended.

With a menu that ebbs and flows with the seasons yet consistently delivers fantastic dishes, The Grape Tap is lauded by most as the top upscale dining experience in town. This 60-seat restaurant and European wine cellar is set in a 1930s pioneer home that's been renovated with contemporary colors and style. Reservations are highly recommended.

This roadhouse was first built in 1952 replete with cut, hauled and split timber. It's a great place to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with specialties ranging from double quarter-pound burgers topped with applewood-smoked bacon and cheddar to halibut fish-and-chips.

HCL hosts this dining event several times throughout each summer. Seating is outside on an enormous deck that overlooks the bay, and live jazz music is performed on a floating stage. Each event, raises money for a community nonprofit in Homer, features a renowned guest chef from somewhere in the state, locally grown produce, and fresh seafood. Dinner is a set price and includes boat transportation from Homer.

A big, boisterous, friendly place near the small-boat harbor, Henry's has a menu that's equally big. There's fresh local seafood, of course, but also everything from barbecue to gourmet salads, pastas, and even some Cajun dishes. Get started with one of the many appetizers, and finish up with one of their tasty desserts.

A rarity in the 49th State, this colorfully decorated newcomer to downtown Talkeetna specializes in Southern cuisine, although with a nod to Alaska. The addictive crab hushpuppies feature locally sourced barley, cornmeal, and crab, and among the mains, the rich scallops and grits, seafood gumbo pie, and smoked-wild-mushroom hoppin' John all feature Alaskan ingredients. Save room for the rotating array of pies and cobblers. 

Located at the harbor with splendid outdoor seating, this laid-back eatery features smoked meats, fresh baked goods, and an array of rotating specials on the menu, including barbecue ribs on Friday. On the weekends they have fantastic dinners and live music.

Talented and friendly Chef Chad Miller, who regularly makes his way around the cheerful dining room, presents a dazzling menu of fusion cuisine that incorporates locally harvested produce and seafood. Start with an order of Alaskan shrimp dumplings or crispy mushroom bao, and then consider the complexly flavored smoked black cod risotto or tallow-infused local tenderloin with compound butters and caramelized-onion mashed potatoes. In addition to great food, The Kannery serves inventive and delightful cocktails and mocktails.

With a back side that faces Kenai Lake and offers splendid views, and food equally worth your attention, this unassuming roadhouse is the place to stop in Cooper Landing. The halibut crab cakes with an excellent homemade tartar sauce come highly recommended, and there are always great fish options at the peak of the season. Musicians from all over entertain in the evenings.

This converted powerhouse facility allows a close-up view of Near Island and the channel connecting the boat harbors with the Gulf of Alaska. Enjoy fine steaks and classic seafood dishes or fresh sushi and sashimi while watching the procession of fishing boats gliding past on their way to catch or bring back your next meal. Keep your eyes peeled for sea otters, seals, sea lions, and eagles, too. The menu also features gyoza, shumai (fried noodles), and rice specials.