Fairbanks' Restaurants
Excuse our bias, but we have not included in our database
any "fast food" restaurants, though we certainly have some!
Those with a star (
¯)
are considered "downtown."
and a
z means smoke free
(others may be also; we have only marked those we know about).
Alaska Salmon Bake
Located at Pioneer Park (formerly Alaskaland), they offer
All-you-can-eat Prime Rib, grilled Alaska Salmon, deep fried Alaska
Halibut and Cod. Included is a salad bar, baked beans, fresh made rolls,
beverages and dessert. All the food is made fresh. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m.
(no lunches except for special occasions like Fathers' Day, Fourth of
July, etc.)
Mid-June to Sept. only, for $28. For more information, call
(907) 452-7274.
Arctic Bowl Snack Bar
z
Located at 952 10th Avenue, within walking distance of downtown.
Asiana Teriyaki Restaurant
z
Located at 2001 Airport Way.
Aviators Steak House ¯
z
Located at 731 2nd Ave.
The Bakery Restaurant
z
69 College Road, right across from Sam's Club.
Bamboo Panda
z
1235 Airport Way.
Bear 'n' Seal Grill¯
Located in the Westmark Hotel, of Noble Street. (907) 459-7725. Seafood
available.
Bobby's¯
Originally located across the road from the News-Miner, they have
moved down Barnette Street, between 2nd and Third Ave. They do not open until 5:30 p.m., serving
appetizers, dinner, Greek choices, etc. One of the few restaurants with a
smoking section left (we are told it is well separated from the
non-smoking area).
Brewster's
z
3578 Airport Way.
Bruegger's
z
36 College Road, across the parking lot from the north end of
the Bentley Mall. Great for lunches, with sandwiches & wraps made quickly
from scratch while you wait. Ask for a punch card the first time you visit.
♫Cafe
Alex¯
310 1st. Avenue, Ed Wyrick playing American Standards on the piano Tues-Sat.
5-9 p.m. (907) 452-2539
Campus Cache
z
UAF
The Castle
This tall castle-like structure on Airport Way to the west
of Fred Meyers was constructed in the early 1960's and modeled after the
historic castles of Switzerland. It is no longer in business, but because of
its historic value, we are leaving mention of it here, in case you see it
and wonder. In its heyday, it featured fine dining with char-broiled steaks,
Alaskan seafood, etc. Cocktail lounge, dance floor, and excellent food, but
they did not open until 4 p.m. so you could not plan on lunch there. Live
dance music was featured on weekends.
The dining hall at the Chatanika Gold Camp serves lunch and dinner 6
days a week (closed Mondays) with daily specials like including clams,
calamari, and prawns. Sunday brunch is served from 10-3 year 'round and
include homemade waffles, eggs benedict, reindeer sausage, ham, muffins
and desserts. Continental breakfasts for large groups may be arranged. The
restaurant is open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch buffet is from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Chatanika Gold Camp is located at mile 28 on the old
Steese Hwy. From Fairbanks take the Steese highway #2 north to Fox, turn
right at weigh station on to the old Steese Highway #6 and continue north
to Chatanika.
The Chowder House
z
206 Eagle Ave. A popular lunch spot which can be very crowded
at times. Many of the tables are tiny, but the dessert portions are large.
To order your soup and sandwich, you fill in bubbles for the ingredients you
want on a piece of paper and they hand it to the cook.
The
Cookie
Jar Restaurant
z
This is one of our favorite restaurants in Fairbanks! It is located off
Danby Road, between College Road and the Johansen Expressway.
Co-Op Diner¯
z
This historic 50's style restaurant on 535 2nd Avenue is in
the Co-op Plaza, a building that used to house the Empress Theatre. The balcony from the
old theater can still be seen above from the dining area. The layout of
the restaurant has not changed much since the 50's. The main difference is
the new management which translates to better service. The menu is
entertaining in itself - with such items as the Jr. Pipeline (regular hot
dog with potato chips on the Baby Bear's menu), Moose Nuggets (aka
chicken), and American Tires (aka onion rings). That last is a "tip of the
hat" to one of the companies who helped "bring back the historic Co-Op
Diner." There are 7 listed on the back of the menu and locals enjoy
hunting for the food items named after each. (907) 474-DINE(3463).
Country Cafe
z
Another one in North Pole, it is located at 235 Santa Clause
Lane.
The Diner¯
z
The "working man's restaurant" specializing in hearty fare. Located across
the Cushman Street Bridge and around the corner at 244 Illinois St., (907)
451-0613
Denny's Restaurant
z
We were pleasantly surprised at the greatly improved
service that we noticed in December of 2008. This 24 hour restaurant is
located at 1929 Airport Way, on the access road.
Edge Water Dining
z
Located at 477 Pikes Landing Road.
Elf's Den
This excellent restaurant is located in North
Pole, 20 miles southeast of Fairbanks (right on the Richardson Highway, just
south of the overpass). Stu Rothman, long-time editor of the "Fairbanks"
magazine, recommends their broasted chicken, Beef Wellington &
Tourenados.
♫El
Mariachi¯
541 3rd. Avenue, Salsa Music on Fridays at 7 p.m. (907) 457-2698.
Fire Wok Express
z
Located in North Pole, in the Town & Country Mall.
The Fudge Pot¯
z
Not exactly a full service restaurant, but oh, what delicious homemade
fudge! 515 1st Avenue, (907) 456-3834.
Gambardellas Pasta Bella¯
Located at 706 2nd Ave, they are an excellent Italian restaurant. The
web site for Gambardella's Pasta Bella is
http://www.gambardellas.com.
Geraldo's Restaurant
z
American and Italian dining, with a definite emphasis on garlic. Now serving
hand tossed "gourmet" pizza. They are located on College Road, the east end, in
the area known as Lemeta (look for residential streets with feminine
names
Harley's Diner
See below, Little Richard's Family Diner.
The Hilltop Cafe
Located on the Elliot Highway, about 20 miles north of Fox, this cafe enjoys an
excellent reputation for good home cooking and they are famous for the size of their
pieces of home-made pie. In fact, all food servings are generous, as they cater to
truckers - there is even a table permanently reserved for them!
Hot Licks
Located on College Rd. in a peach and purple building directly across from
Beaver Sports., near Campus Corner (which is at College Rd. and University Avenue), they
specialize in home-made ice cream treats.
Their summer hours are noon to 11p.m. Extremely popular in summer, they are not
open in the winter, as they have no indoor seating, but they make and sell ice cream cakes
year round. Call them at 479-7813, or fax them at 474 4977. They also sell their
homemade ice cream in 3 gal tubs. The owner can be reached by pager at 496-1656.
Hot Tamale¯
112 N. Turner, (907) 457-8350.
Home Town Restaurant
This excellent family-style restaurant is located at 2223 S. Cushman, right
next to the Ranch Motel, just across the parking lot. All meals are served, with hours 6 a.m. to
9 p.m.
♫Howling Dog Saloon
At the junction of the Elliot and Steese Highways, in Fox, about eleven miles
north of town, it has been labeled "unassuming, untouristy, unpretentious and
fun". The restaurant is open April through October with live music
and dancing Thur, Fri, Sat, & Sun. You can play volleyball under the
midnight sun here. Opens at 4 p.m. seven days a week at 11 mile Steese Highway. Call (907) 457-8780
or email
info@howlingdogsaloon.com for more
information.
Ichiban Noodle House
z
Located on 400 College Rd, in Lemeta, where the corner gas
station used to be.
Iris Cafe & Saloon¯
900 Noble Street, (907) 455-4747.
Koreana Restaurant
z
1528 Cushman St.
L'assiette de Pomegranate¯
414 2nd. Ave., 451-4747.
♫Lavelle's
Bistro¯z
Springhill Suites, (907) 450-0555.
Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine
z
388 Old Chena Pump Rd.
Little Richard's
Family Diner
Located on the Richardson Highway just outside North Pole, this shiney
1950's style restaurant is owned by Ann & Ed Richards, the former
owners of the Buffalo Center Diner in Delta. This restaurant used to be
Harley's Diner. Hours are M-Sat, 8am till 9
p.m. Mon-Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. They specialize in
buffalo burgers, cheesesteaks, & milkshakes. They also have a Wild Alaska
Skillet with buffalo and reindeer sausage.
Lola Tilly Commons
z
Two eating areas in the Wood Center, UAF.
Mama C's
Moose Creek Kitchen
This family-run café is just a half hour drive from Fairbanks,
near Eielson Air Force Base, to whose servicemen they cater.
Owned by retired airman John Catiller and his wife Georgette,
the restaurant was planned to supply everything servicemen look
for in a restaurant. The restaurant, which specializes in fried
chicken and grilled steaks and burgers, is open daily except
Monday and Tuesday. For children, they have a Disney corner with
a VCR and hundreds of movies.
Hours vary, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
on Wednesday and Thursday, with an extra hour before closing on
Friday. Weekends, Sunday the hours are 9 to 9, staying open the
extra hour on Saturday. They also deliver in Moose Creek and
Eielson. Locate them by following signs to Moose Creek (between
North Pole and Eielson) and find them at 3614 Old Richardson
Highway, just outside the Eielson gate. (907) 490-0145.
♫McCafferty's¯
z
Not a full service restaurant, but Friday and Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m.
they feature music from Sandcastle and Jubilation. 408 Cushman St., (907)
456-6853.
♫Miners Restaurant & Saloon¯
A restaurant with bar in a separate room. Very comfortable booths and good food (try their breakfasts!). Live music by Larry Raines on Fridays and
Saturdays, 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m., featuring both rock and country. On North Cushman Street between the bridge and the News-Miner. (907) 451-0374
(phone book says 456-2499, at 126 N. Turner St. !)
Mom's Kitchen
z
617 27th Ave.
Myong's Teriyaki¯
402 5th Ave., (907) 452-5560. Across from the Music Mart on Noble Street.
Myong makes her own delicious salad dressing and teriyaki sauces.
Oriental House¯
1101 Noble St., (907) 456-11172.
Osaka ¯z
402 5th Ave.
Pad Thai Restaurant
z
3400 College Road.
Pagoda Restaurant
z
Fine dining in North Pole, on 431 N. Santa Claus Lane across the mall
parking lot.
Panda Garden
z
29 College Rd.
Pike's Landing
This is a large and hugely popular bar/restaurant serving good light meals and
cocktails on a sun deck overlooking the Chena River. Located near the Airport at 4.5 mile,
Airport Road (just the town side of the Dale Road turnoff on the way to the Riverboat
Discovery). They feature a sports lounge, formal dining room, and patio dining on a dock
overlooking the Chena River. Sunday buffet offered as well. Call 479-7113 for more
information, or check out their website.
The Pomegranate ¯z
414 2nd Ave.
Pump House
The Pump House, as it stands now, was reconstructed in the spring of 1978.
It is located at 1.3 Chena Pump Road. The restaurant, in its
historic building (notes on the walls explain
it) draws in tourists for surf'n'turf dinners or "the farthest north oyster bar in
North America", while a young crowd packs their bar at night. Their Sunday brunch is
also very popular. Be prepared to pay for what you get. For information: (907) 479-8452.
Regency Cove Restaurant & Lounge¯
z
95 10th Avenue, in the Regency Hotel (907) 452-3200.
Sam's Sourdough Café
z
This restaurant is located on University Avenue, right next door to the University Baptist Church. There
is a deck for outside meals, and they feature good family fare, with a
slightly 50's atmosphere.
It's official address is 3702 Cameron.
Second Story Café
z
At 3525 College Rd., this tiny café
is above Gulliver's Bookstore. While the lunch selections are limited, the
cafe boasts internet access.
Seoul Gate Restaurant
z
948 Cowles St.
Siam Dishes
z
388 Old Steese Highway
Silver Gulch Brewing & Bottling Inc
z
2195 Old Steese Highway North claims the title of "America's most
northern brewing company." They are in the former Fox Roadhouse. There is a
restaurant, bar and three banquet rooms which can accommodate large groups,
with up to 300 in multiple rooms. See
their website for
more information, or call (907) 452-2739
Soapy Smith's¯
543 2nd Avenue, (907) 451-8380
Souvlaki ¯
Located on 310 First Avenue. Good
value East Mediterranean dishes including spinach pie and other vegetarian options. They carry a wide variety of sandwiches, tacos, souvlaki,
Greek, seafood and other salads, and lots of desserts. The souvlaki comes in
three levels of spiciness to suit anyone. Several small private dining
rooms are available and they also have an outlet at Pioneer Park. Summer hours are 10 to 9 Monday - Friday, 10 to 6
Saturday. (Closed Sunday) For information: 452-5393.
Sweet Basil
z
1448 South Cushman
Thai House
Restaurant¯z
526 5th Avenue, (907) 452-6123.
Thai Cuisine Restaurant
z
537 Saint Nicholas Drive in North Pole.
♫Two
Street Station¯z
535 2nd. Avenue, (907) 456-6242.
Two Rivers Lodge
At 16 mile Chena Hot Springs Rd, it is a way out of town,
but worth the drive on Chena Hot Springs Road (assuming no construction
projects!) Here are a few things advertised on their
web site.