When you think of Fairbanks, Alaska I am sure your mind is filled with images of the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky, dog teams pulling sleds across a snowy trail, or wilderness and wildlife as far as the eye can see. There are several amazing restaurants in Fairbanks to fuel all of your Alaskan adventures! Here are the 6 BEST restaurants (5 in Fairbanks plus 1 in North Pole). I am sure some of them will surprise you!
#6: Cookie Jar Restaurant (Fairbanks)
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The Cookie Jar Restaurant is a family-friendly restaurant with good “homestyle” cooking. Sunday thru Wednesday they are open for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is also served Thursday thru Saturday. However, you can order off of the breakfast menu all day every day!
As you can imagine from a restaurant that began as a bakery, they have amazing baked goods and desserts. The menu features baked goods like sandwiches made with homemade bread, quiches, pies, cakes, and cinnamon rolls. There is a large kids menu that has something for every picky eater. The menu also features many “Fairbanks Favorites” as well as foods that made them famous in Fairbanks. Everything tastes homemade and the employees make you feel like one of the family. If you are looking for comfort food this is the place to go!
Savvy Sojourner Recommendation:
I would encourage you to try the Beerock, one of the dishes that made them famous in Fairbanks. Homemade whole wheat dough wrapped around beef, onions, and sauerkraut. It is unique and delicious, especially with a cup of homemade soup on the side!
#5: Chowder House (Fairbanks)
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If you are looking for a charming local place to eat the food Alaska is known for at a reasonable price, then this is the place for you! Located in Fairbanks the Chowder House is a small lunch and dinner restaurant that features a little bit of everything. What I loved most about eating here (besides the food) was the staff. When we couldn’t decide what to eat they recommended their favorites on the menu, which turned out to be our favorites too!
Chowder House has amazing chowders that everyone should try, especially the Smoked Salmon Chowder and the Halibut Corn Chowder! I can’t tell you which is better, so I suggest getting both! You also can make your own sandwich or choose a sandwich or soup of the day. If you are in the mood for seafood they have garlic butter shrimp that is swimming in garlic butter that you can sop up with toasted french bread on the side. The menu also features quiches, salads, and cheesesteak sandwiches so there is something for everyone. This is the perfect place to get a taste of Alaska without completely breaking the bank!
Savvy Sojourner Recommendation:
If you are looking to splurge I strongly recommend the Crab Roll Sandwich. It is loaded with a quarter pound of sweet crab that will make your mouth water! Split it with someone and add a bowl of chowder and you will be in food heaven!
#4: The Pump House Restaurant & Saloon (Fairbanks)
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For a nice dinner out in Fairbanks, The Pump House Restaurant is the place to go. Step back into the Gold Rush era by dining in this original pump house complete with original wooden floors and antique decor. If you visit during the warmer months you can dine next to the Chena River from the outdoor deck. The ambiance is as much of a reason to eat at the Pump House as the food! Make sure to make reservations in advance because tables fill quickly!
The Pump House features Alaskan Cuisine such as seafood (salmon, halibut, shrimp, oysters, crab), game meat (reindeer and elk), and high-quality beef and chicken. The appetizers are large enough for the table (or eaten as a small plate) and include lots of options like fresh oyster platters, coconut shrimp, and bacon-wrapped scallops. For an entree, we really enjoyed the Alaskan Fried Seafood Platter. They do not have a dedicated kids menu, so make sure to check out the menu online in advance if you have picky eaters! The food here is elegant and allows you to eat all of the Alaskan foods you would ever want to try!
Savvy Sojourner Recommendation:
You have to try the seafood chowder at The Pump House. It is advertised as “World Famous for Over Thirty Years” and it lives up to the billing! It is absolutely delicious!
#3: Pagoda Chinese Restaurant & Bar (North Pole)
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At first, you might think it is strange to be sitting in a restaurant on Santa Claus Lane in North Pole and be eating Chinese food. However, after one bite there is nowhere you would rather be eating than at Pagoda! The food is delicious and the portion sizes are huge! We took home enough leftovers to have a midnight snack AND lunch the following day!
Special Note: Pagoda is closed on Mondays!
The menu at Pagoda has all of the Chinese food favorites you love and several new dishes you have never seen. Featured on the Food Network’s “Diners Drive-Ins and Dives”, this restaurant lives up to the hype! With many options to choose from, deciding on a perfect dish is a struggle! Luckily, the waiters are so friendly and are willing to give you suggestions. Also, lunch specials are served from 11:30-2:30, which makes Pagoda a perfect stop before or after you visit The Santa Claus House down the road!
Savvy Sojourner Recommendation:
Our group chose to order one of the “Family Style Dinners”, which worked well for us. We were able to try a variety of dishes for a reasonable price. Also, the portions were so large that we took home lots of leftovers!
And now for a couple of restaurants that might surprise you!
I am sure when you think of eating out in Fairbanks, you don’t immediately think of Thai food. However, we found two restaurants in Fairbanks that had the best Thai food we have ever eaten! One family member with us had just returned from a trip to Thailand and agreed that the Thai food in Fairbanks is the best she has had since returning home!
#2: Thai House Restaurant (Fairbanks)
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Thai House is located in downtown Fairbanks and is open for lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Their menu features all of your Thai favorites. We especially loved the coconut shrimp appetizer and the curry was perfectly spicy! There is a large section of vegetarian dishes on the menu, and the chefs work to accommodate any food preferences or allergies. Dishes can also be adjusted to your personal spice level. This quaint little restaurant and their friendy staff make this a great place to eat when you are downtown!
#1: Lemongrass Thai Restaurant (Fairbanks)
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Here is my absolute favorite restaurant in Fairbanks…Lemongrass Thai! (In fact, I think about the red curry I ate here quite often!) Located quite close to the airport, this was the first restaurant we ate at after a long day of traveling to Fairbanks. The food is truly amazing and the staff is so friendly and welcoming. Lemongrass Thai is open for lunch and dinner, Monday-Saturday.
The menu at Lemongrass Thai features all of your Thai food favorites such as curries, noodles, soups, and BBQ. They also have a section of their menu dedicated to Alaskan Favorites. These authentic Thai dishes feature ingredients Alaska is known for (such as salmon, crab, and halibut). I promise that you will not be disappointed with anything you choose from this menu! Their food is authentic and delicious!
Looking For Activities to Do In Fairbanks?
Click here for my favorite things to see and do in Fairbanks!
Last Minute Advice…
When it comes to traveling my number one piece of advice is to stop and enjoy where you are! Travel is about the journey as much as it is about the destination. So when you are in Fairbanks make sure to try all of the local restaurants, and don’t miss out on the Thai food!! Trust me, the restaurants in Fairbanks, Alaska do not disappoint!
Want more travel planning tips?
Click here for 5 Steps to Planning a Successful Trip
Happy Sojourning!
Meghan