Downtown Anchorage, Alaska is home to many great restaurants enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. There are many types of cuisine to be enjoyed under the midnight sun, all within convenient walking distance of hotels, galleries, and the popular Performing Arts Center. During my last two years as a resident of the downtown area I have had many opportunities to sample the local restaurant fare, and have found many favorites.
Sizzlin’ Cafe – 523 W. 3rd Ave.
The family owned and operated Sizzlin’ Cafe, located across 3rd Ave. from the Anchorage Downtown Hilton Hotel, is one of my favorite places to stop in for breakfast. They have a variety of fresh baked breads, including the best banana walnut bread, continental breakfasts, eggs benedicts, scrambles, and breakfast wraps. They also have a fresh and delicious lunch menu with many soups, panini sandwiches, wraps, and salads to choose from. The pasta salad that comes with the sandwiches and wraps is the best I’ve ever tasted. For dessert they have huge cookies and brownies. The Sizzlin’ Cafe has a bright, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and features the work of different local artists each month which is also available for purchase.
Teriyaki Box – 401 I St.
For healthy and tasty food in a hurry, try the Teriyaki Box across 4th Ave. from the new courthouse on I Street. Teriyaki Box serves a wide variety of Japanese dishes during lunch and dinner hours Monday through Saturday. You will have a hard time choosing from the extensive menu, including fresh sushi, curries, spring rolls, salads, noodle soup bowls with your choice of meats, dumplings or tofu. The spring rolls are fresh and delicious, and the spicy chicken broth in the noodle soup is especially welcome when you are trying to beat a cold. The food is served fast-food style on trays, and you can choose your table in the rustic looking dining room.
Snow Goose Restaurant and Sleeping Lady Brewery – 717 W. 3rd Ave.
One of Anchorage’s best and oldest local style restaurants is the Snow Goose on 3rd. Avenue. The onsite brewery supplies several varieties of handcrafted beers and ales, and the menu is full of classic and flavorful dishes. Try the Cheechako Halibut Soft Tacos, the Sitka Beer Battered Shrimp Basket, the Brewmaster’s Meatloaf, or one of many pizzas, burgers or calzones. They also feature live music several nights a week upstairs in the bar, and an outdoor deck with a tremendous view of Cook Inlet and the Susitna mountain range.
Sacks Cafe – 328 G St.
For a lunch or dinner that is worth every penny, Sacks Cafe is the place to go. The lunch menu features a choice of fresh soups, sandwiches, pastas, and salads. The Tomato Gorgonzola soup is smooth and zesty, and the sandwich with Tiger Prawns and Avaoado has been a personal favorite of mine for years. The dinner menu has a large selection of seafoods, meats and salads. Choose from mahi-mahi, duck breast, salmon, rack of lamb, and many other fine entrees. Sacks also has a light menu during dinner hours featuring unique selections such as Tofu Crepes, Fresh Alaskan Oysters, and Tart Tatin. The small but stylish dining room is perfect for a quiet, intimate meal.
Glacier Brewhouse – 737 W. 5th Ave.
Located across 5th Avenue from the Westmark Hotel is the oft recommended Glacier Brewhouse. They boast a large selection of handcrafted beers and ales on tap such as Amber Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Brewhouse Blonde, and a rotating menu of seasonal beers. They also have a good selection of wines and cocktails. I go there frequently just for a bowl of their Alaska Seafood Chowder. There is nothing else like it. There are far too many excellent dishes available to name them all here, but some of the great ones are: Rotisserie Lemon Herb Chicken, Thai Chicken Pizza, Seared Ahi Tuna, Whiskey BBQ Pork Ribs, and Prime Rib & King Crab. All of the dishes have as creative a presentation as they have flavor. Desserts are an event at the Brewhouse too. I haven’t tried one yet I haven’t liked, but the Creme Brulee beats all, and the Peanut Butter Pie is rich and satisfying. Whatever you choose you will not be disappointed.
