What to Eat When you are in Fairbanks, Alaska

 

 

Living in a small town, you get the options you get.  However, with Fairbanks being a military town we get alot of people from all over the world who bring their talent and food culture with them.  That being said, although we have some normal restraunts and fast food chains, the real deal is from some of our mom and pop shops.  They serve the BEST food and its all unique to the restraunt.  I have catagorized the best places I know into differing foods.  I can’t say too much for how the service will be when you go but I can tell you some great places to check out!

Pizza

The Hungry Robot 
(907) 347-8117
910 Old Steese Hwy suite c, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This place started as a food truck but just got a place to go to now! hands down, voted by Fairbanksans the best place to get pizza on a recent FB poll

East Ramp Pizza
(907) 451-7492
3788 University Ave S, Fairbanks, AK 99709

I like this place because its on the back of the airport where all our little planes take off. You can get a  seat by the window and watch the planes while eating some yummy brick oven pizza

Wagners Pizza Bus
(907) 490-0336
7585 Anders Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99712

This place is 22 miles out of town but I really love their pizza.  It is so big and tastes SO fresh.  I like to order it before heading out to Chena Hot Springs because it takes approximately 30 minutes to cook it and that’s how long it’ll take to drive out there.  then you can eat, and head the rest of the way to Chena Hot Springs if you wanted!

Thai

Thai House
(907) 452-6123
412 5th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701 

This is the place that I take everyone to when they come into town.  Its a nicer place and a little on the pricey side but everything I eat here is SO perfect.  Everytime.

 

LemonGrass
(907) 456-2200
388 Old Chena Pump Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

This is a cute little place with decent prices and perfect rice.  The food is amazing and the atmosphere is relaxing.

 

Bahn Thai
(907) 452-8424
541 3rd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701* there are other locations too

I like this place because they are cheap and to the point. They have two locations and good food.

 

Spicy Thai
(907) 687-4972
1189 Old Richardson Hwy, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703

This place is kind of a home town little food hut. They have amazing food but its only to go but dont let the little house fool you, it’s got gold inside.

Steak

Lavelles
(907) 888-2220
412 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This is where I would take someone to get an amazing steak. or anything else they make – its a little pricier but totally worth it.

Turtle Club
(907) 457-3883
2098 Old Steese Hwy N, Fairbanks, AK 99712

 A long time ago, this was THE place to get steak.  They still have a mean prime rib but I wouldn’t say its the best in town.  Honestly, I like their bar food better but its a nice drive out there and they have an amazing salad bar and seafood options.

Vallata
(907) 455-6600
2190 Goldstream Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

You can get a yummy steak from here and the drive up is nice. kind of pricey, kind of fancy.

Brewsters
(907) 456-2538
3578 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 ** There are two locations, I personally prefer this one but they both serve the same stuff

This place has a pretty decent steak for a decent price.  Kind of like a little sports bar/family restaurant place

 

Pagodas
(907) 488-3338
431 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705

It is talked about around town that Pagodas, the Chinese restaurant has a pretty amazing steak – good Chinese too!

Burgers

 

Blue Roof Bistro
(907) 799-5913
13 Timberland Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99701

I hear from everyone this is a hands down best burger in town, so it’s not just me.  It’s cheap and easy too

 

Frost Bite Foods
(907) 378-6125
910 Old Steese Hwy suite h, Fairbanks, AK 99701

You can get a normal or a HUGE burger here.   They started as a food truck and now have their own place, kind of like the hungry robot (they’re also in the same building)

 

Ivory Jacks
(907) 455-6665
2581 Goldstream Rd A, Fairbanks, AK 99709

The burgers are pretty good here but the atmosphere is more why I like to come.  Super chill people and workers at this place.

 

Aloha BBQ
(907) 479-7770
402 5th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

They make an AMAZING avocado burger but I also list them under gems!

 

Mexican

Miguels
(907) 374-8399
1235 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 9970

The tequila is strong and the food is tasty!! this place sports a restaurant and a bar and is located near the hospital

 

Taco Azteca
(907) 455-8226
3401 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709

This place makes some bomb fish tacos, the margaritas are super tasty too – a little sweet but I kind of like them that way.

Mayan Palace
(907) 455-6292
3401 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709

This is the “family” side of the Taco Azteca restaurant.  the food is a little cheaper over here and im not sure why but its good at both places.

 

El Dorado
(907) 328-2900
530 3rd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This little gem is right down town and the tamales and tacos are consistently amazing.

Chinese

Pagodas
(907) 488-3338
431 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705

This is hands down the best Chinese food I have ever eaten. The Mongolian beef is so so good and their crab ragoons are a must.  Guy Ferrari came up and told us they were amazing so don’t just listen to me.

Panda Garden
(907) 452-3355
29 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This is a good place to order out. They don’t have a dining restaurant except for a few tables if you have to sit there.

Bamboo Panda
(907) 458-8885
1235 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This is like the fast food of Chinese.  Their sesame chicken is so good and consistently yummy but then so is all of their food.  They are fast and convenient!

Gems

Aloha BBQ
(907) 479-7770
402 5th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

I hope this place never goes out of style.  Their food is kind of a mix between Korean BBQ and Hawaiian foods.  EVERYTHING tastes good here.  The place is a little dinky but a gem in all the right ways.

DW Grill
(907) 374-3945
617 27th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This place has a plethora of items that ALL taste good.  A home grown, family Alaskan restaurant – and they cater!

Bun on the Run
(907) 590-7114
3434 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

This place is only open in the summer but I had to talk about them.  They make their own cinnamon rolls in a little trailer hut.  So good, once they sell out for the day they are gone. And they sell out fast.

 

Pita Place
(907) 687-2456
3300 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

NOT to be confused with Pita Pit (which we do have and has good food too) This place is also only open in the summer and make falafel pitas! they are so good.

Zorba on the Run
(907) 521-9672
3245 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Also only around in the summer months but has some of the Yummiest Gyros in town!

Bar Food

Saltys on Second
(907) 457-4992
706 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This place has some yummy food, a really great atmosphere, is downtown by the river and makes a great drink.  Check them

Red Fox
(907) 479-9082
398 Old Chena Pump Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Some people in town would call this a dive bar however, the food and the environment are awesome 

Turtle Club
(907) 457-3883
2098 Old Steese Hwy N, Fairbanks, AK 99712

I prefer the bar food in this restaurant, but they do sell some good prime rib if you are trying to be fancy at the bar.

 

Ice Cream

Hot Licks
(907) 479-7813
3453 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

This place is open in the summer only but it is well known as THE place to get ice-cream.  Hand made and fresh made products doesn’t get any better.  Its consistently amazing.

Sweet Monster
(907) 371-1881
410 Merhar Ave suit 3, Fairbanks, AK 99709

This is one of the newest places in town for deserts and ice-cream.  Everyone I have talked to about this place swears by it!

Sunrise Bagel & Espresso
(907) 455-9500
505 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701*** This place has many many locations, I suggest looking them up from their webpage or google.

Has the best soft serve in town and you can see their little coffee huts all over with little ice-cream cones on top of them.

The Knotty Shop
(907) 488-3014
6565 Richardson Hwy, Salcha, AK 99714

A great place to get souvenirs but they ALSO have some hot licks quality ice cream.

Cold Stones
(907) 456-1624
930 Old Steese Hwy Ste F, Fairbanks, AK 99701

They have this in the states and its just as good up here.

 

Diners

Hometown Family Restaurant
(907) 455-9113
2225 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This is a straight to the point little diner.  I can always find amazing breakfast foods and some dinner foods too! pretty cheap prices too and family owned and operated.

The Bakery
(907) 456-8600
44 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Also family owned and operated, they just upgraded their restaurant and added a level.  They offer amazing food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and super good milkshakes too.

Cafes/Coffee

The Crepery
(907) 450-9192
523 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

A husband and wife started this business and brought what they know from France to us! the crepes are sweet or savory – id recommend one of the cheesecake crepes or the mediterriaan crepe!  Also the coffee is wonderful here

ACRC
(907) 457-5282
West Valley Plaza 4001 Geist Road, Suite 6, 4001 Geist Rd #1&2, Fairbanks, AK 99709

The Alaska Coffee Roasting Company! they sell all types of coffee and have yummy food too.  On the weekends, they serve biscuits and gravey that I have never had anything like before but they also have brick oven pizzas and yummy deserts!

The Glacier Grind
(907) 687-0608
1255 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701

A coffee house with amazing breakfast burritos!

Sunrise Bagel and Espresso
(907) 455-9500
505 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701*** This place has many many locations, I suggest looking them up from their webpage or google.

Another coffee hut with the best breakfast sandwiches I have ever had.  It is a staple to me and the coffee is wonderfully priced and tasty!

Bars to visit

Hoodoo
(907) 459-2337
1951 Fox Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Not really a bar but a brewery  –  home grown and family operated, they have come and expanded and now I would say is probabbly one of the most popular breweries in Fairbanks. Great beer.

Taphouse
(907) 888-2220
412 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Something like 32 beers on tap here.  A trendy little place in the middle of downtown and in a historic building that was around for the flood of 64!

Saltys on Second
(907) 457-4992
706 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

A really swanky place to get a drink and they have really tasty food too.

Goldies
(907) 457-1064
659 5th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This is an airstream trailer converted to a bar – in the winter they live inside an old fire house bay and in the summer they park somewhere around town, regardless of where they are – they make really trendy drinks!

Red Fox
(907) 479-9082
398 Old Chena Pump Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709

I covered this in bar foods but the red fox is a decent bar to drink and chill with your friends.

The Library
(907) 457-1141
603 Lacey St, Fairbanks, AK 99701

A newer, trendy bar with books and alcohol – is there anything better?

 

Sushi

Irashi
(907) 374-5044
419 Merhar Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This is in a centralized location by shopping, the sushi is fun and colorful and so tasty!

Ajimi
(907) 457-1339
69 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Probably lauded as the best place in town to eat nice sushi. I enjoy this restaurant and have never eaten anything bad here.

Tokyo Express
(907) 374-5664
516 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701

Just like it sounds but it doesn’t take away from the great tasting product they provide.  Its quick and yummy!

Asiana Sushi
(907) 457-3333
2001 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701

All you can eat sushi – should I say more?

Gluten Free Options

Pizza

The Banks
(907) 374-3265
1243 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701

This place is probably the most “sports bar” type place in Fairbanks and is a nice place to visit with people as they have a restaurant side and huge bar side.  They happen to be the only place that offers a GF pizza crust to order.

Burgers

Fat Burger
(907) 687-7434
3548 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709

Just a great place to get a HUGE burger but its an even better place (because no where else does this) to get a Gluten Free Bun! check em out!

Coffee Shops

Blue Roof Bistro
(907) 799-5913
13 Timberland Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99701

They don’t make all their foods GF but about half the menu is comparable.   It can be a very spendy substitute however.  Also not open on weekends – FYI

Little Owl Café
(907) 456-1610
1755 Westwood Way #2, Fairbanks, AK 99709

This place is so cute and lives inside a little building with dance lessons and other cute little shops.  All their food is amazing, with the added plus of being GF

Mocha Dans
(907) 451-0305
4175 Geist Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709* There are multiple locations to this coffee shop

This is a coffee shop with really yummy mochas but also happens to be the only shop in town that offers GF wraps.

Crepery
(907) 450-9192
523 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701

They offer a Gluten Free option but it would be wise to call ahead or it will be a 20 min wait for your order if you just go.  It’s a cute little coffee shop anyways so the wait isn’t a terrible thing.  They have amazing coffee here too

Fast Food

I won’t explain these because they are around everywhere but I have included their links in case you aren’t familiar
Sonic
Mcdonalds
Pizza Hut
Wendys
Wild Wings
Subway
Taco Bell

Comment below if you have eaten somewhere in Fairbanks that is worthy of this list!!