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16 MUST Try Restaurants in Fairbanks, Alaska

Are you looking for fantastic restaurants in Fairbanks, Alaska, to dine at during your stay? We’ve got you covered!

When people think of Fairbanks, Alaska, food is usually not the initial thing that comes to mind. We think of the cold weather, the Northern Lights, and dogsled racing. But don’t be fooled: Fairbanks has some wonderful choices for food!

Restaurants in Fairbanks mirror the fishing, hunting, and subsistence vibe of the area. The food is robust and made using regional delicacies and ingredients from Alaska that makes for a truly unique dining experience. 

Did you know that Thai food prevails in Fairbanks? There are 24 Thai restaurants within the city, more than any other place in Alaska. There are both fast-food outlets and fine-dining alternatives. Some are even better than the ones in Thailand!

But aside from Thai eateries, you’re sure to find one suited to your preference as there are many restaurants to select from in this town. You can find Moldovan, Cuban, American, and many other types of food. Eating at one of the area’s many restaurants also offers seafood, crepes, steak, and pizza.

So, to help you decide where to eat the best food in the city, check out these 16 incredible restaurants in Fairbanks, Alaska.

16. Wolf Run Restaurant

3360 Wolf Run Rd, Fairbanks, AK | American, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options | $31 – $60 | Monday to Wednesday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Have no idea what to eat? Since 1995, the Wolf Run Restaurant in Fairbanks has served its customers a wide range of gourmet dishes. It’s, without a doubt, one of the best restaurants to eat in Fairbanks, Alaska.

This inventive restaurant serves many different kinds of food for people who don’t know what they want to eat but wish to try new things. It’s a great place to stop before exploring the town or even after taking in the beautiful scenery of Fairbanks.

The inside of Wolf Run Restaurant is colorful and has a feel of Alaskan cabin design, which makes for a warm, engaging, and friendly atmosphere. Some tasty foods served at this lovely restaurant are sandwiches, seafood, risotto, scallops, ice cream, and frozen desserts. 

We recommend starting with the special soup, which is chicken gnocchi. It is likely the best dish you’ll ever have with gnocchi.

For the main dishes, try their mixed grill and scallops. The mixed grill has chicken and beef kabobs from the Mediterranean, lamb sausage, lamb chops, and vegetables.

A fitting ending is with a slice of their handmade key lime pie. This dish gets a lot of good reviews, so don’t forget to include this on your menu before leaving this restaurant.

Finally, they have a wide range of excellent wines for a complete experience.

If you’re looking to get the authentic Alaskan experience but still want well-made food and an extensive wine list, Wolf Run is one of the best restaurants in Fairbanks to try.

15. Silver Gulch

2195 Old Steese Hwy N, Fairbanks, AK | American, Bar, Pub | $11 – $30 | Thursday to Sunday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Silver Gulch has pub food and a large selection of beers. It is a local hangout with great food, a friendly atmosphere, and good service at lower prices.

One interesting thing about Silver Gulch is it is the northernmost brewery in the United States. The brewery operates its restaurant and provides gastropub food with a flavorful, Alaskan twist.

The brewery makes four beers; you can buy them in bottles or on tap. There are also other drinks on the list at this Fairbanks restaurant.

But there’s more to Silver Gulch than its great brews and beers on tap. When you go to this brewery, you’ll find a restaurant that serves hearty and delicious Alaskan food and pub bites. Our favorite dishes include hush puppies, ale cheese soup, Alaskan halibut, fish and chips, beer-battered onion rings, and shrimp in ale.

Hush puppies are with shrimp & shredded coconut, and Ale cheese soup is delicious, even though it sounds weird. Alaskan halibut is sweet and flaky, and you will get a lot for what you pay. The fish and chips use large, flaky halibut as the fish, so it’s easy for two or more people to share.

The beer-batter onion rings are the highlights, while the ale-soaked shrimp served as an appetizer are more than sufficient to eat as a main dish.

From the outside, the restaurant looks very old, but the inside is very modern and has a cozy feel. It’s one of our favorite local restaurants in Fairbanks to check out!

14. Pike’s Landing

4438 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK | American, Bar, Seafood | $12 – $47 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 12:00 am (next day), Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00 am (next day)

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Pike’s Landing is a restaurant in Fairbanks that’s extremely popular. It is the restaurant of Pike’s Waterfront Lodge Hotel, and its position is one of its best features (and definitely the reason it’s always so crowded).

It serves traditional pub food, fresh seafood, and steaks on the lovely banks of the Chena River. People often eat on the patio outside to get the most out of their surroundings, regardless of the time of year. You can lie out on the veranda right in the summer. During the winter, you can stroll over the Chena River and snap photos with the sign.

The front of the restaurant appears to be a typical American sports tavern, while the back has a gorgeous view of the river and the “Love Alaska” sign on the other side.

This restaurant has a changing menu of foods made from local ingredients, like smoked seafood or cheeses. It is known for its great brunches, too!

The reindeer sausage (one of our favorites) is flavorful, fatty, tasty, and perfect. Another customer’s top pick is the Halibut Fish and Chips. It’s served perfectly, with spiced pieces, crispy from the outside and flavorful inside.

On our last trip through Fairbanks, we needed a quick treat before going to the hot springs at night, so we went to Pike’s Landing. It’s a surefire hit that is always perfect because of the views!

Our dishes include the Famous Prime Rib Sandwich with Dagwood Fixings, the French roll featuring horseradish and Au Jus on the side, and the Shrimp & Scallop Fettuccine Supreme with bay scallops, shrimp, and roasted garlic bread.

Everything tasted great, and there was a good amount. But this restaurant’s location is what we adore since it is perfect for dining while seeing the frozen river.

13. Bobby’s Downtown

609 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK | Mediterranean, Greek, Vegetarian Friendly | $11 – $30 | Monday to Thursday 4:00 pm – 12:00 am (next day), Friday 4:00 pm – 1:00 am (next day), Saturday 5:00 pm – 1:00 am (next day)

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Bobby’s Downtown is among the best places to eat in Fairbanks for Greek cuisine, good drinks on tap, and great pizza. It serves delicious Greek food and drinks that will make your mouth water.

Bobby’s Downtown offers good food, excellent customer service, and an exceptional dining experience. This cute restaurant is one of the best places for tourists and locals to go when they want to eat delicious Greek or classic American food.

Besides the American breakfast, sandwiches, salads, and burgers, the cafe serves spanakopita, a rack of lamb, prime rib au jus, and ribeye steaks, among other Greek dishes.

It’s not a fancy restaurant, but it has a great atmosphere for eating. The restaurant has excellent food, and the host plays live music with to keep the customers happy and entertained.

The Greek siblings who run this restaurant will ensure you have a good time there. It has some of the best Greek food outside of Greece. The owner will make you feel at home the whole time you are there, so you will want to return.

Try their halibut with a honey cream sauce – it’s one of our favorite dishes! And the perfectly cooked Lamb Souvlaki and dessert are a great way to finish your meal.

12. Shogun Hibachi and Japanese Steakhouse

4005 Geist Rd #3552, Fairbanks, AK | Japanese, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly | $11 – $30 | Monday to Friday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Shogun Japanese Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Fairbanks to get a great Japanese meal. This excellent, modern restaurant is known for its delicious Japanese food and fresh seafood from Alaska.

Shogun makes, cooks, and serves authentic Japanese food, like soup, udon, sushi, gyoza, tasty sweets, and hibachi. It is an excellent stop before going on a fantastic town tour or seeing Fairbanks’ beautiful scenery.

Shogun Japanese Restaurant has a lively atmosphere with a touch of Japanese design, making it feel like an excellent authentic Japanese restaurant.

Our group chose a combination plate with Filet Mignon, noodles, vegetables, fried rice, and two small butter shrimp. The noodles, vegetables, and fried rice were all done just right.

The steak melts like butter in your mouth. It will be a treat for you, especially if you enjoy garlic and butter. 

11. Thai House Restaurant

412 5th Ave, Fairbanks, AK | Asian, Thai, Vegetarian Friendly | $11 – $30 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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The Thai House Restaurant is a great international restaurant you shouldn’t miss if you go to the exciting town of Fairbanks in Alaska.

It is a charming place to eat that serves a wide range of conventional and authentic Thai dishes. These dishes satisfy the cravings of both locals and tourists who want to try tasty Thai cuisine.

This restaurant has a genuine Thai atmosphere and even serves delicious vegetarian and gluten-free food. It’s a great place to stop for tasty and filling Thai food, such as drunken noodles, chicken satay, pad Thai, or green curry.

This spot was among our best surprises during our stay in Fairbanks. The food was significantly better than what we’ve had at most Thai restaurants, the parts were significant, and the prices were very fair.

As soon as you walk in, the smells coming from the kitchen hit you, and you know the food is authentic. Even though the place was busy, the service was good. The drunken noodles with beef tasted like heaven.

Every dish here looked delicious. Thai House is a must-see for anyone in Fairbanks, whether a local or just visiting.

10. Chowder House

206 Eagle Ave, Fairbanks, AK | American, Soups, Vegetarian Friendly | $11 – $30 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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At Chowder House, you’ll find the best seafood in Fairbanks. This Eagle Avenue restaurant also serves soups, sandwiches, and pasta, among other things.

Everyone in the world knows about Alaskan salmon, and rightly so. Alaskans know how to cook fatty pink fish, which is a real treat. You can enjoy it at Chowder House, one of the best Fairbanks restaurants to try out your first authentic Alaskan Salmon dish.

At the Chowder House, the smoked salmon chowder has a smokey taste that goes well with the corn and creamy chowder. It’s a simple, tasty twist on an old favorite that makes it a choice for everyone who comes to the restaurant.

Try its chicken salad or the crab roll for a sandwich. Chicken salad is standard. You will like how much food this meal gives you. Even though the crab meat was pretty chilly, it made the roll taste fresher. With a twist of lemon on top, it tastes great. 

Hot apple cider will hit the spot on a cold day. If you want, you can even get a dessert.

The staff will greet you when you walk in, and the server will explain how to order. You get a piece of paper with the menu on it, and then you mark what you want and give it to your server.

If you’re looking for really fresh, local Alaskan seafood, the Chowder house is one of the best Fairbanks restaurants to try!

9. Turtle Club

2098 Old Steese Hwy N, Fairbanks, AK | American, Steakhouse, Bar | $31 – $60 | Monday to Saturday 4:00 pm – 12:00 am (next day), Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Turtle Club is a casual restaurant that has been around for a long time. It serves large portions of prime rib, local seafood, and a salad bar.

This seafood and steak place has been a favorite in Fairbanks for over 70 years. This restaurant has received the People’s Choice award for its food, salads, & desserts for many years. And for Turtle Club, it’s essential to provide all of its fine-dining customers with a warm, pleasant, and lively experience.

The prime rib meals have cuts that range from 10 to 24 oz., so people with small or big appetites can eat there. You can eat Alaska King Crab, Australian lobster, and fried seafood if you like fresh and local seafood.

You can get traditional pub food at the bar and fancier dishes like escargots, fried asparagus, and fried clams.

It is easy to know why this place is a local hit with great food and a lively atmosphere. Head to this location to experience fantastic dining! This is one of our favorite finer dining restaurants in Fairbanks. But remember that you won’t find NYC fine dining vibes here. After all, we’re in Alaska!

8. Noodle House

731 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK | Asian, Thai, Vegetarian Friendly | $11 – $30 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Fairbanks has a lot of great international restaurants, and the Noodle House is one of the best. This restaurant has excellent food, customer service, and a great atmosphere.

True to its identity, the restaurant offers a wide range of authentic Thai noodle dishes and other delicious foods. It is a fast-food restaurant that is good for the whole family and serves tasty Thai food for lunch and dinner.

Noodle House is known for its delicious Thai noodles, like drunken noodles and Pad Thai, and authentic meals, like satay, yellow curry, and red curry.

It’s also an excellent place to eat if you want to visit Downtown Fairbanks. It is a great stop, particularly for hungry tourists looking for a place to eat after seeing some of the town’s best sites, attractions, and businesses.

Even though Fairbanks has a lot of Thai restaurants, this one is one of the best-kept secrets. It has some of the finest Thai food, so you will be glad you went there. The food is crazy fresh!

Green curry and shrimp pad thai are fantastic dishes to try. Pad thai is a tasty noodle dish with a lot of shrimp, but it is a bit sweet. On the other hand, curry is a delicious chicken with vegetables and rice.

Aside from the quality cuisine, part of this restaurant’s success comes from its satisfactory service and friendly people.  So, if you are craving Thai food while in Fairbanks, this is a must-visit one that’s fast and delicious.

7. Jazz Bistro on 4th

529 4th Ave, Fairbanks, AK | Latin, Spanish, American | $18 – $49 | Monday to Saturday 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Jazz Bistro on 4th has good food, a lively atmosphere, great music, and a wonderful Cuban dining experience. It is a great place to eat and is one of the funniest places in Fairbanks, Alaska.

This fantastic place to eat is a Cuban bar and restaurant that has been serving delicious Cuban food and drinks since 2015.

Apart from Cuba, the restaurant is known for making and serving fresh food from Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries. Most of the food they serve is with fish, so you’ll only want to visit if you love seafood.

The restaurant has lovely places to sit inside and outside, with spectacular viewpoints of the area. Jazz Bistro on 4th also takes reservations and is a beautiful place to celebrate various events.

We met the owners there, and they are charming people. They have exciting stories to tell and will make you feel at ease when you visit.

The Cuban salmon and pernil Cubano soft pork were on our table. The salmon fillet was incredibly smooth, and the sauce had a little lemon and garlic. The pulled pork had a lot of flavors, too. It featured garlic, onions, veggies, Caribbean spices, and a touch of rum.

Have we mentioned that the service and atmosphere are unbeatable?  You really can’t go wrong with anything you order. So, check out this place for a top-notch food experience.

6. The Pump House

796 Chena Pump Rd, Fairbanks, AK | American, Bar, Seafood | $15 – $40 | Tuesday to Saturday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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The Pump House is as “Alaskan” as it gets. The inside is like a cozy, rustic mountain lodge, and the menu has all the best things Alaska has to offer.

The owner’s goal is to try to bring back to Fairbanks the “Gold Rush” theme and atmosphere of the 1890s, which was a “Rip-Roaring” but still Victorian time.

All of the furniture is real, and most of it is old in a good way. The restaurant serves food “Alaskan style,” meaning it uses the freshest ingredients and has a unique way of cooking. The mood is easy and laid-back.

Reindeer medallions featuring berry demi-glaze, elk meatloaf wrapped in bacon, and birch-syrup-glazed, bacon-wrapped Alaskan scallops are a few of the specialties on the menu.

This property has a lot of space. It has four separate rooms, and the first big room is into two parts. It also has a bar with big TVs where you can watch a game. There is a private dining area in the back with room for about ten people. The games area has darts, two pool tables, & shuffleboard.

Grilled Alaskan salmon, fries, and seasonal vegetables made up our meal. 

As a starter, there are sweet potato fries for the whole table. The sweet potato fries could easily feed four people and probably provide six. Also, the salmon is around 8 to 10 oz, which is a good amount. Lastly, you will not regret if you order vegetables and fries since they also come in a good size.

The Mojitos at The Pump House are also superb. There are several varieties, so give one a try for a soothing experience.

So, if you want more activities other than outstanding food, The Pump House is an excellent option for a full dining experience. 

5. Lemongrass Thai Restaurant

388 Old Chena Pump Rd, Fairbanks, AK | Thai, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options | $11 – $30 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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As you’ve probably figured out, Fairbanks is a really popular place for Thai food, and there are endless options! If you want to eat Thai food, you can also go to Lemongrass Thai Restaurant.

The Navachai family opened this restaurant in 1996. They are happy to welcome you and serve you authentic Thai food. Since then, this family has worked hard to serve Fairbanks with fresh, healthy, and authentic Thai food.

With its long list of food and drinks, the restaurant hopes to have something for everyone. Harmony is the idea behind every dish, so tell them how spicy you want your meal to be.

Northern Thai food from Chiang Mai is at this restaurant, but it also incorporates fresh Alaskan ingredients like scallops, halibut, and salmon.

You can find a variety of noodle dishes, broths, pad thai, or green, red, and yellow curries on the menu. The service is excellent, and the employees are happy to suggest things to eat from the menu. This restaurant is on Chean Pumps Road.

We tried the yellow curry with seafood and the Sockeye Pad Thai, among other things. Both were wonderful.

The yellow curry was creamy and delicious. All of the fish and shellfish were just right. Pieces of halibut, calamari, and shrimp were all cooked and tender and tasty without being overcooked. Even the onions inside the curry were soft and sweet, just as they should be.

The pad thai tasted great. It has thin bean thread noodles, and the salmon filet on top went well.

Aside from the great food, expect that the service is quick and friendly. 

4. East Ramp Pizza

3788 University Ave S, Fairbanks, AK | American, Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly | $10 – $20 | Monday to Wednesday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sunday 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Do you enjoy pizza & planes? Then you’ll love East Ramp Pizza more than any other place in town.

There is a restaurant right close to the Fairbanks airport tower where you can eat pizza from a 600°F Woodstone oven while observing planes land and take off.

Their flour comes straight from Italy, and the kitchen staff takes pride in finding the best toppings. You can “build your own” pizzas to make the perfect pie.

The pizza tasted delicious! The wood-fired flavor definitely came through. We ate sausage, mushrooms, green olives, and fresh tomatoes in a spicy puttanesca sauce. It was fantastic, and the wait was so worth it.

Don’t forget that you can also pick from one of their excellent beers on tap. Also, take advantage of the binoculars available to view the Fairbanks airport runway while you’re there.

This restaurant is an excellent place to go if you want a bite of great pizza and a sip of a great drink while enjoying a view.

3. The Crepery

523 2nd Ave, Fairbanks, AK | American, Café, Mediterranean | $6 – $12 | Tuesday to Friday 7:00 am –6:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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The Crepery is among the best restaurants in Fairbanks for sweets lovers.

This cafe’s specialty is making and serving crepes. This lovely place has sweet and tasty crepes and a menu of delicious craft beers to go with them. The Crepery also has a vegetarian crepe dish that vegetarians will enjoy.

The restaurant serves more than just sweet and tasty crepes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meat dishes, plates of super seafood, and other delicious menu items are also available.

The salmon crepe is one of the yummiest items on the menu. The crepe is thin and crispy on the outside, but the inside is smooth and chewy. This crepe is a great way to eat the salmon spread, a “salad” of pickles, red onions, potato, and mayonnaise mixed with wild Alaskan salmon.

Various options are one of the best things about this restaurant. You may have to ask questions about the crepes that you select.

When we go there, it feels like home and has a good vibe. Wall art and pictures are impressive, and everyone seemed happy and full of life.

The service at the restaurant is also excellent. The chefs, the person who takes orders, and the waiters and waitresses all work hard to ensure that all visitors have a great time.

Plus, they have the best hot drinks. We also got their hot chocolate and mochas, which were outstanding. So, get a crepe and something warm to drink.

2. Aurora Mediterranean Restaurant

1452 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK | Quick Bites, Lebanese, Mediterranean | $11 – $30 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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Aurora is the place to go if you want to try dishes from the Mediterranean. This restaurant is excellent for families and serves delicious Mediterranean and Greek food daily.

The Aurora Mediterranean Restaurant is known for its delicious homemade hummus and salads. This lovely restaurant is the perfect way to end a great trip to Fairbanks.

The establishment has a variety of delicious Mediterranean dishes on its menu, but Greek food is what they do best. Every item on this menu is a hit, from the grilled halloumi cheese appetizers to the gyros, steak kebabs, soup, and more.

It has a beautiful interior, and the atmosphere is lively, friendly, and full of life. It is a terrific location to hang out with friends and family and eat good food.

Also, the restaurant is close to some of the best things to do in town. From here, it is easy to get a great meal after seeing all the incredible sights and scenes.

When it comes to Mediterranean food, nothing can beat this place. It gave us food that was fresh, tasty, and enough to eat.

Its falafel is fantastic. It is crunchy, firm, and tasty without being soggy. The salads are fresh and nicely chopped, and the gyro meat is well-cooked. It’s not like the pre-packaged gyros you get at many cheap strip mall gyro places; it’s much fresher and better made.

And prices are very fair. Aurora is a lot of fun, and we would strongly recommend it to anybody who wants to try something new and wholesome than traditional fried or fast food.

1. Soba

535 2nd Ave # 106, Fairbanks, AK | Moldovan, Russian, Vegetarian Friendly | $11 – $30 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

The best restaurants in Fairbanks Alaska
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The Soba Moldovan Restaurant is the spot if you want to eat food made with love. It is the only place in Alaska where you can get savory Eastern European food and the best wines from Moldova.

This Moldovan restaurant is right in the middle of downtown Fairbanks in the Co-Op Plaza, which is also home to art museums, some restaurants, and even the Fairbanks Dog Mushing Museum.

If you have never tried Moldovan food before, you can be sure that the cuisine at Soba is the real deal. You can expect the food to be tasty at this restaurant, and everything goes well with the wine. Each meal is a great way to warm up on a chilly Alaskan winter day.

One of their most popular dishes is chicken schnitzel. This chicken dish has a delicious egg coating and is served with potato salad and sauerkraut to make it even tastier.

Although it is a Moldovan restaurant, many of the items on the menu are also Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish food. It was enjoyable to eat something unique on our Fairbanks trip, and Soba has excellent food from scratch and tastes great.

Consider their borsch, pelmeni, Olivier salad, and zrazy. The taste of these dishes will show you why this restaurant is one of the places you shouldn’t miss. You won’t be sorry if you order the compote to drink and the honey cake for dessert.

So, for the best restaurant in Fairbanks, Alaska, include this location for an amazing food experience you won’t forget.

In Closing

That’s a wrap for our list of the 16 awesome restaurants in Fairbanks, Alaska!

Although famous for its natural surroundings, Fairbanks, Alaska, also boasts a thriving food industry. At one of the restaurants throughout the area, you can access local and international fares and have a satisfying meal.

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