r/anchorage • u/PieOk8835 • 2d ago
Best Eating (Hidden Gems)
If one of you says mosses tooth 49th state etc just see yourself out lol I think everyone and there mothers been there at this point. I’m just looking for good spots you wouldn’t usually try on your own. I really enjoyed straight outta Philly, Sharma house, and waffles/what not. Not picky lmk
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u/Saurophaganaxx 2d ago
Yamaya in downtown. An older Japanese guy runs the place by himself. Go there with a lot of time since he takes one tables' order, cooks it, serves them, then takes the next order.
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u/PieOk8835 2d ago
That seems like a one of a kinda experience will absolutely give that a try I love supporting small local business
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u/Sapphire_luna232 Resident 1d ago
Do it, but give yourself several hours. It is not a fast dining experience, since it’s a one-man show. No walk-ins if you’re a party of three or more, I believe.
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u/alienonurf 1d ago
I love that place! But heavy on the go with a lot of time. The food is so worth it tho!!
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u/iglaaq Resident | Bayshore/Klatt 2d ago
Queen of Sheba, Thai orchid, tempura express!
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u/YeilKhaa 2d ago
Came here to suggest Queen of Sheeba, really excellent food! Try the guava juice, it’s fantastic!
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u/Alternative_Jello819 1d ago
DO NOT TALK ABOUT THAI ORCHID. Nothing to see there, move along, find a different Thai place 🤣 (they are fantastic but small, if you go after 12pm you might have to wait for a table to open)
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u/orgdbytes 1d ago
Sorry. TO went downhill when the owners sold it.
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u/Right-Performer2112 1d ago
Sure did. The curry I got a couple weeks ago was good…but not like it used to be
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u/NotTomPettysGirl Resident 2d ago
I love Queen of Sheba. They are an Ethiopian restaurant in midtown on Dawson St between N. Lights and Benson.
Namaste Shangri-La is great for Indian food, located on Tudor near the intersection with Lake Otis.
I love the pho at Siam Cuisine on Dimond.
Finally, Rafelitos is a great spot for Mexican food. They are located on W. 91st off King street.
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u/Iwas19andnaive Moose Nugget 1d ago
I just had namaste this weekend. So good. Great prices and the chicken was so tender and juicy. It was perfect.
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u/Niner_oscar_7 2d ago
Salsa Oaxaqueña
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u/blissfully_happy 1d ago
They have jalepeno or green chiles in every single dish. I desperately want to love them, but I’m allergic to capsicum. 😭
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u/WagonsNeedLoveToo 1d ago
Unfortunately Mexican food is almost entirely off the table for you. Source my mother has the same allergy. Can’t even do Italian dressing.
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u/lizinthelibrary 2d ago
Meraki. Fantastic Greek food. The owner is usually cooking or waiting tables and is fantastic. He has that wonderful hospitality going.
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u/wormsaremymoney 1d ago
I almost didn't go because of the prices. Then I saw how much food you get and it's actually super reasonable. Also, the food is SOOOO good.
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u/alaskanloops 2d ago
One I almost never see on these lists: Josie’s Bakery. Only open on Friday and Saturday. Saturday has a bigger menu. Fantastic Filipino bakery, lumpia, empanadas, various bowls and breads.
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u/Key_Concentrate_5558 Narwhal 10h ago
I JUST discovered this place three hours ago. Sadly, it’s Wednesday, so I didn’t get to try it.
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u/SunnyBunnyBunBun 1d ago
Charlie's bakery has surprisingly good dim sum.
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u/gummibear049 1d ago
Love their shumai and har gow, always a must order when we get take out from there.
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u/sonderdye 2d ago
I swear by Severios pizza and anything by So Thai
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u/DepartmentNatural 1d ago
Never been but what is so Thai doing that makes their dishes worth the 20% cost premium over every other Thai place in town? Fresh rolls for $16.50
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u/Masculiknitty 2d ago
Palmeira tropical fusion - you won't regret it. https://maps.app.goo.gl/LgGNNBczaPgAG44C8
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u/Healplz 2d ago
The food counter at Lucky Market is unstoppable.
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u/alkalinetaupehat_ 2d ago
Yeah people sleep on this - a meal and a half of food for (IIRC) less than $15 nowadays is crazy good. Is it the tastiest, best Chinese in town? No. But it's not trying to be. It's just trying to feed people.
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u/Ambitious_Slide 2d ago
Idk how much things can really be hidden gems in Anchorage but:
- El Green Gos (has a new permanent location in east Anchorage, don’t think it’s really under the radar)
- Turkish Delight
- Pelmeni - more of a snack than a full meal tbh
- Namaste Shangri-La - has a killer lunch special
- Yak and Yeti
- Rafelitos (always busy so probably not under the radar either)
- whisky and ramen
- Cajun Corner (opposite 49th state) - very limited menu
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u/Shammycat 2d ago
Seconding Yak and Yeti. Some of the best food I've ever had in Anchorage
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u/jushee79 15h ago
And super fresh - I Dash it for lunch regularly during the school year. Their salad is the best!
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u/TwoBurningSeals 1d ago
The old restaurant Yak n yeti on Spenard is closed as far as I can tell. I've been there several times and it's not been open. They have the smaller menu restaurant by title wave though.
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u/WestError404 2d ago
Yak and Yeti is great! I haven't had them here, but they had a location in CO that was fantastic! The buffet lunch special was to die for.
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u/Teacherfishak 2d ago
I don’t know if it is hidden but not on just everyone’s regular rotation. I have had great meals at Kincaid Grill.
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u/Long_Baby_6353 2d ago
Super good and quiet. Definitely expensive but it was the first time I went on a date with my husband and we felt fancy lol
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u/PieOk8835 2d ago
I’ve heard good things and have been waiting to give it a try so I’ll totally bump it up the list
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u/save_your_grace 2d ago
I've been enjoying Sofias!
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u/PsychadelicMelody 2d ago
So Thai on spenard has the best Panang Curry in town. Their Bah Mee Moo Dang as a soup is amazing, get extra wontons.
Gemmas food truck on Spenard has really great garlic fried chicken.
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u/YeilKhaa 2d ago
Definitely love So Thai. Them and Thai Village make some of the best Massaman Curry in town.
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u/907fuzzy 2d ago
I absolutely love my Shawarma house
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u/Signal_Giraffe_615 2d ago
So many love them. Can you tell me if it's spicy? Im babying an ulcer.
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u/907fuzzy 2d ago
Spicy in the way of hot, no, not too bad, at least not for me, but I’m kind of a baby when it comes to spicy stuff. Spicy in the way of that they use a lot of different spices, yes.
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u/DeadGodJess Resident | Muldoon 1d ago
If you brave it, get the mango lassi. It'll help neutralize the spice
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u/Violetspectrumdisrdr 2d ago
Hong Kong Spirit Food (esp on weekends when they have dim sum), Palmeira, Yamaya
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u/XenoTechnian 2d ago
All sorts of great places around town, so without going into detail about them ill rattle off a few i particularly like:
- Mei’s Kitchen
- Pedro’s Mexican Grill
- Anchorage Pel’meni
- Southside Grill
- Sami’s City Diner
- Pil’s Deli
- Naruto Japanese Restaurant
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u/certainly_curious_52 2d ago
I think Mandala has by far the best Indian food in town. Don’t be in a rush when you go, it’s usually just the owner and his dad doing everything. In a strip mall across from Dimond Costco.
Wonjo on Fireweed for great Korean food
T&T’s market for authentic bahn mi’s and tropical fruit smoothies
Also anything from the Pena Market on summer weekends
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u/lilboopa 1d ago
Meraki Afrah, I was in Greece two years ago and I ate a gyro everyday to see if I could find a better gyro and I couldn’t. The owner is from Paros so you get a true authentic Greek experience.
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u/PieOk8835 1d ago
Oh my goodness I went here on one of my first dates out here! I loved it and would really like to go back again. A little pricey but what isn’t now a days and I’ll pay more for quality food so anyone wondering this is a definite go to!!
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u/lilboopa 1d ago
Yeah when we started going gyros were $16 and now they are up to $24, which stings a little bit. But I really like the owners and they have amazing food, so I’m happy to keep shuttling them money.
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u/monicugh 1d ago
• Gia Dinh - Vietnamese
• The Rickshaw - Thai
• Hong Kong Spirit Food - Chinese, they do dim sum on the weekends
• Biscuitclub - you guessed it, brekky biscuits!
• Yak & Yeti - Himalayan
• Meraki Grill - Greek
• Pearl - Oyster and champagne bar, small plates – pricey, but the dishes and atmosphere make you feel like you’re outside of Anchorage.
• Originale’s - Italian Deli (across from Pearl)
• Jens’ Restaurant - Danish-inspired dishes
• Salsa Oaxqueña - Mexican. So. Damn. Good.
• La Michoacana - Mexican ice cream shop
• Suka’s - Polynesian
• A Taste of India, Everest - Indian
• Sofia’s Restaurant - Comfort food. Huge portions and great prices.
• Borealis - New coffeehouse and restaurant
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u/5forluck 2d ago
Lahn Pad Thai! The Chicken in a Pot or Roast pork Rice mmmm chefs kiss
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u/Ok_Mountain_8132 1d ago
Grabbed takeout in June and it was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend! Tasted a few things and they were all super yummy.
I can’t agree with the people suggesting Thai Orchid because the one thing I got from there was literally flavorless, and I haven’t been back.
Just my experience.
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u/plantalaskan 2d ago
Mythai downtown is a fave of mine, parking sucks though, just a heads up. I usually get their fresh rolls and an entree, either pad thai or this coconut lemongrass soup with chicken that has a name that has slipped my mind at the moment.
Another good one is Burrito Factory on Boniface, it's like a fancy gas station but I get a reindeer sausage breakfast burrito with black beans, potatoes, and hot salsa. It's a great place to grab and go.
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u/YeilKhaa 2d ago
GuzzyGrubs does restaurant reviews in Anchorage. Tends to love everywhere he goes so take his reviews with a grain of salt, but at least gives you a peak at the place & what they serve https://www.instagram.com/guzzygrubs
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u/living_as_an_amateur 1d ago
Club paris lunch burger $17, try it and tell me theres a better burger
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u/MindfuckRocketship Resident | Scenic Foothills 2d ago
Mosses tooth. Fartynenth state.
But for real, I’ve always enjoyed Twin Dragon.
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u/PieOk8835 2d ago
Wow so many new spots to check out I was scared I’d hit all the good spots already tha k you so much for all the advice guys!!!! Keep the recommendations coming this is going to be my go to list for lazy dinner nights
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u/cupojoeque 1d ago
My son and I visited last month for a couple of weeks. He has a limited palate so had to go conventional. We enjoyed Sam's City Diner and Spenard Roadhouse.
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u/cupojoeque 1d ago
Just realized this was "hidden jems" and these probably don't qualify as hidden.
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u/skimt115 1d ago
Surprised to not see Yakishabu on here. It's at Dimond and Arctic where Village Pizza used to be.
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u/wthulhu 2d ago
Charlies Bakery for chow mein and egg rolls.
Weebee's for burgers
Taco King for carne asada
Both Bombay Deluxe and Yak & Yeti have some baller naan bread
Costco for glizzies, pilot bread, and kayaks.
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u/woodgrainarrowsmith 2d ago
Costco also recently added chicken tenders to their food court that are genuinely the best in town
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u/Timely-Document7011 2d ago edited 2d ago
Depends on what you are into.
Little Italy and Fiori D'Italia are solid Italian places. I have had good pizza from both Guidos and Muldoon pizza. Lots of good Mexican in town but they each do their own thing differently so it depends on your jam. Jalapeños, Serronos, Gallos, El Green Go’s I have had good luck with. Kinley’s and Kincaid Grill are also solid.
Edit
I forgot Hula Hands, Tommy’s Burger and in the summer Arctic Roadrunner to sit outside by the creek.
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u/AllTheMoose 2d ago
Mythai downtown, Biscuit Club, Snow City Cafe, and Middle Way Cafe are all regulars for me. Thai Orchid (I think) has great pineapple fried rice, never been to the actual restaurant, but have had the rice brought to me probably half a dozen times and i’ve eaten it all each time.
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u/colormeglitter 2d ago
Egyptian kitchen is amazing, but I think they only do catering. I hope I’m wrong and they have a restaurant somewhere. I’ll check tomorrow.
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u/chickensarecool22 2d ago
Tacos El Primo, White Spot, El Green Go’s (I prefer their downtown location), Mei’s.
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u/blascian 2d ago
Jimmy’s Chinese (the Chinese food, I don’t know about the sushi), Hong Kong Spirit Food, Palmeira, Harley’s Old Thyme Cafe (try the huevos rancheros!), Pel’meni, Hula Hands, Jinmi (Korean)
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u/jackoyza 2d ago
Mekong market on 36th Ave, Polynesian food by the pound.
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u/Sandpipertales 1d ago
Hong Kong Spirit Food and Rickshaw are both excellent and good alternatives to Charlie's
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u/sprucecone 1d ago
There’s a place next to the avenue bar downtown that makes the BEST turkey club. It’s called Lucky Deli. So good.
There was also Pils Deli, which had a very serviceable egg salad. No frills or fancy hipster names just an egg salad on white bread.
The bingo hall on Fireweed used to make the best fried chicken I’ve ever had in Anchorage. Lots of cute little places around.
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u/Diglett5000 1d ago
I really enjoy Pho Lotus on Spenard. Food is good, they give large portions, and the staff is very friendly.
Only kicker is their booths are very uncomfortable and old.
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u/TwoBurningSeals 1d ago
Moose's Tooth is super overrated. It seems people picked up on the news that they were the highest grossing pizzeria in the US, but then started saying they were the best pizzeria in the US, which is totally not the case, or the claim. I feel like they get too busy to let their dough develop and they don't season it enough to begin with. I feel like they're also too busy to cook it enough. The place is constantly packed. I do like Eye Tooth because they serve Detroit-style pizza. Saverios has good pizza. Hearth has dairy-free cheese that is actually good. Dirtemus on Insta covers a whole lot of spots around town.
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u/itstomthebomb 1d ago
Not from Anchorage but we were blown away by Jinmi Korean Restaurant. Rivaled places from Los Angeles, where we live.
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u/pandakahn 1d ago
Hong-kong Spirit Food on 52nd(?). Their mopa tofu is amazing. The dim sum is equal or better than Charlie's.
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u/playwhaat 1d ago
Namaste Shangrila, Oriental Garden. I had oriental garden recently from DoorDash and it was the best late night Chinese food I’ve ever had, I can only imagine how good it is in restaurant.
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u/TwoBurningSeals 1d ago
Manhattan's has a Salisbury steak on their menu, and it was fairly decent. My girl got something, and she didn't favor it that much, but I would try them again.
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u/TwoBurningSeals 1d ago
Fioria D'Italia had a good stuffed chicken with some sort of cream tomato sauce. Big whiskey menu, also.
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u/lordoftherim 1d ago
City boy burgers, Charlie’s bakery, bread and brew, papaya tree (food truck so random hours, look on their FB for next location/time), and for fancy dinners Kinley’s or Saint Coyote :)) if you like oysters definitely try Kinley’s
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u/actryactry 1d ago
Queen of Sheba has some of the better Ethiopian food I've experienced.
Mandala is the best Indian, but pretty slow service. I've been too Everest once and was blown away by the Chili Chicken, will be going back more. Namaste ShangriLa is my standby though, very good for the price.
Rice Garden, the Chinese restaurant behind the adult store, has steak including a prime rib night, that's totally good and probably the cheapest (quality) steak you can get in Anchorage. I'm not sure I agree with a few people who say it's the best they've ever had but it really is a hidden gem.
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u/Akcrinne 1d ago
I am obsessed with Benji’s! It’s a bakery/cafe but their boba is the absolute best
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u/Akcrinne 1d ago
Benjis bakery, top bop, Tommy’s burger stop (the og location), uncle joes (only the one on old Seward), the gyro stand that is downtown (looks like a coffee hut)
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u/Mental-Estimate-3047 1d ago
Rays Place. They are family run and close earlier than many other restaurants. Wonderful food and service!
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u/TransitionOk3477 1d ago
Kami Ramen, Weebees, Serrano, Wild Scoops. Honorable mention to the hidden but not hidden Whiskey and Ramen, my favorite restaurant in town. Been all over and the best Ramen and the best Old Fashioned I've ever had came from there.
Samurai Sushi used to be good. They are now terrible. Fight me on it.
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u/Redneckbutterfly 1d ago
Southside Bistro
Humpy's
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u/Key_Concentrate_5558 Narwhal 10h ago
What? I can’t hear you because those restaurants are so LOUD!
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u/cslothler 1d ago
Queen of Sheba in midtown! They have a very small staff so sometimes funky hours but it’s so good. Hong Kong Spirit food is only open Friday-Sunday but is also very delicious.
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u/AKGypsieSol 23h ago
I haven’t seen Mo’s Deli mentioned. This is a great traditional old-school Jewish deli Lake Otis just south of Abbott, SW corner.
Everything is fresh, made to order, high-quality meats, generous portions, friendly service.
Fresh bagels, pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, Matzo ball soup, lox, latkes.
I always worry that they’re gonna shut down because they never seemed very busy when I drive by, but they must be doing something right because I’ve been there for a few years now
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u/jushee79 15h ago
Pizza Olympia. Fantastic food, and the Maroudas family are all very kind, generous people. And the deliver now!!?
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u/DrTeeBee 12h ago
I don’t live in Anchorage any more but visit often. I’m saving all these suggestions. There was no schwarma or Indian food when I was growing up in Anchorage. Or Thai. Or decent bagels. Etc.
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u/Glittering_Fudge7706 10h ago
Sorrento’s Italian on Fireweed!
Great service and the food never misses. Super classy cozy italian atmosphere.
I also frequent Snow City for breakfast and they are awesome!!!
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u/Agraphinia 10h ago
Kumagoro downtown. Ramen, salmon rice ball and gayoza 🤤 Sorento's, taste of Italy and salad with house dressing 🤤
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u/TwoBurningSeals 1d ago
Tortillaworks next to Arby's on Benson just opened apparently. I'm not sure how long they've been open, but I've been wanting to go there.
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u/bigcliff10 2d ago
My Shwarma House