Best Restaurants in Talkeetna, Alaska

If you visit Talkeetna, Alaska on your vacation, and you come hungry, you’ll find a wealth of little restaurants in town. In fact, the problem is that there are too many to choose from. When I lived in Talkeetna in 2007 people always asked me about the best places to eat. Well, I don’t live in Talkeetna now (though I’m thinking about moving back there), but I still visit there several times a month, and being a food lover, I try all the restaurants. So, if you’re visiting Talkeetna soon, here are my best Talkeetna restaurant recommendations.

The Wildflower Cafe

Back when I lived in Talkeetna in 2007, the Wildflower Cafe had the best food in town. I was told the chef was a former “Presidential Chef”, cooking for George Bush, Sr., when he was in the White House. I don’t know if that was true then, or if it’s true now, but their food is outstanding. Like anything else in Alaska it’s a little pricey, but I’ve had many excellent meals here.

The West Rib Pub and Grill

The West Rib Pub and Grill was recently featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” show, and while I don’t own a television and haven’t seen that show, I will say that their burgers are good, and you can get them very large, if you like. The West Rib has a nice indoor eating area, where you might just run into some actual mountain climbers, and their outdoor eating area is also very nice, fenced in, and off the main road.

The Talkeetna Roadhouse

If you’re staying overnight in Talkeetna, the Talkeetna Roadhouse is the place to eat breakfast. Be warned that you may end up sitting at something like a picnic table with other people, but if you don’t mind possible seating arrangements like that, the Roadhouse pancakes are excellent, as are many of their other dishes. I’ve never had lunch or dinner at the Roadhouse, but in the bakery area I will say that their sandwiches look excellent. Their baked goods are also wonderful.

The Flying Squirrel Cafe

If you don’t mind getting out of town 3-4 miles, the Flying Squirrel Cafe is my favorite restaurant in Talkeetna for 2010. Their setting is spectacular, away from the “Disney Land” downtown area, and nestled into the woods, with both indoor and outdoor seating. As soon as you walk in you’ll smell the wonderful baked goods and enjoy their large, open space. Their meals are excellent, and if you come at night, their pizzas are out of this world good.

The Denali Brewing Company

The Denali Brewing Company is a relatively new restaurant in Alaska, at least from a size standpoint. These days they have a large deck that stretches out to Main Street, and if you’re just dying to have a beer, you might as well try some local beer.

Kahiltna Bistro

When I lived in Talkeetna in 2007, the Cafe Michele was a quiet, wonderful little place that very few people stopped in. That was good for me, but not good for business, and the owner leased the location out, and it’s now named the Kahiltna Bistro. The Bistro still has some wonderful food, and a huge new outdoor deck, where you can enjoy the sun, scenery, and watch people milling around town.

The Latitude 62

I won’t say the Latitude 62 is the best place to eat in Talkeetna… it’s not the best by a long stretch. But, if you want to see a place that’s open year round, and “where the locals eat”, you may want to take a few antacids and walk down to the Latitude. It’s on the right side of town as you drive in, and well, the hamburgers probably won’t kill you.:)

By: Alvin Alexander