12 Best Restaurants in Fairbanks, the Yukon, and the Interior, Alaska

Beer lovers should definitely make the 10-mile trip from town to North America's northernmost brewery. Several Silver Gulch brews can be found throughout the state, so be sure to check out the rotating specialty brews served only at the restaurant. The brewery is in the Fox Roadhouse Building; head upstairs to see a preserved section of the old roadhouse's exterior. Free brewery tours are available in the summer; call ahead for times.

Fairbanks is famous for its number of Thai restaurants, and many locals consider downtown's Thai House the city's best. The food itself is complex, flavorful, and exceedingly fresh. Ginger fans may want to head straight for the Ginger Lover, an aptly named dish with warm, robust aromas. Vegetarians will find deep satisfaction from dishes such as the green curry tofu, with zucchini, peas, and basil leaves in just the right proportions.

With its tasty treats and eclectic artwork from around the world, this hangout is so popular that a line often curls out the door. It's a worthy stop either for a to-go lunch to bring on a hike or a well-made cup of joe and a cookie, a scone, or a muffin to savor inside. The kitchen also serves up breakfast burritos, quiche, and sandwiches, along with pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven. Desserts include tiramisu and cheesecake. The "roasting" in the shop name isn't just for looks—all the beans brewed here are also roasted here.

The Delta area is one of Alaska's few agricultural hubs, and this brewery makes the most of its location. Sandwich meats and salad greens come from area farms, and the thin-crust pizzas are crafted from local barley.

This classic car hop sits right where the Richardson and Alaska Highways converge. It's all-American road-trip food—think burgers, fries, and ice cream—but the sunny patio next to Sullivan's Roadhouse provides a nice spot to unwind. It's cash-only, but there's an ATM on-site. 

Located just north of the control tower of Fairbanks International Airport, this place combines Alaska's love of airplanes with the universal love of pizza. Grab a paper menu from the waiting area, circle your preferred toppings from the extensive list, and a made-to-order pizza will be ready in minutes from the 700-degree wood-fired pizza oven. Window tables at this third-story restaurant overlook both runways and the floatplane base.

Not the greasy fast-food joint its name might suggest, this relaxing place serves surprisingly interesting cuisine. Portions are sizable—that prime rib dinner will induce a nap—and the variety provides welcome relief from the roadhouse burgers served by most Alaska Highway restaurants (though there are plenty of burgers here, too).

Jack "Ivory" O'Brien used to deal ivory and whalebone out of this open and airy bar-restaurant tucked into the gold-rich hills of the Goldstream Valley on the outskirts of Fairbanks. These days, it's an Alaska-style sports bar, where you can choose from a dozen-and-a-half pub grub appetizers, followed by sandwiches, burgers, pizza, or entrées such as chicken Dijon and Alaska king crab. Musher's bibs hang in the rafters alongside the Yankee pennants. 

The seats in the dining room of this extended log-cabin building are perfect for cooler weather, but the huge paddle-up deck dotted with firepits is the real draw here. The menu is mostly salads, sandwiches, and seafood, but the chance to enjoy the views over the Chena River and the landmark "Love Alaska" sign is what keeps diners coming.

Fairbanksans have been going mad for Nadav Weiss's falafel and hand-baked pitas ever since he started serving them at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market, and now they're available year round at this stand. In summer, enjoy the comfy outdoor seating, or pair lunch at the stand with a visit to the farmers market just a few blocks away at 2600 College Road.

This spot could get away with a so-so menu in a town with few dining alternatives. Instead, the menu includes gems like the family-recipe herb bread, baked each morning and used in the restaurant's popular breakfast sandwiches that are served all day. Other menu items range from deep-fried halibut to steaks. The decor is classic Alaska, all burled wood and carved bears. The brews, including an excellent Hefeweizen and root beer, are only available here.

It's hard to believe the forever-in-motion staffers at the Cookie Jar can squeeze in the time to provide such friendly service, but they do. Don't miss the French toast made from sliced cinnamon rolls, but if you're not in a breakfast mood, don't worry: the menu includes everything from salads to coq au vin.