The first time I visited Seward, Alaska I was still a teenager and my idea of a good restaurant was Outback Steakhouse. Since then I’ve been back more times than I can count — sometimes for work, sometimes just because it’s two hours from Anchorage and worth the drive. The restaurants in Seward Alaska are genuinely some of the best in the state. The busy summer cruise ship traffic keeps the kitchen talent level high and the menus creative. I love to hike Exit Glacier, eat my way through town, and finish the night at the Yukon Bar. Here’s where to eat.
Quick Guide to Seward Alaska Restaurants
The Cookery
Local farm to table fine dining without all the pretension is what The Cookery claims it’s all about. And this Seward, Alaska restaurant delivers on its promise. Easily the best restaurant in Seward, Alaska and possibly on the entire Kenai Peninsula.
Grab a seat in the unassuming yet elegant dining room or pull up a stool at the wood paneled bar. Enjoy the local art hanging on the walls while you decide what to order from the cold bar; michelada oysters shooters, scallop aguachile, or just some classic raw oysters. You can’t go wrong. Then good luck choosing your entree, but I strongly suggest the local seafood, whatever it is that evening.
Reserve ahead. Wait times can exceed two hours in peak summer without a reservation. Worth planning around.
📍 209 5th Ave, Seward | (907) 422-7459 | cookeryseward.com
Woody’s Thai Kitchen
Woody’s Thai Kitchen, is named after a sea lion that lived at the towns “SeaLife Center” for most of its life. Unfortunately, Woody’s dead, but thankfully this delicious Seward, Alaska restaurant is still swimming. And while they couldn’t save the sea lion, there is a big fish tank in the dining room.
Woody’s claims to be making Bangkok style Thai classics with an Alaskan Pacific Northwest influence; but I can’t quit find the Alaskan Pacific influence. Gimme that Halibut curry Woody! Anyhow, this Seward, alaska restaurant still nails the first half of their claim.
Their curries are fantastic, the Panang in particular. Soups, noodles, rice dishes, canned beer and a few sake selections round out the menu.
📍 800 4th Ave, Seward | (907) 422-0338 | woodysthaikitchenseward.com
Ray’s Waterfront
Wood paneled walls adorn baleen, a beluga whale and plenty of photos of dead fish. Huge single pane windows open up to the boat harbor and resurrection bay. This place is Alaska on full display. Grab a seat at one of the many window side tables, or pull up a chair at the inviting bar.
This place is Alaskan classy. Rain jackets, xtratuf’s, and hoodies won’t prevent you from getting top notch service and a really good meal here. Watch the boats roll in and the otters play while you crack open some king crab legs. Their specials are always on point.
Open from mid April to late September.
📍 1316 4th Ave, Seward | (907) 224-5606 | rayswaterfrontak.com
Chinooks
Chinooks is another good harbor side Seward, Alaska restaurant. They kept the wood paneling but swapped out the fish molds for a hand drawn mural of Alaskan sea life; complete with a giant octopus and cliche sailor quotes. All aboard for this seafood menu with fun dish’s like smoked scallop mac’n cheese or spot prawn ceviche. If you’re not in the mode for seafood try the caribou meatloaf.
Full bar with decent cocktails.
📍 1404 4th Ave, Seward | (907) 224-2207 | chinooksak.com
Le Barn Appetit Inn & Creperie
Yvon and Janet have been running this log cabin–style inn and creperie since 1987. Belgian waffles, sweet and savory crepes made right in the dining room. Stay here and get 20% off. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Located just outside of town — you’ll need a car or taxi.
📍 11786 Old Exit Glacier Rd, Seward | (907) 224-8706 | lebarnappetit.com
Resurrection Roadhouse
Start your day at this Seward, Alaska restaurant with eggs Benedict or French toast, then come back for dinner and smash some burgers and pizza on their huge outdoor deck. They also have the standard Alaskan staples like cod, halibut, and Salmon.
Located just north of town, this Seward, Alaska restaurant is open everyday but closed for lunch. Great selection of local Alaska beers and a good lineup of tasty cocktails.
📍 North of downtown Seward
Fifth Avenue Bistro & Bar
Inside Hotel Seward, dinner only. Wagyu bistro burger, Alaskan seafood chowder with salmon, halibut, and clams, artisan cheese board, caprese chicken sandwich. Quieter and more intimate than the harbor spots — good option when you want a proper dinner without the tourist-season wait times of The Cookery. Open Wed–Mon 5–10pm, closed Tuesdays.
📍 221 5th Ave, Seward | (907) 224-8001
Seward Brewing Company
Couple Erik Slater and Hillary Bean have been in the Alaska restaurant scene for decades. They bought the Seward Brewing Company back in 2014 and have elevated the brewpub into a really great Seward, Alaska restaurant. Now just as many folks come for the food as they do for brews.
With fun specials like pesto pizza, and deconstructed Mexican Street Corn, you can see why. Salmon Pastrami Tostadas, Halibut Curry, and Salted Watermelon Salads are just few of the menu highlights. The vibe is more modern industrial Seward, Alaska restaurant with a sheet metal bar, hanging exposed light bulbs, and again metal halibut sculpture.
And oh yeah, the beers good too. Great stouts, a mango cider, and even a seltzer are all on tap. There’s something for everyone at this Seward, Alaska restaurant.
📍 139 4th Ave, Seward | sewardbrewing.com
Los Chanchitos
The best tacos in town. Birria, carnitas, salmon burritos, halibut tacos — fresh local ingredients, sell-out proteins. When they’re out of something, that’s it for the day. Closed Tuesdays. The same Cookery team also runs Lone Chicharron, a walk-up taco window inside the Seward Alehouse, worth knowing if you want tacos with your pint.
📍 Downtown Seward harbor area
Flamingo Lounge
The Flamingo Lounge opened in an old history building that used to house the “Thorn’s Showcase Lounge”. They borrowed the Flamingo name from a former Seward cocktail bar that was around in the 1950’s. And man, did they really run with that fun retro concept.
While they kept most of the fun exterior signage and decor the entire interior has had major remodel. Its a trip just hanging out at the long red upholstered bar, under the intricate metal plated roof and drinking from the fun glassware with flamingo toothpicks. But this is a Seward, Alaska restaurant list, so how’s the food?
Damn fine food here at the Flamingo Lounge, their website advertises themselves modestly as a simple steakhouse, but owners Matt & KellyAnn, have been in upscale hospitality serve for years and the menu reflects that. Pickled Black Cod, Tomahawk Steaks, and Fresh Kodiak Tanner Crabs are a couple stand outs.
📍 208 4th Ave, Seward | (907) 224-3700
Firebrand BBQ
Thankfully, former fire fighter Chad Higgins is now stoking flames instead of putting them out. Him and wife Stephanie opened this fun and casual Seward, Alaska restaurant in 2017 and have been serving up mouth watering Texas Style BBQ ever since.
Order at at the counter and grab a seat at a picnic table under their covered roof. Wash down their fall-off the bone, Wagyu Beef Ribs, with a sweet tea or a Texan Shiner Bock. Their brisket and pork belly can draw a crowd too. Open every day except Monday from May 15 – September 15.
📍 1101 3rd Ave, Seward | (907) 491-0037
Tidewater Taphouse
Converted from a boat repair garage in 2020, Tidewater kept the industrial bones and added maritime coziness — colorful wood-plank walls, mermaid statues, bronze ship antiques. Sixteen taps of Alaskan craft beer, cider, and seltzer. Downstairs is casual pub fare — crab dip, burgers, flatbreads, Alaska seafood. Upstairs is the Kraken Lounge with a wooden boat-shaped bar being pulled to the depths by kraken tentacles and harbor views from the second floor. Outdoor patio with firepit.
Open Tue–Sun 11am–9pm.
📍 Seward Harbor | tidewatertaphouse.com
Map of the Best Restaurants in Seward, Alaska
Here’s a map of our favorite Seward Alaska Restaurants.
Seward Alaska Restaurant FAQs
What is the best restaurant in Seward Alaska?
The Cookery is the consensus best — farm-to-table fine dining, local seafood, cold bar with oysters, and a menu that changes with what’s available. Reserve ahead; waits can exceed two hours in summer without a reservation.
Does Seward Alaska have good restaurants?
Yes. Better than you might expect for a town of 3,000 people. The summer cruise ship traffic keeps quality high and menus creative. Seafood is the strength across the board.
When are Seward Alaska restaurants open?
Most are seasonal, open May through September. A handful operate year-round but with reduced hours and menus. The Cookery, Flamingo Lounge, and Seward Brewing are among the more consistent year-round options.
Do I need reservations in Seward?
For The Cookery in summer, yes — absolutely. For most other Seward Alaska Restaurants, walk-in is fine but expect waits on busy summer evenings and holiday weekends.
What food is Seward Alaska known for?
Fresh Alaskan seafood, halibut, salmon, king crab, spot prawns. Most restaurants source locally and the menus reflect what’s running. Firebrand BBQ is the notable exception, serving Texas-style BBQ that draws repeat visitors.
Is there good Thai food in Seward Alaska?
Yes. Woody’s Thai Kitchen on 4th Ave is the spot. Good curries, soups, and noodle dishes. Alaska has a surprising concentration of quality Thai food for a state this remote.
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