Nestled amidst majestic glaciers and Alaska’s Chugach Mountains is Girdwood, a charming little ski town. The fancy pants Alyeska Ski resort is the main game in town and operates a handful of bars and restaurants in addition to its ski lifts. In the summer you can still still ride the tram up to get to them, as well as mountain biking and hiking trails.
But, no matter what time of year you’re visiting Girdwood, there are plenty of really good restaurants in Girdwood to help you replenish once you’re done recreating. Girdwood is known for its vibrant food scene; it’s not all just resort food! A handful of really great restaurants add a delectable touch to Girdwood’s rugged outdoorsy charm. So stay awhile, order the appetizer and a bottle of wine, you won’t be disappointed.
Quick Girdwood Restaurant Guide
Getting to Girdwood Alaska
Girdwood is about 40 minutes south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway, roughly 37 miles. The drive is one of the more spectacular commutes in North America. The highway hugs the edge of Turnagain Arm, a narrow inlet of Cook Inlet with dramatic tidal flats, Beluga whales in season, and the Chugach Mountains rising steeply on both sides. On a clear day it’s genuinely hard to keep your eyes on the road.
Turn left at the Alyeska Highway sign and follow it 3 miles into the valley. You’re in Girdwood.
From Anchorage Airport: About 45 minutes depending on traffic. Head south on the Seward Highway and follow the signs. See our Anchorage Airport guide for parking and terminal info before you fly in.
My Experience with Girdwood Resturants
The first tv show I worked on in Alaska, was a horrible house reality show for MTV that followed a bunch of 20 something year olds around doing silly stunts. For one of the episodes we came to Girdwood’s Alyeska Ski resort to shoot a “Naked Ski”. I don’t think any us involved are super proud that that episode of television that now exists somewhere… permanently. But! It did introduce me to Girdwood and its plethora of great restaurants. So win for me.
Crew meals are notoriously bad, consumed quickly, and just generally not enjoyed. So when I was finally off the clock, places like the Double Musky and Jack Sprats were really appreciated. Since that show I’ve been back a few times, and when I am, I always make it a point to try a new restaurant in Girdwood, Alaska. They rarely disappoint.
Jack Sprat
Probably the best restaurant in Girdwood, and certainly my personal favorite, Jack Sprat is a modern farm to table esc restaurant positioned right at the base of the ski hill. Their menu is full of items made with fresh, local, produce and seafood. It’s super vegan and vegetarian friendly as well.
They usually have a captains catch (locally caught halibut or scallops), a great selection of fun salads, and they’re also known for their Korean rice bowls, or bibimbap. Don’t sleep on that bibimbap, it’s fantastic! They also have a great selection of desserts; like their Peachy Keen, baked peaches & local rhubarb purée with cinnamon oat crumble and house vanilla ice cream.
The vibe at this Girdwood restaurant is sophisticated cabin in the woods, with just a dash of pinkies out. Big windows, sleek wood interior with a fireplace, trippy art and plants on the walls, and in the summer there’s a nice patio. Good wine list and a couple sake options. Reservations are advised.
The Double Musky
If Jack Sprat is the best restaurant in Girdwood, then The Double Musky Inn is the most popular restaurant in Girdwood. It is an institution. Originally, in the 60’s and 70’s, it was an after ski bar where folks would bring their own meats to cook over a communal flame and dance to polka music.
Since then it has grown to become Alaska’s most famous restaurant. A perennial contender on every “best of” list; it’s been featured on food network, CNN, Esquire, and the New York Times, to name a few. It’s the pride and joy of restaurants in Girdwood, Alaska.
Fancying itself a Louisiana Creole French restaurant, The Double Musky Inn truly is the “Bourbon Street” of Girdwood’s restaurant scene. With so many wonderful things to love about New Orleans, everyone only talks about the place that locals avoid, is overpriced, overcrowded, and drinks are simply Okay.
BUT, the food is good, the service is great, and the decor is enchanting. Dinning at The Double Musky Inn, is certainly an experience, and one worth having. So go on and get yourself some beads.
No reservations.
Basecamp
Basecamp is a fairly new Girdwood restaurant, opening in 2022. It’s a cozy little eatery offering up some lighter fare for the Girdwood restaurant scene. Flatbreads, Hummus, poke bowls, and fresh local seafood fill their menu. They’re known for their signature dish, the smoked salmon and clam chowder, its good!
Dining at this Girdwood restaurant almost feels like eating at your friends house. With only a couple tables and booths, its intimate. Bookshelves with trinkets and wares mingle with dangly lights and neon signs on the wall. The bar area is the place to sit as it gets you close to the action.
They have a good selection of rotating local beers and have great wine list. “The most comprehensive wine list in Girdwood” as they like to brag, which is true. Check out the list here.
Open Monday-Sunday 12pm-9pm
The Bake Shop
The Bake Shop is a Girdwood institution beloved by locals for its sourdough pancakes and legendary cinnamon rolls. Located on the boardwalk below the Sitzmark, it’s the kind of small town breakfast spot that has a line out the door on powder days. The endless soup bowl and sandwiches at lunch are equally famous in the Girdwood valley. Cash friendly, unpretentious, and exactly what you need before a day on the mountain.
ADDRESS: Boardwalk below the Sitzmark, Girdwood PHONE: (907) 783-2831
Seven Glaciers Restaurant
Riding the hotel tram up to Alyeska ski resorts, Seven Glaciers Restaurant, is just the beginning to a memorable dining experience. The Girdwood restaurant is perched atop a mountain at 2,300 feet above sea level and every table boasts a panoramic mountain, glacier, or ocean view. Worth the price of admission alone.
At over $100 a pop, the four course prix fixe menu is a bit spendy for a casual night out. And the prix fixe is the only option, so unfortunately you can’t pull the old “cocktail and an appetizer while I enjoy the view” move. But if you’re looking for something special and don’t mind splurging a bit, this Girdwood restaurant is the place to do it.
Hamachi crudo, scallop bisque, gazpacho tartare, beef tenderloin, and raspberry pink peppercorn tarts are a couple standouts. The menu changes seasonally so check their website for updates. They’re open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5pm-9pm and reservations are a must.
Sakura Asian Bistro
Located inside Hotel Alyeska, Sakura offers some of the best sushi in Alaska outside of Anchorage, which sounds like low praise but it genuinely isn’t. The menu features fresh Alaskan seasonal fish, Wagyu beef, King Crab Tempura, and creative specialty cocktails. Open Friday through Monday 5-10pm. Worth planning your weekend around if sushi is your thing.
ADDRESS: Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood PHONE: Check Alyeska Resort website for current hours
Forte Alaska
Alyeska Resort’s newest dining addition is Forte, a casual elevated Italian restaurant overlooking the resort pond. It’s the freshest option at the resort and still building its reputation, but early visitors report solid Italian fare in a beautiful setting.
ADDRESS: Alyeska Resort, Girdwood
Chair 5 Restaurant
Chair 5 is another Girdwood institution, the quintessential ski town bar and restaurant. They’ve been serving pizza and partying since the 1980’s. Not even a fire burning down their original location could harsh their vibes. They moved into an old ice cream shop (current location) and haven’t stopped since.
The owner openly brags about the drunken conception of chair 5, and once you walk through their doors you understand why. They play loud music overhead, there’s a bunch of dead things on the walls, they have a pool table and over 60 beers available.
While it may feel more like a post ski bar, than a Girdwood restaurant, the food ain’t bad. They do solid Detroit style pizza, hamburgers, “halibut chunks“, and a selection of passable salads. The bar stays open late and they do Karaoke on Sunday nights.
Spoonline Bistro
Spoonline Bistro is a testament to the idea that clean eating doesn’t have to be boring or bland. Their self proclaimed expertise lies in crafting inventive, health-conscious dishes that shine a spotlight on Paleo and gluten-free cuisine. They cook exclusively with cold pressed oils, and local, organic, and GMO free ingredients whenever they’re available.
Their menu has Italian, Asian, and of course; Alaskan influences. Some highlights include the pan seared duck, kodiak scallops, Bo Ssäm, and the Keto Pizza. They also have an equally great brunch menu. French toast, Benedicts, apple brie croissants, and kimchee pastrami bagel sandwiches are a few reasons to come hang out at this Girdwood restaurant.
There is a nice patio and fun outdoor seating with hanging plants. Inside the walls are full of alaskan art and bottles of wine. They do wonderful desserts and have a great wine list. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Open Thursday-Monday 5pm-9pm. Brunch Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Hightower Pub
Hightower Pub sits right next to Crow Creek Mercantile in downtown Girdwood and is one of those spots that locals actually eat at rather than just recommend to tourists. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which makes it more reliable than most Girdwood restaurants, several of which keep limited hours. The breakfast menu is inventive and gourmet for a pub, the lunch and dinner covers solid pub fare, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want after a long day on the mountain. Good beer selection, friendly staff, zero pretension.
ADDRESS: Downtown Girdwood, next to Crow Creek Mercantile PHONE: (907) 865-8193
Girdwood, Alaska Brewery & Food Trucks
Girdwood Brewing Company
The Girdwood Brewing Company isn’t a restaurant but it’s worth its own section. Beautiful timber-framed taproom, solid rotating taps, local art throughout, and a roster of food trucks that rotate weekly on the outdoor patio. The beer is excellent and the food truck lineup covers more ground than most full restaurants: Turkish, New Mexican, French crepes, Japanese, Guatemalan, cheesesteaks, pizza. Check the schedule before you go since trucks rotate.
Summer: 11am-10pm daily // Winter: 12-9pm weekdays, 11-9pm weekends // Address: 2700 Alyeska Hwy, Girdwood, AK 99587 // Phone: (907) 783-2739
Rotating Food Trucks at Girdwood Brewing
- BruceSkis: Turkish street foods such as Kababs, Falafel, and Hummus plates.
- Blue Ristra: New Mexican Burgers, Tacos, Burritos, Frito Pies.
- Crepes de Paris: Traditional French crepes with savory & sweet fillings.
- The Hungry Deckhand: Massive Sandwiches. Grilled ingredients stacked onto fresh sourdough toast.
- Izakaya: Light Japanese inspired cuisine.
- Mochileros Street Food: Authentic Guatemalan inspired dishes with American fusion.
- Mammoth Cheesesteaks: A variety of cheesesteaks, fries, and soft drinks.
- Mountain Pies: Pizza and wings.
- El Señor Moose: Authentic, fresh, handmade Mexican food.
- The TinCan — Bread bowls
- The Pizza Box — Artisan deep dish pizza and gourmet salads
- Pasta la Vista — Pasta
Map of the Best Restaurants in Girdwood, Alaska
What Else to Do in Girdwood
The restaurants are only one reason people make the trip, but Girdwood rewards staying longer.
Hiking
The trails around Girdwood range from easy valley walks to serious alpine climbs. Winner Creek Trail is the most popular, a 4.5-mile round trip through old growth forest to a hand-powered tram across a gorge. I did this with some co-workers and it was a blast.
Alyeska Resort
Alaska’s largest ski resort with 1,400 acres, five chairlifts, and a high-speed tram. In winter it’s one of the best ski mountains in the Pacific Northwest. In summer the tram still runs for sightseeing — same views, no snow, and Seven Glaciers at the top whenever you’re ready for dinner. The resort also runs zip line tours and has extensive hiking trails accessible from the base.
Mountain Biking
Girdwood has a growing mountain bike scene with trails ranging from beginner-friendly to technical singletrack through the Chugach. The resort opens bike trails in summer. See our cycling Alaska guide for trail recommendations across Southcentral.
Crow Creek Mine
A genuine gold rush era placer mine from 1896, still operating as a historic site and tourist attraction. You can pan for gold, and actually find it. About 3 miles from downtown Girdwood on Crow Creek Road. Open May through September.
Girdwood Alaska Restaurants FAQs
What is the best restaurant in Girdwood Alaska?
Jack Sprat is the consensus best restaurant in Girdwood, farm-to-table fare at the base of the ski hill with a menu that changes seasonally and genuinely surprises people. The bibimbap and the captain’s catch are the standout orders.
Does the Double Musky take reservations?
No. The Double Musky does not take reservations. Show up early or expect a wait, especially on weekends and during ski season.
Is Girdwood open in winter for restaurants?
Most of Girdwood’s restaurants operate year-round since the town is a ski destination in winter. Chair 5, Basecamp, Hightower Pub, The Bake Shop, and Seven Glaciers all operate through ski season. Some spots like Spoonline Bistro keep more limited hours in winter.
How far is Girdwood from Anchorage?
About 40 minutes south on the Seward Highway, roughly 37 miles. The drive is scenic, running along Turnagain Arm with views of the inlet and the Chugach Mountains. Worth the trip on its own, with the restaurants as a bonus.
Is there good beer in Girdwood?
Yes. Girdwood Brewing Company is excellent. Beautiful timber-framed taproom, solid rotating taps, local art throughout, and food trucks on rotation.
What is the best breakfast in Girdwood?
The Bake Shop for sourdough pancakes and cinnamon rolls, a genuine local institution. Hightower Pub for a more substantial morning meal with an inventive menu.
Can you eat at Seven Glaciers without skiing?
Yes. Seven Glaciers is open to any dinner guest regardless of whether you’re staying at the resort or skiing. You take the aerial tram up from the base, which is included in the dining experience. No ski pass required.
What food trucks are at Girdwood Brewing?
The food truck lineup rotates regularly. BruceSkis for Turkish food, Blue Ristra for New Mexican, Crepes de Paris, The Hungry Deckhand for massive sandwiches, Izakaya for Japanese, Mochileros for Guatemalan, Mammoth Cheesesteaks, Mountain Pies for pizza, and El Señor Moose for Mexican. Check the Girdwood Brewing food truck schedule before visiting as trucks rotate weekly.
Yay for including Girdwood Brewery food trucks. I really like Blue Ristra’s green chiles.
Yes! Blue Ristra is the move. Those green chiles are serious. Thanks for reading!