Article Overview: Best Restaurants in Girdwood, Alaska
Girdwood, Restaurants: Fueling Adventure
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.
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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 now exists somewhere… permanently, but it did introduce me to Girdwood and its plethora of great restaurants.
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 thoroughly 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.
Best Restaurants in Girdwood, Alaska
Table of Contents: Best Restaurants in Girdwood, Alaska
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. Its 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 Alaskas 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. They’re open daily, from 11am – 9pm
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.
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, theres 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 too pretty 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.
For more information on cold pressed oils and their benefits, check out this article.
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.
Girdwood, Alaska Brewery & Food Trucks
Girdwood Brewing Company
The Girdwood Brewing Company isn’t a restuarant, but they do host rotating food trucks, and some of them are pretty darn good. Oh, and the beer ain’t bad either. Make sure to check the food truck calendar because the trucks are always rotating. Food Truck Schedule.
- 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.
Best Restaurants Girdwood, Alaska (Post Summary)
Just to recap, here’s a list of our favorite restaurants in Girdwood, Alaska.
- The Double Musky
- Jack Sprat
- Seven Glaciers Restaurant
- Basecamp
- Chair 5 Restaurant
- Spoonline Bistro
- Girdwood Brewery Foodtrucks
Map of the Best Restaurants in Girdwood, Alaska
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Yay for including Girdwood Brewery food trucks. I really like Blue Ristra’s green chiles.