Article Overview: Top 5 Nome Restaurants
So there’s only around a dozen restaurants in Nome, Alaska, but thats not gonna stop us from ranking them! I spent 12 weeks in Nome working on a show for the Discovery channel. This gave me ample time to thoroughly explore Nome’s “culinary scene” or lack there of.
I’m not judging, it’s a gold mining town first and foremost, so food is often thought of more like fuel than anything else. But if you dig around long enough, there’s more than enough options to fill your belly.
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Bering Sea Bar & Grill Burns Down
I first traveled to Nome in August of 2020, six months into the covid pandemic. It was a weird time everywhere, Nome was no exception. While Alaska certainly approached the pandemic with shall we say, a more laissez-faire attitude, the production companies I work for DID NOT.
Upon arrival I had to quarantine for a week at the Nugget Inn, which sits right next door to the now defunct Nome restaurant, Bering Sea Bar & Grill. While locked up in my little room by the sea I definitely didn’t go to the next-door bar…. cough cough.. but I did end up ordering most of my meals from the Nome Restaurant. Convenience conquers all.
But suffice it to say, I got to know the menu pretty well, and it became one of my favorite places to hang out, drink and eat while I was working in Nome, Alaska. They did fun things like Ramen and sushi, the bartenders were good, and it had a porch overlooking the Bering sea.
Which is why it hurts me to report, the Bering Sea Bar & Grill is no more. In 2022 it burned down during a gnarly September storm. Truly a treasure lost. Cheers to you Bering Sea Bar & Grill, you will be missed. Full article here.
If you need help finding the best place to eat in Talkeetna, Alaska we got you covered too! Check out our list 10 BEST Restaurants in Talkeetna, Alaska (Worth the Stop)
Best Restaurants Nome, Alaska
#5. Polar Cafe
Polar Cafe isn’t gonna win any awards for being the hippest or the most innovative, but thats almost the reason you come to a place like Polar Cafe. You know pretty much exactly what to expect when you walk in, its comfortable and familiar, even in far off Nome.
The decor is outdated and the folding chairs and paneled ceiling makes you feel like you’re in a retirement home bingo hall, but the view out the windows is undeniable. This Nome restaurant sits on the edge of the Bering sea and you can sip your coffee and enjoy your meal while watching seals, beluga whales, and of course the never satiated gold dredges.
They do a serviceable breakfast ALL DAY, that includes things like reindeer sausage, corned beef hash, chicken fried steak, western omelets, and Homemade biscuits and gravy. Their lunch and dinner menu includes standard Nome restaurant stuff like a Halibut Sandwich, a Prime rib dinner, and crab legs. There’s also a salad bar.
“Not too pretty bad”… as my fellow cameraperson friend would say about most things Nome related.
ADDRESS: 204 Front Street PHONE: (907) 443-5191 HOURS: Varies, Call to check hours
#4. Bering Sea Tea Company
Okay so it’s definitely more of a coffee house than a Nome restaurant, but we’re in the Arctic alright! Our options are limited, plus it’s really good! And if you have a problem with a tea shop making a “Best of Nome Restaurants” list, then take it as a sign, move to Nome, and open up a French bistro.
So yeah, Bering Sea Company, their menu is certainly drink heavy with tea’s and coffee. The little Nome Restaurant I mean tea company, serves fun drinks like their “Peanut Butter & Honey Lattes” or their “Hibiscus Tea Coolers“. They also do your cold brews, frappes, and smoothies.
It may be mostly a drinkery but they do serve some food, usually breakfast sandwiches that sell out by 9:00am, as well as a variety of homemade baked goods. So yes, it officially qualifies as a Nome resturant. And a great one to start your day at!
ADDRESS: 310 Bering Street PHONE: (907) 443-2924 HOURS: Mon – Fri 7:00AM to 1:00PM
#3. Milano’s Pizzaria
As most Alaskans tend to do, Milano’s Pizzeria is doing it their way. This Nome restaurant brands itself as a “pizzaria & Italian Food” Nome restaurant, but they certainly don’t stop there. Just step down into the this tattered and worn basement eatery and you’ll be transported to an other worldly culinary dimension.
They do a little bit of everything and a lot of all of it. And as with so many places in Alaska, that starts with pizza. Which is actually pretty darn good. They also do Ramen, lobster, spaghetti, cheeseburgers, tempura vegetables, cheesesteaks, and obviously… sushi.
Living in the Arctic, you gotta be a bit of a shape shifter, a one man band, a real Swiss army knife. The same is true for Nome restaurants.
ADDRESS: 92 Old Federal Building PHONE: (907) 443-2924 HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am to 9pm, Sunday 12pm to 9pm
#2. Airport Pizza
The story with airport pizza, is that they would fly pizza’s out to remote villages, spreading the good word of marina, mozzarella, and a pepperoni to all. With no additional delivery costs! To pull this off they would delivery the pizza’s on the a regional airline that was already servicing the villages. Pretty badass if you ask me. Read about it more here in this NPR article.
You don’t have wait for your pizza to arrive via plane though, just walk into their Nome restaurant to get served up some pretty decent pies. They also do things like nachos, burgers, and beer battered halibut fish and chips. They have a full bar.
It costs alot of money to get to yourself to Nome, Alaska. The same concept holds true for Nome restaurants trying to get their groceries sent up. So this nome restaurant IS a bit pricey.
ADDRESS: 406 Bering Street, Nome AK 99762 PHONE: (907) 443-4173. HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am to 10pm
#1. Pingo Bakery
A pingo is a geographical feature that is found on the tundra formed when the permafrost creates a hill. Not sure what this has to do with food, but this place is hands down the best restaurant in Nome, Alaska. The space is super tiny and only has a couple tables, but there are a lot of windows that bring in the sunlight and brighten the space up.
They have a great breakfast menu that features things like a halibut and king crab omelet, house made yogurt and granola, Belgium waffles, and all kinds of great baked goods like cinnamon rolls, croissants, and danish pastries. Drooling yet? Yeah me too. Honestly, when I found Pingo Bakery, I stopped answering calls form all the other Nome restaurants. #takenB*tch
Their lunch menu is really great as well. They have soups, sandwiches, a burrito, and of course… pizza. Pingo Bakery definitely raises the bar however. They’re the best restaurant in Nome because they do stuff like Cauliflower crust, salmon baked Mac n cheese, and their famous Roasted Halibut Pizza with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes. To Die For!
There is a catch, one that almost disqualified it from even being considered a Nome restaurant. Pingo Bakery doesn’t serve alcohol. I know, but they do have homemade ice cream though. Regardless, it is a special spot and while not ideal for a boat load of crusty gold miners on their lunch break, it is an absolute must stop for anyone visiting Nome in search of good restaurants.
ADDRESS: 308 Bering Street PHONE: (907) 387-0654 HOURS: Wed – Sun 6:30 AM – 3 PM
Best Restaurants Nome, Alaska (Post Summary)
To recap, here is a list of the best restaurants in Nome, Alaska.
- Pingo Bakery
- Airport Pizza
- Milano’s Pizzeria
- Golden China
- Polar Cafe
Nome, Alaska Restaurants Map
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Whoop well there ya have it! So remember, no matter where you are, you still gotta eat. So do you best and try to enjoy it. We hope this list helps you do that at whatever Nome Restaurant you end up choosing. Cheers y’all
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