The Best Cheap Eats in Anchorage

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 01 October 2021

A gateway to the Alaskan wilderness, Anchorage represents a city unlike any other in America. It sits as far west as Honolulu and as far north as Helsinki, as though on the edge of the earth! On a clear day, you can see six different mountain ranges from the city. In addition to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Chugach State Park, and Alaska Zoo, you’ll find world-class restaurants with local favorites like smoked salmon, chowder, crab, and halibut without breaking the bank. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. If you want to sample regional foods without making a big dent in your wallet, check out our Tastemaker List of where to find the best cheap eats in Anchorage.

Fat Ptarmigan

4.2

4.2 (273)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Fat Ptarmigan, located in the heart of historic downtown, is one of the best cheap eats spots Anchorage has to offer. Locals and visitors rave about their wood-fired pizzas and great prices. They use only high-quality seasonal ingredients and all their pizzas have a thin, crispy crust. The restaurant features a large open kitchen where you can chat it up with the cooks and see the pizza making in progress. The menu changes seasonally to reflect fresh ingredients but you can always count on a delicious pizza at a great price.

Top review

TGM6

Dined on 1 Mar 2020

We had made reservations, through Open Table for Saturday evening prior to a show at the PAC and when we arrived we were advised that Fat Ptarmigan had no record of our or anyone else's reservation made through Open Table. I had a copy of our reservation and showed the desk staff and they were great, finding us a perfect table for 2 near the windows. Our meal & drinks were enjoyable and our evening went smoothly from there. Whatever the problem transmitting reservations to the individual dining establishment should be examined and repaired since our good experience could have been ruined.

Tequila 61°

4.4

4.4 (500)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Latin American

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Tequila 61 offers a super unique blend of traditional Mexican flavors and classic Alaskan ingredients. The result is an innovative cuisine that redefines the modern Alaskan dining experience! The delicious mashup extends to the design as well. The restaurant features an inviting ambiance with handmade wooden tables from the Port of Anchorage and Mexican-inspired artwork throughout the dining room. They have great specials to enjoy, like their $8 Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm. And on Tuesday you can indulge in half-price tacos!

Top review

Leticia

Dined on 11 Dec 2024

Tequila 61 has excellent service and food. We enjoyed the chocoflan! Tuesdays is a must to dine in.

Rustic Goat

4.6

4.6 (573)

$31 to $50

European

Anchorage

About the restaurant

The Rustic Goat is a casual dining American Pub located in an industrial-chic setting in West Anchorage. The interior has a light, airy feel with floor-to-ceiling windows, open design and a modern, rustic feel. The menu covers pretty much everything, from Pizza to Burgers to hearty entrees to desserts and even brunch! To keep costs down, try some of the items from their shareable menu, like the pan-seared calamari, baked mac and cheese, and Rustic Goat nachos.

Top review

Naomi

Dined on 1 Dec 2024

One of my top favorite places to go out to eat in Anchorage! The nachos are the BEST!!

49th State Brewing Company Anchorage

4.5

4.5 (1107)

$30 and under

Brewery

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Alaska is the 49th State to become part of the U.S. and this brewery and beer garden pays homage to the culture of Alaska and the city of Anchorage. The casual dining spot features many craft beers brewed right on the premises and a menu filled with freshly sourced Alaskan products at prices that won’t break the bank. The eatery occupies a terrific location in the heart of downtown Anchorage and you can hang out on the rooftop patio overlooking the Cook Inlet and Alaska Range. It’s a favorite of locals and tourists alike and you can nosh on super cheap starter plates like the Award-Winning Smoked Wings and Brewpub Nachos for a steal.

Top review

John

Dined on 16 Aug 2024

Best food and beers in Anchorage by far and possibly in Alaska!

Ginger

4.7

4.7 (1513)

$30 and under

Pacific Rim

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Located on West 5th Avenue in historic downtown, Ginger’s is a local favorite for cheap eats all day long. Open since March of 2007, they specialize in Pacific Rim cuisine and classic Asian specialties. They hand-craft all their meals from the freshest ingredients and the staff is a team of local restaurant veterans. It’s a great place to go for Weekend Brunch, Dinner or to dine at the bar any day of the week. The bar has its own menu, which is full of affordable small plates to enjoy in the warm, convivial atmosphere. Try some of the regular favorites, like the Kahlua Pork Sliders on a Hawaiian Sweet Roll, Mu Shu Tacos, Duck Confit Tacos and more.

Top review

Carey

Dined 3 days ago

Service was top-notch from starting to finish. Excellent food with a ton of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Expect to spend $25-$40 on your entrée. (we both had left overs). Awesome interior design and convenient location downtown. We went this week and they were doing something special with DJs playing. It was about 2 to 3 notches too loud, which made conversation a bit challenging.

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Kinley's Restaurant and Bar

4.7

4.7 (1820)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Looking for some of the tastiest cheap eats Anchorage has to offer and drinks that taste good too? Head to Kinley’s Restaurant and Bar on Seward Highway in Anchorage! They serve super fresh Alaskan seafood, 30 wines by the glass, 300 wines by the bottle, locally brewed beers on tap and a wide selection of cocktails. The restaurant has a rustic-contemporary Alaskan feel and they lean toward an upscale vibe but you can find great deals on the Happy Hour and Bar Menu. Try the Burger and Brew Pairing or the Braised and Seared Thai Pork Belly.

Top review

kevin

Dined 2 days ago

Always a great time here. Food is amazing! We had the Calamari and Brie as apps and then the table has filet mignons, roasted duck and halibut cheeks. All of the meals were cooked perfect and they really know their sauces. Only negative thought was that it was a busy night and it was a little loud.

Simon & Seafort's

4.6

4.6 (6342)

$30 and under

Seafood

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Simon and Seafort’s is a popular Steak and Seafood place located near Elderberry Park on L Street. The setting is classic and beautiful, offering diners panoramic views of Mt. Susitna and the Alaska range. They also serve some of the best wild Alaskan seafood in town! They offer great cheap eats all through the week but their Sunday Brunch is an especially good bargain. Come in to sample entrees like the Alaskan Seafood Scramble, Reindeer sausage, and Bourbon Pecan Praline French Toast to see what all the fuss is about. It’s a great spot to real-deal Alaskan food without a hefty price tag.

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined on 9 Dec 2024

Great Christmas lunch although there were no Christmas decorations this year. Hmmmm.

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4.9

4.9 (1735)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Southside Bistro, located on Huffman Park Drive on the south end of town, is one of Anchorage’s best-kept secrets. They offer a variety of fresh, fun food at affordable prices that appeal to both locals and visitors. They have a casual Bistro setting and a more formal Restaurant side where you can order from the full menu. They focus on fresh Alaskan seafood and produce as well as appetizers, flatbreads, and daily specials. The Bistro Menu features items at reduced prices, which is a great deal because the plates are super filling! Try the Bistro Burger, the Calamari or the Shaved Brussels Sprouts.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food, consistent— we’ve been dining at Southside Bistro for decades

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Popular dish

Bistro Burger

Jens' Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1640)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Jen’s Restaurant is a longtime favorite of Anchorage residents and is the place to go for fine food and wine at reasonable prices. The menu features a wide range of fresh Alaskan seafood, steaks, Danish specialties, and delectable house-made desserts. They also offer lamb, deer and pasta dishes and over 40 wines by the glass. You can find lots of cheap eats on the menu, especially the appetizers and lunch items. Try the Chicken Liver Pate with stewed red cabbage or the pan-fried veal and pork meatballs with red cabbage.

Top review

Jessica

Dined on 11 Dec 2024

Best restaurant in town. Consistent, fantastic food.

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Popular dish

Carrot Cake

Popular dish

Calamari a la Picatta

Cattle Company Steakhouse - Anchorage

4.0

4 (594)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Anchorage

About the restaurant

For a proper Alaskan Steak at a modest cost, come on down to the Cattle Company Steakhouse. Located on Tudor Road in Anchorage, this restaurant provides a Genuine American Steakhouse experience to all who enter. They serve only Black Angus steaks that are carefully aged, fresh-cut daily and grilled over an open flame. You can expect fast, friendly service and superior quality every time. To save big on your meal, enjoy items like the Steakhouse Bacon Cheeseburger or BBQ Baby Back Rib Sandwich from the bar menu.

Top review

WilliamR

Dined on 15 Feb 2020

Good value, good food, good service, nice atmosphere.

Sullivan's Steakhouse - Anchorage

4.1

4.1 (2355)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Sullivan’s Steakhouse, located right in the heart of downtown Anchorage, is a vibrant American Steakhouse featuring fine steaks and seafood. The dining room has an elegant vibe and a welcoming atmosphere. They pride themselves on serving only the finest Midwestern hand-selected steaks, aged a minimum of 28 days and then seasoned and broiled to perfection. It’s a great place to rub elbows with local musicians and artists while sampling some of the best cheap eats Anchorage has to offer. Try specialty items like the Filet Mignon and specialty BLT.

Top review

Hugh

Dined 4 days ago

The service snd food was excellent. Will return soon and I recommend Sullivan’s to others.

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Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Dinner

Campobello Bistro

4.6

4.6 (480)

$30 and under

Italian

Anchorage

About the restaurant

For delicious and affordable food in an elegant dining space, check out CampoBello Bistro on 36th Street. They feature a charming dining room, excellent local fare, and Mediterranean cuisine. Stop in for lunch or dinner and you’ll be swept away by the majestic atmosphere. Highlights of the menu include their Wild Alaskan seafood, the Italian Sausage sandwich or the Chicken Gyro with a side dish. Dinner can get a little pricey here but their lunch menu features low prices on salads, sandwiches and their classic Bistro Plates.

Top review

Steve

Dined on 12 Mar 2020

Campobello ‘s is consistently excellent. I love the seafood crepes.

Benihana - Anchorage, AK

4.3

4.3 (1644)

$30 and under

Japanese

Anchorage

About the restaurant

Benihana is a famous spot for delectable steaks, juicy chicken and succulent seafood. And it’s all prepared to order by a talented showman chef! The restaurant, just a short walk from downtown, features 16 hibachi tables where guests sit around a large teppan grill in the center. They feature traditional offerings as well as unique entrees like Hibachi Tuna steak, sesame encrusted and seared just how you like it. A great cost-cutting option is to check out their Lunch Boat and Happy Hour Menus! They each feature great specials on sushi, beverages and much more.

Top review

Bill

Dined 1 day ago

Great service and good food. Had a great time!!!!!