7 Best McCarthy Alaska Restaurants for Food Lovers in 2026

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You wouldn’t expect gourmet dining down a 60-mile dirt road, but that’s exactly what you’ll find in McCarthy, Alaska.

Despite its remoteness, McCarthy, Alaska restaurants deliver unforgettable meals that rival big city kitchens.

Tucked deep inside Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, this off-grid town is where ice-capped mountains meet warm plates of wood-fired pizza, wild-caught salmon, fresh salads, and flaky pastries.

After spending countless summers here with my family, hiking glaciers and mountain trails by day and savoring delicious meals by night, I can confidently say that the food scene in McCarthy is worth the journey alone.

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a full Alaskan expedition, this guide will help you find the best restaurants in McCarthy, Alaska—from glacier-side food trucks to family-style dinners in a historic lodge.

And yes, I’ve personally eaten at every single one. So don’t just take my word for it, come visit and taste the food for yourself!

Two plates of fresh salads topped with falafel; one garnished with boiled egg, grated carrots, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy fried onions, sprinkled with sesame seeds at The Potato, in McCarthy Alaska. This one is called the miso salad with added falafels.

📍 If you are planning a visit to McCarthy, Alaska, you may also find my other guides helpful:

Where to Eat in McCarthy: A Local’s Guide

McCarthy may be remote, but its restaurants are the heart of the community. These are the 7 places I recommend to every visitor—locals included.

1. The Potato

Two rustic wood-fired pizzas from The Potato restaurant in McCarthy, Alaska; one topped with spicy jalapeños and pepperoni, the other with a bed of arugula and salty cured crispy meat underneath, both served on metal pans on a wooden table. — Wood fired pizza at The Potato in McCarthy, Alaska

The food is exceptional at The Potato, hands down. Owners, Rebecca Bard, Malcolm Vance, and Ian Gyori (head chef), have created a destination for foodies.

So, of course, that means I LOVE eating here!

They take pride in offering approachable, high-quality food for all, but also include gourmet options that you will be amazed to find in the middle of remote Alaska. The restaurant was even featured on CBS’s The Dish!

The Potato is my family’s favorite place to eat because we can all find something incredibly delicious to eat on any given night. It’s hard for us to walk past without at least ordering a cold drink and something to ease our hunger, like the fries.

Everyone will tell you, there is just something about the fries at The Potato. They are the very best. It’s a good idea to order some! But, no matter what your taste, there is something for everyone on the menu, from falafels and hummus to bangers and mash.

The original Potatohead Burrito or the Spudniks Supreme are staples, and you truly have to try them both at least once – just see if you can finish them! They are both chock-full of all the goods to help you fuel or recover from your epic outdoor adventuring.

A plate of crispy pork schnitzel topped with savory brown gravy and chopped herbs, served with roasted Brussels sprouts and a bed of spaetzle. A glass of amber beer and red drink cup sit in the background on a wooden table. — Pork schnitzel with spaetzle

The Potato's plate of miso salad with crispy bacon, fresh tomato slices, and a soft-boiled egg, sprinkled with fried shallots and sesame seeds, accompanied by a glass of pale ale on a sunny wooden table. — The popular miso salad

If fries aren’t your thing, go for the most delicious salad: the Miso salad with local greens, shaved Brussels sprouts, crispy onions, and dreamy miso dressing.

The soft-boiled eggs make it a complete meal for someone who prefers lighter fare. It’s my personal favorite, and although I always try to recreate it at home, I have not succeeded yet!

The whole menu is a picture of perfection, so I struggle to point out only a few items. However, other items to notice are the epic dinner specials (they are impressive and gourmet), the local salmon entree, and wood-fired pizzas (on select evenings only). Just eat here, you will be so happy!

Top off your meal with a refreshing beverage. You can choose from natural sodas, wines, cocktails, and beers, with special items on tap.

2. The Meatza Wagon

A red food truck called "Meatza Wagon" is parked on a gravel lot, with colorful flower planters surrounding it. A chalkboard sign promotes "Reuben Tuesday" featuring a sandwich with Swiss cheese, pastrami, sauerkraut, and pickles for . A man in casual attire stands at the service counter, while menus and order slips are posted in the window under a white awning.

There are views at eateries, and then there is THE VIEW at The Meatza Wagon! Is there any other food truck that looks out over a giant glacier like this one does?

This is not to distract you from the mega-delicious offerings for lunch and dinner.

They are open Tuesday-Thursday from 11am to 5pm, and Friday – Sunday 11am to 7pm. Closed Mondays.

There are daily specials worth paying attention to, but everything on the menu is delightful. Things to try that we enjoy are the Alaskan salmon BLT, the souvlaki steak bowl, and the tacos (either carnitas or fish).

Three plates of food from the Meatza Wagon sit on a wooden table. One plate features a salmon salad wrap cut in half, served with a side of potato chips. The other two plates each contain a pair of soft tacos topped with fresh ingredients and are served with tortilla chips. The spread showcases a fresh, hearty food truck meal in an outdoor setting.

A broader view of the red Meatza Wagon food truck shows it stationed beside a red building, surrounded by lush greenery and large flower pots overflowing with sunflowers, petunias, and greenery. The truck's service window is open with a menu posted, and a man in a dark outfit stands at the counter, creating a lively, local outdoor dining scene.

This incredible place has helped my family and me many times when we were completely ravenous after full days of exploration, and we felt we couldn’t walk another few feet before eating!

Don’t forget to look up and all around while dining. Just look at where you are and how lucky it is that you are in this very spot and eating an amazing meal!

3. Salmon and Bear Restaurant

A rustic red wooden building with white trim houses the “Salmon & Bear Restaurant” in McCarthy, Alaska. The facade features antlers mounted above a sign, a blue door with a “LODGE” sign, lace-curtained windows, and a patio with outdoor seating beneath a scalloped orange umbrella. Yellow flowers bloom in metal planters along the wooden railing under a bright blue sky.

The Salmon and Bear restaurant in McCarthy is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Alaska.

The restaurant is located in an old cannery building, and the decor pays tribute to the area’s history with photos and memorabilia from the early days of canning.

Chef Josh Slaughter creates masterful dishes that are both beautiful and delicious. The result is a dining experience that is truly unique to Alaska.

While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the quality of the food and the setting are well worth it.

Guests will find unique Alaskan ingredients on the menu. Orders can be paired with fine wines, of which there is a large collection. Salmon and Bear Restaurant is a great place for a romantic dinner.

4. The Golden Saloon

A row of colorful, historic buildings along a gravel road in McCarthy, Alaska, with the prominent Golden Saloon featuring outdoor seating, under a hazy sky with forested mountains in the background.

The saloon, aka the McCarthy Lodge, is where many gather every evening to enjoy the outside deck and observe the activities of locals around the town.

I have spent many evenings here hanging out with friends, enjoying the inside bar, good music, and catching up on juicy local gossip. There’s always some in a small town, right?

You’ll find burgers, salads, soups, and much more on the menu here. Grab a beer, meet some free-range dogs, order a plate of food, and enjoy the evening.

5. Kennicott Glacier Lodge

A large red and white lodge, identified by the sign out front as "Kennicott Glacier Lodge," sits elevated on a hillside with a wraparound porch lined with white railings and hanging flower baskets. A stairway leads up from a gravel path to the main entrance, and a red signboard at the bottom provides guest information and directs visitors to check with the front desk for room availability and dinner reservations. The building is set against a backdrop of trees and a partly cloudy sky.

A cozy outdoor dining setup on the covered porch of Kennicott Glacier Lodge features a floral tablecloth, two wooden chairs, and a small vase with orange flowers. The porch overlooks a sweeping view of rugged mountain terrain and snow-capped peaks in the distance, offering a peaceful, scenic backdrop for a meal.

The Kennicott Glacier Lodge is another one of those places with a breathtaking, almost unreal view that just happens to be right there while you eat.

It sometimes feels like the view is from another planet. Pinch yourself, you are there!

The lodge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though I must admit my favorite meal there is dinner. It is a unique experience because the meal is served family style.

It is a way to meet travelers from all over with many different life stories. My husband and I have always loved this experience so we go every time we visit. This single nightly dinner service is offered at 7:00 PM. Reservations are required.

You can glance at the menu posted on the outdoor bulletin board below the lodge and choose when to go depending on the offerings each night (of which there is one).

For example, do you want Alaskan Salmon, Chicken Florentine, or Prime Rib? The homemade bread and desserts are also a perk!

6. Glacier View

A brightly painted red and green wooden shack with a yellow door and teal accents, next to an outdoor dining area under white canopies decorated with small American flags, set against a clear blue sky and surrounded by trees.

A juicy grilled beef burger on a toasted bun, stacked with lettuce, tomato, pickled onions, and sliced pickles, served with a side of potato chips and coleslaw on a paper plate at an outdoor table.

We end up here sometimes when we roll into McCarthy, hungry and tired, and it never disappoints. Glacier View Grill has picnic table seating and a killer mountain view, but it’s the homemade food that keeps us coming back.

I’m a big fan of the Stella Blue Burger, which has blue cheese and bacon. My son goes straight for the juicy reindeer dog every time.

The menu leans casual in the best way, with numerous classic burgers, chicken sammies, salmon burgers, brats, and cold drinks.

You get house-made slaw and chips on the side. Whether you’re staying nearby and craving a burger or just passing through, it’s the perfect pit stop before you cross the footbridge.

7. As The Glacier Melts

A small red wooden building labeled "River Trip Office" serves as a dual-purpose ice cream and espresso shop named "As the Glacier Melts." The exterior features several hand-written chalkboard menus listing items like ice cream, cookies, and drinks, with a painted sign of mountains above the door and a menu area displaying various printed notices. The shop sits among tall evergreen trees, with a wooden ramp leading to the front door and potted plants adding a welcoming touch.

A hand holds up an ice cream cone with pink ice cream scoops. It is sunny and in the background is a tiny red cafe building. A man peaks into the building's door and is wearing shorts and an orange top.

You can indulge in the finest Alaskan-made ice cream and Alaska-roasted espresso at this charming little red cafe near the entrance to Kennecott River Lodge and Cabins.

My son enjoys their fireweed ice cream (it’s such a fun, unique Alaskan flavor!) and my husband loves the giant cinnamon rolls. They have a great pastry selection, including muffins and cookies.

It’s the perfect spot to start your morning with a delicious latte while immersing yourself in amazing views. Don’t miss out on a delightful sweet treat in this convenient spot!

A cozy breakfast setting at McCarthy Lodge with a plate of egg casserole, fresh fruit, and a slice of cantaloupe on a marbled table, complemented by glasses of water and orange juice, in a rustic dining room with wood-paneled walls and historical photos.

Culinary Adventure in McCarthy Alaska

Yes, getting to McCarthy, Alaska pretty much requires the ultimate commitment but the moment you start soaking in those spectacular views and meeting the locals, you’ll know it’s more than worth it.

Come immerse yourself in a vibrant, welcoming community that truly makes McCarthy special. The restaurants here are reflections of this spirit, blending local flavors with hearty hospitality.

Please ask any questions you might have in the comments! I love hearing from my readers!

7 Best McCarthy Alaska Restaurants for Food Lovers in 2026