The Very Best Restaurants on the Kenai Peninsula

Look no further than these travel tips on the best eateries on the Kenai Peninsula. While these are in no particular order, some eateries stand out above others for food quality.

Addie camp

For a more refined dining experience, here’s where you need to go.

This wonderful restaurant might be the first thing you see when you arrive to Soldotna off the Sterling Highway. It’s located on top of a huge hill, fondly named Whistle Hill (also the name given to the road the establishment is located on). I passed by this place for two years before finding it, thinking it was a train museum, which in some ways it is. The owner, Mary Krull, has made it part of her life’s work to relocate old trains and rail carts to Soldotna for people to dine in. Yes, you get to actually dine inside a train – how cool is that? Pretty cool.

There’s not enough great things to say about this restaurant. It’s one of my favorites in all the places I’ve traveled. Sure, there are locations with more diverse options that change on the menu, but being consistently good all the time is where Addie Camp shines. This is hard feat for any business let alone in the food industry.

Foods to try at Addie Camp

It’s ALL good, so you cannot go wrong. The menu does change a few times a year, so you may not get these dishes all the time.

1. Goat cheese balls: A local favorite. Apricot jam surrounds the delectable fried goat cheese ball treats on your plate. Could you wait to knock on the name until you try them? They are scrumptious! Served as an appetizer, but some die-hards get them as their meal.
2. Tuna Poke appetizer: Served on a small square of cooked rice, this fresh sushi tuna dish is to die for. Sesame seeds and a siracha sauce top the tuna.
3. Oysters from Jackalof Bay, Alaska: these are always fresh and served on the half shell with a side of lemon and hot sauce
4. Ribeye with mashed potatoes and brocollini: I like mine medium rare, but no matter how you have it prepared it tastes great.
5. Grilled chicken with greens: All of the salads at Addie Camp are grown by them all year long in a hydroponic garden located at Whistle Hill. This means everything’s always fresh and inspected by them before selling it. The salad has a honey mustard dressing, which you can get served on the side, avocado, hard boiled egg, bacon crumbles and cherry tomatoes.
6. Lastly, try everything else – you’ll want to go back

What to know about Addie Camp

Location: 43550 Whistle Hill Ln, Soldotna | 907-262-2334

Price: On the higher end, but you get what you pay for

Note: While this a nice restaurant, you can dress up or down as much as you want. Therefore, I’d classify this eatery as casual. If you call for reservations or catch them early, ask to eat in the rail care for a special treat. I mean, how many people can say they ate in a train that wasn’t moving?

Pros: Excellent food, endless great dishes, amazing creative atmosphere

Cons: More expensive than pub fare (as to be expected), you’ll need to call in for a reservation unless you get lucky

Kenai Princess Lodge: Rod and Reel Restaurant

Nestled on top of mountain side overlooking the Kenai River in Cooper Landing lies an amazing restaurant with food almost as good as the view. Located at the Kenai Princess Lodge is Rod and Reel Restaurant. Even if you’re not going to eat, go to the deck’s overlook where you can spot sheep and other critters from their deck’s permanent spotting scope. This eatery is the very best restaurant on the Kenai Peninsula with a view.

What to eat?

1. Appetizer: Order the smoked salmon dip; this dip is the best we’ve had in Alaska – I keep trying to replicate their recipe but fail (one day, I’ll get it!). If YOU want to learn how to catch your own fish, you can read our travel guide on how to floss the Kenai River.
2. Salmon chowder: A great ending to a long day fishing on the river, particularly in the fall or spring when it’s chilly outside
3. The good ‘ol classic American cheeseburger

Location: 17245 Frontier Cir, Cooper Landing | 907-595-1425

Pros: This eatery has the very best view

Cons: While the food is great, it’s not as good as Addie Camp

The best Pub Fare in Kenai

Sometimes I’m in the mood for pub fare and sometimes I’m not, but when I am these are THE best eateries on the Kenai Peninsula. Both restaurants on the Kenai Peninsula are slightly different so it’s worth trying each.

If had to choose one, I could not. If you want a little more laid back atmosphere then go to Kenai River Brewing Company – their self serve ordering process is unique and well-run. They have outdoor seating around a fire pit which is unique and a great place to talk with friends and family over a beer. Both brew their own brewski – each has it’s own flavor.

St. Elias Brewing Company

St. Elias is an absolute must-visit for those who appreciate the art of craft beer. Located just a short drive from Soldotna, this brewery combines a passion for beer with a commitment to sustainability.

A large selection of craft brews with unique flavors await you. From hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, there’s something to please every beer lover’s taste buds. Pair your pint with their delectable pub fare, such as their mouthwatering wood-fired pizzas or their juicy burgers, and you’re in for a treat.

What to order at St. Elias

1. Pizza, pizza, pizza: St. Elias is sort of known for their pizzas; my favorite is the Okie Dokey Artichokie Pizza (say that three times)
2. Seasonally they have a taco appetizer, with chicken, rockfish and steak tacos served on a long wooden board with handles – a great dish to share or eat as a meal
3. The BIG salad: Ever watched Seinfeld where Elaine has to have the “big salad”? These are the salads she was trying to find. When I say big, they’re big. I think they should give an award to anyone that can finish them. This is great though, as you get more for your money and you’ll be confident in knowing you got your vegetable for the day. The big salads are really a positive and I enjoy that you can order just a salad feel content without feeling you need more to eat. My favorite is the Field of Bleu salad. This big salad has blue cheese, red grapes, and walnuts.

So there you go, pizza, tacos and salad.

Location: 434 Sharkathmi Ave, Soldotna | 907-260-7837

Pros: Best pizza in Soldotna

Cons: It can get busy, it’s a large restaurant and your food can sometimes get delayed – so be prepared to be patient, as you should – you’re probably on vacation!

Kenai River Brewing Company

As mentioned in our introduction on pub fare, Kenai River Brewery is just slightly more laid back than St. Elias. It’s the kind of place that you can usually walk in and find a table even though it’s packed with other customers. Go to your first available table, have someone in your party hold it and then order your food at the big sign that says “order here”.

Best seating: If the weather’s nice go outside, they have huge picnic tables and propane firepits running most of the time.

What to order:

1. The Reuban sandwhich with sweet potato fries
2. Gummy bear bone in wings
3. Beer (Sunken Island IPA is pretty good, but it’s not your classic IPA so be prepared that it will taste different)

Location: 308 Homestead Ln, Soldotna | 907-262-2337

Pros: The very best atmosphere for sitting outside and enjoying a beer

Cons: The menu doesn’t change – which isn’t a negative, but sometimes you want to just try something different

Waffles, Sandwiches and breakfast

Sometimes you just want a good breakfast or a sandwhich, let’s dive in where to go.

Odies: Best cookies on the Kenai Peninsula

If you want comfort food, try Odies. From soups to warm salad, it’s surely to satisfy even the hungriest person.

What to order:

1. Chipolte turkey panini: Served on chipolte bread which has peppers infused into it, the cheese is melted perfectly. You can order a half or a whole. I’m always one or two bites more after eating a half, but if I order a whole it’s too big. But, there’s always leftovers.
2. The giant cookie: Their cookies are a local favorite. During the summer some people come in and buy like 20 cookies. I’m not sure who eats them all, but it’s a sign that these cookies are exceptional. And, they are. They’re cooked to just the write consistency – not too gooey, not too hard. If you get a chocholate chip cookie, the morsels are just melting enough to ooze into the surrounding cooked dough. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is.
3. Tomato soup: All of their soups are good so get whatever they’re serving for the day. Their tomato soup is particulaly great and goes along with any sandwhich you decide to buy.

Location: 44315 Sterling Hwy, Soldotna | 907-260-9000

Pros: The very best giant cookie in the world (until I find somewhere else that can take this rank)

Cons: The only con I can think of is that they’re closed for dinner and on Sundays. That’s not a negative; just be prepared if you try to go after hours and show up only to find the open sign is turned off.

Brew 602

This is another creation of Mary Krull who owns Addie Camp. Brew 602 is equally put together and well-run as Addie Camp, just a different atmosphere and food offerings. Brew 602 is the best restaurant for breakfast on the Kenai Peninsula.

What to order:

1. If you’re kid (or a big kid at heart like me), order the hot chocholate. The seating, just like Addie Camp, is served on a train, but this time it’s a double decker train with a more modern feel. Bring your laptop or a good book and stay as long as you want while you drink your coffee or hot chocholate.
2. The Mother Clucker: a chicken and waffle with just the right amount of sweet and savory, goes great with latte.
3. The Gill and Dill: This cleverly named breakfast entree, is my favorite. Since you’re in Alaska you might as well get salmon on your waffle. This waffle has fresh dill from Whistle Hill’s hydroponic lab and a dollop of sour cream.

Location: 43540 Whistle Hill Loop, Soldotna | 907-262-0602

Pros: Amazing atmosphere, the very best and most creative place to eat on the peninsula

Cons: Small area to sit, but ample space for anyone, so it’s only a concern if you’re claustrophobic.

Restaurant on the Kenai Peninsula with the Best Atmosphere

Veronicas

Veronicas is a small, excellent restaurant in Kenai, Alaska. The building’s structure is unique, adorned with cedar shakes and many glass windows. This eatery overlooks Cook Inlet and offers a lot do around it. A Russian Orthodox Church is within walking distance. It’s beautiful blue roof makes for wonderful snapshots for your photo album. The restaurant takes a lot of pride in their perinneal flower bed, and I enjoy sitting inside and peering out at them through the windows.

Recommendations on what to eat:

1. Veroncia’s corn bread is amazing, it comes with their soup or salad.
2. Cashew chicken salad: A unique dish that tastes great, particular after a long bike ride around Kenai

Location: 604 Petersen Way, Kenai | 907-283-2725

Pros: Great food, and good atmosphere

Cons: Small venue so if you’re visiting with several people you might have to wait for a table