Situated in the breathtaking Matanuska-Susitna Valley of South Central Alaska, Palmer is a charming little town. Visitors can enjoy amazing scenery, views of the mountains, farms, and some excellent eateries at this agricultural hub. There is a place for every taste, from hip bakeries and cafés to upscale restaurants, burger shops, and breweries.
The top 13 restaurants in Palmer that you simply must try are highlighted in this article. You can read about the atmosphere, specialties, and what sets these restaurants apart from the competition for each entry. These Palmer restaurants will delight and satisfy any diner, whether they are a local, are traveling from another part of the state, or are simply tourists searching for a special eating experience.
Mykel’s – Best Seafood
Mykel’s large restaurant, located off the Glenn Highway, serves the best fresh seafood in Palmer’s downtown. Their talented culinary staff obtains only the best wild Alaskan seafood, which is then prepared to highlight its authentic flavors and textures. House specialties include halibut Olympia baked with crab, spinach, and hollandaise sauce, as well as house classics such grilled salmon finnegan with brown sugar glaze.
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If seafood isn’t your thing, Mykel’s wide menu also includes spaghetti, pizza, salads, and steaks. But when you visit Palmer, you have to have their delicious Baked Alaska baked stuffed halibut or Seafood Fettuccine. Mykel’s sophisticated meals honor the abundance of Alaskan waterways with an old-fashioned steakhouse atmosphere that is nevertheless approachable.
Location: 660 S Alaska St, Palmer, AK 99645
Café D’arte – Best Cafe
Visit Café D’arte in Palmer for innovative, creative spins on traditional coffee and café cuisine. They are just as proud of their teas and espresso beverages as they are of their salads, soups, and sandwiches. Fresh fruit smoothies, Vanilla Rose Latte, and Red Velvet Mocha are among of the must-try alternatives. There are always a lot of vegetarian and gluten-free options available on their menu, which includes protein power bowls, croissant breakfast sandwiches, and caprese paninis.
Café D’arte features a lovely enclosed patio area surrounded by lush plants and flowers in addition to comfortable indoor seating. Café D’arte genuinely celebrates art and community, from the vibrant murals and paintings that adorn the walls to the live music, open mics, and frequent local events that take place. It’s Palmer’s best place for coffee, conversation, and inspiration.
Location: 325 E Dahlia Ave #102, Palmer, AK 99645
Mountain View Sports Bar & Grill – Best Sports Bar
When visiting Palmer, Mountain View Sports Bar & Grill is a sports enthusiast’s dream come true with its twelve large displays. You won’t ever miss the big plays because they broadcast games and competitions from major sports including baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. With appetizers like peppercorn calamari, loaded fries, and nachos along with hearty Stand & Stuff Burritos and house-smoked ribs, their menu offers more than just your typical sports bar fare.
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Naturally, there are numerous taps behind the bar serving ice-cold beers, including brews from the area. With its warm wood accents, bear and moose decorations, and amusing vintage signs and license plates decorating the walls, the décor evokes the spirit of Alaska. Mountain View Sports Bar & Grill is a top choice in Palmer for the best game day atmosphere and pub fare that will satisfy any sports enthusiast.
Location: 1235 W Parks Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645
Ivana & Olive – Trendiest Spot
Ivana & Olive is a trendy place to eat and drink in Palmer’s downtown. Reclaimed brick walls, modern pendant lighting, and distressed wood accents are just a few of the stylish décor features that this sophisticated café skillfully combines old and new. The menu features dishes inspired by other cultures, such as Pacific Rim Rice Bowls, Turkish Baked Eggs, and their version of Avocado Toast.
Prominent offerings comprise the inventively paired Smash Burger and appetizing small appetizers such as Burrata Bruschetta, Falafel Bites, and Korean Fried Chicken Wings. Ivana & Olive is a chic evening lounge where you can enjoy artisan cocktails and small bites late into the night thanks to its stylish cosmopolitan feel. This versatile eatery is the hottest in Palmer thanks to its superb food with a cosmopolitan flair and stylish atmosphere.
Location: 321 E Dahlia Ave Suite 2, Palmer, AK 99645
Hatcher Pass Lodge – Best for Groups
Book a lunch at Hatcher Pass Lodge for breathtaking views and a distinctive, rustic group dining experience just minutes from Palmer. With an abundance of charm and an authentic Alaskan attitude, the hand-built resort is surrounded by mountains and offers breathtaking views of the valley and lakes fed by glaciers. Enjoy a family-style feast of wild fish, reindeer sausage, roast tenderloin, and other regional specialties during their Feast of Alaska Dinner.
Alternatively, choose a dish of their well-known fish and chips (halibut coated in beer) or a 10-ounce bison ribeye steak that is cooked over an open flame. Make sure to leave enough for their specialty dessert, which is a burning Hatcher Pass Volcano covered in ice cream, chocolate sauce, and caramel sauce. This is a unique place where every meal is made memorable by the kind owner.
Location: Mile 17 Hatcher Pass Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Lucy’s Cafe – Best Breakfast & Brunch
Lucy’s Cafe is a favorite for a cozy, comforting brunch or breakfast in Palmer’s downtown area. This little restaurant takes pleasure in serving hearty comfort food that, when feasible, is obtained from nearby vendors. A popular option is their famous Sourdough King, which is a carb-loaded pleasure made of thick sourdough bread stuffed with cheese, ham, and sausage gravy along with scrambled eggs.
The flawlessly poached eggs and smooth hollandaise sauce, paired with your selection of wild sockeye salmon, soft reindeer sausage, or traditional Canadian bacon, make Lucy’s Benedict alternatives exceptional as well. Try the Fruit Bowl & Yogurt or California Scramble for a lighter breakfast option. The ideal place to start exploring Palmer is Lucy’s Cafe, which boasts exceptional brunch fare created from scratch and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Location: 325 E Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645
Palmer City Alehouse – Best Gastropub
During your visit, you should definitely visit the Palmer City Alehouse if you’re looking for excellent pub fare and carefully crafted beers in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Almost all of the 24 rotating taps at this gastropub, which dispense a variety of IPAs, porters, stouts, wheats, ciders, and other beers, are from Alaskan breweries. Enjoy your pint with their beer-battered cheese curds or pretzel bites with sauce.
Their Smoked Brisket Sandwich, which is slow-smoked for 14 hours and then topped with their specialty BBQ sauce, is a great choice for your main course. Palmer City Alehouse adds big tastes and lots of local personality to the gastropub scene with its vintage flare and friendly service.
Location: 320 E Dahlia Ave, Palmer, AK 99645
Glacier BrewHouse – Best Brewery
Great craft beers are served at Glacier BrewHouse in Palmer’s downtown. It appears to be a cabin-style house from the exterior, complete with lovely timber details, fireplaces, an amazing bar, and lively interior décor. Their brewmasters use the freshest ingredients and glacial water to create their unique beers, which include Alaskan Birch Bitter brewed with birch syrup and Salmon Berry Blonde Ale made with salmonberries from Alaska.
In terms of cuisine, you should definitely try their loaded nachos, juicy burgers crafted with Alaskan flavors and ingredients, and halibut fish ‘n’ chips. In the Mat-Su Valley, Glacier BrewHouse is the best option for great local beers paired with sophisticated pub fare because of its laid-back atmosphere and friendly personnel.
Location: 606 Debarr Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Three Bears Gourmet Ice Cream – Best Dessert
There’s nothing better than locally-sourced, handcrafted ice cream, and Three Bears in Palmer’s downtown offers delicious scoops created with Alaskan ingredients like birch syrup and wild berries. Their most popular flavor is Bear Claw, which combines almond slices with buttery toffee chunks for a delightfully sweet and nutty combination. Delicious brownie bits and fudge ripple swirled into rich chocolate ice cream make up the Midnight Sun, another iconic product.
Tastes like Moose Tracks with peanut butter cups or Glacier Berry Blitz, which features wild blueberries and cranberries, are great for a true locally inspired twist. The crew uses premium, fresh ingredients to handcraft each batch of ice cream, which is uniquely creamy and tasty in Alaska. Indulge your sweet craving at Palmer’s Three Bears Gourmet Ice Cream.
Location: 550 S Alaska Street, Palmer, AK 99645
Fireside Dining – Most Romantic
Reserve a table at Fireside Dining for a wonderfully romantic evening. The atmosphere here is created by bright, crackling fireplaces, as implied by the name alone. The mood is finished with soothing piano music, candlelight, dark wood paneling, and cozy booth seating. Enjoy cuisine from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, including juicy King Salmon or perfectly grilled Filet Mignon, and you’ll feel worlds away.
Their Surf ‘N Turf, which consists of a small filet served with large prawns or a huge Alaska King Crab with drawn butter, is particularly delicious. They have a delicious Crème Brûlée for dessert. Fireside Dining is the best option in Palmer for a memorable, private dinner with your significant other because of their excellent service and gorgeous presentations.
Location: 11313 E Nikolai Loop Rd, Palmer, AK 99645
Reinbold Wine Bar – Most Scenic Ambiance
Visit Reinbold Wine Bar for Palmer dining at its most picturesque. The expansive views of farm fields, snow-capped mountains, and the magnificent wide Alaskan sky above are provided by floor to ceiling glass windows. Charming features like an exposed beam ceiling, a cozy living area, and a fireplace can be found in the spotless, light interior.
Reinbold serves delicious food, such as charcuterie platters and a cheese board including Alaskan cheeses, but their drink selection really steals the show. With more than 500 options from wine regions across the globe, they have the largest wine list in the valley along with flights and handcrafted drinks. The breathtaking views at Reinbold Wine Bar make for a stunning setting for dining and drinking, whether you’re planning a nice evening out watching the sunset or brunch with endless mimosas.
Location: 550 S Alaska St #172, Palmer, AK 99645
Hilltop Restaurant – Best Breakfast
Head to the Hilltop Restaurant, located just outside Palmer on the Glenn Highway, for a fantastic full breakfast or brunch before touring the Mat-Su Valley. They’ll power you up for a full day of excursions with their Lumberjack Breakfast, which includes three eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, hash browns, and toast.
Order their Sourdough French Toast with Alaska blueberries and whipped cream for a delectable local twist if you’re in the mood for something sweet. The pleasant environment of Hilltop Restaurant, with its crisp mid-century décor, comfortable seats, and attentive service, is the perfect complement to any delicious breakfast. In addition, the expansive vistas of the farmlands and Alaska Range are stunning.
Location: Mile 3.5, Glenn Highway, Palmer, AK 99645
Turkey Red – Best for Lunch
Turkey Red is the preferred lunch spot in Palmer when you’re in the mood for a delicious midday meal. They employ house-roasted deli meats and cheeses in all of their basic sandwich and salad offerings. The Turkey Pesto sandwich is quite tasty and is served on a baguette with sun-dried tomato pesto, provolone, bacon, roasted turkey, spinach, and garlic aioli.
For something lighter but just as filling, you should also try their Kale Power Bowl or Broccoli Turkey Salad. Try their well-known Hibiscus Lemonade for a drink. Turkey Red is a contemporary deli in Palmer that is highly recommended for lunch because of its consistently excellent food quality and flavors.
Location: 550 S Alaska St, Palmer, AK 99645
Vagabond Blues – Best Overall Restaurant
Palmer’s best restaurant, Vagabond Blues, is housed in the historic Colony House and offers stunning views of the Matanuska and Chugach Mountains. This space is ideal for hosting a lovely at-home date night or celebrating a special occasion because of the modern farmhouse decor and cozy fireplace.
Seasonal meals like Alaska King Crab and halibut, which are complemented with wines from their vast wine list, highlight locally sourced, fresh ingredients. They also have a good assortment of carefully made cocktails. Vagabond Blues is the greatest option for an amazing dining experience in Palmer because of its classy atmosphere, excellent food, and first-rate service.
Location: 44 E Stolen Horse Dr, Palmer, AK 99645
Conclusion
Palmer has some of the greatest and most varied restaurant options in Alaska, ranging from fast-casual cafés to upscale fine dining to family-friendly pubs and everything in between. The best selections are locally grown food that is well matched with warm Alaskan friendliness.
If you’re wanting to refuel between Mat-Su Valley adventures, planning a special celebration, or just need somewhere to eat, you now know just where to go for delicious meals while visiting Palmer. These eateries perfectly convey the essence and tastes that make eating in Alaska such a delightful and unique experience.