Best Burgers in Anchorage 2026
The Best Burgers in Anchorage — Ranked by People Who Eat Them
Anchorage has a strong burger culture, shaped by the same practicality that defines most food here: big portions, real meat, no gimmicks. The best burgers in the city tend to come from kitchen-serious pubs and local spots rather than chains. Here's where to find them.
Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse
Humpy's on 6th Avenue downtown doesn't just do fish and chips — the burgers here are a legitimate reason to come in. The Alaskan Amber burger is a local favorite: a half-pound patty on a toasted bun with sharp cheddar and a house sauce that doesn't overpower the beef. The bar has dozens of draft handles and the noise level is high, but the food quality holds up. Happy hour from 4–7pm is a good time to grab a burger and a pint at a price that makes sense.
49th State Brewing
49th State Brewing downtown builds burgers designed to hold up to the beer list they're served alongside. The patties are thick, the buns are toasted properly, and the build options — smoked bacon, pepper jack, fried egg — let you customize without the menu becoming overwhelming. The pub burger is the right order for a first visit.
Bear Tooth Theatrepub
Bear Tooth Theatrepub in midtown runs a burger that earns its place on the menu without trying to be the center of attention. It's a solid, unpretentious half-pound smash-style build with good cheese options and fresh produce. The environment — movie pub, big screens, cold beer — makes it one of the better burger-and-beer experiences in Anchorage.
South Restaurant and Jazz Club
South Restaurant and Jazz Club on Fireweed Lane brings a slightly more elevated approach to the Anchorage burger — dry-aged beef, upscale build options, and a room that feels more restaurant than bar. It's the right pick when you want a serious burger in a nicer setting.
What to Look For
- Alaskan beef: Some spots source beef from in-state ranches, particularly in the Mat-Su Valley. Ask your server if provenance matters to you.
- Bison burgers: A few Anchorage menus carry bison as an option. It's leaner and slightly sweeter than beef — worth trying if you haven't.
- Pairing the beer: Moose's Tooth and Bear Tooth serve Broken Tooth Brewery beers. The Fairbanks Lager and the Aurora Amber both work well with a burger.
Honorable Mentions
- Arctic Roadrunner: A beloved Anchorage institution for quick, casual, no-frills burgers. Two locations — International Airport Road and Old Seward Highway. Cash only, short hours, but the patties are fresh and the prices haven't budged much since the 1990s.
- Moose's Tooth Pub and Pizzeria: More famous for pizza, but the burger on the menu is well-made. Order it as a side to a pie if you're with a group.
A good burger in Anchorage is easy to find once you know where to look. The city's pub culture has pushed kitchen quality higher than it used to be, and the best spots take the fundamentals seriously. Skip the chains and go local.
Anchorage has a genuine burger culture. The old-school spots have been around for decades, and a few newer players have raised the bar on what a burger can be here. This is not a city that settles for mediocre.Looking for things to do in Southcentral? Browse upcoming Southcentral events →