Great Restaurants in Midtown (Anchorage)

Europa Bakery

This coffee shop and bakery parallels 36th Avenue, directly around the corner from Jen's Restaurant and the Atlasta Deli. Touting the smoothest lattes in town, it serves roasted beans from the Espresso Vivace Roasteria for the java drinks and offers Oregon Chai, fruit juices and herbal leaf teas. The bakery portion of the establishment produces a plethora of steaming loaves of bread in the wee hours of the morning and tops it off with fresh croissants, cinnamon rolls and pastries before it opens.

Bombay Deluxe

Frequented by the local Indian population, it has a subdued atmosphere perfect for intimate dining. Begin with an appetizer such as the Vegetable Samosas or a Raita Salad along with one of its many Indian breads. Then, try a tandoori favorite of prawns or chicken or rice pilaus. The specialties are seafood and lamb, but it also offers many chicken and vegetarian entrees to choose from. A large variety of vegetarian delicacies are on the menu. Wine and beer are available.

Tokyo Garden

This restaurant has received high praise since its opening. In an established restaurant location, it has been completely remodeled with comfortable booths and a wall-length aquarium. Appetizers and fresh salads focus on perfectly chosen fresh vegetables and are enhanced by light citrus dressings and sesame or peanut batters. The sushi bar offers an artistic chef who creates (among other items) a sushi entree made of eel, crab, salmon and tuna. Sashimi and teriyaki plates tempt those not seeking raw fish.

Casa Grande

Step into a little piece of Mexico when your heart is hungry for some Mexican seafood dishes and real salsa. Tried-and-true combination meals are complemented by the daily specials. The Casa Grande Appetizer Plate ($10.95) is a simple way to try all of its tapas at once and, followed by any regular-sized entree, is sure to fill you up. One specialty that owes its success to the local seafood supply is the Cocktail Campechana ($12.95) made with halibut, shrimp and scallops. A full bar is attached.

Club Oasis & Oasis Liquor

Dimly lit, with a spacious dance floor and many small two and four top tables, pool, live music and dancing, this place gets rowdy around 10pm every night. Check out the Happy Hour daily from 5pm-7pm. Appetizers include jalapeno poppers, wings, onion rings or a sampler plate. Try the halibut (beer battered, with fries) or shrimp, scallops and chicken tenders. If you are in the mood for pizza, that's on the menu, too. .

Adventures of Dusty Sourdough

Across the parking lot from Alaska Wild Berry Products and next door to the Sourdough Mining Company, is a large tent that holds nightly performances of side-splitting fun. Join Dusty Sourdough with his raccoon hat and fringed leather outfit and listen wide-eyed as he spins tales of lost gold mines, tells wild bear stories, gives a gold panning demonstration and punctuates his performance with plenty of songs. You are sure to enjoy this one-hour show, performed twice every night. Admission is free.

Pizza Plaza

Established in 1971, this consistently delicious restaurant is newly remodeled. Hanging plants, candle topped tables and intimate high walled booths provide an elegant and conversation-friendly atmosphere for couples or groups visiting over dinner. Start with a huge antipasto salad (enough for an entire table) then try the lemon chicken soup before your entree; delectable with tangs of lemon grass, it is the perfect beginning to a meal. Forty dinner specialties of pastas, manicottis, lasagna, and veal and chicken marsala and more are offered. Beer and wine is served.

Applebee's

It sits directly in front of the Hampton Inn. In the "apple" theme, the interior is predominantly red. Vinyl booths line the walls and in the bar are tall round tables surrounded by high barstools. From Fajitas to Cheeseburgers to Tequila Lime Chicken, there are many options here, most from the grill. When your choices are made and the last plate cleaned, try a Blondie with Ice Cream or a Chocolate Glacier for dessert.

Clair D'Loon

Located in Midtown Anchorage, this beautiful restaurant offers a truly Alaskan dining experience. You will find an impressive selection of wines to go with the food. 'Ahi sandwich' and 'Shrimp po boy pizza' are some of the specialties you can try. From the fresh waters of Alaska you can enjoy St. Emily's Bay oyster, shrimps, clams and many more seafood options. The restaurant is very thematic with an open bar and paintings of old Alaska hanging on the walls, giving it a very classy feel. You are assured of some really good taste of fresh Alaskan staple food with a warm Alaskan hospitality. The restaurant is open from 5.30 pm onwards on Fridays and Saturdays.

Chuck E. Cheese's

Chuck E. Cheese's is the place to unleash the child inside you. Founded by Nolan Bushnell in May 1977, the first restaurant opened in San Jose, California. Since then, it has spread, with over 500 centers in 48 states and 5 countries. Chuck E Cheese's houses many interactive video games for kids to enjoy and also has a playground with colorful balls and elevated Sky Tubes. The menu includes pizzas, hot dogs, grilled sandwiches and desserts. Pink candy floss is also available for tots and adults alike. To amuse the kids these guys have a giant singing mice and some delectable gooey pizza pies to fill their hungry stomachs!