Utqiagvik Restaurants and Menus: Where I Ate in Barrow, Alaska
Before visiting Utqiagvik, Alaska, I knew food would be expensive, but I still wasn’t prepared for some of the prices I saw. Utqiagvik, formerly Barrow, has no connecting roads, so most food has to be flown in. That includes groceries, restaurant supplies, frozen meals, snacks, drinks, and just about anything else visitors are likely to buy.
That is why eating in Utqiagvik is so different from eating in the lower 48. Groceries were shockingly expensive, and as a solo traveler visiting for a few days, I actually found that eating at restaurants in Utqiagvik could be cheaper and more practical than buying groceries for every meal.
During my July 2024 visit, I bought food from four of the seven Utqiagvik restaurants and photographed several menus along the way. Prices and hours can change, but the menu photos below are my own photos from the trip and should give you a realistic idea of what to expect before you arrive.
Table of Contents
- Utqiagvik Restaurants – Where to Eat in Utqiagvik
- Osaka Restaurant
- East Coast Pizzeria
- Mario’s Pizza
- Sam and Lee’s Restaurant
- Niġġivikput at the Top of the World Hotel
- Cruz’s Mexican Grill
- Thai Corner
- Why Food and Groceries Are So Expensive in Utqiagvik
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Osaka Restaurant
The first Utqiagvik restaurant that I ate at was Osaka Restaurant. Osaka Restaurant features a variety of Japanese, Chinese, and American cuisine, including sushi, fried chicken, and American-style breakfasts. Assume you will spend between $20 and $40 per person on most dishes at Osaka Restaurant.
One perk of eating at Osaka Restaurant is that they allow guests to use their password-protected WiFi.
Pictured below is the Osaka Restaurant menu. Prices are accurate as of July 2024.
One of the things I liked about Osaka Restaurant is that most meals are served with warm soup. Even in the summer months, temperatures in Utqiagvik are cool. A warm bowl of soup is an excellent way to begin a meal.
I ate twice at Osaka Restaurant. The first time I ordered the Mongolian Beef. I found the Mongolian Beef to be excellent and was impressed with the large portion.
The second time I ate at Osaka Restaurant, I ordered the Pork Belly. Once again, it was a delicious and filling meal. I highly recommend Osaka Restaurant for those looking for a place to eat in Utqiagvik.
East Coast Pizzeria
The next Utqiagvik restaurant that I visited was East Coast Pizzeria. Unlike Osaka Restaurant, East Coast Pizzeria does not offer inside seating. There are two small tables outside, but considering the climate of Utqiagvik, it is likely that almost everyone ordering food is ordering takeout.
East Coast Pizzeria offers pizza, submarine sandwiches, fried chicken, and typical Italian dishes such as spaghetti. Pictured below is East Coast Pizzeria’s menu. Prices are accurate as of July 2024.
I ordered a Philly Cheesesteak and fries from East Coast Pizzeria. It was one of the best Philly Cheesesteaks I’ve ever eaten. I highly recommend East Coast Pizzeria to anyone visiting Utqiagvik.
Mario's Pizza
There is another pizza restaurant in Utqiagvik called Mario’s Pizza. The biggest difference between Mario’s Pizza and East Coast Pizzeria is that Mario’s Pizza has an inside eating area.
Mario’s Pizza has a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, and pasta on their menu. I also want to add that the employees at Mario’s Pizza were very friendly and helpful, providing me with information about Utqiagvik. Pictured below is Mario’s Pizza menu. Prices are accurate as of July 2024.
I ordered the all-meat pizza at Mario’s. Like the other restaurants in Utqiagvik, I enjoyed my meal at Mario’s Pizza.
Sam & Lee's Restaurant
Sam & Lee’s Restaurant features a mix of Chinese and American dishes. During my visit to Utqiagvik, Sam & Lee’s Restaurant was temporarily closed until after the 4th of July.
Niġġivikput at the Top of the World Hotel
Located inside the Top of the World Hotel, Niġġivikput has a menu that consists of standard American-style dining. The restaurant is open to anyone, regardless of if you are staying at the hotel. This is also the restaurant travelers are usually looking for when searching for the Top of the World Hotel restaurant menu.
I was disappointed that the front desk staff refused to let me use their WiFi during my meal. They told me that the WiFi is only for hotel guests.
One big perk of dining at Niġġivikput is the view. There are quite a few tables that overlook the Arctic Ocean.
The Niġġivikput menu was quite long. The six-page Niġġivikput menu is posted below. Prices are accurate as of July 2024.
I ordered the Wagyu burger and fries. The food was excellent, and I do recommend Niġġivikput to anyone visiting Utqiagvik. At the same time, if you are staying at the Top of the World Hotel, be sure to venture out and sample some of the local restaurants as well.
Cruz's Mexican Grill
Cruz’s Mexican Grill was one of the restaurants in Utqiagvik that was closed or had limited hours during my visit. It is located near the Whale Bone Arch and the Top of the World Hotel, making it convenient if you are staying near the Arctic Ocean or visiting one of Utqiagvik’s most recognizable landmarks.
Thai Corner
Thai Corner was another Utqiagvik restaurant that was closed or had limited hours during my visit. Like Cruz’s Mexican Grill, it is located near the Whale Bone Arch and the Top of the World Hotel.
Even though I did not get to eat at Thai Corner, I would keep it on your list of possible restaurants in Utqiagvik, especially because restaurant hours can be limited and may change during holidays or slower travel periods.
Why Food and Groceries Are So Expensive in Utqiagvik
After eating at several Utqiagvik restaurants, I also stopped at Stuaqpak to see what grocery prices looked like in one of the most remote communities in the United States. The prices helped explain why eating at a restaurant did not feel as outrageous as I expected.
Utqiagvik faces a unique situation with food. Due to its remote location as the northernmost city in the United States with no connecting roads, food and restaurant supplies have to travel a long way to reach the city. A lot of food is flown in, while some freight can also arrive seasonally by boat. That is a big reason groceries in Utqiagvik and restaurant meals cost more than most visitors expect.
Check out the grocery prices below from Stuaqpak, the only grocery store in Utqiagvik.
A regular bag of Lay’s Potato Chips costs $11.56. In the frozen section, 30 El Monterey Burritos cost $70.49. A Hungry-Man TV dinner fetches $11.89, and a gallon of milk goes for $17.99. These prices might seem surprising at first, but remember, food has to travel a long way to reach Utqiagvik.
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