Middle Way Cafe is a brunch restaurant in Spenard, Anchorage.
Middle Way Cafe is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks, anchored in Spenard's bohemian scene since 1994 but rarely topping standard travel lists.
Why locals love it: Anchored Spenard's bohemian scene since 1994 but rarely tops travel lists. Vegan, gluten-free and a full bakery counter.
Tip: Order the breakfast burrito with vegan sausage and a turmeric latte before browsing the Spenard windmill area.
Address: 1200 W Northern Lights Boulevard, Anchorage, AK 99503
F Street Station is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks, anchored downtown since 1944 but stays under the cruise radar with no signage and late hours.
Why locals love it: Anchored downtown Anchorage since 1944 but stays under the cruise radar with no signage and a long bar that runs to 02:30.
Tip: Order the Alaska seafood chowder at the long bar and stay for the late-night burger, the local pub anchor downtown.
Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop Airport Heights is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks. The K Street flagship gets the press; the Airport Heights location.
Why locals love it: The K Street flagship gets the press; the Airport Heights location with Little Sister Espresso stays quieter and has the same JBF-finalist bakes.
Tip: Hit the Wednesday-Sunday hours early. Pain au chocolat and a flat white from Little Sister Espresso on site.
Pioneer Bar is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks. Historic 4th Avenue dive that dates to the early 1900s, with The Hooligan food truck on the back patio.
Why locals love it: Historic 4th Avenue dive that dates to the early 1900s, with The Hooligan food truck on the back patio and a deep jukebox.
Tip: Take a beer to the back patio and order The Hooligan's beef tenderloin katsu. Shuffleboard inside, mountain air outside.
Mad Myrna's is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks. Anchorage's main LGBTQ club hosts cabaret and karaoke on E 5th Avenue, with a tight community.
Why locals love it: Anchorage's main LGBTQ club hosts cabaret and karaoke on E 5th Avenue, with a tight community programme tourists rarely find.
Tip: Friday Diva Variety Show is the marquee event. Buy a ticket in advance because the seats fill out by 22:00.
Sweet Caribou is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks, tucked into a W 36th Avenue strip mall, where the Alaska family patisserie quietly turns macarons.
Why locals love it: Tucked into a W 36th Avenue strip mall, the Alaska family patisserie quietly produces some of the best macarons north of Seattle.
Tip: Order the seasonal Alaska blueberry macaron and a locavore lunch bowl to go. Closed Sunday, so plan around it.
Cynosure Brewing is one of Anchorage's lower-profile picks, an industrial-park taproom in South Anchorage with Belgian lagers and Alaska artists on the walls.
Why locals love it: Industrial-park taproom in South Anchorage with Belgian lagers that hold their own against the city's bigger names.
Tip: Order the Belgian-style table beer and ask which lager is on. Alaska artist work rotates on the walls every season.
