The Pump House Restaurant Fairbanks — Restaurant in Alaska

My mom and I just recently had dinner for two outside on the riverfront deck of the Pump House Restaurant in Fairbanks, AK. I have gone to the Pump House a number of times over the years, as I am a full time resident here in the Golden Heart City but have never made time to write a review. The Pump House Restaurant is top notch here in Fairbanks with a fun and unique atmosphere inside filled with art and artifacts from Alaska's history creatively displayed throughout the restaurant like the full dog team sculpture suspended from the ceiling.

This was my first time eating outside in the summer on the riverfront deck. It was a gorgeous day, there was a light breeze and lots of sunshine. We didn't make a reservation (which, I would recommend and normally always do) but came right as they opened for dinner and got on the wait list. We had a short wait and opted to sit on the porch and enjoy the sunshine. We waved to the Riverboat Discovery as it tooted its horn and passed by the restaurant.

The service was great! In addition to our server, there were also others designated people who kept refilling water and clearing plates as needed. Portions are large and the food is filling so we decided to share an appetizer and an entree. I highly recommend the crab mac and cheese for an appetizer. It comes with chunks of crab mixed throughout and is so delicious.

For dinner we ordered one of my favorites which is the seafood risotto. My mom is allergic to scallops and they made it easy for us to sub those out and get extra shrimp in their place instead. The risotto is super filling, the fish is all fresh and the portion is enormous.

We couldn't leave without having dessert. The server brought out a huge tray of desserts in lieu of a menu so you get to see what everything looks like and they all look amazing! We got the Oreo cheesecake and the chocolate peanut butter pie.

Between the excellent weather, soaking up the sunshine on the deck, getting to sit next to the water, the great service, the delicious food...it's really what summer Alaskan dreams...

Saturday night crowds were expected, but the food took over an hour to appear, and the quality of both my and my husband's food was poor with the exception of the spinach salad.

My dish was to be "buttermilk crisp fried chicken breast" with spicy gouda bacon honey cheese sauce over pasta. What I got was a half of a chicken breast half to 3/4" thick with a very, very thin sweet crust resting on a giant bowl of cheese-drenched pasta. What I'd expected for $27 was at least one whole chicken breast with the KFC type yummy buttermilk crispy crust, with a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was the main dish with a side of a pan-seared 1/4 chicken breast.

My husband ordered the pan seared crab cakes for $28, and got 3 cakes, maybe inch and a half in diameter, with very little crab and a lot of filler. He was very disappointed.

The waitress twice offered refilling the wine glass of our friend, who is tall and male, but she ignored my empty iced tea glass which remained empty for half the meal. She forgot the bread offered at the start for over 30 minutes, while we saw others that came in much later having bread right at the start. We had to ask for it. The water-filler lady was awesome, though.

We were warned at the start that the meal may take 45 minutes to an hour. We sat down at 8:15 pm and was served the salads around 9 pm, and the main dishes around 9:40 pm. By the time we got the food we ordered, half the tables in the room were empty.

This restaurant is greatly overpriced, gliding on a past reputation maybe? I do not recommend this...

The Pump House Restaurant in Fairbanks offers a unique dual dining experience that caters to both casual and formal diners. Having tried both, I can attest to the quality and consistency of the food across the board.

The Saloon: This is where the restaurant shines the brightest for me. It operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, which adds a touch of spontaneity to the dining experience. The ambiance is relaxed, making it perfect for a laid-back evening with friends or family. What's more, the food here is priced more affordably than in the main dining area, yet there's no compromise on taste or quality. It's the same delectable fare you'd get if you were seated in the more formal section.

The Pump House: For those looking for a more refined dining experience, reservations at The Pump House are a must. The setting is more intimate and formal, making it ideal for special occasions or business dinners. The king crab, in particular, stood out for its freshness and succulence. It's a dish I'd highly recommend to seafood lovers.

However, it's worth noting that during my visit, the fries were a tad too salty for my liking. It's a minor hiccup in an otherwise delightful meal, but something the kitchen might want to keep an eye on.

In conclusion, whether you're in the mood for a casual meal in the saloon or a more upscale dinner in the main dining area, The Pump House Restaurant in Fairbanks won't disappoint. Just remember to adjust your salt expectations when...