The BEST meal I've had in a long time! My daughter and I had lunch here. We started with two orders of raw oysters. OMG...Absolutely delicious! There was a hint of garlic, a little bit of spice, and with a squeeze of lemon, they were sublime! We finished them off in no time and told the waiter that we might want some for dessert! (They were that fresh and delicious!) My goodness...I want some right now! We then shared an order of calamari. Perfection! The batter was light, and they were sprinkled with bits of roasted garlic and parsley; they were cooked perfectly! (I prefer them with lemon, while my love prefers their wonderful marinara.) We polished off every tasty tentacle! We then shared a caesar salad with bay shrimp. It was dressed perfectly and the bay shrimp were big and plentiful! We've had their caesar with the grilled prawns before, but we both agree that adding the bay shrimp is the way to go. I was starting to feel a little full when they brought our 1/2 lb. bistro burger to share. Thank heavens we were splitting this because there was no way I could have eaten a whole one. The burger was a perfect medium. It was juicy and covered in gruyere and wild mushrooms. Yes...wild mushrooms... Heaven in every juicy, meaty, delicious bite! We were stuffed but we wanted to end the meal with a dessert. More oysters perhaps??? ;-) Our lovely waiter suggested the dessert of the day which we decided to try. Wow! We sure were glad we tried it! I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the dessert. It was poached pears with a hint of red wine in a ramekin, and the topping was cake-like. It was a light and delightful dessert that complemented and ended our perfect meal, perfectly! We cannot wait to have another wonderful meal here! read more

A fun and somewhat trendy place for lunch or dinner. I hear the pizzas are really good. My pasta lunch was very good and the service was just right also. While we didn't have wine for our business lunch, I did notice a table with alot of wine being tasted so it must have been the wine rep in to update the wine list. That's a good sign for the wine dept of Southside. I would go back when in Anchorage again. read more

The food is good, I will give them that. But that does not excuse the rudeness of the head chef and hostess. Being told a 25 min wait is one thing, but after 1 hour, I lost faith. When asking about the numerous vacant table we were told they were not for us and very rudely told we could wait quietly or leave. The food is good. But the attitude of the head chef was deplorable. read more

I'm torn between giving this place a three or a four, but had to go with the latter because of the huge decline in service and quality over the years. This used to be "the place" to go for a decent meal on the Southside. We'd go there for a lot of special events (i.e. homecomings, birthdays, etc.) and were always wowed by both the service and the food. They were especially known for their raspberry creme brulee--yum! However, every time I went back after around 2002, everything started to decline--except for the prices, of course. There were less and less people in the restaurant, the serving sizes were smaller, and the service was poor to say the least. My final visit was two summers ago when my date and I could barely finish half of our meals. We were left with a sizable bill on our hands and leftovers that were destined to go directly to the trash. On the upside, the creme brulee was still delicious. I'm a little saddened by how this restaurant has fared in Anchorage. It was always great having such a nice place nearby, but without improvement I foresee this place closing down soon. read more

I love this place! (Mostly for it's South Anchorage location) There just aren't many nice restaurants in that area. The atmosphere was nice with a good variety of food that was moderately priced. We went to dinner at 7 pm and they were sold out of many of there specials, boo. The hostess was extremely friendly but our waiter was not! Lost a star for irritable work staff. read more

It pains me to give four stars, as most of my experiences were five. The best experiences first: great service, fabulous food, attentive servers, wonderful atmosphere, kitschy and quaint decor, and did I mention the fabulous food? They don't have the biggest menu, but they have a great variety and many price options. Only the most particular and picky of people would be unhappy here (but that's because they're picky and particular!) This really is a great place to go, especially when bickering couples can't figure out where to go to eat -- then one remembers the deliciousness of the Bistro! However, the most recent time I went, I was a bit disappointed. We were sat by a table of three older, sophisticated-looking couples. We were not given nearly as much attention and service as before -- in fact, the server was pretty ambivalent and disinterested, and was more worried catering to the other table since they looked like they had more money. If it's one thing that really ticks me off is a server that isn't equally attentive to people they think aren't going to tip. I worked in the food service industry for ten years, and if it's anyone who is gonna tip better, it's your own kin! I ordered a small salad, but received mine after the other table, even though I ordered first. And mine was paltry and minuscule -- nothing like the ones before! It was practically two-dimensional with a light sprinkle of cheese and nuts, whereas the gentlemen nearby (having ordered the same salad) had a lovely mountain of greens with generous toppings. Really bummed about that. The whole bit was a little disappointing. The food was still good, the wine pour was alright, but saddened by the barely-there server. I think this was a fluke, though. I've been here quite a few times. And, if that was the worst, then it really wasn't that bad. read more

Hew ordered several items off the Special menu and both meals were GREAT! We enjoyed the Halibut and the New York both were great! Prepared perfectly and the lovely young lady that took my order was so sweet. I had called earlier today and mentioned it was my Anniversary. When I called several hours later she remembered and wished my wife and I a happy Anniversary. This kind of service keeps us coming back to the restaurant! They stay consistent with there great food and service! A real gem of Anchorage! read more

I've been coming here for years. Best wine bar and bartenders in Anchorage, in my opinion. The menu is great - lots of rotating specials and fresh local food. Delicious desserts. Great atmosphere - a little busy, I'd make a reservation. I usually have to get there by 6-630 to get a spot at the bar. read more

Ok, so I thought it was amazing the first two times. My boyfriend always orders the same menu item, and this last visit I ordered the veal medallions, too, to find out why. Hands down it was the best dinner I have had in years! If you like veal, order them next time. We also had the lamb rib appetizer special which was exceptional. Again, great service and lovely atmosphere for a quiet date night - reservations are recommended. Probably would not be a fun place to take children. I haven't been there for lunch yet, but will post another update after I do, as it seems most of the negative reviews are for breakfast or lunch. read more

I just ate at Southside Bistro. It was delicious. I haven't had much better food in Alaska. My family was looking for a restaurant open at 3 pm for a hungry arrival from the airport who had a bag arriving on a later flight. How to spend 2 hours near the airport? We decided to try the Southside Bistro, and we were not disappointed! They serve a more limited menu until 5 pm, so our entrees are probably more representative of their lunch options. The nachos were great, with plenty of toppings (We ran out of chips, so don't eat the plain thinking that you have to...check that middle area for cheesy/tomato/peppered goodness). The chips were very crisp and didn't get soggy, which is usually a nachos problem. At the table, we had the southwest chicken pizza, which other people thought was really good. I preferred my "make your own" pizza with roasted garlic, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes. Another family member had the mussels and a chicken caesar and another family member had angel hair pasta. Both were really good, though the angel hair pasta was a dish I felt I could perhaps have made myself. I like to eat things at restaurants that I cannot cook. And these desserts definitely fit that description. We had bread pudding (declared good, but even better with ice cream stolen from another dish), peach/raspberry cobbler without stolen ice cream-very rich but good, a yummy vanilla creme brulee with fruity sauces swirled around the plate, and a double chocolate cake dessert that I didn't taste (Other people said it was really good). Service was great, though we were at a sort of slow time. Ambiance was great. Loved the chicken decorations... I thought I'd let everyone know that there is a 5-course prix fixe menu for $80 for New Year's Eve (with wine pairings for $40) if anyone is looking for a beautiful place for dinner that night. I won't detail the menu, but it looks like a good one NOT to be recommended to vegetarians (not all courses have a vegetarian option). read more

For apps we had roasted Eggplant and Fried Cauliflower, both tasty with our red wine selection. Pre-dinner shaved Brussel Sprout salad was yum! Extensive wine list! Dinner choices turned out great--thin crustpizza for me and grilled King Salmon for my guest. Great service. Would definitely return! read more

This place is me and my husbands go to for date night! The food and wine never disappoint! The staff are always on point professionally and give off a great energy. read more

Great food, great atmosphere. Doe t look like much from the outside but don't be fooled. You will regret not going in am enjoying a wonderful dinner with a nice bottle of wine. One of the best places we enjoyed in Anchorage. read more

I'll have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants in town. -5/5 on customer service. The servers are amazing at their job. Even when the place is busy they are on point and tend to all your needs. The owner is always friendly and ready to serve delicious food and wine. -5/5 on food. The normal menu is amazing but the best thing about the bistro is their daily specials. they are always new fresh product that vary from fresh exotic fish to delicious farm fresh cuts of meat. You have to try all the deserts too. -5/5 on wine and beer selection. Best wine selection in town hands down! And awesome microbrew selection on tap and in bottle. -5/5 on decore and feel. You feel at ease and cozy from the minute you walk in, the smell of the food is amazing and the staff is very welcoming. i would recommend the bistro to anyone who loves amazing and delicious food. read more

Ladies and gentleman, if you are looking for a GREAT restaurant in Anchorage, with top notch food, a fun atmosphere and great wine list, look no further than Little Jen's Southside Bistro. I have been coming to Alaska for years and always look forward to my meals at Southside. I love getting the roasted garlic appetizer and duck confit & breast for dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I've never had anything else. But, from my samplings, looking at other people's food and taking with dinner company, I am confident everything is fantastic. The bar area is fun for a semi-casual dinner with great conversation. The main restaurant is more formal and great for a romantic meal or business dinner. Can't recommend this place enough. It really is one of my favorite restaurants ANYWHERE! read more

We live now close to the Southside Bistro, but had never eaten there after 30 years in Alaska. We were looking for a nice place to go before a concert, without kids, and made our reservation through the Yelp app. The reservation was seamless, we were immediately seated by a friendly hostess upon arrival - and all services from the get go were prompt and friendly. Water, bread, wine, and tea were all kept filled up and almost without noticing. My wife asked about a particular wine when ordering a separate glass, and without saying anything - the waitress brought back a sample in a nice glass for her to taste. This kind of effort rarely happens anymore and was a very nice gesture by the staff. Of course she ordered that glass for her 2nd! :) The food (Prawns and Scallops with Rice and Vegetables, and Lincod with Rice and Veggies) were above par, at least. From start to finish it was an enjoyable meal and experience and we plan to make this as regular a stop as it can be for us on date nights. It is obvious why they have stayed relevant over time, as the product and service was quality throughout. To the staff at Southside Bistro -Thanks a lot for making your part of our night a truly enjoyable experience. Keep up the great work. read more

There is just no better restaurant in Anchorage. My wife and I have been coming here for more than 20 years and have never been disappointed. It is very telling when literally all of the staff have been here as long as we have been dining at Southside Bistro. There is something for every taste here and their specials are amazing! read more

Some friends took me here for dinner on a Thursday night recently. Even though it was a week night they filled the house with reservations and had people waiting at the door. They appear to have quite the following on the south side of town. They have a nice wine list, full bar and a dam good chef in the kitchen. They keep the menu fresh by offering multiple daily specials to complement their steady standby dishes. I had the pork loin which came with a very sweet balsamic glaze sauce. Another person at the table had the Scallops which also looked very good. Be warned though, it can be a bit noisy. read more

My girl and I had dinner with another couple. The atmosphere was bright and bistro-esque and the service was quick and friendly. I was really impressed with the variety on the menu and the extensive wine list! My favorite white, Rombauer Chardonnay, was available by the bottle or half bottle. I wanted to order the Chile Rubbed Grass-fed Skirt Steak, but our server mentioned that it had been a little tough lately, so I opted for the ribeye prepared in the same manner. I like my meat rare and it came perfectly cooked, or uncooked in this case : ) I was really pleased by the tenderness of the beef and I could have sliced it with a spoon! My girl had the Schnitzel and it was so good, I barely got in a bite! My friend ordered the veal medallion special and the brie was a nice touch. His wife raved over her plate of tiger prawns and sea scallops. I asked our server if their scallops were wet or dry and he didn't know the difference. However, he asked the chef and he replied that they were dry as they should be. Wet scallops are treated with sodium triphosphate, a preservative, and I don't like the off taste of the chemicals. There wasn't a whole lot left on our plates by the end of the evening and we shared a serving of Chocolate Decadence, a flourless chocolate cake and it was indeed decadent. read more

I would have to say this is one of my favorite places in town. I sadly don't live on the south side of town anymore, so I don't come here as often as i use to, but find it necessary to make a special trip over here on occasion. I absolutely love the nachos, they're amazing! The burger is really tasty as well. Pizza's are good in their own way, and the dessert are awfully delicious. I have not ordered everything on the menu, mind you, although everything I have ordered is pretty fantastic. overall, Employees are attentive and knowledgeable, the wine list is great, and the food is always really tasty. read more

Awesome experience. Friendly and energetic staff. Excellent wine list at a good cost. I had the Ribeye... I give it a 4/5. Wife had the eggplant and a salad... 5/5. read more

Southside Bistro - View - New American Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Would repeat! This is my new fave place for crispy calamari and steamed clams! People have told me they don't care for the hostess--true, not friendly. Ignore. Our waiter provided great customer service! I would give this place five stars but the ambiance needs some work. read more

Southside Bistro - Steamed clams and crispy calamari... - New American Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

We had a fine dinner celebrating another milestone anniversary. We were seated immediately(we did have reservations) and the parking lot was at capacity so we expected a full house. Most tables were busy but the service was excellent-our water glasses never got below half and the complementary bread basket was kept replenished. We started with an appetizer of bleu cheese custard with demi glace, roasted garlic and flat bread--it was almost a meal in itself. I did ask for an Alaskan Amber and was disappointed that they do not carry it and had Full Sail Amber from Oregon instead-it was good but not Alaskan. I followed the appetizer with the shaved Brussel sprout salad-which I ordered because I do like Brussel sprouts but couldn't imagine them in a salad. It is exceptionally rich in Pecorino-Romano cheese flavor and the pine nuts add a refreshing change of texture. The shaved Brussel sprouts almost take a back seat to the predominant cheese flavor. My entrée was the "famous" pork schnitzel and my wife had the black tiger prawns and scallops. I am a huge fan of the schnitzel and have had it many times-this time it was exceptional-tender, crusty coating and mild pork flavor. job well done. My wife's dinner of prawns and scallops was cooked perfectly with tender prawns and scallops done exactly right-still moist and tender and full of the ocean. Her star was the pineapple salsa which she described as spicy and sweet and a perfect companion for the seafood. Dessert was crème brulee shared by us and presented emphasizing our anniversary. A wonderful touch and thank you. We stopped on the way out and spoke with Jens, the owner, and complemented him on the quality of his staff and food. This is a great place to celebrate a special occasion or just have a nice evening out. read more

I can't say enough of this place...I absolutely love coming here. The food & service at its finest! Go see John at the counter bar:) read more

Southside Bistro - New American Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

This is one of my favorite casual dining restaurants anywhere, not just Anchorage. It ranks up there with Deanie's in NOLA for me and you ll know how I love me some Deanie's. For Southside Bistro I say come for the Eggplant Parm at lunch and stay through dinner for everything else. read more

They do a great job always. A South Anchorage institution. They have continued in this tough time making great food. Support them if you get a chance. We need to support our local restaurants more than ever. read more

Hands down one of the best restaurants in Anchorage. In all my travels I still miss SSB (as the locals call it). I could have easily be called one of the regulars as many would post about. This is for good reason. The service is wonderful, friendly and attentive, they know the food and they really know the wine. The food there is never over or under seasoned and always perfectly cooked. I never had a problem finding a seat at the bar, and the resturant always felt like my home away from home. Some dishes you cant miss; the ribeye, the mussels, the pasta, the peel and eat prawns, the pork schnitzel, any of the sorbets... actually I cant think I ever had a bad meal. I only had bad service a few times by a particular employee but it seems the resturant has fixed that issue by putting John behind the bar. Go there, you wont regret it. read more

We had an absolutely wonderful dining experience here. The staff was awesome and the food was wonderful! The atmosphere is beautiful and everyone seemed to be enjoying their evening at the Bistro. If we live closer we would go here often! Good Job. Southside Bistro read more

Took my husband there for his birthday dinner, it was so AWESOME! Very courteous server, nice wine selection and very tasty plates! We loved deserts too read more

This bistro is amazing! Every meal is well prepared, from appetizers to entree to desserts. Staff are well trained, always friendly and helpful. In multiple visits, I've never had a disappointing experience. There is a "restaurant side" which is more upscale, and a calmer, more low key "bistro side". Both carry the staple menu, and the bistro side has an additional menu with a few specialties. Daily specials also tend to be wonderful, and utilize local and fresh ingredients. Can't go wrong with anything here! read more

One of the best meals that I've had in Anchorage -- the Dark Chocolate Terrine, Caprese Salad, Pork Schnitzel, and Brie Flatbread were all amazing. The wine list is impressive, and the service is warm. The outside can be offputting, and we have driven by for years without trying it; however, the inside is charming even though the room arrangement is a little odd. read more

Oh my goodness! Absolutely delicious! We arrived at around 3:30, and were promptly seated at the table we requested by a nice hostess. Our server was on point, checked on us constantly and made sure we were happy with everything. All our food came out exactly as we wanted and in perfect time. This was the first time I had tried a Rose wine, and my server suggested an absolutely superb wine. I loved it. Our app was the Brie Flatbread. I would highly recommend it, although my boyfriend did not like the sort of dijonaise sauce on the greens. I thought the rosemary flatbread was amazing, and definitely enjoyed the dish. Our entrees were the Australian Rack of Lamb (on the daily specials menu) and the 8oz Filet Mignon. The veggies and mashed potatoes included with both dishes were great; my boyfriend and I preferred the mashed potatoes to the veggies. While they were great tasting and well seasoned, they were just a bit too limp to be perfect. The temperature of our individual meat dishes were just completely perfect; I ordered the lamb med-rare, and have rarely received my dish so perfectly cooked before eating here. Lovely. Great atmosphere, great food, great service, extensive wine list... Visit!! read more

My husband and I celebrated my birthday at the Southside Bistro and it was a beautiful, fun experience. Thanks to our friendly server "Tunde" the timing of the courses could not have been any better. We started with fresh oysters and a cream of tomato-garlic soup with Chardonnay and Rose' wines. The oysters were fantastic and the presentation perfect! "Tunde" was patient and informative when choosing a main course. The "Catch of the Day" was halibut and it was the best! I must learn how they cooked it, so light and delicate and tasty. The house favorite entree', pork schnitzel was so tasty and tender-I understand why it is recommended! The evening came to a close after "Tunde" presented a lovely plate with creme brulee and "Happy Birthday" in chocolate script. We noted the other patrons were enjoying their choices and the entire experience. The menu is wonderful-we are going for the lamb chops next. Thanks again to "Tunde", the chefs and a great crew for a wonderful dining experience :) read more

We ordered four things. Calamari: Rubbery, bland, and the accompanying sauce was overpowering, yet somehow still bland. Brie Flatbread: A flat piece of bread with some Brie on it thrown in an oven then topped with some greens. Edible but not memorable. Tortilla soup: I love tortilla soup and order it whenever I see it on a menu. The only similarities this had to tortilla soup was the tortilla strips floating on the top of the soup. Otherwise it was just vegetable soup with a few chunks (too big for soup) of chicken tossed in. Pear Salad: A good combination of ingredients means you can't go wrong. I'm very disappointed that the food wasn't better. This place is very close to my house and I could see myself coming here on a regular basis due to it's location. The menu is fairly large so I will give it another chance and I hope my first visit was just an off night for the cooks. read more

I travel and eat for a living..... This is the first time I've ever felt compelled to write a review.... Decent food but the worst dining experience I've ever had. Hands down. Anywhere in the world. Large party of friends (12), they not only will not split your bill, but will make you do all the math and account for every order on your own for a tab over $700. We spent nearly 30 min adding up and accounting for drinks, apps and entrees at the end of the meal rather than having dessert and a nightcap. Spend your money elsewhere!! read more

The food was excellent! Always consistent. Salmon was perfect. Pizza was delicious. The burger was outstanding. Wait staff excellent. Reservations are highly recommended. Very relaxing professional atmosphere. read more

I've been coming to Southside since the restaurant opened - it's our go to place for a nice dinner that's close to home. The food is consistently good and I find the service to be as well. I highly recommend Kerry as a server, but stay away from Thomas. Wine recommendations are always on point! read more

Large party (12) for a gathering of friends. Some drink, some don't..... Waitress refused to split tab amongst parties, I've dined all over the world and never have I felt the need to write a negative review. Scallops were cold and waitress failed miserably at catering to our party. She knew she was getting auto gratuity. I'll never be back. read more

The food here was ok, definitely not worth the price. The service was absolutely terrible, I could cook a better meal and serve it faster then what it took them! By the time our food came out it was all cold. The server we had was rude and condescending and didn't give a shit since they were automatically charging 18% gratuity. Definitely not going there ever again. read more

The food is alright but I just can't justify it for the price. I've gone several time with my parents (when they are paying) or on a gift card. I usually get their pasta dishes, the ham pasta with bread crumbs, or the angel hair dish. They are tasty, but $20 a plate... They're just not *that* good. The meat dishes usually run about $25-30. For these prices Id expect more ambience or something. I find it a bit dark and dull. I guess you're paying a premium not to drive downtown if you live on Southside. But if I was going to drop that kind of money on dinner Id probably go somewhere else. read more