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I was looking forward to this place since booking my reservation. They do not take walk-ins. You have to book a reservation via email. The place is small and cozy. The staff is superb. The menu is small, but expected for the type of restaurant. There are options for vegetarians. If you are not a vegetarian, you may enjoy this place a little better since their meat dishes are the stars of the show. We started off with sangria. It's not the typical Sangria you think of. It's not sweet at all. I'm ok with that, but my friend wasn't too fond of it. It's is homemade. For our appetizer, we had the Mekike. It is fried bread that came with a cream cheese dip and a tomato dip. We loved this. Who doesn't love bread? For my main dish, I had the posni pilav with the sopska salad. The salad was simple and didn't have dressing, but delicious. The feta cheese added great flavor to the tomatoes and cucumber. By the time the posni pilav arrived, I was so stuffed that I could only take a few bites. I will admit that the dish doesn't look appealing, but it was pretty good. It didn't lack in flavor and it was a good portion. The meal can be pricy, but expected. Parking is on site, but shared with the other businesses.
Visited this very well reviewed place sometime back on our way to Denali Park. They are owned by Michael and Maya. Here is the summary of my review and experience there. 1) Ambiance 5/5: The ambiance is not your typical one that you would see in any other restaurant. This place is very different and you could see the thought and culture on display. Even the restrooms are well though out. It has a very rustic vibe with Serbian themes. 2) Service 5/5: The people and the owners are super nice and they really make you feel special here. Everyone is super helpful and explains everything delightfully. They have some of the most incredible stories to tell you. It was so great that I would like to thank everyone by name - Gary was our server who was very helpful. Peter helped with drink. Polina hlped with some hiking suggestions. Elizabeth was at the back of the kitchen. 3) Food 3/5: This is where I was the most disappointed. Although everything else was great, the food was not the best. I feel the food was a let down to their amazing hospitality and decor. Here is the summary of what we had: a) Pilici Pilav: It is chicken rice which tasted bland. It was like Indian Chicken Khichdi but with much less flavor. Not a fan and didnt not like the chicken in it. b) Meze Platter: This was good. I am not a fan of Pork but this was good and crispy. The Rgussian salad was ood. c) Grandmother's chocolate cake: The cake was meh with more oats than chocolate and it was peanut butter in it which I am not a fan of. d) Vegan Dessert: We were confused about the cheesecake of this vegan dessert and asked the server. They insisted on this and said this is their best seller. It was such a let down. He said we wont know it was vegan and gluten free - Oh we knew it in every bite. We ate less than 25% of it, packd it and then ultimately had to throw it away. I so wish we had not listened to him and had the cheesecake. 4) Value for Money 2/5: The service and decor are great but the soul aka the food is kinda let down plus they are pricey. So not the best. Even though the place looks like a hole in the wall place, it is costly. The good: i) The decor ii) Service iii) People Not so Good: 1) Food 2) Price 3) Vegan Dessert
We were visiting Alaska for a few days and stopped by for dinner. We didn't have a reservation but only had to wait 10 minutes for a table of four. They have a fire pit in a covered balcony for the waiting area which helped with the outside cold. The service was really amazing and the decor was cozy. We ordered the meze platter, meat stuffed pepper, sarma, Kardjordjeva schnitzel, vegan daily soup, and meat daily soup. To be honest, I dont think the Serbian taste profile meshes quite well with my own taste but I could tell the food was well-prepared. The flavors are not as complex as I typically enjoy but also I don't have anything else to compare this with. It's definitely a fun spot to try something new while in Alaska!
Dinner at Moose-Aka's is not just a meal, it's an experience. First of all, you MUST have reservations. They do not accept walk ups at all. I noticed on their website they said that reservations must be made 24-hours in advance by email. We were within the 24 hours, but I wrote them anyway. What did I have to lose? As it happens, they had a cancellation and they offered us the open table, which we accepted. The restaurant is Balkan, which is a bold choice for such a small tourist area. The interior is dark and cozy. There are only about twelve tables inside. We were greeted by the cheerful hostess. We were made to feel at home. Once we were seated, the chef came by. He told us that he insists on explaining the menu to each table. A very personal touch. My wife and I are familiar with Eastern European food, so we took in the menu quickly. We started with the meze platter, which included a sampling of four different appetizers. Everything was wonderful! We ordered pitcher of sangria to drink. It was very tasty, full of fruit, and I might add, pretty strong! For the main, my wife chose the Sarma, cabbage leaves stuffed with ground beef and seasonings. It was very good, but perhaps a touch bland. We would have liked a bit more flavor in the sauce. I chose the Kardjordjeva Schnitzel it is essentially a pork version of a cordon bleu. It was magnificent! We ordered two desserts, the Grandmother's chocolate cake, and the cheesecake crepe. The chocolate cake was not to my liking, but the crepe was one of the best desserts I've ever eaten. Denali has no right to have such an amazing restaurant! The staff is incredibly attentive and friendly. The food was amazing! My wife talked about our experience all the way back to the hotel. Definitely the best dining experience available in Denali, if not all of Alaska!
Truly a unique dining experience that I'd never expect while exploring Denali NP. From the moment we walked in, the servers are all so attentitive and polite. It felt like we were so welcomed! Each person that works here on the floor will monitor each table, whether or not they are the person assigned to that table. We never had to wave down anyone to get their attention or ask for something we needed. They all loved conversing and giving their own recommendations for the park as well, which was really nice! As for the food, we decided on getting the stuffed bell peppers and the veggie pilaf. Both were pretty filling and delicious. Although a bit pricier than your average dining spot, definitely recommend considering eating here after a day of exploring Denali!
A great little restaurant with a super ambiance and excellent Serb and eastern Euro cuisine. The sarma was authentic and delicious although a little smaller in proportion than what I grew up eating, but perfect and brought great memories. Tenderloin was also nicely done and not greasy with great flavors. Definitely get the full appetizer plate to start with a selection of the main apps. Pair with Serb beer and try both as they are similar. I was too full for dessert but I'm sure it was as good as the main courses. Recommended.
This place is a diamond in the rough at Denali. Being open for only 3-4 months of the year, they have to garner all the profits before the tourist season closes. I was definitely fortunate to able to try this place out. Never mind all the accolades that this place has received, it's all about the personal experience that matters. When you walk it, there's a very unique ancient traveler's decor that lines the walls and ceiling. It creates an exotic atmosphere that is pretty inviting and adds to the eating experience. The servers are extremely friendly and nice. They display a nice personal touch and can start and carry such a natural conversation that makes you feel extremely welcomed. Now onto the food. I had the Karadjordjeva Schnitzel which is fried pork sirloin stuffed with cheese and ham. It was delicious! The pork was flavorful and I absolutely loved the garlic mashed potatoes that it came with. Also the asparagus gave it a nice contrast with the heaviness of the potatoes and schnitzel. The sauce that came with it kept the schnitzel from becoming bland, which was a nice touch. But the Nutella and Banana Crepe w/vanilla ice cream... yeah... Fire! It's so good. The crispness of the crepe combine with the flavors of banana and Nutella. Joygasm! Definitely something to try! If you get the opportunity, definitely seek this place out. Find out for yourself why others have enjoyed this place as much as I have!
Highly recommend this place for anyone traveling to or staying at Denali. Service and ambiance were phenomenal here. Staff was really friendly in helping us with our food selections and our stay at Denali by providing hidden gems around the area. Don't miss this restaurant if you're in the area!
This was the best meal I had the entire trip. The restaurant is extremely out of place for nowhere Alaska but the service and food would put this city on the map. The ambiance makes you feel like you are in Europe with the decor and music. The food was delish and the sangria was good. Highly recommended visiting!
I went in with high expectations, and this place came through. The service was some of the best I've experienced in a long, long time. The food was EXCELLENT! We shared 2 appetizers and one entree. And we couldn't finish it all. Normally, we'd have taken leftovers home, but we were in a hotel with no microwave, so.... Yep, we hurt ourselves a bit. They not only didn't charge us for splitting the entree, but were kind enough to split it for us. Sat out in the front room with a small fire burning. Very cozy! Just everything about this place was top notch.
Very friendly team of servers with excellent hospitality attitude, and excellent food. It's hard to know what to say when it's all so good. I wasn't sure what sangria I might like, so they gave me a sample of both and I found the red to be sweet and the white to be more savory, so I opted for the savory. Decided to share the meze platter and the Sarma entree as both are too much portion for one but plenty to share and got a great sampling of Serbian flavors, dips, and seasonings. I'd never had cabbage that was so tender it acted like a noodle, but that's what the Sarma felt and tasted like- a meat and rice dumpling! Excellent flavors on everything and loved the chef's special dip and red pepper spread. Try to get in before 6pm, or you may have to wait until after 7:30pm, as they don't take reservations and can only accommodate tables based on what's available.
This place has the rating and volume of reviews it does for a reason. We had a great experience and it was wonderful to find something other than a brewery, pizza, or burger place in Alaska. We started with the Serbian Fry bread, I forget its name, but it was delicious and I loved the sour cream & red pepper sauce with it. We also had an appetizer of the Olivier salad and it was great. We finished with the moussaka and loved it, and the special dessert was like a custard with cinnamon and fruit that was well worth it. Great service, cute ambiance, definitely a must by Denali.
4 years ago
Not exciting from the outside but the gods is Amazing and a great value. My husband enjoyed the Sarma and I had the schnitzel. The house made sangria is full bodied, make sure you eat the fruit. The fried apple crepe was delicious and the chocolate martini was delicious. read more
Updated review for this year :) Stop what you're doing and make a reservation here (reservations are recommended especially this year). This is one of the coolest restaurants in Alaska if not THE coolest. Where do I even begin. The service, the food, the ambience-- it's all perfect. I have been here 3 times now and my family has decided to come here annually. Alaskans reading this who live in Fairbanks, Mat-Su Valley, and Anchorage--the drive is worth it, make a date night of it and book your reservation before they close for the season in September! Now onto the food: Since I came here for the first time last year, I have transitioned to eating a vegan diet and I was so happy to discover that I could still enjoy a full meal here (appetizer, main, AND dessert) without making substitutions, and the staff is so accommodating and knowledgeable about what vegan means. This year, I got the vegan soup which I believe rotates but it was a spicy pepper and cauliflower soup. It wasn't too spicy at all but had so much flavor! It came with the Mekice fry bread which is vegan too and they said to dip it in the soup which was delicious. For the main, I got the Vegan Stuffed Pepper which is a red bell pepper stuffed with rice, onions, garlic, carrots, and parsley. It was so, so good. Tasted like comfort food and the rice was packed with flavor. The only thing I would recommend with the vegan stuffed pepper is that maybe it be served with a couple of asparagus spears or bit of the Sopska salad minus feta on the side. Personally, I think the pepper on it's own is delicious and filling especially when you order it with an appetizer and drinks, but I did read a couple of vegan reviews where they seemed underwhelmed by just the pepper (the vegan pepper doesn't come with mashed potatoes because there's butter in it--the meat stuffed pepper on the menu comes with mashed potatoes). So I think throwing a couple of veggies on the side might make the plating look a bit more aesthetically pleasing. For dessert, they recommended the off menu vegan dessert and it was incredible! It was the Mekice fry bread with chocolate sauce, berries, bananas and cinnamon. Absolutely delicious and I so appreciate that they have that option. They have incredible sangrias too that are served with generous amounts of fruit in them. I have tried both the white and red sangria and can't say which is my favorite. They have Serbian wine and beer too which I have on my list to try when I come back next year. When I first came here last year, I tried the Meze platter which is a variety of all of their appetizers. It's a great way to taste the flavor profiles that are present throughout the menu, and it's filling enough to eat as your meal too. I have also tried the Sarma which is cabbage stuffed with meat and rice. Everything here is incredible, I could go on and on but I might be starting to lose people with all these words lol. The service is so incredible and attentive, even despite them being pretty short staffed this year. All 3 people working in the restaurant shared serving duties across every table and everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The interior decor is beautiful and unique, there is something intriguing to look at in every corner of the restaurant. To sum up, just come here it is 100% worth it. read more
Business owner information
Maja W.
Thank you so much for amazing review!!! Looking forward to see you…
3 years ago
4 years ago
The best restaurant in Denali. By far the best place we've eaten at in Denali. We had the Mekice (vegan fry bread). I was hesitant in ordering as I've had Navajo fry bread and it was too heavy for me. But the server and another pair of customers raved about it so we ordered it. It was wonderfully light. The eggplant and red pepper spread went perfectly with it. We were pleased. We also ordered Posni Pilav (vegan pilav) and loved it. My wife said she's considering becoming a vegan after tasting this dish. I've not mentioned the service but they were right on top of it. Our dishes came out hot. Our water was quickly refilled. They came around to explain the dishes and asked if we needed anything. There were only 4 people but they were working hard, yet very friendly. read more
5 years ago
Food was excellent, service was excellent. Despite that they had a full house, servers were all hands on deck and excel! We put ourselves for their waiting list and came back to the time they told us we would get sit. They sat us right away. Ambiance excellent, service excellent, food marvelous (I recommend the stuffed peppers, taste is superb). This is a place I plan to come back whenever I'm back to Denali. Yes, I recommend this place! Just make sure to reserve/put your name down on time. read more
3 years ago
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2 years ago
Oh my god, Moose-Aka's was incredible. Wow. This was easily one of the best places I've dined in Alaska. The service was extraordinary - really. I have a very uncommon allergy to canola oil (used in many restaurants) and the staff were extremely accommodating sharing what specific items on the menu I'd still be able to enjoy and also sending a strict note with the kitchen. The food food was authentic, fresh, and decadent. This place gets packed, so going on off hours (I.e., early dinner hours) is your best bet to reserve a spot. Moose-aka is a true hidden gem though and a must try next time you're in Denali. read more
5 years ago
6 years ago
Everything about this place was great including the service, food, atmosphere, and drinks! We loved everything that we ordered (the crepes we had are not photographed). If you are visiting Denali, I would recommend this place. I had never had Serbian food and I am so happy that I got to try it out on our trip in Alaska! Might have to visit again before we leave :) read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
This restaurant was amazing!!! Spent the day in Denali NP and then ate here for dinner. Great service. Very friendly and accommodating staff including Caroline, Zac and the team. Loved the decor, the music, and of course the drinks/food. Highly recommend the sangrias, the sampler plate and then we had the soup/salad combo. Wish we had room to try the desert too. Very filling!!! Such a great spot. Highly recommend! read more
5 years ago
We planned on going to Denali on the day they were closed and rerouted our Alaska trip just to be able to go here. Having been, I can now say the Yelp top 100 and "coziest restaurant in the US" titles are 100% well deserved. The service was absolutely amazing, and made the place feel one of a kind. The food: - Meze platter - everything was absolutely delicious, I especially loved the mekice and red pepper spread. The exception is that I've had better schnitzel elsewhere as an entree (maybe cutting it up into fingers makes it easier to overcook and become less tender?) - Sarma - got this at our server's recommendation and it was just so homey and comforting. The pickled cabbage leaves was cooked well in a flavorful broth and just fell off ever so gently against the meatier filling. A great choice for when you're feeling cold and windswept. It was like a warm hug in the stomach. - Apple flash fried crepe - being a dessert person, this was my favorite of the evening. The accompanying ice cream was so delicious it could stand on its own. The crepe was the perfect balance between crunchiness exterior and warm gooey sweet interior. - Turkish coffee - I only tried a sip of this, since I cannot handle too much caffeine. It is VERY strong. Our server told us he starts every morning with one of these! Since we came early for dinner (4:30pm ish), the patio for outdoor dining was entirely ours for the majority of our meal. It was a lovely time, and the restaurant highlight of our Alaskan trip. read more
3 years ago
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5 years ago
Don't leave Denali without visiting Moose-AKa's! The warm and friendly service, and charming decor are just the beginning. The crepes are the best! Get the dry white Serbian wine from the "almost extinct" grapes. Apparently they are doing just great in Serbia read more
5 years ago
If you are coming to Denali during the summer of 2021, do yourself an enormous favor and pick up your phone right now to make a reservation for dinner sometime (other than Wednesday, cause they are closed) during your stay! I'm gonna give it to y'all straight. The food situation in this "town" post-pandemic is ABYSMAL - with this one phenomenal exception. (examples: Tuesday took the hotel shuttle into town at 6 and couldn't find ANYPLACE to eat with less than a 2 hour wait. Even the food truck was an hour. We wound up with gas station-style pizza from the liquor store (the gas station doesn't sell gas station pizza). Night 2 - ordered take out pizza at 4:35 to pick up at 5:10. Pizza was ready at 5:45.) Enter Moose-AKa's! Against all odds, I managed to get a 4:15 reservation for Thursday. The hostess (who I think owns the place) greeted us as warmly as if we were old friends, and gave us a lovely table for 2 by the window. Our waiter soon came over to make recommendations and tell us the soups of the day, and mostly to make sure we understood that we were going to receive outstanding service. He didn't lie. The menu is so creative and unique, we knew we wanted to share a number of things. We ordered the Sarma (stuffed pickled cabbage leaves - but don't worry - they don't taste pickelly) with a side Sopska salad and a cup of the potato-bacon soup of the day. The soup was lighter than I expected, but also came with fry-bread - also unexpected, and the perfect compliment. The salad - cucumber, tomato, onion (super mild) with feta - was refreshing and healthy. The Sarma was unique but still managed to feel like comfort food my grandmother would have made if she had been Serbian (she wasn't). We also split the flash fried chicken crepe, which was served with a sauce that made the dish (not that the chicken filling was short on flavor - it was beautifully seasoned, but the sauce made it even better!). Finally - we had to try the desserts! We split the strawberry cheesecake flash fried crepe and the Serbian cheesecake. The cheesecake was lighter than typical, but that made it perfect for after our long day of hiking. The crunch of the fried crepe was a delicious contrast to the creamy filling. I cannot recommend Moose-AKa's highly enough - but you do need to make a reservation - preferably at LEAST 48 hours in advance. It will be the culinary highlight of your Alaska trip! read more
3 years ago
Excellent shared meal, family style, next door to rafting and a coffee shop. Relaxed atmosphere, servers encourage guests to savor the flavors without rushing a meal. Cute epoxy pennied table tops, lace umbrella ceiling, antique spooned chandeliers set the scene. Knowledgeable staff can help guide you around the Serbian, Eastern European influenced dishes. Staff dines together at close with chef Micheal's delicate hand. Leave room for dessert! read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Our whole family really enjoyed the ambiance and Food at Moose-AKa's. My wife and I shared the moussaka and Pork Schnitzel. We also got the kids schnitzel bites. It was all great! They tout themselves, I believe, as a Serbian restaurant but really their menu is regionally central/Eastern European. All in all a nice surprise being out in a remote area like Denali. read more
2 years ago
Made an impromptu decision to have dinner at this place after seeing the raving reviews on yelp. We stopped by at 6:30pm and were told that a table would only be available by 8pm because of a very crowded day. I would highly suggest making a prior reservation by calling them. We did stop by again at 8pm and were seated right away. We started our dinner with a pitcher of sangria which was huge and so tasty (filled with variety of fruits). This was followed by their appetizer plate (great option to try out everything on their appetizer menu). For entrees we ordered the chicken crepe, veggie crepe and the crepadila. Everything was delicious. We added the soups and salads to our entrees at an additional cost. Didn't have any room for dessert after this heavy fulfilling meal. I do have to mention the great service this restaurant provides. Makes the overall dinner experience delightful. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
Wonderful food and attentive waitstaff. Servers are outgoing and entertaining. The owners are present and involved. The chef visits the tables to verify everyone is enjoying his culinary creations. The decor is unique and interesting. Schnitzel is awesome. Top notch place in every way! read more
5 years ago
Who needs the food when service and warmth of the Chef/Owner Michael and the hostess Maja takes the cake. Michael went way out of his way to accommodate all of my dietary restrictions and create me a delicious meal. Must visit if you are in Denali or are passing by. Loved the decor and artifacts in this place full of European history. read more
5 years ago
Crepes are delicious! Service is fantastic! We went back twice during our trip. This place is worth the wait. Don't skip dessert. read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
My friend and I came here 2 nights in a row. The level of service and care here is like nowhere near I've seen before let alone the quality of food. The owner, Mike, is giving personal attention to every table while delivering all the fantastic food he makes. Maya at the front door makes sure everybody feels welcomed and taken care of. Make a reservation in advance for every night you are in Denali because trust me you'd wanna come back. read more
5 years ago
What a delightful restaurant in the midst of the canyon. This is unique and wonderful food that is not the high priced offerings at Princess and McKinley Chalet. The food is Serbian so it is unique takes on some Mediterranean dishes. All prepared to perfection. Michael the chef not only cooks and plates, but interacts with the guests. I highly recommend this fantastic find! read more
5 years ago
Such a lovely place for an intimate dining experience . A gem in Denali! Great European food and a lovely staff read more
5 years ago
Didn't expect a restaurant that popular/ crowded in the middle of nowhere (well, just right outside of the Denali national park). The waitress was very friendly and welcoming. I really like the schnitzel and moussaka, overall the food tastes great, but the wait for the entree was too long (it took 2hrs wait from our arrival time to when the first entree was served). read more
5 years ago
This is my new favorite cuisine. The food is so good we came here for dinner, loved the food, and then headed back in the next night to sample some more. We had the Mezze platter (that Ajvar red pepper sauce was scrumptious!! Both our table and the one next to ours asked for the recipe) both times. We also had the Savory Crepes the first night (absolutely delicious!) and the Sarma the next night (sooo good!) Absolutely recommend the place. The music in conjunction with the cosy, toasty fireplace next to us was just mesmerizing. The food brilliant. The staff funny, and very welcoming, and the decor gorgeous. All in all, do not miss. read more
More info about Moose-AKa's
2389 George Parks Hwy
Denali, AK 99755
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(907) 687-0003
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http://www.moose-akas.com
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Ask the Community - Moose-AKa's
Is it possible to get same day reservation here for dinner?
Yes. It is. You could get lucky. But they are busy! There aren't many good restaurants in the area.
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32 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Moose-AKa's - mediterranean - Updated June 2026
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