Birch & Alder

Absolutely delicious. I had a Mocha with their self-made nut milk and it was the best I’ve ever had. The everything bagel with the works was excellent. And the blueberry scones are perfection - not too sweet and crumbly soft. Highly recommend. You can feel the love and respect for local, natural, ingredients in their food and coffee!

Very nice little coffee shop. Sad that the inside dining didn't look open yet when we stopped mid August 2022. We got the breakfast bread thing (can't remember the name), some scones, and coffee. I loved the cheese scone and coffee, so yummy. My husband loved his breakfast thing too. I do think the egg would have been better cooked differently as it was extremely messy eating in the car with the yoke dripping everywhere. That is the reason I didn't order it as I can't stand runny yoke. Overall this will definitely be a regular stop when we come to Anchorage as we haven't found another coffee/bakery place near as good when coming from the south.

Coffee and provisions as the sign said is a little too modest. The coffee is excellent (Black Cup for those who know), and the food blew me away. It's not a super fast stop if you're running late for work, but it's well worth a stop if you have a few minutes to enjoy the coffee, food, and view.

Be sure to stop by whenever passing by Indian, it’ll make the beautiful drive even better. This place is amazing, staff are friendly and caring, and coffee/pastries delicious. It’s a gem! I’m so glad I discovered it & look forward to coming back.

Had breakfast this morning and it was delicious! We had the focaccia and I also tried the cinnamon babka. Both were fresh and so good. I am excited to have this little gem on the Seward Highway. I will be stopping here every time I drive to Soldotna. The coffee was also excellent.

Delicious scone and focaccia sandwich. The drive there was worth it. Get there earlier if you want shortbread cookies or the focaccia egg breakfast.

These are the best scones you’ll get anywhere in Alaska. The coffee has always been fresh and strong. These are also truly good people with roots within the local community and they take pride in their work. It’s a wonderful place to stop and grab a bite to go. It’s the hidden gem of Turnagain Arm.

Lovely owners, incredible vegan options (bagels, soup of the day, overnight oats, home-made plant-based milks and more) and a beautiful drive to get there...You gotta go and pay Birch and Alder a visit!

First time stopping in. Wanted a quick lunch on our way to Homer. Everything is prepped and ready, so it really is a quick drive thru. Bought a cod bagel, french onion bialy, and burrata on focaccia. The flavors were fresh, bright, and beautiful. The bread alone was spectacular, but the extra flavors of carmelized onions and zhoug made it super special. A sunny day with a view and delicious sandwich. What could be better? Already planning on what I want to grab on my way back to the city!

Came about an hour before closing and was honestly pleasantly surprised. Located on the side of the highway between Anchorage and Seward, Birch & Alder has a lot to offer. It is such a quaint location that has great views and good food! We got a Smoked Black Cod Bagel, banana bread, and a cold brew. They were unfortunately out of the furikake bagel because we came pretty late b the everything bagel was so good with the sandwich. The banana bread and coffee were also good! Looking forward to coming back and trying more things on the menu!

Cute little coffee shop! Line seemed to take forever but at least the baristas were friendly. Got a chai, pretty decent

Gourmet food Beautiful setting by Turnigan Arm Very busy on a Saturday so service was slow

Ambiance, location, flavor, customer service - everything was pitch perfect! What a sweet little place! I'm so glad I decided to stop by on my way down to Homer. I was going to go with the bagel experience (smoked salmon) but the server recommended the black cod is often overlooked even though it's delicious. Furthermore, they don't always have it and they always have the bagel experience. I like when things are seasonal or rare - often that means the ingredients are fresh and delicious. She did not steer me wrong. The bagel was the perfect balance or savory and smoky - just delicious. I asked for a caramel chai initially but she mentioned the birch syrup that they make themselves. She mentioned "tastes like maple syrup but with a little smoky flavor" and I was sold. Just say something is smoky and I'll most likely order it, to be honest. Again, she did not steer me wrong. Both items were absolutely divine. I can't wait to come back and try more things off their menu!

Tasty espresso beverages. Delightful pastries. Long, LOOOOONNNGGG wait. I'm the type of person, for better or for worse, that believes a line at an establishment usually means they have something worth trying. I started timing the length each car in front of us spent at the window (there were seven cars in front of us when we got into the line) and found the average wait was about five minutes per car. There's no order microphone so there's the order and the time to make the order as each car arrives. The staff doesn't appear to be chagrined by the long line of cars. They are as chipper and friendly as a golden retriever with a pool of water to play in. If you aren't in a rush and looking for solid espresso on the way to, or from, Girdwood or the Kenai, give this place a chance.

I was working out along the Seward highway and forgot a lunch the other day, to my surprise, when I expected to have to buy my lunch from the gas station, I came across Birch and Alder. The pictures of the food online looked incredible though I was weary about there not being many options for meat, I mustered up my courage and asked the staff what their favorite sandwich was. They were super sweet and accommodated to my dairy allergy with their dairy free cream cheese which was delicious! The sandwich blew me out of the water with how good it was! All in all, the staff was fantastic, food was amazing, and the outside of the shop is super cute and easy for on the go people to grab their food or coffee and be on their way!

My group and I were visiting from San Diego and we absolutely loved this place . We had the smoked black cod bagel and it was so delish! The scallion cream cheese was amazing with the smoked fish. Definitely a must get! I had the mate tea sweetened with honey. Super good. We also had the soup of the day, it was vegan wild mushroom. Amazing, I love mushrooms so for mushroom lovers - this is a must try. I used my other half of my bare bagel with the soup and it was super tasty that way . We had a party of 18 and didn't realize they were only into day two of opening! Thanks for the warm service

The bagel taste just okay nothing surprised me. Latte is not so impressed. I would still go with Starbucks. Drive thru order only. No inside or outdoor seating. About 25mins wait time when there was 5 vehicles in front of us. A little pricy if based on the taste of food and drink quality.

An absolute GEM. These fine people really know what they're doing, and its wonderful to see a craft perfected. They bring joy to our community.

Awesome food and drinks for the price. Friendly staff, even in the cold of winter! Loved being able to take the food and park off at a spot to enjoy the morning with.

Very good! I love how they always are so nice and friendly! It is so fun when I get to go in the morning!

I have nothing bad to say about this place at all other than I am BUMMED other people love it as much as I do. Everything from birch and alder is going to be an absolute experience for your taste buds. What makes this place so special is the time and care that they put into making each item they offer really unique and a flavor experience. I have probably tried just about everything on the menu by now but without a doubt my favorite will always be the bagel experience. From the fluffy whip of the cream cheese to the lemon zest and the satisfyingly crispy tomato chips, every bite is nothing short of perfect. Recently I got to try their new bialy and it is equally as amazing. While the foods I get from here are heart warming and happy comfort foods in my mind, I never leave feeling heavy because of the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. Thanks for bringing such a great spot into the community. See you next time (and every time) I drive past!

There was a long line that goes out to the road almost. Probably waited 20 mins. Cute looking drive thru place. Food was okay I feel like it was overhyped. Kind of hard to eat in a car while driving. So you kind of have to pull over to eat the bagel that is falling apart. Bread is hard to bite through. I mean it's nothing to rave about nothing to complain about. It was pretty pricey for the food I feel. But that's just me.

Pulled in to the side of the road to answer a phone call and voila - there was 4 cars in line. I walked in but it was drive through only place. So we got in line and within 5+ mins more cars came forming a long queue on the side of the road. Presentation of sandwiches and bagels were great! But for $15 to go price, it's a little pricey (however keep in mind this is Alaska). Latte is latte - there was no wow. They ran out of date babkas so I ordered a chocolate. Not too sweet and that was good. We drove another 5+ mins and stopped at Beluga Point to enjoy the food.

I had a great breakfast sandwich, a nice cup of coffee, and some delicious scones here. It was an unexpected find on the Turnagain Arm.

Like Andrew H. I too was extremely saddened by the closing of Froth & Forage. There was no other restaurant like it, and stopping was a highlight of our drives along the Turnagain Arm with that said I'm beyond ecstatic that a new restaurant has taken its place! I'm even happier because Birch & Alder (B&A) seems committed to serving the same delicious, well presented & fresh food as F&F. The owners are so friendly and kind. Their son works the window with them so it's truly a family run business. They have some big plans for Birch & Alder, and it will be going beyond drive thru fare soon! They will be opening up the patio for brunch as well as the inside once they complete the interior renovations. They are aiming for summer time. This will be an all year round business with plans for dinner service in the future as well. The owners are super enthusiastic about this restaurant, and I love it! I just know they're going to put 110% behind everything they do. I've never seen a scratch kitchen do a drive thru concept & they do it well! The menu is small so that everything can be executed perfectly. The scones & babka are really tasty. My favorite is the savory scone with prosciutto, leek & Irish cheddar. I'm not typically one for savory over sweet, but this scone is amazing. The focaccia sandwich is absolutely delicious. Honestly one of the tasitier sandwiches I've had in a while. The focaccia was perfectly crispy & theres a generous portion on burrata. I am excited to see what else is up their sleeve menu wise for sit down service. I know the food is going to be good. As for now the next time you're heading south make it a point to stop here for some treats! You will not be disappointed! This is a drive thru like you've never seen before!

Pricey and super slow BUT... worth the wait AND the price. So delicious; my sandwich and drink were A+ and I will be back.

Wow the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had! What a treat to have shaved truffle's! So good I ate it before I could take a pic. Yum!

Warning, massive digression: Froth & Forage used to be in this space. It was a huge part of my life in Alaska while it was open. Coming here first thing in the morning on weekends was like therapy for me. It helped me gather my thoughts. About things as simple as what to hike or as complex as "what do I really want in a long-term partner". IT definitely got me through some difficult times in my life. In the final months of their being open, they even hung some of my photography on the wall! Birch & Alder has as similar name, but different owners. From my one sampling of the food today, there seems to be a similar level of hand-crafted attention to detail at B&A as there was at F&F! I got the sandwich special which was: House Focaccia, Burrata, Arugula pesto, Marinated Heirloom tomatoes, prosciutto di parma. It was amazing and, unlike most sandwiches, was NOT something I could've thrown together at home! I also got the soup of the day, which was tomato. It seemed to be made from scratch and was really good! I do wish it has a bit more seasoning to it though. Overall, the quality of the food here was really above-and-beyond. My only criticism is that the portions left me wanting more. Still, this is a place that serves sit-down-restaurant-quality food, at drive-through speeds which is mighty impressive! I can't wait to see what they do in the future. I will be one of the first people to dine-in, whenever that opens up!

Coffee was exactly what we needed and we had the perfect view of the mountains and water from the parking lot. The breakfast focaccia and the bagel sandwiches were even better than we could have imagined and I'm bummed we only got to go here once. 10/10!!

Would be better if they served their bagels open faced. The bagels are so chewy all the fillings fall out. Also they wouldn't serve us just a plain bagel, we were required to purchase the cream cheese at a ridiculous price. Greedy

If you're looking for bagels and an amazing view, this place has got you covered! the staff are amazing, they have a large menu, short wait in line, and their coffee and bagels are amazing! thank you birch & alder for an amazing breakfast!

I had passed this place many times driving through Girdwood and always thought it looked like a trendy, cool little spot. Recently, I read a review in the Anchorage Daily News and decided to try it. My friend was visiting from out of town and on our way from Anchorage to Girdwood, we stopped to have lunch at 12:30pm. We waited five minutes to order and we're excited. We knew the dining room was closed but it was a beautiful day so we were happy to sit outside. The view is breath-taking!!! First, they were ONLY serving breakfast at 12:30pm, which seemed strange considering they closed at 3/4pm. Not sure when they switch to the lunch menu, but we were disappointed. There are only a few items on the breakfast/brunch menu, so we both went with the everything bagel and lox. We got our order, parked and went to sit at one of two picnic tables. The tables had nothing on them. No table cloth, no napkins, no salt/pepper, no little vases with flowers. The grass around the table was overgrown, which isn't a huge deal, but considering their dining room was closed, you kind of think they'd have a bit of an outside area that was well-kept. It was as if we were eating at a shoddy camp site. There was not a visible trash can to discard the paper our sandwiches were wrapped with and we had to surmise that the bin on the steps on the side of the building was where to put it. The bagel sandwiches each cost $15, which seemed fair for a gourmet bagel. The bagel tasted awesome! It was clearly fresh. The ingredients were tasty, but nothing groundbreaking. We didn't have any coffee either, so I can't comment on that. I wouldn't recommend this spot for the subpar ambiance and price. It's not special enough to stop for. Wish that there were more options on the menu, an earlier lunch time period, and maybe even some sides that came along, possibly a small fruit cup or chips.

My favorite place to drive out to for a treat. Such kind service and amazing coffee and baked goods! The breakfast focaccia is incredible! So worth the drive!

Stopped here on the way back from camping one weekend. The breakfast focaccia was good, but the babka was just okay. Mostly bread with very little cinnamon. The portions are small, but everything is made small batch. There is some limited outdoor seating, but the views are fantastic! I'd stop by again and give their lunch menu a try.

The bottom line is food was decent but not worth the drive to Indian from Anchorage. I ordered the breakfast focaccia and savory scone. The savory scone was sweet and lacking in the flavor chive and prosciutto. The focaccia was good but a bit oily and the egg was runnier than I would have liked. My girlfriend had the bagel experience. In her option the bagel sandwich was way to salty. She even took it apart and tried the individual components determining they were all salted too heavily. My mother had the blueberry scone and savory scone. She had the same grievances about the savory scone and expressed that the blueberry scone was bland and lacking blueberry flavor. The coffee and chai drinks were slightly above average and the staff were nice. I would have liked to dine in but the drive through was the only option. The ambiance was decent with the beautiful views of Turnagain arm from the restaurant. Would I stop by on the way to Seward or Homer in the future? Maybe but it's definitely not worth the drive on it's own.

What a beautiful place to stop and get your delicious coffee and pastries! We had scones and chai lattes! Everything was so thoughtful and delicious! They only offer a drive through window now, but you don't have to drive to the window. We parked our car in their lot and walked to the window, which gave us more time in the sun! They also have a ton of bike racks to serve the cyclists. It sounds like the owners will expand to full brunch and private dinners soon!

This was the best brunch I have had in a long time and while being in Alaska. My birch latte with cashew sunflower milk was incredible. The bagel experience WAS an experience. The mix of lemon and sun dried tomatoes with the salmon and sprouts produced an explosion of flavor on my tongue. The seasonal scone (sunflower dandelion honey deliciousness) was moist and delectable. The line moved fast, people were friendly, SO worth any drive or wait. Also, cute spot :)

Stopped here on way back from Animal Conservatory and it was well worth the wait (maybe 7-10 minutes) and the drive out from Anchorage. I ordered the sandwich special ? I think it was and it was the best sandwich of my life. Revolutionary? Yes. Also maple latte was good too. But less important than the sandwich special.

The bagel experience was quite an experience indeed. The lox is so fresh, the preserved lemon was a nice touch, and we sat outside in a beautiful setting. The coffee drinks were also delish and the staff were very kind.

Excellent customer service and even better food. Worth the drive from Girdwood for sure!

This hidden gem is awesome, great customer service and the food and drinks are way above average in compression to other drive thru. Can't wait until the restaurant offers sit down meals

My god, this place is absolutely incredible!! The food I received looks like something out of magazine and it tasted even better My husband HATES onions and peppers and even he liked it. I will certainly be stopping here again any time we're passing through !

Excellent coffee and customer service. Highly recommend grabbing a latte with Alaska milk and some scones (nice and fluffy) on your way down to your next adventure. Coffee is made to perfection (not nasty burnt like Starbucks) and gives a nice boost to your day. They have babkas too that are delicious and come in three flavors: chocolate, chocolate espresso and cinnamon. But get there early Bc they sell out.

On our way down to Girdwood from Anchorage, we had to stop by Birch & Alder. Breakfast Focaccia was incredible!

Drove from Anchorage to try their food on a Saturday morning and I have to say we were not disappointed. Their focaccia was just so good! We got the last one and was absolutely worth it. We also had the savory scone and the cinnamon babka and wow, it was like an explosion of amazing flavors and textures. Drive through only at the moment but this is now a favorite. Give them a try and you will experience food like it was meant to be experienced. Good, delicious and heart warming

I will have to disagree, this place is absolutely worth the drive from Anchorage...but also the drive is worth the drive so this is really just icing on the cake. I had 4 scones in the week I was visiting. I don't even LIKE scones. I did not try the breakfast focaccia because I had a scone fever but, everything looked and smelled bomb. Driving by? Check it out. You won't regret it plus they have dog treats! Whats not to love.

Good options for breakfast and lunch when you're driving down Seward highway! Worth a visit! Gluten free options and vegan coffees!

Thinking of going ? Do it worth the stop. Every thing is super tasty. My favorite is the lunch special sandwich! Focaccia bread is the best I have had in along time. Husband I both love the bagel experience he loves the traditional one I prefer the vegan ( I'm not vegan but I still prefer vegan food). Coffee and teas are yummy. Definitely upgrade your milk to Alaska Range Milk!!! You will thank me and yourself.Service is super sweet and super fast.

Amazing food and service. But my breakfast foccasia didn't so much have egg white as it did egg clear:/ but delicious after I cooked it another minute when I got home!

Hands down, best coffee and breakfast stop we had our entire trip to Alaska. The birch latte was delicious, the lox bagel was so fresh, and words don't even describe the cinnamon babka. A must-go on your drive between Anchorage and Girdwood!

We just stopped for a coffee roadside pickup. Wow! What great tasting coffee; the best dark roast I've had since arriving in Anchorage 2 months ago. I'll definitely be back to Birch & Alder for more coffee...and what looks like delicious food. See you again!

My wife and I stopped here on our way back to Anchorage from Girdwood. Food was fantastic! I had the everything bagel with lox and all the fixings. As a native east coaster let me say I've had a lot of bagels and lox in my life. This was the best. The ingredients taste like they were hand picked from a fine dining chef who really knows what he is doing. I also had the Birch Latte which was excellent. Highly recommend that you stop here!

I have wanted go here ever since I first drove past. Today I finally got the opportunity to stop. It was excellent. My husband and I both got the burrata, tomato, and prosciutto sandwich. The focaccia was perfectly soft but crispy, everything was so delicious and so fresh. There was a amazing lemon parsley spread on the sandwich as well. You can tell that a lot of thought goes into the food. For drinks we got a ginger kombucha which was made in anchorage and a mocha with nut milk that's made there. They were both delicious. The kombucha paired perfectly with the sandwich. The service was great and the staff were so kind. The lady that took our orders was very informative and welcoming. The man who was making the food came out to our car and gave us some banana bread as we were leaving, he was so kind. They both seem to be very lovely people and make some excellent food. Unmatched vibes with a great view. I can't wait to go back.

Incredibly delicious, fresh food. The sandwich of the day was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Very kind and welcoming to cyclists! Stop by on your ride!!

We had the everything bagel with lox and all the toppings... OMG this is the best lox and bagel I have ever had. This place is a must!

Great stop on our drive. I had a delicious foraged fiddlehead frittata. Picnic tables and easy pull off the road.

Passed by this small coffee shop/ bakery on the way to Girdwood and decided to try it out. It seems to be family owned and operated. The service was amazing and the food was even better.