Jazz Bistro on 4th

We visited this place today, and by far it’s the best restaurant we’ve tried in all of Alaska so far. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and full of great energy. The owner truly went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing experience—such a genuine, kind, and passionate person, which really shows in every detail of this place. The food was absolutely outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Every bite was packed with incredible taste, and you can tell so much care and love goes into the cooking. It wasn’t just a meal, it was an experience we’ll remember. If you’re visiting Fairbanks, this spot is an absolute must-try. Amazing food, amazing vibes, and amazing people. 10/10—highly recommend!

My boyfriend and I had a wonderful experience!! As soon as you walked in the environment was clean, peaceful, welcoming, and delightful. Chef Rico (owner) went above and beyond to make us feeling comfortable. The food was absolutely delicious. Coming from dietary restrictions the menu is filled with gluten free options. You can tell the food is freshly severed. Thank you again Rico for such a wonderful conversation. I truly appreciate the insight on food anatomy and what is good for our body! Wonderful experience!

This is such a fun spot run by a Cuban guy from Florida. Loved the salmon and the halibut both prepared Cuban style. Just make sure you ask for some spice. Not a ton of flavor without. But once the spicy salsa was added to the dishes they were delicious!

Second time visiting, will be back again soon. Food is delicious, service amazing, you feel like family sitting in their dining room! They are the whole PACKAGE! They greet you, seat you, serve you and then serenade you with their beautiful vocals and musical ability. Thank you for another great night ❤️

We had a wonderful dinner at Jazz Bistro on 4th. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance—casual yet with a touch of upscale charm. We ordered the organic vegetable pasta and the halibut with rice, both of which were fresh and delicious. The owner really made the experience memorable—he was warm, personable, and shared great stories and recommendations that added to the evening. The wine selection was excellent, and ending the night with a smooth cafecito was the perfect touch. Highly recommend this spot for both food and vibe!

Delicious Cuban food/ seafood! Nice wine selection and live Latin/ jazz on Friday and Saturday nights … the halibut was to die for!! Cooked to perfection!

The food here is amazing. Everything we tried had great flavor. The salmon and the lechon were great, highly recommended. Our first time here and this will be our regular spot everytime we come to visit Fairbanks. Staff is very friendly and very nice atmosphere. Highly recommend trying this place.

My wife and I were recently in town to see the Aurora lights. We had been to several popular local restaurants but the food, while not bad at most places, felt largely like "bar food" at some level. While there's nothing wrong with bar food, we wanted something a bit more culinary. So, we found Jazz Bistro and thought we'd give it a try. We were not disappointed. The menu is focused on the spices and history of Cuba. I had the steak made famous on "triple D" (Food Network) and my wife the halibut. The preparations were superb. Both were very delicious and satisfying. But beyond the quality of the food, the atmosphere was equally delightful and the service timely and professional. Rico (owner) also spent time talking to us about his food and passion for cooking. I can best explain the entire experience in one word "Joy." This is how a real meal ought to leave you feeling. So, whether you're in town for an event or just passing through, you've got to give this place a try - you won't regret it!!! Bon appetit!

Jazz Bistro Cuban Cuisine did not disappoint! We stopped in on a whim and were granted a table. Would recommend making reservations. The executive chef waited on us for most of the night, and the food was divine. My dining partner had a delectable seafood pasta, and I had the traditional pork from Cuba. We had dessert too which was the Cuban flan and tres leche cake with Cuban coffee: 10/10 would recommend.

Cute Cuban restaurant with friendly staff. Not sure how they made their way from Cuba to Fairbanks Alaska but I had a wonderful meal! No live music tonight but enjoyed the salsa music playing in the background. Ordered the seafood pasta and it was AMAZING!!! Lemon garlic creamy sauce with a perfect balance of high end quality seafood. Generous portions of lobster, big shrimp, scallops, and octopus. Green, red peppers and onions and they did something to give it some spice (loved it). Combining all that seafood and making it work is not an easy task and they nailed it! Ordered the tres leches cake for dessert and enjoyed it as well. The cake could have used a little whipped cream on top, but was good just as it was. Thanks for the great meal!

We were staying at the Westmark on the last day of a cruise tour and were looking for different food. TA highly recommended this place and I emailed for a 7:30PM reservation on a Wednesday night. It was a 15 minute walk from the Westmark. it is small, less than 10 tables and it was about 75% full. The proprietor welcomed us and seated us immediately. We ordered a salad to split and 2 Cuban dishes with chicken. Both were spicy, 7-8 on a scale of 10. If you don't like spice, you might want to try some other dish. Alaskan beer was $7 and most wines by the glass between $10-12. After we were finished and with only 3 couples in the place, the owner and his companion treated us to 2 Cuban jazz performances.

What a wonderful surprise to stumble upon a yummy Cuban restaurant with such helpful staff and a passionate and friendly owner. Food was delicious and they even had multiple vegetarian options for me to choose from. Definitely recommend :)

The atmosphere it's fantastic here, inviting and intimate, perfect for a date night or a nice evening. The waitstaff was attentive and punctual. The food was outstanding, I got the Steak Cuban Churrasco Style and loved every bite. The owner personally ran my check and was a delight to talk with. I sadly missed the live music when I went, maybe next time.

We are so glad that we tried this place out! What a fun experience to have Cuban food in Fairbanks. There is one waiter in the whole restaurant and when we went they were pretty understaffed, so do expect to sit and enjoy your time there for like 2 hours. However, the waiter is the owner and he is so nice and clearly keeping up a very good business. We also like each other and were not bothered hanging out for a while (pro tip don't dine with people you don't like anyway). The food was fantastic, we all absolutely loved the fish and the drinks were good too! This was the place we had Alaskan salmon while in Alaska and it did not disappoint. The place is a bit small and only has so many tables, they are by reservation only so do plan ahead if you're planning on going here. Overall, very much so worth the hype!

Food: 1)Salmon Cuban style ($39). I gotta say this dish really stood out mainly because of the sauce. The sauce was out of this world! The salmon was also fresh and delicious. 2)Lechon Boricua Tender Pork ($29). The meat was indeed tender. It was pretty good but a little bit more sauce would be perfect. Service: Okay. Felt like we weren't as welcome as we didn't make a reservation (the place is really popular). Ambiance: Dim and nice. Overall, I do find the price a little steep. It is worth trying if you don't have a tight budget for the trip. I do recommend to make reservation ahead if you can.

Expect slow service with some attitude. So we walked in - no reservation. But the owner/server seated us promptly. Then the wait...after placing order for over 40 minutes - which seems to be expected by others. When a lady came and offered to refill water, we simply asked how much longer it would take. To our surprise, she said she was offended by the question. And added they were next in the queue, there were other tables and that she was working hard in the kitchen....that they were made to order and all other stuff. We walked out.

The service was impeccable. They were very friendly and the owner went out of his way to play us a song - normally music is played only on weekends. We really enjoyed our salmon and vegetarian plates and the other guests enjoyed their beef dishes. We'd go back if we're ever in Fairbanks.

The food was incredible, and the service was even better. Everything we had was just delicious. We had Chicken, steak, the Cuban sandwich appetizer, and the Tres Leches cake for dessert. Everything was so good, I would imagine anything on their menu is delicious. All of their employees were incredibly friendly, making us feel welcome and at home. If you get the chance, try this place.

Wonderful food, good service, so glad our tour director recommended this place, sorry to have missed the entertainment

Lovely quaint little restaurant. Pride of ownership most definitely. The bread was the best our group has ever had .. it was amazing. Worth the try.

Great food. Best salmon with incredible flavor. We also tried the media noche sandwich and the steak churrasco, they were exceptional. Great flavor. A true gem, friendly staff, and great music. We tried multiple highly rated restaurants in Fairbanks and this was the family favorite.

I'm from Chicago moved to Colorado a few years ago and I've had Cuban food in both cities and I come to Fairbanks for work and wow this place blows any Cuban food I've had from either of the other 2 states. This place is a can't miss for anyone visiting or living in Fairbanks. The owner is awesome and he is always here. And they open late. The restaurant that is open the latest in all of Fairbanks.

The food was amazing, the service was amazing! I couldn't recommend this place enough. It's a small place but lovely at the same time. We brought our baby and she couldn't get enough of the food. Definitely order the tres leches!!!

What a charming place! The staff were friendly, fast (but not rushed) and attentive. The food was very tasty, fresh and hot. We were sorry to have missed the live entertainment, but we enjoyed the music that was playing! Would have loved some cocktails (mojitos or old cubans) but that was not a deal breaker!

We came to Jazz Bistro after a week of travel through Alaska and a day of coach bus and riverboat cruise traveling. What a perfect way to wrap up the day. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed so warmly, it felt like we were visiting old friends. The food was absolutely delicious. We had the Veggie Delight, and it truly lived up to its name--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly spiced to our preference. You can tell the kitchen puts real care into each dish. A highlight of our visit was chatting with the owner. The pride and passion for the restaurant came through in every interaction. It's rare to find a place that feels this personal and inviting. If you're in Fairbanks and craving something flavorful with heart behind it, don't miss Jazz Bistro. A highlight of our visit was chatting with the owner!

Amazing food, Rico and staff were wonderful!! Far exceeded expectations!! Love the jazz band too!!

What a wonderful evening meal and music experience. Every pork dish on the menu is amazing as was the seafood pasta. We also had 2 desserts - Tres Leches and the chocolate cake. They were both delicious too. We left just after the first song of the musical performance. You should try to stay and enjoy the music. The singer was wonderful. Highly recommend!

Wonderful food and friendly service. We had a great meal and enjoyed chatting with Rico. The Tapas appetizer and the Halibut Cuban Style were fantastic, but the Lechon Tender Pork was my favorite thing from the evening. The portions were large enough that I ended up with a nice takeout meal. Highly recommended. :)

Food | Hospitality | Vibes Food - hands down best food in Fairbanks. I had the Piri Piri chicken, which was amazing. Thebperfefr blend of flavor and spice. It came with a medley of veggies beautifully interwoven into the meal. Hospitality - the head chef and owner, Rico, is amazing and a bit of a celebrity. He's been on various shows across the food network and is cool with popular chefs like Guy Fieri. He greeted every table personally as soon as they walked in. He struck up a conversation and made the place feel like home. Vibes - the place has amazing vibes. From the classic salsa music that softly plays in the background. To the laughter that Rico elicits from his stories and guests. He and his restaurant have a very welcoming feel. Pro tip: there isn't a lot of parking - so add 5-8 minutes to your travel to find parking. Pro tip: they have salsa dancing every other Saturday night. Pro tip: they are live music every Saturday night. Pro Tip: checking in to Yelp gets you 10% off.

Rico and his team made the most phenomenal Alaskan salmon dish I have ever had with an authentic Latin feel which remains rare within the Alaskan experience. I never would have thought I would have had so much fun. It's the perfect relaxing date night while being a classic spot for some of the highest quality custom dishes in the state of Alaska. Hometown feeling and the highest service that embodies genuine friendship over transactional relating. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area to stop by and experience this hidden gem. Tell Rico I sent you.

Uncovered a hidden gem offering exquisite food and impeccable service Most definitely going back For more

Wife & I ate dinner here for the 1st time while on vacation. Simple, quiet ambiance with good jazz music in the background, but exceedingly slow service. Took about an hour to receive our food, & the wait was not worth it. Although my slow cooked pork entree was good, my Wife's flat iron steak was awful & basically uneatable. We complained & the proprietor, to his credit, did not charge us for the steak. Be forewarned that the live music does not start until 10:00 pm, & the bar only serves beer & wine.

We came here after seeing the positive reviews on yelp but were disappointed by the incredibly long wait. We were even more disspointed that we were charged a 4% credit card despite paying cash.

We had been wanting to try this place for a while, after seeing it on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives! Just when we had lost hope that there was anywhere delicious to go in Fairbanks for dinner, we gave this place a try! We're so glad we did! Thankfully we showed up before the dinner rush so we didn't have to wait for a table or very long for food! Our server was so kind and helpful and the food was absolutely delicious!! We had our baby with us and we're happy to be tucked away into a quiet side room but overall the place looked like a fun place to hang out and enjoy a meal!

The best overall experience. The food was amazing and fresh. The music was on point. Drinks were always being refilled. The hospitality was just amazing. Definitely worth every penny and second of my time. I travel for work state to state and definitely a memorable experience, if ever back in town I will be passing through here again!

Never had a bad meal nor experience yet. Love Jazz Bistro. Its like a hidden gem. I'm a fan especially of their Cubano sandwich. I must have the name of the mustard sauce they use on it.

We visited here after reading great reviews. This place did not disappoint. The chef came out to personally great every customer and discuss the menu options with us. We got the lemon chicken and pork. The food was amazing and well seasoned! We also got the flan which was the best I've ever had. I highly recommend making reservations, as they do fill up quickly.

We just arrived in Fairbanks today and couldn't wait to try this place. We read about it in several blogs and other forums (and it was on DDD!), but had to check it out for ourselves. This place is amazing. First let's start with the warm welcome. We loved talking with Chef Rico and his wife. They make a great team. They answered all of our questions and never made us feel rushed. They just make you feel like you have known them for a long time. Now the food. We started with the Tapas and fresh bread. The broth that the steak wrapped olives comes in is phenomenal. I could've made a meal with that broth and the bread. For the mains we had a combination of the Pasta con Camarones, Steak Cuban Churrasco Style, Piri Piri Chicken, and the Lechon Boricua Pork (there was 6 of us, so no judging). Every dish had amazing flavor. Each dish was fresh and tasted like it was prepared by someone who cares. Fantastic start to our stay in Fairbanks and the surrounding areas.

They gave us the most special night, handcrafted beautiful food at a wonderful price. The taste palette was magical, every bite was a gift. At the end of the night, after the last group of people left, we enjoyed a private experience dancing and clapping while they played music until closing. What a wonderful night. Can't wait to go back. Such humble, joyful people!

The food options in Fairbanks were not that great, but the Bazz bistro was absolutely delicious. The portions were big and very tasty. The owner/Chef/workers were very lovely and brought a lot of warmth to the place. There wasn't live music the night we went, but I'm sure that would also be pretty cool. The owner even helped us to find a good place to see the aurora borealis. He went above and beyond to help us. I really appreciate him and their wonderful restaurant.

Service was phenomenal! The waiter, which was the only one, was superb. The place isn't big, so there's not much room for a lot of people. But it makes it more intimate of a feel. The food left me wanting more... even after I finished my plate! I couldn't get enough. I was stunned at the flavors that they offered. For my main meal, I ordered Chef Rico's Pollo con Crema. I couldn't soak up enough flavor with the rice (What a beautiful problem to have!).

Our first time here and first time to Alaska and we are glad we came! We first heard about this spot while in Fairbanks on diners, drivers and dives and knew we had to go. The owner was so friendly and helpful and busy lol but took time to help us when needed. For food we ordered the bistec Cubano and lechon asado and a side of bread. Everything was delicious and we loved the small but lively atmosphere.

You want to visit this place. Super cute little place with awesome laid back vibes. Unfortunately we came too early to catch it but they have live music which I have to imagine is a pretty great time. The service was fast and really personable. The food? Outstanding. One of the best meals weve had on this vacation, hands down. Authentic and delicious. Also you must try the tres leches cake!!! Divine

It's impossible to make a reservation here. I called during business hours and they told me that they couldn't make a reservation over the phone and to go online and do it. Unfortunately that didn't mean go on a reliable site like OpenTable and make one. You have to fill out a form on their website and they'll respond two days later. The response I got was they had zero availability for a Wednesday night with ten days notice. They asked me what other date worked for me. I replied with the other dates and they ghosted me. I promise you the food here is not worth the hassle of making a reservation. There are plenty of other options in Fairbanks.

Excellent food and service. Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy Cuban cuisine prepared to perfection!!

Delicious food and excellent, friendly service. I highly recommend Jazz Bistro and would eat there again.

MUST READ-- this hole in the wall joint is absolutely phenomenal. A small restaurant with a very welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. It's not the Ritz Carlton, but it doesn't need to be with food like this. We were be greeted immediately by the owner, Rico, and shown to our table. Drinks came fast, and food shortly after. We had the pollo con crema and the pasta shrimp. To say we were satisfied would be an understatement.. we were blown away by the flavor, freshness, and presentation. This is a MUST TRY if you are in Fairbanks as a local or visitor. Enjoy!

I live in Tampa and have lived in Miami. Both cities claim to have the best Cuban sandwiches in the US. I mentioned this to the owner, Rico, who is from Cuba and he flatly said his was the best! I have to admit that his Cuban sandwich is absolutely delicious. Rico is very personable and checked on us multiple times during our dinner. Besides his Cuban sandwich, I also recommend that you make reservations especially on the weekends. The only limitation is that he only has a beer and wine license.

Spectacular food. Try the Cuban, totally authentic and awesome. Owner is from Cuba so it makes sense that food is authentic.

Great food. Great people. I go here every time I visit Fairbanks. Even better that they are open late. Perfect place to hit when you have a late flight into town.

Incredible service and the food was phenomenal. We've been traveling in Alaska for a week and this was tied for our best meal (the other being a completely different style)!

The most incredible dining experience I have experienced. The service was incredible, vibes were great, and the music was top notch.

Wow, what a treat to find this place on my Alaskan trip. Being from NY I'm picky about my Cuban dishes. I had the Pork fillet, flavors were spot on. Tres leches cake , phenomenal!!! Put it on your itinerary!!! It was like going to your family's house for Dinner. Thank you Rico!!!

My wife and I went for NYE dinner here. The service is top notch. The owner himself will come talk with you, such a great guy. Dinner was perfect for bringing in the new year. The ambiance is a nice change compared to being outside in winter!

We were the first diners of the night - the owner and Executive Chef Rico Zavaleta waited on us and was so fun to speak with. We are both vegetarian and they had several fabulous choices for us. See the pics - we loved them both! And don't skip on the desserts. Wonderful food, great service and comfortable setting. We left before the live music so I can't comment on that but the background music made me want to dance. Great night - thank you!

The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was great! The server was attentive and checked in on us frequently.

Delicious food! My husband had the bistec encebollado and it was the best one we've ever had. I had the creamy shrimp pasta and it was AMAZING- creamy with rich flavors. The shrimp was cooked to perfection. Service was fantastic and felt like a warm environment- nice salsa music, welcoming staff. Highly recommend!