Fairbanks has a better restaurant scene than you might expect for a city of 30,000 in the subarctic. Local kitchens make use of Alaska's wild-caught salmon, reindeer sausage, and caribou when they can get it, and the university brings enough diversity to support Thai, Korean, and Japanese places alongside the expected steak-and-seafood spots. The Pump House, a converted gold-rush-era water pumping station on the Chena River, is the most atmospheric dinner in town.
Eating out in Fairbanks is not cheap. Freight costs push prices above Lower 48 averages, and tipping culture is strong. Budget around $20-30 for a main course at a sit-down restaurant.