Located south of the inlet and across the waterway from the cluster of Kenai restaurants stands the lone Flats Bistro. It’s well worth the short side trip. Opened by locals Luke and Naomi Thibodeau, both born on the peninsula, The Flats Bistro fills a void with their small gourmet plates featuring fresh and local seafood and produce. It’s also where you’ll find regular live music and rotating art exhibits.

Open just for lunch, start with the pancetta-wrapped dates with whipped goat cheese and a sweet maple glaze. Razor clams with purple cabbage slaw and a side of thin-cut garlic parmesan fries are perfect for sharing. The mac and cheese features gouda and cheddar with grilled chicken and house BBQ sauce. Of course, fresh oysters and the fried pickles with ranch dressing are musts.

Divine Dining

House-made artichoke dip with baguette, flank steak with a sherry vinaigrette, and Brussel sprouts with bacon and parmesan are local favorites. Try the roasted beets with goat cheese or the root wedges (sweet potato or russet) with tomato jam.

The salads are big and the entrees massive enough to share. Pork tenderloin, pan-fried chicken, fish ‘n’ chips, a New York steak and the build-your-own burger option with sliced bacon, fried egg, avocado and peanut butter as options are epic. Of course, you can’t go wrong with filet mignon or seared ahi, either. For dessert? Choose from carrot cake, the blondie sundae or season crème brûlée.