When you think of foodie destinations, the Mat-Su Valley may not be at the top of your mind. But that's slowly changing, with an evolving dining scene that features locally sourced produce, unique dishes, new breweries, and creative chefs. 

Palmer is the agricultural hub of Alaska, and restaurants such as Turkey Red take full advantage. During the peak summer season, visitors to Palmer who traveled from Anchorage have come farther than their food has. Farm fresh is the name of the game, and many restaurants are featuring local vegetables on their menus to give visitors a full local experience. Also in Palmer, two breweries (with one more on the way) are part of a growing beer scene. Further along the Glenn Highway, roadhouses and restaurants like Sheep Mountain Lodge and Long Rifle Lodge boast great food and sweeping views.

Wasilla's fine dining includes The Grape Tap, which has one of the Valley's most extensive wine list, Settlers Bay Lodge, the newly renovated Mat-Su Resort and Evangelo's, as well as two microbreweries that are producing some of Alaska's best beers. A relatively new option provides great food and fantastic views in a unique setting - the Albatross Grill at Settlers Bay Golf Course. 

Talkeetna has no shortage of unique options, from the Wine Spectator award-winning Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge to the best breakfast in all of Alaska at the Talkeetna Roadhouse. At Denali Brewpub, they are elevating typical brewpub fare and also striving for sustainable sourcing for all their food. The downtown Talkeetna area also features several small cafés and restaurants that are perfect for lunch or dinner. Kahiltna Birchworks is also an interesting stop for a foodie - located along the Talkeetna Spur Road, this company is the world's largest cultivator of birch syrup, which is used to create products including jams, jellies, candies and more.

Take advantage of a growing food scene by visiting one of the many Mat-Su Valley restaurants - you'll have a great dinner and not only support local eateries, but also local farmers.