About Middle Way Cafe
Welcome to Middle Way Cafe, an Anchorage original! Established in 1994, we are a popular and maverick cafe, bakery and coffee house located in Spenard, the heart of West Anchorage. Spacious and filled with local art, we are a family friendly meeting place and hub for the community. We are nestled in the centrally located Northern Lights Shopping Center with great neighbors such as TitleWave Books, Grassroots, The Alaska Club, and more.
Our mission has and will always be to contribute to a healthy, balanced, and sustainable life through good food and drink.
Health
We have been an Anchorage pioneer in incorporating a wide selection of organic and locally sourced products as seasonality and availability allows. Middle Way embraced gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian options very early on, and you will find many wholesome items from our bakery and our breakfast and lunch menus to choose from. Your health and enjoyment is our mission! A ta sante!
Sustainability
We launched a revolution in the local restaurant industry, creating a new standard for sustainability in disposables by being the first restaurant in Anchorage to convert totally to recycled, compostable, and petroleum free disposables, i.e., to-go boxes, paper and plastic cups, etc. This effort reduces waste and the carbon footprint we make on our ever smaller world. Big thanks to Green Alaska Solutions and it’s pioneering and fearless leader, Deborah O’Leary for helping us every step of the way! Cheers Deborah, what a positive force you are in our community.
Coffee
And our coffee…truly extraordinary coffee and espresso is our passion. Our organic and socially just coffees are roasted by our friend and master roaster, Michael McGuire, at K Bay Caffe in the beautiful Alaskan village of Homer. Our baristas raise the “bar” in barista by artistically presenting your favorite espresso drinks, and serving you with gratitude.
Artists
Middle Way has also become one of Anchorage’s premier local art scenes. Our inclusive and creative style of presenting local art has given Anchorage many great shows. It has also allowed many reluctant artists a place to showcase their talents for the first time and “get it out there”. From veterans to first timers, we love local art, and our large interior walls always have great Anchorage art for sale and display.
Visit Us
So, that’s briefly who we are, and we hope you will stop by for a visit soon! If you are a local we are sure you will find many friends here! If you are from Outside then welcome to Alaska! Our wholesome and delicious food and drink and our casual, airy, and local-art filled atmosphere should make you feel right at home while you plan your adventure or take care of business here in the Greatland.