The idea for this post came from Paul Thornton (who refers to me as “Professor Alaska”) during an interview I did with him for his popular cruising podcast, The Joy of Cruising. He was right to notice that none of my dozens of Alaska posts and guides focus on where to eat at port. There’s a reason for that (obvious to those who know me well) – I’m too cheap to eat at port very often, usually opting to partake of the included meals on the ship for which I’ve already paid through my cruise fare. However, I understand that experiencing local food is an essential part of the cruising experience for many, especially in Alaska, so I’ve spent the last few months researching, reading reviews, reaching out to locals at each port, polling my followers, and reflecting back on my 12 years of cruising dozens and dozens of times to Alaska in order to compile this list. So while I haven’t experienced every location or dish firsthand, I’m confident it will guide you toward some delicious local specialties. Of course, if you have others to recommend, please feel free to do so in the comments so we can all learn from each other. Bon appétit!
INDEX (skip to):
Icy Strait Point
Juneau
Ketchikan
Seward
Sitka
Skagway
Both of the restaurants I’m recommending for Icy Strait Point are actually located in the nearby village of Hoonah, known for being the largest Tlingit village in Alaska. Getting to Hoonah involves either a long (gorgeous) walk or an inexpensive shuttle ride (last time I checked it was $5 roundtrip). While I wouldn’t recommend the “touristy” restaurants located near the cruise ship docks (Duck Point Smokehouse, The Crab House, and The Cookhouse Restaurant), if you’d rather stay close to your ship and eat at one, know that they are all owned and operated by the local Tlingit tribe with all profits directly supporting the community. So with all that in mind, here are my two recommended dining experiences in Icy Strait Point (Hoonah)…
Hoonah Beach House
155 Front St, Hoonah, AK 99829
(907) 723-3986
www.hoonahbeachhouse.com
Located in a stunning location right on the bay with outdoor deck seating, Hoonah Beach House offers some of the freshest seafood you will ever eat. Why? Because it’s caught the same day (you may be surprised to know that much of the seafood served in Alaska is frozen) and prepared by the owners, Todd and Srisa! Note that the menu varies depending on what they’ve caught (crab, salmon, halibut, etc) and that dungeness crab season starts in mid June. Another thing that makes this restaurant unique is Srisa’s background as a Thai chef. Be sure to order the Thai iced tea and try your crab with some Thai dipping sauce (butter is also available for the less adventurous among us).
Oso Cordito
335 Harbor Dr., Hoonah, AK 99829
(907) 723-6228
www.osogordito.com/
My second recommendation for Hoonah, Oso Gordito, is a food truck with “A Taste of Texas” painted on the side and may seem an odd choice for Alaska, but hear me out. Owned and operated by local residents Brayden (who grew up in Alaska) and Sarah (who grew up in Texas), this local gem offers a small menu of Mexican cuisine featuring fresh Alaskan seafood. They source all their seafood from Silver Tip Seafoods, a family-owned business that has been operating in the waters of Southeast Alaska for over 30 years. All seafood is certified as well-managed and sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council. Here’s the menu (check their website for the most up-to-date pricing):
There is plenty of outdoor seating and I recommend ordering the halibut tacos.
From pub fare with an Alaskan flare to king crab, that I have four recommendations for Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, all located right downtown near the cruise piers. First up, a favorite among locals and tourists alike, Deckhand Dave’s.
Deckhand Dave’s
139 South Franklin St., Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 957-2005
www.deckhanddaves.com/
Deckhand Dave’s, known for wild Alaskan fish tacos, is owned and operated by a former deckhand and cook in Alaska’s commercial fishing industry. The permanent food truck offers outdoor dining and is located near several other food trucks you can also hit for dessert and drinks (I recommend Alaskan Crepe Escape or Captains S’more & Brew). At Dave’s I recommend the 3 fish sampler tacos (so you can taste each of the different fish options) and the dirty fries.
Here’s the menu (prices change, so double check the menu when you arrive):
Hanger on the Wharf
2 Marine Way, Suite 106, Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 586-5018
www.hangaronthewharf.com/
Located inside Historic Merchants Wharf, Hanger on the Wharf originally served as an aircraft hangar for washing, fueling, and repairing float planes flying in and out of downtown Juneau and continues to honor Southeast Alaska’s aviation history. It offers an extensive menu featuring wild Alaskan seafood, hand-cut steaks, burgers, pastas, soups and salads, and king crab. A full-service bar serves up over 125 beers with a selection of locally and regionally brewed Alaskan beers. I’d recommend the chowder in a sourdough bread bowl and the king crab legs. Go HERE for the full menu.
Red Dog Saloon
278 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 463-3658
www.reddogsaloon.com
Upon entering through the swinging doors, you’ll instantly feel like you’ve been transported back to Juneau’s mining era – sawdust floors, stuffed animals mounted on the wooden walls, live country music, and waitresses in authentic saloon dresses. This well-know spot enjoys a rich history described on the restaurant’s website as follows:
This world famous saloon has provided hospitality and fellowship to weary travelers and local patrons alike. Early day proprietors, Earl and Thelma (Pederson) Forsythe provided dancing and long time entertainer “Ragtime Hattie” played the piano in her white gloves and silver dollar halter top. During territorial days, during his tenure of over twenty years as owner, Gordie Kanouse would meet tour boats with his mule that wore a sign saying “follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon”. In the early seventies the Harris family bought the saloon and continued to grow and protect the priceless collection of furs, guns and antiques.The Red Dog Saloon has had several different locations here in town. Originally the saloon was located about 2 blocks up Franklin street and later across the street next to the Alaskan Hotel. In 1988 the saloon was moved, intact, to this site. Great care was given to replacing most everything to its original place within the room. The Kanouse family, back in the late 40’s began luring the tourist customers from the arriving steamships. Some old timers tell us the Red Dog Saloon used to be just a tent on the beach during the mining heydays.
In 2008, the saloon was purchased by a group of local Juneauites who continue the tradition of providing hospitality, fellowship and entertainment to weary travelers and local patrons alike. In 2012 the saloon was expanded slightly and connected to the new larger Red Dog Mercantile which carries a wide variety of Red Dog souvenirs and apparel. Today the local owners of the Red Dog Saloon continue to work to improve and enhance the experience behind those swinging doors and above those sawdust floors and hope to see you soon at the world famous Red Dog Saloon!
https://www.reddogsaloon.com/about-us/
The Red Dog Saloon is actually best known for their “duck fart” shot (Irish cream, coffee liqueur, and Canadian whiskey). Try at least one so you can text your kids or grandkids: “Guess what? I just tried a duck fart!” If you’re looking for food to go with your duck fart, I’d recommend the gold rush nachos with beef brisket or the Nunivak reindeer sausage sandwich. Check the website for the current menu (it changes seasonally).
Tracy’s King Crab Shack
432 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 790-2722
kingcrabshack.com/
Since opening in 2006, Tracy’s King Crab Shack, located along the downtown waterfront, has been among the most popular tourist destinations in Juneau. If you want to splurge on one Alaskan dining experience, make it this one. Charge a bucket of red king crab legs to your credit card and worry about paying it off later! The crab is delicious and that photo you post to social media will make your friends and family back home crabby with envy (see what I did there).
Here’s the menu (double check current pricing on the website):
Ketchikan is a quaint town full of interesting history and many sights and restaurants within walking distance of the downtown cruise piers (note that if you’re on an NCL ship, you will dock at Ward Cove and will need to take a free shuttle bus into downtown Ketchikan to eat at any of my suggested restaurants). If you like chowder, crab, or fish and chips, you’ll definitely want to stop at one of my three recommendations in Ketchikan.
Annabelle’s Famous Keg and Chowder House
326 Front St, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 225-6009
www.annabellesketchikan.com
While the service at Annabelle’s can be a little spotty at peak hours during the height of the cruise season and I wouldn’t recommend it for crab (because I have a better spot, which we’ll get to next), it’s worth a visit for the Three Chowder Sampler (clam, smoked salmon, and seafood) and some local Alaskan beer or a Bloody Mary. Annabelle’s is also a good choice if your group has diverse food preferences (there are many non-seafood items as well as gluten free and vegetarian options). Annabelle’s is conveniently located a short walk from where the cruise ships dock downtown (or where the shuttle buses drop off NCL passengers coming from Ward Cove). Check the website for the current menu (it changes seasonally).
Ketchikan Crab & Go
5 Salmon Landing, Ketchikan, AK 99901
ketchikancrabandgo.com
Ketchikan Crab and Go is owned by husband and wife team, Gerry and Madison. They met when Gerry, a South African native who was working in the yachting industry, docked in Ketchikan with his crew and hit a local bar where Madison was working as a bar tender. Five years later they were married in South Africa with a dream to return to Ketchikan to open a king crab restaurant (Madison’s family owns the “Aleutian Ballad,” a king crab fishing boat featured in Season 2 of “The Deadliest Catch” and they operate the “Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour.”). And the rest they say is…Ketchikan Crab & Go! You’ll spend less time standing in line for a table here than at the Alaska Fish House located next door (which I’ll discuss next) and the king crab and halibut fish and chips are outstanding.
Alaska Fish House
3 Salmon Landing, Ketchikan, AK 99901
(907) 247-4055
exclusivealaska.com/fish-house
The Alaska Fish House is among the most popular dining spots in Ketchikan for cruise ship passengers and will have a line to prove it (so pad your schedule with an extra 30 minutes or so if you plan to eat there). It’s conveniently located across from the downtown cruise ship piers and near the Lumberjack show. You will order at the counter from a modest menu before finding a seat either inside or outside depending on availability. Must tries include the smoked salmon chowder and the fish and chips (go with the sampler if you want to try all three varieties). There isn’t much there for non-seafood lovers, but there’s a decent burger and a green salad or you can steal some coleslaw and fries (both excellent) from a travel companion who orders the fish and chips.
While most cruisers to Alaska won’t stop in Seward, those lucky enough to be on a one-way itinerary that embarks or debarks in Seward are in for a treat. This small coastal town, set on an inlet on the Kenai Peninsula, is breathtaking beautiful and features some outstanding local restaurants. Here are my three recommendations:
Seward Brewing Company
139 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664
(907) 422-0337
www.sewardbrewery.com
Come for the views (try to snag a spot upstairs) and stay for a burger or hot chicken sandwich (note that sides aren’t included, so you’ll have to pay extra for fries, a salad, or the side of the day) and some beer, brewed onsite (there’s also a house-made root beer, if you don’t like beer beer or don’t drink).
The Cookery
209 5th Ave, Seward, AK 99664
(907) 422-7459
www.cookeryseward.com
The Cookery is a highly rated farm-to-table restaurant located in an old saloon. Their philosophy is, “if there is anything in-house we can do, we do it, from house-cured bacon to creamy homemade ice cream and tangy smoked salmon filets.” They even forage their own mushrooms and fiddleheads. Must-try menu items include the mushroom toast, salmon, and oysters.
The Porthole
1400 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664
(907) 422-7335
www.theporthole907.com
This woman-owned food truck was born from a need for early morning breakfast options in Seward Harbor. Since 2020 Captains, deckhands, tourists, and locals have been devouring hearty breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast sandwiches, among other regular breakfast, brunch, and lunch options and daily specials.
Check their website for the current menu and hours of operation as they seem to change frequently.
Sitka, located on Baranof Island, was originally a Tlingit Indian village. In 1804 Russian explorers and traders took control of Sitka following a battle with the Tlingit and then in 1867 Russia sold Alaska to the United States – the transfer ceremony taking place in Sitka, which served as the territorial capital until 1906. Visitor’s to Sitka today can visit both Tlingit and Russian cultural sights and can sample Russian dumplings at one of my two recommended local restaurants. We’ll get to that in a minute, but first, Beak…
Beak
2 Lincoln St #1A, Sitka, AK 99835
(907) 966-2326
beakrestaurant.com
There are several noteworthy things about Beak in Sitka. First, the owner and chef, Chef Renée, was named one of only twenty semifinalists for the 2023 “James Beard Best Chef Award” for the Pacific Northwest region. Second, Beak was featured on an episode of David Moscow’s “From Scratch.” And third, the restaurant is gratuity-free and committed to providing a fair and living wage to employees. Any tips received are donated to local charities. The restaurant receives rave reviews from both locals and tourists. Recommended items include the salmon chowder, Sitka salmon slab, rockfish tacos, and the Alaskan reindeer sausage. There are also vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available.
Pel’Meni
303 Lincoln St ste 1, Sitka, AK 99835
(907) 623-0773
No website
As promised, you can visit Pel’Meni to sample Russian dumplings, available with two different filling options: potato or beef. They come topped with butter, Sriracha vinaigrette, curry powder, and cilantro and include a side of sour cream and bread. This is a great option if you want to taste some local food, but don’t want to spend a week’s salary to do it and want to save room for the dinner you’ve already paid for on your ship.
Skagway is home to just over 1,000 permanent residents, but welcomes over 1 million tourists, mostly arriving via cruise ships, every year. It is best known as a former Gold Rush town, restored to offer a glimpse back to an earlier time, but with the requisite diamonds, fudge, and novelty t-shirts to make it quickly come into focus as a popular cruise port. The most well-known place to eat in Skagway is the Red Onion Saloon, but if dining in a loud, crowded saloon isn’t your vibe, I’ll offer two alternatives as well.
Red Onion Saloon
201 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840
(907) 983-2414
www.redonion1898.com
The Red Onion Saloon was opened in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush as a bordello for miners. Today it doubles as a restaurant and bar on the ground floor and a brothel museum upstairs. While the restaurant is known more for it’s history and ambiance than the quality of the food, you can get a good bowl of chili and some decent pizza here (skip the nachos).
Skagway Brewing Company
204 4th Ave, Skagway, AK 99840
(907) 983-2739
www.skagwaybrewing.com
For higher quality pub fare, hit the Skagway Brewing Company for the salmon sandwich, fish and chips, or reindeer chili dog. There are some great vegetarian/vegan and gluten free options too. And if you’re a beer drinker, be sure to order the spruce tip ale.
Skagway Fish Company
201 Congress Way, Skagway, AK 99840
(907) 983-3474
www.facebook.com/SkagwayFishCo
Conveniently located right near the cruise ship piers, visit the Skagway Fish Company for some halibut fish and chips, Alaskan king crab legs, or king crab bisque. Get there early if you can as it gets crowded later in the afternoon.
Whether you’re feasting on king crab legs at port (which is how my husband likes to cruise to Alaska) or surviving for a solid week on nothing but complimentary soft serve (which is how my son prefers to cruise to Alaska and, everywhere, for that matter), I wish you a beautiful, enriching, and, most of all, delicious cruise to Alaska! And with that…
Class Dismissed!
I ALWAYS buy travel insurance (especially during these uncertain times) to cover my cruises, but I NEVER purchase it through a cruise line. It costs more and usually covers less than policies you purchase on your own. I go through sites like travelinsurance.com to compare plans and prices and get the best deal for the coverage I want. Spend less on insurance and spend more on excursions, special onboard cruise experiences and…future cruises!
Homework (10 points): Share to the comments any questions you have about dining on your cruise to Alaska or if you’ve cruised there before, share your favorite meals.
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