9 Best Restaurants in Ketchikan, Juneau, the Inside Passage, and Southeast Alaska

The 1920s-era roots of this space adjacent to the New York Hotel come through in the antique bar and fixtures, creating a casual yet elegant place to enjoy a meal while staring out the plate-glass windows at life on busy Stedman Street, or admiring the mural by local artist Ray Troll that spans one wall. The menu includes reasonably priced seafood, salads, and burgers, along with Mediterranean-influenced fare, and solo diners should feel very comfortable at the bar.

If you're in Ketchikan in the morning (this place closes at noon), don't miss an opportunity to visit this family-owned café and roastery, which serves some of the best espresso you're likely to find in Southeast. The fresh-baked pastries make a delicious accompaniment.

This bustling, casual waterfront eatery focuses on what Ketchikan does best—and it's quite successful, as the frequent line out the door indicates (don't be daunted, it moves quickly). Order at the counter and enjoy fresh halibut or salmon while looking out at the vessels that haul in the catch. Or, for an interesting twist on local dining, book a fishing trip with Baranof Fishing Excursions and have your catch dropped off here, where you can have it prepared by the chefs and served at your table. The restaurant and the fishing company are both owned by a third-generation Alaskan family. 

An unpretentious Victorian-style restaurant on the Gilmore Hotel's ground floor, Annabelle's serves pastas, steamer clams and other seafood dishes, and several kinds of chowder. Prime rib on Friday and Saturday evenings is a favorite, and the lounge, which has a jukebox, has a friendly vibe.

Perched on the dock in downtown Ketchikan, this year-round, no frills gathering spot is known for their BBQ and local seafood, and boasts more than 80 varieties of beer, including many Alaskan brews.

Take a break from salmon saturation at this Old Town Ketchikan spot on historic Stedman Street. The café serves hearty Filipino cuisine beloved both of locals and cruise-ship staffers hungry for a taste of home, and the linoleum-and-tile 1950s interior is a wonderful time warp.

Located at the end of the docks, this downtown grill owned by a former Floridian is the place to come to sample Alaska's famous king crab and enjoy a beer in the sun (if you're lucky) at one of the outdoor tables. If crab legs aren't your thing, try the Dungeness crab mac and cheese, the crab-topped fries, or the blackened halibut salad.

A favorite with locals, the Ocean View serves decent burgers, steaks, pasta, pizzas, and seafood, but the main draws are the authentic and very filling Mexican dishes. Three tables in the back look out to the Tongass Narrows.

A tiny coffee shop and bakery, Sweet Mermaids is a great choice for breakfast. If you're here for lunch, try the salmon chowder—the perfect antidote for a rainy afternoon.