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From scallops to king salmon, fresh seafood dominates menus in Southeast. Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and Ketchikan have all variety of ethnic eateries, along with some notable restaurants serving more sophisticated, contemporary fare. Many towns also have good greasy spoons or roadhouses where you can get a serving of local gossip along with your breakfast or slice of pie.
A former park in the middle of downtown Juneau has been transformed into a vibrant outdoor food court thanks to Deckhand Dave, a commercial fisherman who has acquired a loyal local following for his foodtruck-prepared rockfish and halibut tacos. Significantly expanded in 2024, the backyard patio atmosphere includes tents, heat lamps, firepits, and a ship-shaped bar.
Named one of the 50 best restaurants in the country by the New York Times in 2023 and led by James Beard Award–nominated chef Beau Schooler, In Bocca Al Lupo has been justly celebrated for its success in creating a distinctly Alaskan Italian restaurant. Alongside house-made pasta dishes and pizzas, innovative and ever-changing specials highlight local ingredients, such as Alaskan scallops, and cultural influences, including Filipino cuisine. The dining room strikes the right balance between intimate and energetic, making it ideal for couples or small groups; solo diners appreciate the small bar area.
Food lovers pack into Ludvig's to sample chef-owner Colette Nelson's remarkably creative cuisine, which means there's often a wait, but rest assured that your meal will be worth it. Seafood (particularly king salmon and scallops) is the specialty, and organic ingredients are used whenever possible. The interior evokes an Italian bistro, with rich yellow walls and copper-topped tables. Ludwig's also operates a soup cart near the Sitka Sound Science Center—a good option for those who can't commit to dinner or score a reservation.
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.
A popular spot with the locals, and known to attract repeat customers from as far away as Juneau, this Thai restaurant fills up very quickly in the summer around dinner hour; it's best to call ahead. One reason for the crowds is the authenticity of the traditional Thai cuisine; Starfire's American chef learned his recipes during visits to Thailand, where he watched local friends and their grandmothers at work in their kitchens.
Alaskan king crab—a not-to-be-missed Alaskan delicacy—is the specialty of popular Tracy's. There's often a line to place your order, but the wait is entirely worth it. In addition to Tracy's main location on the Seawalk docks, the owners operate a second shack down the road on the waterfront with the same menu but much more space, making it a good choice for large groups.
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.
Centrally located on the town's main drag, Alpenglow serves a variety of delicious, creatively topped pizzas. Vegetarians should try the fungi, a pesto-based pie topped with mushrooms, ricotta, and honey.
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.
Pop culture meets greasy spoon in this unassuming coffee shop with red-vinyl booths that has been in the same family since the 1950s. The menu doesn't cater to light appetites—it includes sandwiches, burgers, fried chicken, chili, and halibut fish-and-chips—but the place really is at its best for an all-American breakfast (available until 2). Dinner is served most evenings, too.
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.
On a clear day, the deck at this popular eatery typically overflows with a lively local crowd devoted to the creative dishes of chef Renée Trafton, a James Beard Award semifinalist. Trafton believes in sustainable practices—that includes a living wage for staff and no tipping (if you do leave a tip, it will be donated to local charities). Beak is near the bridge in a historic building that also houses the local radio station, KCAW.
A 10-minute walk from the cruise-ship docks, this friendly eatery is a good stop for a cheese biscuit and coffee in the morning or soup and a sandwich in the afternoon. You'll also find sweet treats such as muffins, tortes, and cakes.
Expect a lively crowd at the Bonanza, and possibly live music or bingo if you're here in the evening. The pub serves well-prepared American food with no surprises; if you're a sports fan, this is a good place to watch a game.
This busy little seafood deli and burger joint in the heart of Petersburg is a great place for a quick bite en route to your next adventure, or a breakfast sandwich before you get started. Live or cooked crab is available for takeout, and the shop can process your sport-caught fish.
A short way down the waterfront boardwalk from the cruise port is the Cookhouse, a casual restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Heat lamps on the deck make the outdoor seating attractive even on cooler days, and with views like this, it makes sense to head outside. Menu items include burgers, reindeer slider sloppy joes, and (highly recommended) halibut-and-chips.
King, Dungeness, and tanner (or snow) crabs are served in various forms when in season at the Crab Station, an outdoor stand with tables on the docks extending out over the water. During Dungeness season, crabs are caught in the surrounding waters of Port Frederick and kept alive until your order is prepared.
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.
Diners have an appeal all their own, comforting in their consistency yet unique to the towns in which they're found, and the Dockside is no exception. Stop in for a traditional breakfast before starting your island adventures, or grab a burger on your way back. The pie is also highly recommended.
In the heart of quiet Douglas, across the bridge and a couple of miles from downtown Juneau, this family diner has Formica tables and a menu that includes omelets, sandwiches, kids' favorites, and burgers that are often cited as the best in the city. This is a good choice for those seeking an alternative to downtown Juneau's midsummer crowds.
Inside a gallery that features work by local and regional artists, this café at Four Corners offers light fare such as crepes, pastries, and cookies, as well as milkshakes and specialty espresso drinks and teas. The café's drive-up window is groundbreaking for Gustavus (but if you're a visitor, you'll want to go in to see the art and crafts).
If you have access to a car, head to this beautifully situated spot on a hill overlooking Auke Bay harbor, where you can choose from a wide selection of locally made craft beer (serving sizes as small as 4 ounces make sampling easy). The brewery also houses Red Spruce, an innovative eatery led by talented chef Lionel Uddipa, making it a two-for-one experience in local creativity. Menu options, which change frequently, highlight a range of global influences and local ingredients. Order at the counter and snag a table on the all-weather covered patio.
A local hangout, this café offers a wide range of breakfast options to accompany your morning joe, and nearly everything on the menu is made on-site. At lunchtime, sample one of the filling hot sandwiches. Fresh fruit smoothies are also available.
Trees, mountains, and the rushing water of Salmon Creek surround the comfortable, canopy-covered benches and tables at this authentic, all-you-can-eat salmon bake operated through Alaska Travel Adventures. After dinner you can pan for gold in the stream, wander up a hill to explore the remains of a gold mine, or roast marshmallows over a fire.
Crowded with locals and travelers, the Hangar occupies the building where Alaska Airlines started business, and the pier below the restaurant still serves as a busy floatplane dock in the summers. Every seat has views of Gastineau Channel and Douglas Island, and on warm days you can sit outdoors and watch the planes land. Menu options, which range from fish-and-chips to ginger ahi, offer a step up from traditional pub fare, and the huge beer selection encourages nonstandard choices.
Locals flock to this cheery spot for lunch; it's the closest thing to home cooking Petersburg has to offer. On weekdays it's open for breakfast and lunch, but on summer weekends dinner is also an option. Helse also doubles as an ice cream and espresso stand.
Established in 1974, Heritage Coffee serves locally roasted coffees, along with gelato, fresh pastries, and a variety of sandwiches. The flagship store sits on the corner of Front and Seward streets, while other locations include smaller cafés at 230 South Franklin, a branch inside Foodland IGA market, and the Glacier Cafe in the Mendenhall Valley, as well as two drive-throughs.
Locally sourced ingredients—including Southeast seafood and organic produce—are at the heart of casual Inga's menu. The dishes at this local favorite, a glorified food cart with picnic tables, change "with season, availability, and mood," and most go superbly well with the Baranof Island Brewery beers poured here (there's also wine).
