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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.
Fast service, a full bar, views of Gastineau Channel, and occasional live music have turned this Douglas pub into an area hot spot, but the real draw is pizza: thin, 13-inch focaccia crusts prepared fresh daily, topped with creative ingredients, and baked in a copper wood-fired oven.
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.
Down the boardwalk from the port you'll find the Landing Zone. Larger and a bit more upscale than the Cookhouse, the Landing gets its name from its location at the end of the ZipRider zip line; those who remained on the ground can watch their braver friends fly through the air on live-stream video monitors while sipping an Alaskan-brewed beer at the bar. The Landing's half-dozen menu items include salmon prepared at an outdoor grill, beef brisket, and reindeer sausage.
Meet the locals over espresso, brewed from fresh-roasted beans, and a fresh-baked pastry at this busy corner natural-foods store, deli, café, wine-and-spirits shop, de facto meeting hall, and hitching post. Mountain Market is great for lunchtime sandwiches, wraps, soups, pizza, and salads.
Travelers flying out of Sitka's airport retreat to the Nugget while waiting for their plane to arrive. The Nugget serves American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the homemade pies are the real attraction.
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.
This oft-crowded restaurant specializes in pizza, Italian sandwiches, tortilla wraps, and ice cream. Traditional pizzas are on the menu but also ones with fanciful add-ons, such as barbecued chicken. To avoid waiting in line for takeout, order online.
This crunchy natural foods market offers a small selection of hot entrées, salads, sandwiches, and soup, along with self-serve coffee and freshly baked breads. Check their website for a daily menu, and arrive at 11 am for the best choices; a few tables are available inside. It's also a great place to grab some trail mix and snack bars before a downtown hike.
This lively café fills up quickly at noon with locals on lunch break, making it a great place for people-watching while munching on a salad or a fried chicken sandwich. You can also have a delicious breakfast here; if the fresh-baked pastry doesn't tempt you (although it surely will) try the bravas potato bowl or adobo loco moco. Coffee in all its forms is also outstanding.
Enjoy your morning latte and a cinnamon roll in this cozy, friendly coffeehouse, or stop in for lunch on a rainy day and sample their rotating selection of homemade soup.
Upscale American and Mediterranean fare is served at Salt, one of Juneau's nicest dining options, and though it's a bit pricey, the ambience and interesting menu make it worth the extra expense. It's also a good spot to stop for a cocktail if you can snag a spot at the tiny bar in the back. As with many Juneau restaurants, the service can be outstanding or maddening depending on the night; it's not recommended for those in a hurry.
This cozy little spot on the harbor is a must for breakfast—you can choose from an array of fresh-baked frittatas, quiches, and pastries to accompany your distinctly delicious cup of coffee. No one would blame you if you snuck back in for lunch, when the sandwiches on homemade bread make an appearance. Seating includes outdoor options.
This busy and bright café in the Aak'w Village District, about a five-minute walk from the center of town, is a popular destination for brunch on weekends. It's also a good choice for lunch if you're visiting the state museum, as it's less than a block away.
Though beer is the primary business of Skagway Brewing, this local pub has a diverse dinner menu that includes burgers, halibut-and-chips, pasta dishes, hearty salads, and vegetarian options. Whatever you order, sampling the locally made ale is a must; Skagway's staples include Prospector Pale, Chilkoot Trail IPA, Boom Town Brown, Blue Top Porter, and their signature Spruce Tip Blonde Ale, made with local ingredients. Visitors can also take a tasting tour for $25.
On the water right next to the docks, this casual and energetic spot has a reputation for expertly prepared seafood and a friendly staff. Here you'll find favorites like halibut and chips, king crab legs, and pan-seared salmon, as well as nightly specials showcasing the kitchen's more creative side. A small deck offers outside seating and there's a decent selection of beer and wine.
Housed in a former gas station, this year-round restaurant is known for its comfort-food specials. The huge calzones are stuffed and served piping hot with sides of house marinara and ranch dressing—build your own or choose one of the chef's creations.
With views overlooking the water, the Stikine Inn's restaurant (often called the Stik) is easily the prettiest place to dine in Wrangell. Given the town's scarcity of options, the place could just assemble a get-by menu, but the salads, pasta, burgers, and hearty soups here are seriously tasty. For lighter early-morning or midday fare, there's the Stik Cafe, which serves breakfast sandwiches and panini, among other items.
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.
Housed in a log-frame waterfront building adjacent to the base of the Goldbelt Tram, Twisted Fish serves fish as fresh as you'll find. Grab a seat on the deck and enjoy prime-time Gastineau Channel gazing over a glass of wine or locally brewed beer.
The café has a no-frills look, but it serves good food at reasonable prices. Check out the dinner specials, or try the wraps, burgers, and salads.
