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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. The backyard patio atmosphere includes tents, heat lamps, firepits, and a ship-shaped bar. If fish tacos aren't your thing, visit Dave's neighbor, the Crepe Escape.
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.
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. The owners also operate an event space on the waterfront for large group rentals (for up to 100 people, it's $330 per hour not including food) and a Crabby Store where you can arrange to have a box of crabs shipped back home.
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 for more than 50 years. 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 pm).
On a clear day, the deck at this popular eatery is likely to be overflowing with a lively local crowd devoted to chef Renée Trafton's creative dishes and 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). It's located 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 little roadside restaurant in Hoonah doesn't look like much from the outside, but it comes highly recommended by the locals. The salmon tacos garner particularly high praise. Hours can be variable, especially in the off-season.
This busy little seafood deli in the heart of Petersburg is a great place for a quick bite en route to your next adventure. Live or cooked crab is available for takeout, and the shop can process your sport-caught fish.
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.
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.
The menu at the restaurant in Glacier Bay Lodge, which serves three meals a day and is open to both nonguests and guests, has a decent selection of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and other American fare as well as pasta, steak, and seafood entrees. Sometimes, the indoor dining room requires reservations, but there's almost always room on the sheltered outdoor deck, which has better views of Bartlett Cove and the Fairweather Mountains. With a day's notice, lodge guests can purchase packed lunches to take with them on excursions.
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).
A local favorite, the Fireweed serves unusual pizza, pasta, and fish dishes you can wash down with beer on tap from the Haines Brewing Company. The casual restaurant is so popular that you may have to wait a bit for your food—a perfect opportunity to try the Spruce Tip Ale and gaze out at the water.
A local hang-out, this coffeehouse offers a wide range of breakfast options to accompany your morning joe, and nearly everything on the menu is made on-site. Customers can cool down with a Mango Madness or Blueberry Blues smoothie year round and with soft-serve ice cream in summer.
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.
Locals flock to this cheery spot for lunch; it's the closest thing to home cooking Petersburg has to offer, and most days it's open from 8:30 to 4, even in winter. 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 and 124 South Franklin (inside the Baranof Hotel), a branch inside Foodland IGA market, the Glacier Cafe in the Mendenhall Valley, and a kiosk at the University of Alaska Southeast.
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