Juneau is often a jumping off point for Alaska’s scenic beauty. But for those also traveling for Alaska’s famous seafood, the city has some of the best options out there. From king crab to king salmon, you don’t want to miss out on the local offerings here.
Tracy’s Crab Shack
Right in the center of town is Tracy’s King Crab Shack—the name tells you everything you need to know. The shack has a fun, laid-back atmosphere, but they are serious about their crabs. Throughout much of the summer they often even get fresh king crab—a rare sighting outside of Alaska, since most king crab legs are immediately frozen.
If you’re not up for the splurge on the legs, you can also try crab cakes, crab bisque and other seafood like spot prawns or scallops. The best non-seafood item is actually their hot, pull-apart rolls that come with most meals. There is also a wide variety of local beers to sample.
The Hot Bite
If you’re in Juneau there’s a good chance you’ll do some sightseeing, whale watching, or fishing. And for most boat related activities, you’ll be leaving out of Auke Bay.
Before taking off, grab a casual meal at The Hot Bite (11465 Auke Bay Harbor Rd, Auke Bay. (907) 790-2483). You can get local seafood fried to order with items like fish tacos or fish and chips. But they have more than just the classics: one of the best items is a halibut cheek sandwich with cucumber wasabi sauce. They’re also known for their burgers if you get sick of the seafood and for dessert you can get one of their chocolate milkshakes.
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If you’re partial to watching boats (and tourists climbing into boats) there is also outdoor seating.
Taku Glacier Lodge
While in Juneau, you should pair at least one meal with a heavy side of adventure. Take in the scenery from the air and then sit down to a hot salmon bake at Taku Lodge. To get to Taku Lodge you actually have to take a float plane out of Juneau—but this is a more common mode of transportation than one might think in Alaska. The short flight allows for stunning views of mountains, water, and glaciers.
On landing, you’ll explore the lodge, which was built in 1923 and deemed important enough to be on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was once owned by a famous female dog sledder, but now it’s used for epic day trips with salmon lunches, long walks, and frequent bear sightings.
Photo credits: Courtesy of Ali Rosen