Juneau Restaurants and Dining

(Juneau, Alaska - AK, USA)

There is no denying that Juneau is a fairly modest state capital in terms of size and overall population, yet it still manages to deliver on the dining front.

An array of restaurants can be found peppered around the city center, with a particularly noticeable group of eateries standing on the eastern side of downtown Juneau, around the Silverbow Inn B&B and along Egan Drive / Marine Way.

The dining scene in Juneau is greatly influenced by its location right alongside the Gastineau Channel and in close proximity to the Gulf of Alaska / Pacific Ocean. This means that local restaurants regularly feature freshly caught seafood on their menus. Expect to find tasty dishes such as Alaskan king crab legs, crab cakes, crab bisque, grilled salmon, fish and chips, and even halibut pizzas. However, do bear in mind that some restaurants are positioned to attract tourists, so if you are looking for the best dining on offer, keep an eye out where the locals choose to eat.

Where to Eat

If you are visiting the city of Juneau for a short break, or your cruise ship has just docked and you only have time to dine out once, then do consider enjoying a crab-based meal at the highly recommended Tracy's King Crab Shack on South Franklin Street. Sited close to the popular Red Dog Saloon and also the public library, the Crab Shack is often crowded, which is obviously a good sign for a local restaurant. It has an extensive crab-based dining menu, which also features spicy shrimps, scallops and steamed Alaskan spot prawns.

Lying on the eastern side of Juneau, the Twisted Fish Company Alaskan Grill is to be found on South Franklin Street, right next to the waterfront and just down the road from the Mount Roberts Tramway. The scenic setting and enticing busy atmosphere is all part of the dining experience, while the specialties include plenty of seafood dishes, such as halibut burgers, battered halibut and chips, grilled halibut, seafood tacos and salmon served in puff pastry.

The Sandpiper Cafe on West Willoughby Avenue is another eatery worth looking out for in Juneau city center, with its generously filled sandwiches, hearty winter stews and gourmet bison burgers. Alternatively, consider dining at the Hangar Restaurant, which is sited on the wharf, on Marine Way, and overlooks the Juneau Harbor Seaplane Base. This means that you can enjoy a meal while watching the float planes taking off, as well as the cruise ships sailing by.

Although fast-food restaurant chains and familiar takeaways are to hand in Juneau, they are far from plentiful. McDonald's on Trout Street and branches of Subway on both Seward Street and the Glacier Highway will suit those with a less adventurous palate.

Shoppers at Juneau's bustling Nugget Mall in need of a sit down and a bite to eat should be sure to try out the restaurants based within the shopping center itself. Dining options here include the Broiler Restaurant and Peter's Oriental Food, where consistently good Chinese dishes include spring rolls, noodles and special fried rice. Also at the mall is the Vintage Fare Cafe, which offers toasted sandwiches, hot soups and salads.