The 16 Best Restaurants in Juneau, Alaska
There are no shortage of delicious restaurants in Juneau Alaska, and today we’re sharing our absolute top spots for foodies!
If you crave Alaskan food, Juneau is where you can try the best of it. And in this post, we’ll take you to the top-notched restaurants in the area.
With 30,000 people, Juneau is a close-knit community and the biggest city in Alaska. Even though tourists are a big part of Juneau’s economy, the local food is top-notch and definitely what you want to seek.
Juneauites have unbeatable access to fresh seafood, sea and forest vegetables, and wild game because they live in the middle of the Tongass National Forest. Juneau has restaurants that serve food from many different cultures, as well as some well-known restaurants that serve more modern food. It also has decent gastropubs and roadhouses where you can eat breakfast or pie and hear about what’s happening in the neighborhood.
You’ll be able to find a Juneau restaurant to satisfy any craving. You can choose from places like The Hangar On The Wharf, Tracy’s King Crab Shack, The Rookery Cafe, and more.
So without further ado, get ready to try the best flavors by dining at one of these 16 best restaurants in Juneau, Alaska!
16. SALT
200 Seward St, Juneau, AK | American, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly | $15 – $300 | Monday to Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday to Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Salt, which opened in 2014, is one of the top Juneau restaurants serving fresh Alaskan food.
Its menus are constantly changing and incorporate fresh Alaskan seafood, butcher-cut steaks, and local produce to make the most exciting and tasty food in Southeast Alaska.
Salt also has the most comprehensive wine list in Juneau, with wines from around the world. You’re sure to find a wine that goes well with your tastes by the vial or glass. If you like scotch, Salt has more than 20 available options.
Special event or private get-together? You can select one of the restaurant’s three private dining areas and let them make your event special.
Salt uses local Alaskan ingredients and flavors and gives them a modern twist. The result is a stunning mix of rustic heart and fancy dining.
The atmosphere is upscale but still cozy, and guests are often captivated by pleasant live piano pieces. Salt’s menu combines unusual flavors, like roasted walnut soup with prawns and sea scallop carbonara, to make a perfect match.
The servers are helpful and professional but also have the friendly warmth you’d expect from a local restaurant. Salt is a place that everyone, whether they live there or are just visiting, should see.
Calamari is an excellent choice for a starter. It’s a no-brainer when you taste how good it is (and fresh!). Their steak with vegetables and salad is far from average for the main course, and you’ll love that its sauce adds more flavor to the dish.
Did we mention that this lovely place is excellent for couples spending a romantic evening in Juneau? It definitely hits the right romance notes and offers delicious fresh food!
Overall, Salt is one of my personal favorite restaurants in Juneau because it’s a great atmosphere with fresh, local food that’s always delicious.
15. Roma Bistro on The Wharf
2 Marine Way, Juneau, AK | Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian Friendly | $5 – $41 | Monday to Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Who would have thought you could get Italian food throughout Juneau, Alaska?
Roma, which is in Merchant’s Wharf and right on the water, is the place to go for hand-tossed pizza, a tempting selection of Italian classics, and a great selection of wines that will please even the most traditional diners.
On the menu, old favorites like Pollo Bianco and Primavera sit next to new ideas like Chipotle BBQ and Jamaican Bacon. It means that the food is both traditional and creative.
Thin crusts made in the Italian style set the tone for toppings made from fresh, tasty ingredients. It makes this place distinct compared to other restaurants.
Roma has various focaccia sandwiches, pasta, salads, and lasagnas for those who want to try something other than pizza. These tasty treats go well with a wide range of Italian wines, from light Pinot Grigios to full-bodied Chiantis.
With plenty to offer, people from the north have kept coming to this restaurant since 1998 to get a taste of central Italy. Roma is one of the best Italian restaurants in Juneau because it has a laid-back atmosphere and delicious, artisanal dishes.
Even though Roma is a smaller restaurant, it feels stylish and close when you eat there.
The small plates available here are great for two people to share. They have great flavors and beautiful presentations. The crab gnocchi was tasty for entrees and had a good amount of crab.
A slice of cheesecake for dessert is a great way to end a meal at Roma. Also, try a lot of different cocktails and beers for a little extra kick.
14. Valley Restaurant
9320 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK | American (Traditional) | $11 – $30 | Monday to Thursday 6:30 am – 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 6:30 am – 11:00 pm, Sunday 6:30 am – 3:00 pm
Valley Restaurant is a safe option among Juneau restaurants because it serves a wide range of foods, from Asian food to Alaskan seafood.
Even though it’s not known for anything, you can get superb food, excellent service, and delivery on time. Valley Restaurant on Glacier Highway is a simple place that will please anyone’s taste buds.
Despite several seafood eateries nearby, the halibut at Valley Restaurant is delicious, fresh, and moist! So good that you’ll probably come back the next day.
It also has a great menu with a bit of everything. You can find everything from burgers and fries to even Chinese food here.
Every meal is affordable, and each main dish comes with your choice of salad, soup, garlic bread, and a bowl of steamed veggies. In other words, a good amount of food for the price!
Get the chicken with sweet and sour sauce and add fried rice for a good time. You will love the fried rice. It has eggs, onions, and all the good stuff, and it’s fried and tasty.
The chicken is deep-fried until golden brown, but not the deep-fried chicken you usually see at regular restaurants. Instead, they use a tasty breading with a little flavor.
Their lumpia is also a perfect dish that will satisfy your appetite.
13. Spice Juneau
112 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK | Indian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options | $12 – $25 | Monday to Saturday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Spice Juneau is where most people go for authentic Indian food. But it is a great place to go whether you love Indian food or just want to try something new.
This place, which used to be called Saffron, serves food that is a little different from the usual seafood dishes in the area. It can be a nice change after a few days of seafood.
No matter what you choose from its menu, it will be tasty. Spice Juneau Indian Food has a wide range of menu items so everyone can find something they like.
For a start, opt their jhinga with rice for a tasteful experience. Another option for a flavorful meal is their chutneys with mango, tomato, roasted peanuts, and garlic.
Funnily, the naan is nothing like any other naan we’ve ever had. It’s also very thick and dense, not light and airy like most naan is. But you are sure to get a lot of flavors in it!
12. El Sombrero
157 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK | Mexican | $11 – $30 | Monday to Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
El Sombrero has been in business since 1979, and the same family still runs it. All the food on its menu is from Toluca, Mexico, with family recipes.
Visitors rave about enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and salsa.
You can’t go wrong with their beans, which are smooth and creamy, and the green chile tasted like real tomatillos. All of the food we ordered was tasty. The chips are fresh, and the salsa is just spicy enough.
What’s more? These delicious cuisines come at low prices. El Sombrero is a fantastic spot to go when you miss the comfort of Mexican food.
11. The Rookery Cafe
111 Seward St, Juneau, AK | Quick Bites, American, Cafe | $8 – $36 | Tuesday to Friday 7:00 am – 2:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Rookery Cafe opened in 2010 and is in the Historic Valentine Building. Here, you can have a cup of coffee in the same building where the arrest of Bird Man of Alcatraz happened.
Since the Juneau Empire Readers’ Choice Awards named The Rookery Café the best restaurant in 2014 and 2015, it’s safe to say that the city loves it.
It is a cute coffee shop in the middle of Juneau that has become more than a coffee shop. You can have the best coffee cup in town in this bright and busy spot. But you can also enjoy American food with many flavors and ingredients from the area.
This restaurant makes most of its meals from scratch as it wants its food to be fresh as possible. The most popular dishes on the menu are Alaskan scallops poached in coconut milk, champagne and three-cheese fondue, and cedar-roasted salmon with beet greens.
The Rookery is also famous for brunch and lunch, and its menu includes fascinating dishes. And, the best fried chicken in the area is available here!
Have some of their iconic French toast with strawberry puree and bacon on the side to have the full experience. The French toast is perfection, and the tart strawberry compote goes well with the delightful maple butter that came with it.
You should definitely try the Eggs Benedict if you’re more of a savory breakfast person. Your meal comes with a fine cup of coffee, and you can choose from several pastries or cookies to take away.
If you’re looking for a cute breakfast or lunch place with a delicious cup of coffee, then The Rookery is one of the top restaurants in Juneau, Alaska that you shouldn’t miss!
10. Gold Creek Salmon Bake
1061 Salmon Creek Ln, Juneau, AK | Quick Bites, American, Seafood | $36 – $49 | Monday to Sunday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Gold Creek Salmon Bake is different in many ways from the rest. The fact that it is a component of the Alaska Travel Adventures Tour makes it stand out.
It is among the most famous restaurants in Juneau, and it’s easy to see why. Gold Creek Salmon Bake serves an Alaskan feast where you can eat as much as you want.
Note that it is more than just a dining establishment. The salmon buffet is enormous, and the restaurant itself is in a beautiful place. This once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan experience is a must-do for tourists in Juneau.
This Alaskan feast is an eat-all-you-can and takes place in a setting you won’t find anywhere else. You can choose grilled salmon, Chilkoot baked beans, Tongass wild-rice pilaf, Cheechako chicken, Alyeska au gratin potatoes, and a wide range of other sides, salads, and drinks.
There are beers and wines for sale, even vegetarian or gluten-free. So you won’t go thirsty!
Gold Creek Salmon Bake is more than just a meal because of the food, activities, and atmosphere.
Shuttle buses run all the time, so you can stay for as long as you wish. Only come back once you’ve had your fill and have a lot of great memories.
After we went to Mendenhall Glacier, our bus took us to the Gold Creek Salmon Bake, where we started eating from their buffet.
Among the many foods in the buffet, we liked their Caesar salad of salmon bits, baked beans, & glazed salmon.
Take advantage of this one-of-a-kind experience!
9. Red Dog Saloon
278 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK | American, Bar, Pub | $10 – $25 | Monday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
When you think of Juneau, you can’t help but think of the Red Dog Saloon. This restaurant and bar have been open since the end of the nineteenth century when mining brought many people to the Klondike area.
Red Dog Saloon has been a part of Juneau’s restaurant and business scene for a long time, and it’s a great place to get a taste of the past. It has moved around a lot during its long and fascinating history and now sits by the cruise liner docks.
The Red Dog Saloon has many artifacts that show its long history. This place is understandably proud of its history, including furs, old guns, and old mining tools.
It’s the perfect place to stop and refuel after a lengthy day on the road. Why? It’s all about burgers, sandwiches, and cold beer.
The group stopped here for lunch because it seemed a better choice. The cruise ships in port make it a bit livelier during the day, but we got lucky and got a table right away.
During our visit, we had some Alaskan beer, which is hard to mess up, and it was nice and cold. As for the food, we started with a Caesar salad. The main dishes were a burger with fries and a Salmon Burger with potato salad. It all tasted good, just like the classic meal you’d expect. But really, we come here for the experience!
8. Seong’s Sushi Bar
740 W 9th St, Juneau, AK | Chinese, Japanese, Sushi | $11 – $30 | Monday to Friday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Saturday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Do you crave an authentic sushi place right here in Juneau, Alaska? Or do you want to enjoy your food trip with Japanese sake and Alaskan beer? What more could you want? Seong’s Sushi bar is the place to go if you’re in the area and want to eat Asian, Japanese, or Chinese food.
Since more than 20 years ago, it has provided the Juneau, AK area with a vast selection of high-quality Chinese food and fantastic sushi.
The restaurant is close to the Federal Building on 9th Avenue in downtown Juneau. You can call and order food or come in and enjoy some great food. This bar also has great options for catering.
Test out The Hot Night Roll, which has tempura prawns, avocado, and their special sauce. It is a customer favorite. If you want more, try the S.O.B. Roll, which has tempura shrimp on top of salmon and tuna. It is the best sushi roll you can get with seafood.
We decided to get the Philadelphia roll with different salmon, cream cheese, and avocado levels. Then came the chicken with broccoli. This dish’s sauce is to die for, making for a highly delicious flavor.
It was a great place to eat. The service was excellent, and our charming young waiter was attentive. It is a great place to visit, different from the usual spots, with super fresh seafood!
7. V’s Cellar Door
222 Seward St, Juneau, AK | Mexican, Korean, Fusion | $11 – $30 | Monday to Friday 11:30 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
V’s Cellar Door started in 2013. Before it became V’s Cellar Door, it was Olivia’s Mexican Restaurant, a Juneau landmark for 38 years. It has many of its home recipes and has added many new tasty things.
It is one of Juneau’s most creative and original restaurants. With its mix of Mexican and Korean comfort foods, this restaurant will leave you feeling full and wanting more.
This restaurant uses old Mexican recipes and adds flavors from many different cultures. The result is a delicious experience that is unlike anywhere else!
Typically, its dishes include rice bowls, salads, and fusion nachos.
Guy Fieri went here for an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, so you know it’s good. Stop in to eat after a long day of uncovering the ice field, which is both tiring and exciting.
Our plate had short ribs and Ahi nachos. The food all tasted good and lived up to the hype. They also have excellent craft beverages. If you want something sweet, the Chocolate Brûlée will not displease.
6. Pel’meni
2 Marine Way, Juneau, AK | Specialty Food Market, Fast Food, Russian | $5 – $10 | Monday to Thursday 11:30 am – 1:30 am (next day), Friday and Saturday 11:30 am – 3:30 am (next day), Sunday 11:30 am – 1:30 am (next day)
This restaurant is named after a popular food in Russia called Pel’meni. It is a thin layer of flour dough with vegetables and meat.
This eatery’s menu is so tiny that its sole thing is pelmeni. But the small menu at Pel’Meni keeps residents coming back again and again.
Why?
For a low price, you can get a massive chunk of the divine pastry pillows filled with beef or potatoes and topped with sour cream.
Some people in the area call this place a dive, but we call it humble. No matter what you call it, Pel’Mini is simple, letting their food taste shine through.
This place is a big deal in the area, and you’ll see why. Apart from the world-class Russian dumplings and reasonable prices, Pel’meni is a winner because it has a friendly atmosphere and staff and is open until late.
We had the potato dumplings, which had a fantastic flavor thanks to the different seasonings and spices. When you dip the dumplings in sour cream, they taste even better. This comfort food is delicious and comes in a good-sized serving. It’s great for late nights after the bar or a typical day.
In the background, there is also a record player that plays old songs. You can choose an album from the vinyl library and listen to your favorite tunes while you eat delicious food.
This is definitely one of our favorite restaurants in Juneau if you’re looking for a local, old-world feel.
5. Tracy’s King Crab Shack
432 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK | Quick Bites, Seafood, Gluten Free Options | $20 – $125 | Monday to Sunday 10:30 am – 8:30 pm
Tracy’s King Crab Shack has some of the yummiest Alaskan seafood in town. What’s best? It’s brought right to your door!
This walk-up and take-out restaurant is right on the boardwalk and is among the best places to get a quick bite in Juneau.
Tracy’s King Crab Shack has made a significant mark on Juneau’s food scene for a place that has only been open for less than ten years.
The restaurant started because the owners loved crabs, sports, and people. The staff is a close-knit collection of individuals who love sports and are friendly and welcoming.
Apart from hot crab legs with butter from nearby sources, the menu has crab bisque, crab cakes, crab rolls, and seafood starters. So, Tracy’s is the place for crab lovers who want a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the seafood from the neighboring Alaskan sea.
There was no line when we visited this restaurant. It does have a tiny room inside and a small covered patio, if you want to eat there.
The Red King Crab was on our table’s Crab Shack Combo and an extra bowl of crab bisque because we didn’t know how to share.
One thing is for sure; you’ll have delicious and fresh crab at this restaurant. After a nice dip in the butter, it will almost melt in your mouth. Try the crab cakes and bisque for added amazement in your overwhelming food experience.
If you seek the best crab legs in Juneau, you should go to this restaurant. After dining, you will know why this place is famous to everyone in the area.
Tracy’s is one of the most iconic restaurants in Juneau for a reason! Tracy’s should be your first stop if you’re looking for super fresh seafood.
4. El Zarape
1961 Anka St, Juneau, AK | Mexican, Latin, Spanish | $11 – $30 | Tuesday to Friday 10:30 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
El Zarape is the place to go if you want Mexican food in the middle of Juneau, Alaska. This small Mexican restaurant that moved to Alaska in 2007 is renowned for great food.
It is in the vicinity of Lemon Creek and is sure to be a unique place to eat. This hidden gem is worth your time and money on Mexican food. It’s a hole in the wall, but that’s how most of the best places are.
Gloria Orozco, who was born and raised in Zacapu, Michoacan, is the one who makes authentic Mexican food here. Her partner from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Gloria’s two kids, Melissa and Ernesto, also run the restaurant.
We highly recommend their Carne Asada tacos with Red Sauce, although we feel you won’t be disappointed with anything on the menu. The Green Sauce is tasty, but the Red Sauce is spicier and tastes different whenever available. The same goes for chips and salsa.
3. Zerelda’s Bistro
9106 Mendenhall Mall Rd Suite B, Juneau, AK | International, Fusion, Vegetarian Friendly | $11 – $30 | Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Zerelda’s Bistro, established in 2016, serves a mix of cultural food fusion and Southern BBQ made with good ingredients and local products.
Abby LaForce, the owner of Zerelda’s, was for a long time Juneau’s best caterer. Her Bistro serves tasty, big plates that mix Asian fusion and comfy southern styles with Alaskan recipes.
Apart from the mix of Asian and Southern food, espresso, beer, and wine are also available in this restaurant.
Zeralda’s is a great place to grab lunch or a bite before a hike or checking out a local National Park because it is healthy, amiable, bright, and cozy. We sampled the coconut curry and poke bowl, which were both perfect for the day trip.
If you prefer barbeque for dinner, they sell barbecue rubs so you can enjoy the flavor of Zerelda’s when you get home.
There are also daily specials to look out for here as well. If you like ramen, Thursday is the best day to go if you want to eat it.
However, no matter when you visit, the food is always fresh and tasty. The prices are fair, and the people who work there are very nice.
2. Devil’s Club Brewing
100 N Franklin St, Juneau, AK | American, Brewpub, Bar | $15 – $23 | Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
The Devil’s Club Brewing Company is one of the top downtown restaurants in Juneau, Alaska. It serves gourmet food and has locally made beer on tap. As one of the first places to become famous, this brewery & restaurant is a great place to spend an evening with friends.
The Devil’s Club has the best atmosphere of any place you could have ever been. This Franklin Street brewpub is one of a kind because it is in a building that was Juneau’s first theater in 1916.
So this one is less of a restaurant and more of a brewery. But we had to slip it in here because they have a great selection of small bites and beer.
The flight of the rainforest pale ale with blueberries, the barrel-aged slack tide, and the island fever were all things that our group tried. After a hiking trip in the rainforest, the North Chuglas, a very smooth hefeweizen, is just what you need.
If you want a quick snack, give yourself a favor and get some pretzels. With the perfect amount of melted cheese, these are saline, soft inside, and crunchy on the outside. We also had the turkey pesto toasties, which were perfectly toasted.
1. Deckhand Dave’s
139 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK | American, Bar, Seafood | $12 – $25 | Monday to Friday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Deckhand Dave’s is a taco truck with an Alaskan twist. It is right in the middle of downtown Juneau.
Deckhand Dave’s is among the best places in Juneau to get seafood because it is owned and run by a former commercial fisherman.
A few minutes from the port, you can enjoy tasty halibut, salmon, or rockfish tacos featuring red cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, cilantro, or panko-breaded salmon with fries.
The menu is simple, and the prices are very fair. But what makes this restaurant top the list?
Here, you’ll experience some of the juiciest and crispiest fish and chips, and you’ll surely give this business a five-star rating. It is pretty tasty and somehow even more fresh compared to other fish and chip shops we’ve experienced.
Do yourself a great favor and visit Deckhand Dave’s for their Fish Tacos while you are in Alaska. The fish is exceptionally fresh, with an incredible sauce that tastes excellent.
The dining area is a massive patio behind the trailer that comes with a few other small restaurants. So, you have several options when you’re here.
In Closing
There you have it! Our listing of the 16 best restaurants in Juneau, Alaska! For a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience while in the neighborhood, don’t miss out on any of the recommended dishes.
