If you go on a north or southbound Alaskan coastal cruise, it’s likely that you’ll make a stop in Ketchikan, Alaska’s southernmost city. With a population of a little over 8,000, you may think that this town has little more to offer than forests and wild salmon. But believe it or not, there are plenty of great restaurants in town too.
While Ketchikan is indeed known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” your dining options here are not limited to this fish. The staff at CruiseExperts.com offers you some of our top picks for dining options in Ketchikan:
Annabelle’s Famous Keg & Chowder House – Located within the historic Gilmore Hotel, Annabelle’s will bring you into the world of 1920s Alaska. Its long polished bar and antique slot machine will have you intrigued before the food ever comes to your table. As you can probably guess from the name, Annabelle’s has a seafood-heavy menu featuring halibut, salmon and king crab.
Chowder is the restaurant’s specialty and you can have it served in a bowl of bread that was baked in-house. There are also plenty of from-scratch desserts that you’ll be dying to try. Annabelle’s offers casual and fine dining options, so come as you are!
Photo courtesy of Annabelle’s Famous Keg & Chowder House
Bar Harbor Restaurant – Located not too far from where many cruise ships dock, Bar Harbor sits between downtown and the ferry terminal. The restaurant prides itself on being a place that locals as well as tourists love to frequent. The menu is constantly changing to reflect the ingredients that are currently in season. Despite the restaurant having an almost clear view of the ocean, many of Bar Harbor’s offerings didn’t originate there. Its signature prime rib dish is considered by many to be the best in Ketchikan. Space is limited at Bar Harbor fills quickly, so reservations are a must.
Burger Queen– After a morning exploring the town and going on a physically-demanding excursion to the forests that surround Ketchikan, sometimes all you want to eat is a nice, juicy burger. Enter Burger Queen. This mom-and-pop joint, located just an arm’s length from the docks, serves up some of the best sausage and hamburger patties you’ll ever have. Have a sweet tooth? Don’t forget to order one of Burger Queen’s milkshake options! If you think that a burger goes better with beer, the restaurant will deliver its offerings to the Arctic Bar, located across the street.
The “Dave” burger at the Burger Queen–created by a customer named Dave, of course.
Diaz Cafe – Alaska is probably the last place you would expect to find Filipino food, but a small, engaged community of people with ties to the country has been living in Ketchikan since the 1920s. The restaurant is a favorite among Ketchikan residents looking for affordable Filipino and Pan-Asian cuisine. One of the most popular dishes is the “Large Guy,” a bowl of sweet-and-sour rice mixed with spare ribs. Sandwiches and burgers are also on the menu. The Diaz Cafe is very family friendly, so if you have some adventurous eaters in your brood, be sure to bring them along!
Alaska cruise season is almost upon us, so now is the time to start planning your trip of a lifetime. The staff at CruiseExperts.com can help you plan your itinerary and also provide suggestions for interesting places to eat and visit when you’re off the ship. Call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website, www.CruiseExperts.com.