Ketchikan Dining & Nightlife

When you want to meet real Alaskans of every flavor, the Arctic Bar is your best bet.

A solid restaurant with a long history on Main Street, Annabelle's serves top-quality fish and chips, clam chowders, and other Alaska seafood favorites. This spot in the Gilmore Hotel has a classic look, with pressed tin ceilings and a hardwood bar, as well as comfortable, deep seats—perfect for enjoying their good seafood and selection of tap beers.

A popcorn stand offering kettle corn and salted popcorn, it's close to the docks and run by a friendly, gregarious local woman. The popcorn is really good, but it’s expensive—like $4 a bag. The frosted "Northern Lights" is even more, but it’s a huge hit with kids.

Located in a charming, little historic home, this is one of the few fine-dining options in Ketchikan. The restaurant is owned and operated by a couple, and Martin, the chef, is cordon bleu trained. They have excellent specials, with interesting arrangements of ingredients. And the halibut tacos and steak on the regular menu are excellent stand-bys. Reservations are a must.

It's a party bar that serves food. It's popular with the young crowd, but families frequent the place as well for the chips and salsa and the diverse food menu. It's almost always loud and busy, but the food is only decent. The serve Mexican, Italian, Greek and American fare. And, be forewarned, only a few tables overlook the water.

Ketchikan has fallen in love with this waterfront lunch place. Attached to the gallery of bead artist Terry Pyles, they have a daily menu that includes several quiches, sandwiches and soups and all meals included homemade bread and a cookie. The food is expensive--$17 for soup, sandwich, garlic bread, ice tea and a cookie. But it's scratch made, filling and really good.

Located in the heart of downtown next to the Historic Thomas Basin, the Alaska Fish House offers a unique setting for you to enjoy the freshest fish & chips in town or the signature smoked salmon chowder!

A drive-thru coffee stand south of town, it's popular with locals looking for a quick, hot brew. The serve locally roasted Raven's Brew coffee and quick eats, like bagels and brownies. It can get a line of cars in the morning.

A local's diner, it serves up fresh hash browns and eggs and other breakfast standards. Plus burgers and reindeer dogs for lunch and dinner. You can eat at the counter, or get a table or booth. The service is fast and friendly, the food is good diner food, and your coffee will always be topped. It's popular with travelers and locals alike. And it just went non-smoking!

It's the best fast food in Ketchikan, and possibly in all of Southeast Alaska. The crews of cruise ships line up for an off-ship burger, locals call their orders in ahead of time and travelers wait in the line. A 30 minute wait in line isn’t unheard of. They only have 3 or 4 tables, so most get it to go. Their burgers are good, and they are famous for the Fish and Chips, which  More...

Tucked against the entry to Ward Cove, the Green Coffee Bean Company may seem off the beaten track. Yet people from all over Ketchikan make the trek to this local coffee shop and roastery. Whether you order an espresso drink or whole beans to go, the coffee is roasted to perfection.

You can get fresh roasted coffee in Ketchikan. Refiner’s Roast offers coffee drinks and snacks in a “peaceful and calming Christian atmosphere.”

Built in the classic style of the 1930s, the Potlatch Bar is a drinking man’s hangout, where the gritty spirit of Ketchikan is regularly on display.

Here you can find fabulous local art, a large selection of quality yarn, and delicious eats, all while you watch for bald eagles perching just outside the windows and listen to the Point Band – made up of an eclectic mix of locals.

Hand-crafted New York-style bagels, fresh made spreads and soups. 

Located in a beautiful old church, this is a place to find great coffee, friendly service, and unique arts and crafts made by locals from Seward.

Quirky restaurant and espresso bar that serves great burritos and burgers on the outskirts of town

The creative cooks here think up a new lunch sandwich and hearty soup daily, which you can enjoy along with free wi-fi and friendly smiles from the mermaids – whose motto is “We try harder.” Visitors will have to try hard not to pick up some extra sweets for the road. Can you say “fresh salted caramel” or “Croissant Bread Pudding?”

Check out the photos, play a game of pool, plug your quarters into the juke box and stay awhile in authentic Alaska. On your way out, don’t miss the accompanying package store if you want to take a bottle of wine with you.

Finish your tour or exploration of Ketchikan early enough to stop by Fat Stan’s for a leisurely drink to cap off your day. You’ll find owner Brad Stewart there most days helping customers choose from a fine selection of wines and Alaskan beers. Insider tip: Fat Stan’s doesn’t serve food beyond the typical bar snacks, so if you’re feeling peckish, get an order of fish and chips from the Alaska Fish House next door; they’ll deliver.