Alaska Coffee Shops

If the Hotel Captain Cook sits in the heart of Anchorage’s buzzing business district—and it does—then this coffee bar, right off the lobby, could be its nerve center. And while it is undeniably a convenient spot to swing by to pick up an espresso or iced coffee, local fans come back because it’s the kind of friendly place where the barista remembers your name when you order.

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.

The Shamrock Building is a must-see spot in Tenakee Springs. Built in 1902, it is listed on the National Register of Historic places and has been everything from a jail, pool hall, dance hall, and senior center. These days it’s home to a local bakery that serves breakfast and lunch items. You can also browse a fine selection of local and regionally-made art.

A bona fide small-town coffee shop on Main Street. They serve good coffee and espresso drinks and have ample seating. The atmosphere is great, with lots of locals, Alaska-made art on the walls, open mic nights and art for sale. The food is standard coffee shop stuff—soups, sandwiches, baked goods. It's healthy and tasty, but nothing special.

The building now known as Co-op Plaza was once the Empress Theatre. Its construction in 1927 caused a furor because it was the town’s first structure to be built of reinforced concrete, and people believed that concrete would crumble in the cold Fairbanks winter. The theater could seat 670 people and opened to a packed house of 1,300 people on August 25, 1927. In 1961, the  More...

Formally Southeast Waffle Co, this coffee shop is a solid choice for sandwiches, soups, bagels, and tea and coffee, and freshly made waffles—crisp on the outside, hot and moist on the inside. Bonus: there's free Wi-Fi.

It’s hard to believe that one of Anchorage’s best wine bars used to be a sandwich shop.  Completely revamped in the fall of 2011, this new hot spot in the Hotel Captain Cook has Alaska’s only on-tap wine machine. Choose from 32 wines, selected by the hotel’s sommelier, for a 2-ounce sampler or a 4-ounce pour. The bar also has a limited menu, including  More...

Started in 1986 as a coffee cart, the company has grown tremendously and is distributed throughout much of the American West. That's because they source excellent beans, roast them well (here in Anchorage) and are passionate about the bean! They also offer organic and Fair Trade coffee, for the socially-conscious coffee drinker. They have several locations throughout the city and  More...

Cafe serving homemade breakfasts, soups, sandwiches, and more

This small-town coffee shop features couches, comfortable tables, and a fireplace, along with top-quality coffee, tea, and baked goods. It's definitely a local hangout: friends chat, teens do their homework, and the baristas know most everyone.

History, fun, and massive portions of food come together at this institution, which was built over 3 years starting in 1914. Aside from stopping by for a bite to eat, you can book accommodations at the Talkeetna Roadhouse. Choose from a variety of cozy rooms in the main roadhouse and wake up the smell of fresh baked goods from the Kitchen in the morning. Or, for a more private experience, book one of the cabins out back or the Museum Apartment at the end of the block. 

Angoon Trading Co. is a general store located in Angoon, on Admiralty Island. They carry a full line of grocery, hardware, lumber, as well as gifts, and clothing.

Open weekdays, 6a.m. - 5p.m.

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.

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.