Best Skagway Restaurants for Alaska Cruise Passengers

Skagway offers diverse dining options for cruise passengers, from fresh Alaskan seafood to casual cafés. Popular choices include Olivia’s Bistro for upscale fare, Skagway Fish Company for waterfront dining, and Glacial Smoothie and Espresso for quick bites. Most restaurants are within walking distance of the cruise dock, featuring locally-sourced ingredients and historic Klondike-era atmosphere.

Quick Facts About Skagway Dining

Want to know more about Alaska cruise ports and what to expect at each destination?

Top Restaurant Picks in Skagway

Olivia’s Bistro

Located in the historic Skagway Inn, this upscale option serves creative dishes with a focus on Alaskan ingredients. The ambiance channels Gold Rush elegance with white tablecloths and period décor. Their Dungeness crab cakes and wild salmon preparations are standout choices. Fair warning though: this is one of the pricier options in town and can fill up quickly when multiple ships are in port.

Skagway Fish Company

Right on the waterfront with outdoor seating when weather permits, this is where you’ll find straightforward fresh seafood without the fuss. The fish and chips use halibut caught in nearby waters and the portions are generous. They also serve excellent clam chowder that’s thick and loaded with clams rather than being a flour-based filler. The casual vibe means you can come in wearing your hiking boots straight from exploring Skagway’s downtown area and waterfront attractions.

Starfire

This Thai restaurant surprises many visitors who don’t expect to find excellent pad thai in Alaska. The owner sources fresh local seafood and incorporates it into traditional Thai dishes. It’s a nice break if you’ve been eating salmon at every port. The lunch specials are particularly good value.

Red Onion Saloon

Part restaurant, part museum, part former brothel. Yes, really. The building’s colorful history as a Gold Rush-era bordello adds entertainment value to your meal. The food is solid pub fare with burgers, sandwiches and decent seafood options. Go for the atmosphere and the upstairs museum tour rather than expecting culinary innovation.

Glacial Smoothie and Espresso

Perfect for grabbing something quick if you’re short on time or want to maximize your excursion hours. Their smoothies are made with real fruit and they offer surprisingly good breakfast sandwiches. Located right on Broadway, you can pop in and out in minutes. Much better than settling for ship food if you disembarked early.

Insider Tips for Dining Success

• Time your meal strategically: Most cruise passengers eat between noon and 2 PM, creating restaurant bottlenecks. Consider an early lunch around 11 AM or a late one around 2:30 PM for faster service and better table selection.
• Check your ship’s all-aboard time: Restaurants here are accustomed to cruise schedules but don’t cut it too close. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to eat and walk back comfortably.
• Ask about daily specials: These often feature whatever fish came in that morning. If they caught it yesterday, it’s fresher than most “fresh” fish you’ll get at home.
• Split portions: Alaska restaurants typically serve American-sized portions which means huge. Many entrees can easily feed two people, especially if you order appetizers.
• Skip restaurants advertising on the dock: The places sending staff to hand out flyers to disembarking passengers are usually banking on high turnover rather than quality. The best spots don’t need to hustle for customers.

What You Need to Know About Skagway’s Food Scene

Skagway has a permanent population of under 1,000 people but receives over a million cruise visitors during the season. This creates an interesting dynamic where restaurants operate intensely for about six months then many close completely for winter. The upside is that summer staff are experienced with the cruise passenger rush and know how to get you fed efficiently.

The town’s small size means ingredients are either flown in or arrive by boat. Despite this, the seafood is genuinely local and fresh. Halibut, salmon and crab are caught in surrounding waters. However, produce and other ingredients travel far, so stick to dishes that highlight Alaska’s natural bounty rather than ordering something you could get anywhere.

Don’t expect extensive vegetarian or vegan options. This is fishing territory and menus reflect that. Most places will have a token veggie burger or pasta dish but plant-based eaters should set expectations accordingly or pack snacks.

Budget-Friendly Options

Not every meal needs to break the bank, especially if you’re watching your budget while exploring budget-friendly activities in Skagway. Here are ways to eat well without overspending:

• Grab food from Fairway Market: The local grocery store has a deli counter with sandwiches, salads and hot items. Pick up lunch and eat at a bench overlooking the harbor.
• Share appetizers: Many restaurants serve generous seafood appetizers that can function as a meal, especially the crab or shrimp cocktails.
• Lunch over dinner pricing: Several upscale restaurants offer lunch menus with similar dishes at lower prices than dinner service.
• Skip the drinks: Alcohol prices in Alaska are notably high due to shipping costs. A couple of cocktails can double your meal cost.

The Historic Dining Experience

Eating in Skagway means dining surrounded by history. Many restaurants occupy buildings from the 1898 Gold Rush era, and walking down Broadway feels like stepping into the past. These aren’t recreations – they’re actual historic buildings in Skagway that have been preserved from the Klondike days. The wooden boardwalks, false-front facades and period interiors create authentic atmosphere you won’t find at modern cruise ports.

Some establishments like the Red Onion Saloon embrace this heritage with period-dressed staff and historical photos lining the walls. Others quietly occupy historic spaces while serving contemporary cuisine. Either way, you’re eating in buildings that fed gold prospectors over a century ago, which adds flavor beyond what’s on the plate.

Bonus Tips Most Cruise Passengers Miss

• The “local” section on menus: Some restaurants mark which dishes use ingredients from Alaska rather than imports. These are usually your best bets for quality and authenticity.
• Coffee is serious business: Alaskans take their coffee seriously and even small cafés often serve better espresso than you’ll find on the ship.
• Reindeer sausage is a thing: If you see it on a menu and you’re feeling adventurous, try it. It’s leaner than pork sausage with a slightly gamey flavor that’s distinctly Alaskan.
• Restaurant WiFi: Many establishments offer free WiFi that’s often faster than the expensive ship internet. Order a coffee and catch up on messages.
• Takeaway for the ship: Some restaurants will pack food to go. Grab some smoked salmon or other treats to enjoy back on your balcony.
• Staff recommendations are gold: Restaurant workers live here and know what’s actually good versus what tourists order. Ask what they eat on their days off.
• Weather can change dining plans: Skagway’s weather is unpredictable. That outdoor waterfront table might need to become an indoor spot when rain rolls in suddenly.

Timing Your Meals With Excursions

If you’ve booked a White Pass Railway tour or hiking excursion, plan your meal accordingly. The train excursions typically run 3-4 hours and most tours return you to town by early afternoon, making 2 PM or later ideal for a leisurely meal. Morning excursions like hiking to waterfalls mean you’ll be ravenous by noon, so factor in potential restaurant wait times.

Some shore excursions include meals but cruise line food on tours tends to be underwhelming box lunches. If your tour includes lunch, consider whether you’d rather skip it and eat at a proper restaurant instead, assuming timing allows.

What to Order

Here’s what actually makes sense to order in Skagway versus what you should skip:

Order This:

• Halibut: Caught locally and incredibly fresh, whether it’s grilled, fried or in tacos
• King crab legs: Alaska’s famous crustacean at its source
• Wild salmon: Any preparation, but especially when it’s grilled or smoked
• Clam chowder: A staple that most restaurants do well
• Fish and chips: Simple but showcases the quality of local halibut
• Rockfish: Lesser-known but delicious and often more affordable than halibut

Skip This:

• Chicken or beef dishes: These ingredients traveled far to get here, order them at home
• Fancy fusion experiments: Stick to what Alaska does best rather than unnecessarily complicated plates
• Imported seafood: If you see shrimp from Thailand or Atlantic salmon, pass
• Heavy pasta dishes: You’ll want energy for exploring, not a food coma

Common Questions and FAQ

Do I need reservations at Skagway restaurants?

Generally no for parties of two to four, but calling ahead for groups of six or more is smart, especially if multiple large ships are docked. Most restaurants don’t take reservations but will note your name for a callback when a table opens.

Can restaurants accommodate food allergies?

Yes, most are accustomed to dietary restrictions and allergies. Inform your server immediately. However, kitchens are small and cross-contamination is more likely than at larger establishments, so those with severe allergies should exercise caution.

Are Skagway restaurants open year-round?

Most restaurants close completely from October through April when cruise ships stop coming. The few that stay open serve the local population and have reduced hours. This is strictly a seasonal operation for most dining establishments.

Can I bring food from restaurants back onto the ship?

Generally yes, though some cruise lines have restrictions on bringing seafood aboard due to contamination concerns. Check your cruise line’s specific policies. Most allow sealed packaged items like smoked salmon.

How do prices compare to eating on the ship?

Main dining room food on the ship is included, so obviously that’s cheaper. Specialty restaurants on ships typically run $30-60 per person, while Skagway restaurants range from $15-50 per person depending on what you order. The quality of fresh Alaskan seafood in Skagway usually exceeds what you’ll get on board.

Is tipping expected?

Yes, standard American tipping applies. 18-20% is customary for good service. Unlike on your cruise ship where gratuities are automatic, you’ll need to tip in cash or add it to your credit card payment.

Are there any local Alaskan beers to try?

Absolutely. Look for Alaskan Brewing Company products, which are brewed in nearby Juneau. Their Amber is the flagship but the seasonal offerings are worth trying. Some restaurants also carry local microbrews from smaller Alaska breweries.

Personal Experience

After spending the morning hiking up to Reid Falls and wandering through the historic downtown, my family and I were absolutely starving. We stumbled into this cozy spot near the waterfront that had been recommended by our tour guide, and honestly, the halibut fish and chips were some of the best I’ve ever had – crispy on the outside, flaky and fresh on the inside. My husband went for the king crab legs, which were massive and sweet, and our kids devoured their burgers while we sipped on local Alaskan Brewing Company beers. The atmosphere was casual and welcoming, filled with other cruise passengers and locals chatting about their day.

What really made the meal special was how fresh everything tasted. You can tell when seafood has been caught nearby, and this was definitely the real deal. We had just enough time to enjoy our food without rushing back to the ship, and the restaurant staff was super helpful about keeping an eye on the time for us since they’re used to serving cruise passengers. If you’re docking in Skagway, definitely save some appetite after your excursions – the food scene here is way better than just grabbing something quick on the ship.