If you ask a Juneau local for their favorite place to savor a meal by the water, chances are they’ll point you straight to Auke Bay. Nestled at the northern edge of Juneau, this harborside community is more than just the launch point for whale-watching tours—it’s a true hub for hungry adventurers and home-grown foodies alike. Whether you’re craving Alaska-caught seafood, artisan pastries, or a killer cup of locally roasted coffee, Auke Bay has you covered. Here’s a foodie’s guide to Auke Bay, featuring popular spots, hidden gems, and can’t-miss flavors you’ll only find here.
Where the Flavors Cluster: Auke Bay Harbors and Glacier Highway
Most Auke Bay food destinations are clustered near the intersection of Glacier Highway and Auke Bay Harbor Road, forming a walkable food stroll with mountain views. The harborside’s steady pulse of fishermen, students from University of Alaska Southeast, and glacier-bound tourists keep these restaurants lively year-round.
Standout Restaurants in Auke Bay
- The Sandbar & Grill
Location: 3625 Harbor Dr
Cuisine: Classic pub fare and world-famous halibut
Price: $–$$
For legendary fish and chips, locals point to The Sandbar. This unpretentious, salt-of-the-earth bar serves up golden-fried slabs of halibut that have earned near-mythic status. Don’t let the bar vibe fool you—this is a family-friendly spot before sundown, with generous portions and a loyal local following. Also try their burgers and fresh seafood chowder for comforting flavors after a day on the water.
- SALT Alaska
Location: 495 S Franklin St (Downtown pop-up, with occasional Auke Bay events)
Cuisine: Contemporary Alaskan
Price: $$$
When SALT does pop-ups in the Auke Bay neighborhood, it’s pure foodie magic: chef-driven menus highlight foraged ingredients, fresh-caught salmon, and creative desserts. Keep an eye out for special events at the Auke Bay Statter Harbor pavilion or collaborative dinners with other local purveyors.
- The Squirez Bar & Grill
Location: 11957 Glacier Hwy
Cuisine: Comfort food, steaks, seafood
Price: $$
A newer arrival along Glacier Highway, Squirez is a welcoming, locally owned grill popular for its hearty breakfasts, juicy steaks, and rotating seafood features. Don’t miss their weekend prime rib, or pop in for an omelet and strong cup of coffee on a foggy morning.
Café Gems & Bakeries
- The Hangar on the Wharf—Auke Bay Café
Location: 11798 Glacier Hwy
Cuisine: Espresso, quick bites, pastries
Price: $
The Hangar’s Auke Bay outpost trades the waterfront crowd for brisk sea air and mountain views. Stop in for a latte and a house-baked scone (favorites include wild blueberry or lemon-poppyseed). It’s an unbeatable little spot for a post-hike caffeine fix or a locals’ warm-up after a rainy winter morning.
- Simply Salmon Market & Café
Location: 11798 Glacier Hwy
Cuisine: Salmon-centric specialties, soups, sandwiches
Price: $–$$
Part retail market, part café, Simply Salmon is a go-to for Alaskan seafood lovers. Grab a hot chowder, a smoked-salmon bagel, or pick up vacuum-packed salmon to take back home. The counter service is quick, the ingredients fresh, and the stories from the fishermen behind the counter are always authentic.
- Alaskan Crepe Escape (Seasonal Food Truck)
Location: Usually near the harbor’s main parking lot
Cuisine: Sweet and savory crepes
Price: $
A summer staple for families and festival-goers, this cheerful food truck offers fluffy crepes loaded with local jams, Nutella, or fresh greens and smoked salmon. Picnic tables under the shadow of the mountains let you soak up Auke Bay’s fresh air between bites.
Hidden Foodie Treasures
- Auke Bay Café (at NOAA Fisheries Lab)
Location: 17109 Pt Lena Loop Rd
Cuisine: Local lunch café, daily specials
Price: $
This tiny weekday lunch stop is a secret among Auke Bay regulars—visit for homemade soups, sandwiches, and rotating pies made with seasonal Alaska produce. Set inside the NOAA Fisheries Lab, it’s part cafeteria, part community gathering spot, and all charm. Check the chalkboard for daily specials.
- Devil’s Club Brewing Auke Bay Taproom (Coming Soon!)
Location: Announced for 2024-2025 along Glacier Hwy
Cuisine: Craft beer, artisan snacks
Price: $$
The popular Juneau brewery has plans to open an Auke Bay taproom, promising local brews, inventive bar snacks, and live music. Keep an eye out—a craft beer stop with harbor views will quickly become a must-do for locals and out-of-towners.
Traditions and Local Culture
It wouldn’t be Auke Bay without the annual dockside salmon bakes or whale-watching boats returning with stories (and sometimes fresh catch) right at Statter Harbor. Many eateries here source straight from dockside fishermen—when wild king salmon or halibut runs peak, ask what’s fresh: you might get a meal caught that very morning. Foragers will sometimes sell freshly picked berries or mushrooms in roadside stalls during late summer and early fall, adding to the hyperlocal flavor.
Don’t overlook the classic Alaskan fry bread at outdoor festivals, or steaming cups of locally roasted Heritage Coffee, available at almost every café counter.
Why Auke Bay’s Food Scene Is Special
Auke Bay’s food finds combine what Juneau does best: wild-caught seafood, homespun hospitality, and a drop-dead gorgeous setting where glacier-capped mountains meet protected waters. With its quirky mix of harborside taverns and mom-and-pop cafés, the eating here is as genuine and unpretentious as the fishers hauling up the day’s catch.
Whether you’re winding down after a paddle in the bay, grabbing lunch before a boat tour, or seeking the best fish and chips north of Ketchikan, Auke Bay delivers. With locals behind every counter, and views that can turn even a simple sandwich into a memory, it’s a neighborhood that invites you to stay—and eat—a little longer.
Where will your first bite in Auke Bay be? No matter what direction you choose, you’re in for something deliciously local.