Set Sail on a Culinary Adventure!

Maybe you booked an Alaska cruise for the wildlife, or maybe it was for the unbelievable scenery. Well, after your visit, the food might be the reason you book a trip back. Southeast Alaska is known for its abundance of wild seafood, but you might be surprised to discover that some uniquely Alaskan food isn’t from the ocean! And if you’re still planning your trip, be sure to check out my guide on What to Pack for an Alaska cruise.

Whether you’re sailing through Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, or Skagway, here are the must-try foods on your Alaska cruise to add to your foodie bucket list and the best places to eat them at!

Quick Look

#1: Bull Kelp Pickles

Once you start your cruise, you’ll probably see a ton of huge seaweed floating on top of the ocean. This is bull kelp, and has been used to make pickles, salsa, and hot sauce! Look for the brands “Forged and Found” and “Barnacle Foods” at the stores. Many of the gift shops offer free samples as well!

Typical Price: $6 – $12 a jar

Tastes Like: Crunchy, briny, and slightly salty with a fresh ocean flavor. The kelp adds a subtle seaweed taste, but it’s much milder than sushi seaweed. Even people who aren’t adventurous eaters are often surprised by how much they enjoy them.

Worth a Try?: If you’re a pickle fan, then it’s a yes! If you don’t enjoy pickles to begin with, I’d say pass.

Give it a try here: Salmon Landing Market in Ketchikan

#2: Salmonberry Jelly

No fish in this jelly! Salmonberry is a real berry that grows on many bushes all around the Pacific Northwest. They taste similarly to raspberries, and their colors range from red, orange, to yellow.

Typical Price: $8 – $15 a jar

Tastes Like: Sweet with a slight tartness, somewhere between raspberry and apricot. It’s lighter and more delicate than traditional berry jams.

Worth the try?: If you really aren’t into seafood and still want to try something exotic, then it’s a yes! It’s not a “wow, life-changing” food by any means, but it’s a delicious and fun food to experience. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like salmonberry jelly (so these jars can be great gifts too!).

Give it a try here: Alaskan Snacks in Ketchikan

#3: Pel’Meni (Russian Dumplings)

Sitka used to be the Russian American capital up until 1867 when Alaska was sold to the United States. Because of this, you’ll find a lot of Russian influence all over town, including these dumplings!

Typical Price: $12 – $18 for a large bowl.

Tastes Like: Dumplings filled with seasoned meat, topped with butter, curry powder, sour cream, or hot sauce. They’re warm, comforting, and incredibly addictive. Think of them as Alaska’s favorite late night comfort food.

Worth the Try?: Yes, especially if you’re in port and it’s cold and rainy. These will warm you right up so you can keep exploring.

Give it a taste here: Pel’Meni in Sitka

#4: Rockfish Tacos

It’s hard to beat a good taco, especially when it has juicy rockfish in it! Rockfish are native to Alaskan waters and look like something out of an alien space film, but taste way better than they look.

Typical Price: $12 – $20 for two to three tacos

Tastes Like: Rockfish is fresh, flaky, and slightly sweet. They’re lighter than fried fish dishes and perfect for a quick lunch in port.

Worth the Try?: If you’re not looking for a long, sit-down lunch, and want something on the lighter side, then these are a definite yes. But if you want to try something more “Alaskan”, then you can pass on these. Tacos are delicious, but these won’t be that different from your average tacos in the lower 48.

Give it a taste here: Ashmo’s in Sitka

#5: Sourdough Pancakes

In the Klondike gold rush era, many people used sourdough since yeast wasn’t commercially available. The prospectors actually carried living starter in pouches around their necks to keep it from freezing. Then if they survived the winter, they called themselves “Sourdough”.

Typical Price: $10 – $18 for a breakfast plate

Tastes Like: Fluffy with a subtle tang that balances perfectly with butter and syrup. They’re richer and more flavorful than ordinary pancakes.

Worth the Try?: Depends. If it’s on the menu during breakfast, yes. But I wouldn’t recommend seeking these out unless you love pancakes.

Give it a taste here: Sandpiper Cafe in Juneau. Order the ricotta sourdough pancakes.

#6: Tempura Halibut and Chips

Many people rave about the King Crab, but I’d say Halibut is my favorite Alaskan seafood. And what better way to eat it than fried?

Typical Price: $18 – $30, depending on the plate

Tastes Like: Lightly battered and crispy on the outside with tender, flaky halibut inside. The tempura batter is lighter and crunchier than traditional fish-and-chip batter, letting the fish shine.

Worth the Try?: YES! Out of everything on this list, this is the number one item I’d recommend. If you are trying to avoid fried food, look for halibut grilled or blackened. Halibut never disappoints!

Give it a taste here: The Hangar on the Wharf in Juneau. And while you’re enjoying your meal, keep a look out for bald eagles and seals swimming in the harbor. Check out my guide on the 10 Top Wildlife to See on your Cruise to know what other animals to look for!

#7: Reindeer Sausage

A delicious, familiar sausage, but made with reindeer meat! If you’ve never tried wild game before, Skagway is one of the easiest places to do it. Reindeer and other game are staples on a lot of the menus and offer a unique Alaskan twist on familiar comfort foods.

Typical Price: $10 – $15

Tastes Like: Smoky, savory, and slightly richer than a traditional bratwurst. The flavor is mild enough that you probably wouldn’t immediately guess they’re eating reindeer.

Worth the Try?: If you’re looking for a quick, filling, hot meal, then yes. Nothing hits quite like a warm sausage on a rainy day. Other than that, you can pass.

Give it a taste here: Skagway Weenie Wagon in Skagway

#8: Spruce Tip Blonde Ale

The Sitka Spruce tree is very common all over Southeast Alaska. Their bright green tips have a citrusy flavor to them, making them popular in sodas, syrups, and beer! Try a pint (or two or three) of the blonde ale while you’re in Skagway! Also, make sure to check out my Top Alaska Cruise Excursions guide to make sure you also do the most iconic Alaska tour while you’re in Skagway.

Typical Price: $7 – $10 a pint

Flavor Profile: Light, crisp, and refreshing with subtle citrus and pine notes from young spruce tips. Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like drinking a Christmas tree. The spruce adds a unique Alaska twist without overpowering the beer.

Worth the Try?: YES, especially if you like beer. It’s a unique taste that you won’t find anywhere else.

Give it a taste here: Skagway Brewing Company in Skagway

Continue Planning Your Alaska Cruise

🎒 What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: Everything you need for unpredictable port weather and glacier viewing days on deck

🐋 10 Incredible Animals to See on an Alaska Cruise (and Exactly Where to Spot Them): Learn where to find whales, bears, bald eagles, sea otters, and more.

🚁 The Top 10 Alaska Cruise Excursions Worth Booking: These are the tours that you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life.

Ready to turn your Alaska cruise into a foodie adventure?

I made an Alaska Cruise Food Bucket List that has 14 more Alaska foods to try! Along with the food, it includes bucket lists for wildlife, photography, history, and adventures. In total, the lists include over 100 things to do, see, photograph, and experience throughout your cruise! Whether you’re hoping to spot wildlife, discover hidden local favorites, or make sure you don’t miss a single must-try bite, it’s designed to help you make the most of every port stop.

**Grab the Bucket Lists here!*

Have you tried any food in Alaska that you haven’t seen anywhere else? Let me know in the comments!