While Petersburg, Alaska, may be a small town. This quaint fishing village, often called Little Norway, has just enough restaurants to make your time there enjoyable. This is our complete guide to Restaurants in Petersburg, Alaska.

Article Overview: A Complete Guide to the Restaurants in Petersburg, Alaska

Petersburg Alaska Restaurants: Few options but a few surprises as well.

The best part of Petersburg may be its size. It’s just big enough to have a thriving community and economy but small enough that you can start recognizing faces after spending just a few days there. It’s a community that still shuts down its Main Street (North Nordic Ave) for the occasional festival, and nearly the entire town comes out for frybread, dunk tanks, and egg tosses. So, the frustrating fact that there are very few restaurants open year-round would be contradictory to the value that its smallness offers. I can’t complain about the lack of restaurants if I also love the smallness of this beautiful place.

What is remarkable about Petersburg, Alaska’s culinary scene, is the diversity and quality of some of its restaurants. From their seasonal outdoor Thai restaurant to their nationally reviewed bakery, Petersburg, Alaska, has something for everyone.

El Zarape Restaurant in Petersburg, Alaska

If you’re lucky enough to be staying put in Petersburg, Alaska, for more than a night, Check out Petersburg, Alaska: Essential Guide

Why Trust Us On Petersburg, Alaska Restaurants

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Filming in Alaska often means sleeping on a salmon troller and reheating a precooked meal on the diesel stove. So we are overjoyed whenever a story takes us back to shore and to a town like Petersburg. Not only does that usually mean we can take a warm shower in a hotel, but it also means we aren’t too far away from Pad Thai and a cold beer.

When I first traveled to Petersburg, Alaska, in 2015 to film a new TV show for the National Geographic Channel, I remember eating at the local pizza place multiple times and grabbing burritos to go from a truck on the street. Since then, multiple restaurants have opened up. I continue to travel through Petersburg at least a half dozen times a year and enjoy the number of restaurants Petersburg, Alaska offers.

Best Petersburg, Alaska Restaurants

Inga’s Galley

One of my favorite joints in town, Inga’s Galley, is only open during the warmer months. While I’m glad they get the winters off, I miss their Tofu Pad Thai and Green Curry during the colder seasons. The food is excellent. The restaurant is a glorified food truck they’ve constructed additions to over the years. You place your order at the window, and they serve everything in to-go containers. They have a fun outdoor sitting area with firepits and a covered area in case the weather turns.

They offer beer and wine, but the real draw to this place is the eclectic and consistently excellent food. The Pad Thai is always a good choice, as is their stir fry, egg rolls, curries, and veggie dumplings. It is one of the few places in town with vegetarian options. They have a black bean burger, and several entrees have a tofu option.

The last time I was in Petersburg, Inga’s offered a breakfast menu. I’m unsure if that was the new norm or a fleeting enterprise. Either way, Inga’s is an unavoidable and pleasurable culinary choice while visiting Petersburg, Alaska.

ADDRESS: 104 N Nordic Dr, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 11 am-8 pm.

Papa Bear’s Pizza

I think Papa Bear’s Pizza was probably the first sit-down meal I had in Petersburg, Alaska, more than eight years ago. We had a full crew dinner at Papa’s, and I remember everyone having a good time before heading out to Prince of Wales Island. There is nothing spectacular about their pies, which is just fine. Every town needs a reliable, decent pizza place. Let’s be honest: no matter how good the food is in your town, I bet the place you most frequent is still your closest burger or pizza joint. Papa Bear’s is that place for most of Petersburg. Good pizza and reliable service all year long.

The menu is traditional. They offer all the usual toppings on 12”, 14”, or 16” pizzas, with fun names like the Sassy Mama Bear, the Chubby Chicken, and the Crab Bait. They also offer sandwiches and burgers if you’re not in the mood for a pizza.

I’ve never had a kitchen in Petersburg since I always stay in a hotel. If you are fortunate enough to have a kitchen, Papa Bear’s does sell take ‘n’ bake pizzas, frozen pizzas you can cook at home. I’ve considered taking them out on the boat and heating them in the diesel oven, but I haven’t had the opportunity yet.

ADDRESS: 219 N Nordic Dr, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 12-7 pm (Closed Sunday and Monday).

The Salty Pantry

Salty Pantry in Petersburg, Alaska — *The Salty Pantry Restaurant in Petersburg, Alaska*

Undoubtedly, the Salty Pantry serves the best food in town and stands out as the most culinary creative restaurant in Petersburg, Alaska. The baked goods are too good to exist in this small joint across from the harbor. The food here is incredible, offering unique meals like the recent Spinach artichoke jalapeño stuffed portabella, served with a salmon quinoa patty and braised sesame cabbage with roasted vegetables.

When arriving or departing Petersburg, this is the first and often last place our crew will end up. The restaurant is counter-serviced, with a small indoor eating area and a slightly larger outdoor area. The menu constantly evolves but always includes their remarkable baked goods.

When you walk in the door, there will inevitably be a line. When you finally get to the counter, you will be greeted by a glass case made from an old red window frame. Behind it, you will find the most visually stimulating food in Petersburg, from quiches and tray bakes to giant salads and sandwiches. The smells will overwhelm your senses. I guarantee you that if you are in Petersburg, Alaska, and looking for a restaurant, you will find yourself at the Salty Pantry multiple times.

PRO TIP: Get your food to-go and wash it down with a cocktail or beer at Kito’s Kave next door, one of our favorite bars in Alaska.

ADDRESS: 14 Harbor Way, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 6 am-2:30 pm (Closed Sunday and Monday).

Helse

Sing Lee Alley is a funky little street off the main drag in Petersburg, Alaska. It has a lot of character. At first glance, most of the buildings look derelict and worn, but if you look closer, there are a few shops and one tiny restaurant. Helse reflects the character of its location with its kaleidoscope of a menu.

The breakfast menu includes burritos, pancakes, chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, and bagels. The lunch menu has a large selection of cold sandwiches like the Mushroom Magic, Mount Helse, The Whaler, and burgers. And to mix things up, the dinner menu is Chinese, including sweet and sour chicken, beef chow mein, and won ton soup. This place is a little funky, but I like it!

ADDRESS: 13 Sing Lee Alley, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 10 am-4 pm.

Coastal Cold Storage

This place is a bit confusing to the passerby. Coastal Cold Storage is a fishing processor catering to sport fishermen who need their fish processed and packed for their return flights home. In addition to offering Petersburg fish processing services, they also run a small restaurant. They are open for breakfast and lunch and offer frozen seafood for purchase.

They serve ten different breakfast sandwiches, all served on an English muffin. I recommend getting the reindeer sandwich since you will probably not get the opportunity to eat that back home. They also have breakfast plates served until 11 am. The lunch menu is pretty bang’n: Halibut Beer Bits, Rockfish Tacos, Crab Platter, and Clam strips. If you want seafood in town, this is the place to get it. Additionally, they have a few burgers and wraps as well.

Like many Petersburg, Alaska restaurants, Coastal Cold Storage is seasonal, open from early April through mid-October.

ADDRESS: 306 N Nordic Ave, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 7 am-2:30 pm (Closed Sunday).

Studebaker’s Pizza

There aren’t a lot of delivery restaurants in Petersburg, Alaska. As far as I know, Studebaker’s may be the only delivery option, which can be very convenient in the middle of winter when the roads are shitty and you don’t want to go out.

So, if you are hungry and have no desire to leave your hotel room, call (907) 772-5000 and get yourself a pizza delivered for a measly $2 delivery fee. I recommend ordering the Blue Hawaii (but maybe hold the almonds).

ADDRESS: 1280 Howkan St, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 4 pm-9 pm (open until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays).

The Tinnery

I’ve never had the opportunity to eat at The Tinnery, which is ironic since it’s located just below the Tides Inn, where I frequently stay. Their hours are sporadic; the restaurant may have become primarily carry-out-only. On my last trip to Petersburg, a sign on the front door had the current menu and a link to a ToastTakeOut App, for ordering online. You can also call them at (907) 650-7789.

The menu consists of six different traditional burger options and a club sandwich. Since I’ve never eaten here or seen it open, I can’t say much more about it except that it may be a convenient option if you’re staying at the hotel located above it.

ADDRESS: 307 1st St, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 7 am – 10 am, 5 pm – 10 pm

El Zarape

This joint is one of my favorite restaurants in Petersburg, Alaska, and has a warm place in my heart. It’s been one of the most reliable restaurants in Petersburg ever since I started traveling there. Too many times to count, I’ve arrived in town too late for most of the restaurants to be open in the winter, but El Zarape was still lit up on Nordic Ave, welcoming me and my hungry friends. Their service is fast, the staff is always kind, and the food is consistent. The rockfish tacos are always a crew favorite.

It’s been fun watching this small business grow over the years. They now serve a breakfast menu, beer, and have added an outside seating area.

ADDRESS: 114 N Nordic Dr, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 8 am -8 pm

Best Petersburg Restaurants: Coffee Shops

Common Grounds

*Common Ground Coffeshop in Petersburg, Alaska*

This coffee shop is in the same building as the Scandia House Hotel. It’s a convenient spot for their guests to get a cup of morning joe and a quick snack. Common Grounds offers a selection of pastries and bags of locally roasted coffee (Alaska Island Coffee). The first thing you will notice when walking in is the delicious smell of their coffee. The sitting area is small but nice, and the walls are often decorated with local artist’s work.

This friendly establishment has pastries, bagel dogs, and oatmeal. I tend to get up early, and finishing my morning run with a stop at Common Ground for a to-go coffee has become a nice ritual on my frequent trips to Petersburg.

ADDRESS: 904 S Nordic Dr, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 6 am-6 pm (Closed Sunday and Monday).

Glacier Express Cafe

*Sandwich at the Glaciar Express Cafe in Petersburg, Alaska (Courtesy Facebook)*

Sandwich at the Glacial Express Cafe in Petersburg. — *Sandwich at the Glaciar Express Cafe in Petersburg, Alaska (Courtesy Facebook)*

The Glacier Express Cafe is a coffee shop that offers a small breakfast menu and packaged pastries. They have a nice large sitting area, which is rare in Petersburg. This may be the ticket if you’re looking for a nice dry place to hang out and have some coffee and snacks.

They have all the coffee drinks you would expect: mochas, lattes, and cappuccinos. They also serve bubble tea and breakfast. The breakfast menu includes a jalapeno bagel with sausage, egg, and cheese, an English breakfast sandwich, and three breakfast burritos. Everything is premade and reheated, so if you’re in a rush and need a quick coffee and burrito, stop by the Glacier Cafe to start your day.

ADDRESS: 400 N Nordic Ave, Petersburg, AK 99833 HOURS: 6 am-2:30 pm (Closed Sunday and Monday).

Exploring Southeast Alaska? heading to Prince of Wales Island? Check out our FULL GUIDE to Prince of Wales Island: Island Life in Alaska

Best Petersburg, Alaska Restaurants (Post Summary)

Here’s a list of our favorite restaurants in Petersburg, Alaska.

Inga’s Galley
Papa Bear’s Pizza
Salty Pantry
Glacier Express Cafe
Coastal Cold Storage
Studebaker’s Pizza
Helse
The Tinnery
El Zarape

Petersburg Alaska Restaurants: Few options but a few surprises as well.

Why Trust Us On Petersburg, Alaska Restaurants