Though Alaska didn’t enter statehood until 1959, there were still plenty of established restaurants and bakeries all over the state from when it was a territory. The gold rush brought many people up to Alaska and those mouths had to be fed! The restaurants that are still standing today have clearly stood the test of time, but with all the nooks and crannies around our state it’s hard to find them all. If you know of any other restaurants that have been around since Alaska’s early years, let us know!
- AJ’s Old Town Steakhouse
AJ’s Old Town Steakhouse Yelp Page Originally known as Homer Cafe and Pub, Aj’s Old Town Steakhouse is one of the oldest establishments in Homer. It was built by Frank Beers in 1941 and went through the hands of many owners throughout its history. Its most recent sale and change in name was in 2010 when it was purchased from Chip Duggan by Adrienne and Alex Sweeney and was renamed from Duggans’s Waterfront Pub to it’s current name. Not surprisingly, it is still often referred to as Waterfront Pub!
- Club Paris
Club Paris Yelp Page Let’s look at another long standing and well known steakhouse in Alaska, Club Paris! Originally built in the 1920’s for other purposes, it finally was opened as a restaurant in the mid 50’s. The interior is old school and their steaks really are some of the best!
- Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant
Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant Yelp Page Another Anchorage favorite is Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant. It’s been around for over 30 years and the inside is decorated from pictures of Alaska, past and present. They serve up great food and offer an excellent Alaskan themed atmosphere great for the whole family.
- Salty Dawg Saloon
Salty Dawg Saloon Yelp Page The Salty Dawg Saloon is another old establishment in Homer. Though it’s a saloon and not a restaurant, it has stood the test of time for a LONG time considering it was originally constructed in 1897. It served many purposes throughout its lifetime from grocery store, to post office and trading post. The establishment was moved out to its current location on the spit after the destruction of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.
- Silverbow Inn
Joe McCabe | Silver Bow Inn Website The Silverbow Inn in Juneau is one of Alaska’s oldest bakeries! An immigrant named Gus Messerschmidt from Austria opened the Silverbow Bakery in 1898 and lived above his bakery just as the current owners do today. The establishment still opporates as a bakery and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it one of the largest kitchens in town. Also, a fun surprise, in 2014 they added a wine bar so now you can get a meal and wonderful drinks!
- Peggy’s Restaurant
Peggy’s Restaurant Yelp Page This little diner out by the airport is a great place to grab truly Alaskan fare. It’s been around since 1944 and, believe it or not, a woman named Peggy owned and operated it for 20 years!
- Lucky Wishbone
Lucky Wishbone Yelp Page The Lucky Wishbone opened in 1955 and is one of Anchorage’s most popular old restaurants. They are known to have the best malt milkshakes in the state!
- Historic Skagway Inn
Historic Skagway Inn Yelp Page Built in 1897, the Skagway Inn was built with the Gold Rush in mind. It is still open today and located in the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Historic District of Skagway.
What other awesome Alaska restaurants feel like they’ve been around forever?
AJ’s Old Town Steakhouse Yelp Page
Originally known as Homer Cafe and Pub, Aj’s Old Town Steakhouse is one of the oldest establishments in Homer. It was built by Frank Beers in 1941 and went through the hands of many owners throughout its history. Its most recent sale and change in name was in 2010 when it was purchased from Chip Duggan by Adrienne and Alex Sweeney and was renamed from Duggans’s Waterfront Pub to it’s current name. Not surprisingly, it is still often referred to as Waterfront Pub!
Club Paris Yelp Page
Let’s look at another long standing and well known steakhouse in Alaska, Club Paris! Originally built in the 1920’s for other purposes, it finally was opened as a restaurant in the mid 50’s. The interior is old school and their steaks really are some of the best!
Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant Yelp Page
Another Anchorage favorite is Gwennie’s Old Alaska Restaurant. It’s been around for over 30 years and the inside is decorated from pictures of Alaska, past and present. They serve up great food and offer an excellent Alaskan themed atmosphere great for the whole family.
Salty Dawg Saloon Yelp Page
The Salty Dawg Saloon is another old establishment in Homer. Though it’s a saloon and not a restaurant, it has stood the test of time for a LONG time considering it was originally constructed in 1897. It served many purposes throughout its lifetime from grocery store, to post office and trading post. The establishment was moved out to its current location on the spit after the destruction of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake.
Joe McCabe | Silver Bow Inn Website
The Silverbow Inn in Juneau is one of Alaska’s oldest bakeries! An immigrant named Gus Messerschmidt from Austria opened the Silverbow Bakery in 1898 and lived above his bakery just as the current owners do today. The establishment still opporates as a bakery and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it one of the largest kitchens in town. Also, a fun surprise, in 2014 they added a wine bar so now you can get a meal and wonderful drinks!
Peggy’s Restaurant Yelp Page
This little diner out by the airport is a great place to grab truly Alaskan fare. It’s been around since 1944 and, believe it or not, a woman named Peggy owned and operated it for 20 years!
Lucky Wishbone Yelp Page
The Lucky Wishbone opened in 1955 and is one of Anchorage’s most popular old restaurants. They are known to have the best malt milkshakes in the state!
Historic Skagway Inn Yelp Page
Built in 1897, the Skagway Inn was built with the Gold Rush in mind. It is still open today and located in the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Historic District of Skagway.
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