Cafes and Other Cheap Eats

Even though chains such as Starbucks have made an appearance in Whitehorse, go beyond what you know and search out Midnight Sun Coffee Roaster (9002 Quartz Rd., 867/668-7559, Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), with coffee that is as good as you’ll find anywhere. It comes with locally inspired monikers like Sam McGee’s Black.

Also well worth a visit is The Chocolate Claim (305 Strickland St., 867/667-2202, Mon.–Fri. 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m., lunches $6.50–9), an arty space with handmade chocolates, freshly baked sunflower bread, sandwiches, savory soups, and cappuccino.

In a two-story log building just off 4th Avenue on the north side of downtown, Alpine Bakery (411 Alexander St., 867/668-6871, Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–6 p.m.) bakes wholesome European-style breads with organic ingredients, but they aren’t cheap. A specialty is Expedition Bread, which stays edible for up to a month. The bakery is also part deli.

Lil’s Place (209 Main St., 867/668-3545, daily 7 a.m.–9 p.m., $5.50–12) is set up as a 1950s diner complete with vinyl booths, a jukebox, gumball machines, and a menu of burgers and shakes.

Canadian

Right downtown, dining at Bistro on Fourth (High Country Inn, 4051 4th Ave., 867/667-4471, 7 a.m.–9:30 p.m., $15–31) combines Northern favorites with a clean, comfortable atmosphere and reasonable prices. The best choices focus on classic dishes with a Northern twist, such as a caribou burger. Most steak and seafood mains, including choices such as pork ribs barbecued on the heated deck, are under $30.

Housed in Whitehorse’s oldest commercial building, the Klondike Rib & Salmon BBQ (2116 2nd Ave., 867/667-7554, mid-May–Sept. daily for dinner, $14–29) has a family-friendly atmosphere of long tables covered with checked tablecloths and a finger-lickin’ menu. The house specialty is barbecued ribs, but you’ll also find steaks, Caesar salad, smoked salmon, halibut fish-and-chips, miner’s soup with caribou sausage, and bumbleberry pie. It’s busy, noisy, fun, and tasty.

Close by, the Talisman Café (River View Hotel, 102 Wood St., 867/667-7801, Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 6 a.m.–4 p.m.) is very different. The atmosphere is heady and the food runs the entire spectrum—from bannock and jam ($3) at breakfast to couscous salad ($7) and a Mediterranean platter ($18) in the evening.

Mexican

Sanchez Cantina (211 Hanson St., 867/668-5858, Mon.–Sat. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9:30 p.m., $10–16.50) is a casual, quiet place with familiar Mexican favorites. Sides of salsa and guacamole are made in-house and are delicious.

© Andrew Hempstead, from Moon Western Canada, 3rd Edition