Food

Open seasonally, Tina’s Kitchen (907/772-2090, Sun. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. summer, $8–11) occupies a little downtown stand next to Scandia House with amazingly tasty Baja-style halibut-cheek tacos, plus chicken teriyaki, shrimp burgers, burritos, and even Philly steak sandwiches. Eat at the picnic tables out front or inside the party tent with heaters.

A latte joint, Java Hus (907/772-2626, Sun. 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon.–Sat. 6 a.m.–5 p.m.) is inside Scandia House. A better bet is Common Ground (904 S. Nordic Dr., 907/772-2299, Sun. 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon.–Sat. 6 a.m.–5:30 p.m.), a little drive-through with an adjacent roaster. It’s 0.5 miles north of the ferry terminal.

For fresh bread, croissants, cinnamon rolls, scones, giant cookies, quiche, and the cheapest coffee in town, check out Emily’s Bakery (1000 S. Mitkof Hwy., 907/772-4555, Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.), a few steps toward town from the ferry. Get there early or the shelves may be bare.

Given the importance of fishing in the local economy, it comes as no surprise that Petersburg [1] has a number of places offering fresh seafood. Coastal Cold Storage Fish Market (306 N. Nordic Dr., 907/772-4177, Sun. 6 a.m.–2 p.m., Mon.–Sat. 6 a.m.–6 p.m., $5–12) serves tasty halibut beer bits, shrimp burgers, Reubens, king crab sandwiches, chowders, and other lunch fare, plus Ole and Lena omelets for a Norwegian breakfast. You can also buy fresh fish, scallops, crab (cooked if you like), and other seafood—including, of course, lutefisk.

Tonka Seafoods (907/772-3662 or 888/560-3662, www.tonkaseafoods.com [2]) specializes in premium smoked, canned, or fresh salmon, rockfish, and halibut. The retail store, across from the Sons of Norway Hall on Sing Lee Alley, is open weekdays, and tours may be available.

Open for three meals a day, Rooney’s Northern Lights Restaurant (203 Sing Lee Alley, 907/772-2900, daily 6 a.m.–8 p.m., dinner $15–26) has windows facing the harbor and dependably good meals, including fish baskets, Petersburg peel-and-eat shrimp, and a three-berry cobbler for dessert.

Prices for food and other items are higher in Petersburg than in other Southeast Alaska [3] towns. Two local grocers have all the supplies: Hammer & Wikan (1300 Howkan Dr., 907/772-4246, www.hammerandwikan.com [4], Sun. 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–8 p.m.), with a full deli and a bakery, and the downtown Trading Union (907/772-3881, Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.).