Breakfast in Valdez, Alaska
Before heading out to your Valdez adventure, make sure to start your day off right with the most important meal of the day. Thankfully, Valdez has the best breakfast options in Alaska.
The Fat Mermaid
The Fat Mermaid offers dining on the Valdez waterfront throughout the year. Located along North Harbor Drive, the restaurant is only a few minutes walk from the Totem Hotel and is just down the street from the Best Western Harbor Inn and Bear Paw RV Park. During the summer, the Mermaid opens for breakfast at 7AM. The Fat Mermaid's breakfast menu includes favorite dishes like French toast, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes. Those who want a taste of local seafood can order the eggs benedict with red salmon. Vegetarian and vegan options are available at the Mermaid, including Kale and Eggs, the Field Day (avocado, tomatoes and cucumbers served on toast) and oats made with walnuts, craisins and brown sugar.
Summer outdoor dining at the Fat Mermaid. Photo by Jiyeon Juno Kim.
Latte Dah Espresso
Latte Dah Espresso is a locally owned café serving breakfast sandwiches and pastries in addition to coffee. Indoor seating and wi-fi are available, and the walls are decorated with works from local artists. Latte Dah is located on Kobuk Drive near the harbor, and is within a five minute walk from the Totem Hotel, Mountain Sky Hotel, Bear Paw RV Park and Best Western Harbor Inn.
Magpie's On the Fly
During the summer months Magpie's on the Fly is located on the corner of Hazelet Ave and Galena Drive, across from the Keystone Hotel. Magpie's offers outdoor dining, allowing guests to take in the scenic Alaskan beauty, with views of the Chugach Mountains and Port Valdez. Magpie's opens a bit later for breakfast at 10AM, making it the ideal spot for "brunch" in Valdez. In addition to hot coffee, breakfast dishes include "pacos" (pancake tacos), cinnamon buns, scones and breakfast burritos. Saturdays and Sundays are special occasions for brunch at Magpies. Saturday mornings feature local artists and other vendors at Magpie's Saturday Markets, while Sunday Mornings start out with "Sunday Jams" with local musicians.
During the winter, the Magpie's food truck is "on the fly" for Valdez's winter sports season. Look for Magpie's in Keystone Canyon during the annual Ice Climbing Festival or along the racetrack for the Mayor's Cup Snowmachine Race.
Magpie's on the Fly at Ice Fest 2021 in Keystone Canyon. Photo by Jiyeon Juno Kim.
Old Town Diner
Old Town Diner is an iconic downtown Valdez restaurant located just next to the Eagle's Rest RV Park and less than a five minute walk from other accommodations like Mountain Sky Hotel or Bayside RV Park. Old Town Diner describes itself as "a small scale restaurant that makes food the old fashioned way", and will remind visitors of a traditional American diner. Their breakfast menu is available online and features classic breakfast dishes like biscuits and gravy, pancakes and corned beef hash. For some local flair, consider the chicken fried steak, which is served "Alaskan style". The diner's summer breakfast hours are 5AM to 10:30 AM.
The Roadside Potatohead
The Roadside Potatohead - called "the Potato" for short by locals - offers one of Valdez's most memorable breakfast experiences. The Potato is located on North Harbor Drive and offers indoor and outdoor seating facing out to the Small Boat Harbor and the Valdez waterfront. Opening at 8AM everyday during the summer, the Potato offers a number hot breakfast options on their breakfast menu, including their Potatohead burrito, blackbean breakfast burrito (a great vegetarian/vegan option) and the McCarthy muffin sandwich. For the Potato's most iconic breakfast dish, order the 'Spudniks', which is described humorously: "think biscuits and gravy, but with fries instead of biscuits". The Potato is located within 5 minutes walking distance of the Totem Hotel, Bear Paw RV Park and the Best Western Harbor Inn.
A Rogue's Garden
A Rogue's Garden is an all natural foods store and café located on Fairbanks Drive right in the middle of town and just down the street from the Visitors Center. The café opens at 9 AM, Monday through Saturday, year round and offers pastries in addition to coffee and tea. The pastries are fresh baked daily.
Fresh baked pastries at A Rogue's Garden. Photo by Jiyeon Juno Kim.