Answer: FOOD!
According to Buzzfeed.com, Juneau is the only US destination on its top 10 worldwide places to go in 2019 for foodies.
“Focusing on fresh, local seafood and wild fruits, the food scene here is understated, delicious, and eco-friendly by nature.”
How would one describe Alaskan cuisine? Well, it is hard to describe. The Washington Post says “It’s trickier to pinpoint than Louisiana food, what with its jazzy Cajun spices and general swagger. It’s more soothing than Texan cuisine, with all its devil-may-care charred edges. And it’s more modest yet just as fun as that of New England, with its lobster rolls and abundant oysters.”
We think of it as holistic, jazzy, flavorful, smoky, fresh, fun, local and wild. It is hard to pinpoint but easy to love. It is perfect for any food lover but especially for food bloggers.
Thrillist puts it among the “10 Small Cities With World Class Food Scenes” and says “Juneauites’ access to fresh seafood, foraged sea and forest vegetables, and wild game is unparalleled.” Vogue wrote an article titled “Why Southeast Alaska Might Be America’s Most Interesting Food Scene.” And Food & Wine wrote “Alaska has always been extraordinarily lucky, when it comes to eating. Lately, however, there’s been an explosion of culinary talent and creativity, much of it in the state’s more temperate Southeast.”
Yes, the food is the reason we picked Juneau and Alaska for the 2019 International Food Blogger Conference.
Wondering what restaurants you can try in Juneau? Here are just a few samples.
**Tracy’s King Crab Shack: Located directly on Juneau’s waterfront, this favorite local location measures just 8-by-10-feet but serves no small amount of customers. Steaming crab legs and friendly service is what keeps people coming back day after day. Great food for a great price. A must try!
**Salt: Opened last year, Salt is the new hotspot on Juneau’s waterfront. What makes them special? Chef Lionel Uddipa, who won the Great American Seafood Cookoff in 2017, forages for the ingredients himself.
Deckhand Dave’s: Fresh fish tacos, need I say more? Yes? How about a fresh fish taco paired with a beer from Devil’s Club Brewing. A truly outstanding taco truck serving the freshest fish possible, even named in the “top 50 best taco joints in the U.S.” by Business Insider.
**Coppa: The most unique ice cream place you might ever visit. What is on the menu? Daily flavors, including rhubarb sorbet, and salmon candy. In 2016, BuzzFeed named Coppa the most popular ice cream shop in Alaska. In 2017, Coppa won the Grand Prize in the Alaska Symphony of Seafood with their candied salmon ice cream. 
(Photo from: Travel Juneau)
Narrows: After a day out on the waterfront you will want to head over to Narrows. A craft cocktail bar with uniquely crafted ice balls from the Harriman Fjord in Prince William Sound. This local hangout spot, equip with a fire place and brick walls provides as relaxing space to unwind from (and digest) all your delicious foodie adventures.
**Will be serving bites at IFBC19’s Taste of Juneau.
We hope you can join us this June in Juneau!
See you this summer! Be sure to check out “Deckhand Dave’s.” It’s the best place ever, but then, Dave is my son.
I hope Dave finds a spot this summer. Deckhand Dave’s is out go to spot when we want to eat out. I didn’t even like rockfish till I had it at Deckhand Dave’s. Everything is delicious!
I heard Dave will be at the corner of Franklin and Front streets
As a Juneau resident I can agree this is a great place to have this event!