Last Update in March 2023! Alaska might have a rugged image, but just like the rest of the U.S, they have juice shops, trendy breweries, ice cream parlors, and specialty bakeries. Though we wouldn’t call the 49th state a hot bed for special diets, we did discover quite a few eateries that welcome dairy-free diners. The collection below includes restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores in Alaska that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state.
We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.
Photo from Prospectors Pizzeria & Alehouse in Denali Park, Alaska
Dairy-Free Alaska: Recommended Restaurants & Shops
Alaskan cuisine offers a lot of naturally dairy-free options, depending on how they’re prepared. Nearly every menu has an abundance of cold water seafood, from famed wild Alaskan salmon to king crabs – the true stars of The Deadliest Catch. You will also spot wild game on many menus. And believe it or not, organic local produce is quite common. All types of cruciferous vegetables and squash grow quite well up north. Wild berries are also quite pervasive, including blueberries raspberries, and salmonberries. Alaskans are also quite proud of their local beers, which go well with their staple comfort food – pizza.
We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.
⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)
Anchorage
- 49th State Brewing – Aside from their own beers, they have a big menu of food with a few notable vegan options – like flatbread with dairy-free mozzarella and “chicken” tacos. They might even have a decadent vegan dessert waiting for you. Some other savory menu items can be made dairy-free on request, but we’re still waiting on a few specifics.
- Acai Alaska – Every acai bowl and smoothie they blend is made with no dairy and no added sugars. Plus, they serve some savory items like vegan burritos.
- A Pie Stop – My husband would love this shop because they only bake pies! They custom make all types of sweet and savory pies for dairy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free customers. However, these special orders to cost a little extra.
- Fat Ptarmigan – Although it isn’t listed online, this popular wood-fired pizzeria reportedly offers Daiya dairy-free cheese alternative. They are also quite good at letting you know which sauces and salad dressings contain dairy, and they have a gluten-free crust available.
- Fire Island Rustic Bake Shop ⭐️ – This local bakery has three locations, each with ample dairy-free options. Though they caution about cross-contamination in their kitchen, they do offer a dairy-free list, which includes about a dozen breads and some sweets.
- Gelatte – Thank you to Sheena for this recommendation! “The owner is dairy free and offers up to 6 flavors at a time on a consistent basis, with ever-changing flavors. Some fruit based dairy-free options are lemon, passion fruit, watermelon, blood orange, lychee, mojito (non-alcoholic) and more. For coconut based dairy-free gelato, there is coconut, rocky road, better than almond joy, peanut butter, vanilla, and more.”
- Ginger – Vegan Curry and Vegan Key Lime Cheesecake can be found right on the menu, which we thought was pretty cool. They reportedly offer other menu items that are either naturally dairy free or can be made dairy free.
- Hearth Artisan Pizza ⭐️ – This is one friendly Alaska restaurant. They offer house-made vegan mozzarella AND Daiya dairy-free cheese alternative for all of their pizzas. They also label dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan items right on the menu. You can even order vegan chocolate avocado pudding for dessert!
- Heavenly Cup – This local coffee shop offers dairy-free almond, coconut, rice, and soy milk alternatives and they often have locally made vegan baked goods on hand. They also source dairy-free convenience items like Umpqua Oats.
- Market Juice – If you’re craving fruits, vegetables, and creamy nut milks, then this is the shop for you. They have an assortment of fresh pressed juices and smoothies (with plant-based protein), plus house-made almond milk and hemp cashew milks. Their menu also includes wellness drinks, coffees, teas, a couple sourdough toasts, and energy bites.
- Middle Way Cafe – Their expansive menu includes a plethora of vegan options, from reubens, melts, and burgers with dairy-free mozzarella to fruit smoothies and several types of pancakes. They do serve milk, eggs, and meat, but almost every menu item can be made dairy-free or gluten-free on request. They also offers some vegan and gluten-free baked goods.
- Moose’s Tooth & Bear Tooth – Four establishments fall under Bear Tooth Brewing in Anchorage, Alaska, and all have some noteworthy vegan options. Moose’s Tooth and Bear Tooth Theatrepub have pizza with options for vegan whole wheat crust, vegan and gluten-free cauliflower crust, and dairy-free cheese. They usually have a vegan dessert, too. Bear Tooth Grill is the place to go for burgers. They have a vegan burger and options to make most of their burgers dairy free.
- Motley Moo Creamery – They scoop one dairy-free flavor daily. It rotates, but can include vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, mint chip, cookies and cream, or others.
- Ollin Tea & Cafe – Along with the largest tea display in North America, they have quite a sizable food and drink menu. They offer dairy-free coconut milk lattes and vegan protein smoothies made with almond milk. As for the food, we’ve been told they have many dairy-free options, but are waiting to hear back.
- Organic Oasis – As the name implies, this is a healthy casual restaurant with lots of vegetables on the menu. But they have an unexpectedly broad menu of salads, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, bowls, and vegan quesadillas and pizzas made with Daiya dairy-free cheese. In fact, there are many vegan items on the menu, along with organic meat options that can be ordered without dairy. For dessert, they have vegan chocolate cake!
- Pure & Pressed Juice Co. – They offer a big selection of cold pressed juices, nut mylks, and their smoothie and smoothie bowl menu was entirely dairy-free at last check. They do have a couple other menu items that contain dairy, but most are dairy-free and plant-based, and all are gluten-free. Honey and bee pollen are used in several items, but most are also vegan-friendly.
- Red’s Custom Baked Goods – They don’t have a storefront, but do make baked goodies (including vegan and gluten-free) for local restaurants. They also bake custom orders, and can accommodate dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan requests.
- Snow City Cafe – This brunch spot serves breakfast all day, and also serves burgers and sandwiches. For breakfast, most of their oatmeal, fruit, and house-made granola options can be made dairy-free with your choice of soy, coconut, or almond milk beverage. They also have vegan scrambles and vegan burgers on the menu, and can make most sandwiches without dairy.
- South Restaurant & Coffeehouse – They have vegan and gluten-free labels on their menus for not only the food, but also the wine! Vegan options include a couple tapas and entrees, and their bread is reportedly vegan. They also have a few additional menu items that are dairy-free. In the coffeehouse you can grab more casual bites, plus smoothies and a cup of Joe with almond, soy, or rice milk beverage.
- Wild Scoops – Who doesn’t crave ice cream when it’s freezing outside? This shop has everyone covered with creamy vegan coconut ice cream in flavors like Snow and Bear Hug. They also offer dairy-free sorbets.
Denali Park
- Prospectors Pizzeria & Alehouse – They have a whole little vegan pizza section right on the menu. Cheesy options include house-made dairy-free cashew cheeses and Daiya cheese alternative, and they have a gluten-free, vegan pizza crust.
Fairbanks
- Cafe de Stir It Up – This is a gluten-free bakery and eatery that happily caters to dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, keto, and more. They serve breakfast, sandwiches, salads, wraps, baked goodies, and coffeehouse drinks with a selection of dairy-free milk beverages.
- Just the Tips Café and Wellness Co. ⭐️ – Their sweets and eats focus on nutritious special diet needs, including dairy-free truffles and grazing boards. They also have gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and keto entrees.
- Larae’s Breads, Pies and Espresso – They bake a whole range of pies, and can make most of them dairy-free (and gluten-free) on custom order, even the cream pies.
- Little Owl Café – Everything this eatery and bake shop makes in-house is gluten-free (they have wheat options available for things like bread and tortillas that are sourced), and they have ample dairy-free choices. From the menu, they can make you a dairy-free Belgian waffle topped with coconut whipped cream, or a dairy-free sandwich on request. Their full bakery includes numerous dairy-free and vegan items, from cupcakes to sweet breads, and they do bake custom orders. They also offer soy, almond, coconut, and rice milk beverages for their coffee and tea drinks.
- Oishi Kitchen – They offer bento boxes, sushi, and bao buns with many dairy-free and vegan options.
- Sunshine Health Foods & Sunsprout Cafe – Before shopping their specialty food selection, you can enjoy their bone broth soups, sandwiches, and wraps, which are all made from scratch daily. They have many dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan options.
- The Crepery – They have a full vegan menu with both sweet and savory crepe options, with vegan nutella and cheese, respectively. You can also custom order one with meaty fillings, if just dairy free. You can also enjoy their coffee bar with dairy-free alternatives.
- The Hungry Robot – Thanks to Randy for letting us know that this Italian eatery offers dairy-free cheese for their wood-fired pizzas. They also serve pasta.
Gustavus
- Fireweed Coffee and Tea House – Sip on coffee or tea made with almond, soy, macadamia, cashew, or coconut milk while enjoying local Alaskan art at this gallery and eatery. They specialize in crepes, which they can make with dairy-free crepe batter on request. They also offer some gluten-free, dairy-free baked goods, like macaroons and coconut lime cake.
Healy
- 49th State Brewing – See the Anchorage listing above. They have a few locations!
Homer
- The Bagel Shop – You can pair your naturally dairy-free bagel with house-made dairy-free schmear at this local shop. Each day, they typically feature two vegan schmears, one bean-based and one nut-based. They can also make dairy-free versions of the classics – like Wild Alaskan Bagel & Lox. Veggie fans will love their towering vegan bagel sandwiches and adventurous palates will enjoy their creative rotating sandwich specials. Note that their plain bagels and several variations are vegan, and most of their bagels are dairy-free, but they brush egg white on their seeded bagels.
- Two Sisters Bakery & Restaurant – Homer proves that no town is too remote or too small for a gluten-free bake shop. This beloved spot has vegan items on their daily bake shop and restaurant menus, and some additional dairy-free items (just ask).
Juneau
- Ale’s Bakery – They bake a few varieties of vegan cupcakes regularly, but are also happy to make a variety of other desserts dairy-free by order.
- Cerealsly Milky – Don’t let the name fool you. They have tons of dary-free options at this ice cream and cereal bar. They make several dairy-free ice cream and milkshake flavors with coconut milk, and a range of nostalgic cereals that are naturally dairy-free. You’ll find vegan and gluten-free options, too.
- Devil’s Club Brewing Company – Their taproom serves a modest but fun menu that’s great for pairing with their latest pours. It includes a vegan Caesar, house popcorn with nutritional yeast, and a couple other vegan plates and shareables. Wednesdays are pizza nights, and they do offer a vegan option.
- Forno Rosso Pizzeria & Catering – This food truck is located right next to the Alaskan Brewing Tasting Room. They offer dairy-free cheese, gluten-free options, and local toppings.
- Grumpy’s Deli & My Wife’s Juice Bar – Grumpy offers a small handful of dairy-free lunch items, but his wife really accommodates. In addition to dairy-free juices and smoothies, they have almond and coconut milks for coffee drinks, and a special dairy-free golden milk. They also offer juice cleanses and a dairy-free, gluten-free raw food cleanse that you can sign up for.
- Tracy’s King Crab Shack – You’ll want to avoid the creamy (including the coleslaw) and buttery items on the menu, but according to Tracy’s, all types of their crab, rice, and crab cakes are dairy-free. And they have cocktail sauce for dipping! It’s a large, fun, casual place to enjoy local Alaska brews and food.
- Zerelda’s Bistro ⭐️ – The menu at this casual daytime restaurant includes dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian labels. And they have quite a few dairy-free options for bowls and wraps.
Kenai
- Kamakani Kitchen – Jenni says they offer “delicious clean Hawaiian food on Friday and Saturday. Their menu rotates offering delicious allergen friendly meals and desserts for gf, df, sf, keto friendly deliciousness!”
Nome
- Pollo Tropical – They’re known for their citrus-marinated chicken, which happens to be dairy-free, but their menu also includes build-your-own bowl options. They offer a full allergen chart that details dairy-free and other special diet options.
Palmer
- Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream – The owner reached out to let us know they also churn dairy-free coconut-based ice cream, and usually have at least three flavors to choose from.
- Omnivore ⭐️ – Everything they make is free of dairy, gluten, grains, corn, soy, and peanuts. They serve dinner and lunch and also have a paleo selection of desserts.
- Passion Flour Bakery – For the most part, their desserts are sold at Omnivore, but they do take orders. They bake all types of treats, including vegan cheesecakes.
Seward
- Sea Bean Cafe – If you find yourself in the little coastal town of Seward, this internet cafe might offer a nice respite. They only label for gluten-free (and there are many options), but they are pretty good about catering to other dietary needs. They have vegan options, even for dessert, and a few additional dairy-free items for breakfast and lunch.
Soldotna
- The Goods – This is a “sustainable grocery store” recommended to us by Jenni. They are a buyers club that connects members with local produce, offers a large bulk foods refillery, and offer other provisions.
- Where It’s At – Thanks to Jenni for recommending this “exceptional” cafe, which is under the same roof as The Goods. They focus on local and organic ingredients, and are “allergy minded.” They have a lunch menu of bowls and toasts, offer gluten-free vegan baked goods that include cashew cheesecake, and have a full juice and coffee bar with house-made milk alternatives.
Talkeetna
- ⭐️ Takeetna Alaskan Lodge (Foraker Dining Room and Base Camp Bistro) – This lodge is located south of Denali, and is set on a ridge. It boasts a grand Alaskan experience and menus with dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan labeled right on the menus.
Wasilla
- Alaska Keto Bakery – As you might guess, their entire selection is gluten-free and sugar-free, but they also offer some dairy-free baked goodies.
- Crema Coffee House & Pastries – They have a gluten-free and vegan baker on staff, so there are typically several options available for cookies and pastries. They also offer dairy-free milk alternative for coffee drinks.
- Foo Foo’s – Yes, you can get dairy-free acai bowls in Alaska! This food truck is only open seasonally, but they do take larger orders throughout the year.
- Meta & Rose – They offer a dairy-free affogato and some dairy-free main dishes.
- Missy’s Spot – This cafe is friendly toward special diet orders, and can make several menu items without milk. They also offer dairy-free coffee drinks, including mochas.
- The Wandering Cafe – Most of their sandwiches can be made dairy free – they do have dairy-free bread available and even have a vegan sandwich on the menu. They also have dairy-free milk alternative options for hot drinks and smoothies.
For More Gluten-Free suggestions, see my friend Megan’s site, Allergy-Free Alaska.
Photo from Middle Way Cafe in Anchorage, Alaska
Restaurant & Grocery Chains found throughout Alaska
Some recommended restaurant and store chains are getting too big for our city listing britches. They have many locations, or are rapidly growing, and you might stumble across them in a number of towns in this state. Click on them for more dairy-free details.
- Burger Fi – They offer two fully vegan burgers, complete with vegan multigrain bun, so other meaty burgers can also be ordered dairy-free. They also offer a gluten-free bun (contains egg), and have an allergen menu that details sauces and other components.
- Firehouse Subs – See our Firehouse Subs Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Great Harvest Bread Co. – They offer many dairy-free loaves, and some vegan varieties, but make sure to double check the ingredients. We did see a cheese bread that wasn’t labeled as containing milk!
- Pizza Studio – They have a vegan pizza, complete with vegan “cheese” and “sausage.” Many other pizzas can be ordered dairy-fee with a cheese swap. They also have build your own salads.
- Qdoba – See our Qdoba Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
- Red Robin – See our Red Robin Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.
Local Dairy-Free Food & Drink Producers in Alaska
These dairy-free friendly companies don’t have their own retail location, but are in Alaska. So you have a good chance of finding their products at grocery stores, restaurants, and/or other shops in this state. Keep an eye out!
We haven’t learned of any yet, but will add them as we find them!
Photo: Tracy’s King Crab Shack, Juneau, Alaska
This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations
We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.
Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!
This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
6 Comments
Hello, thanks for having this list. Would you please add Where It’s At! mindful food & drink to your list? Located inside The Goods + Sustainable Grocery in Soldotna, Where It’s At’s menu options are mainly vegan and gluten free including baked goods made in house.
Hi Willow, that spot is on our list! The listings are alphabetical, first by city (look under Soldotna) and then by place.
The Hungry Robot in Fairbanks has had gluten free pizza and dairy free cheese for several years 🙂
Thanks Randy!
Wild Scoops in Anchorage has a vegan flavor or 2 of ice cream.
Thanks Dawn!