Haines may be small, but its food scene punches well above its weight. Perched at the northern end of Lynn Canal with one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles in the world, this Southeast Alaska town draws serious flavor from the land and sea around it. Salmon — king, sockeye, coho — is the undisputed star, showing up smoked, grilled, and candied at nearly every table. Halibut fish and chips, rich with flaky white meat, are practically a civic institution.

The Haines Brewing Company is a beloved anchor of local life, pouring craft ales that pair beautifully with the town's rugged atmosphere. Grab a pint of Spruce Tip Ale, brewed with young spruce tips foraged right from the surrounding forest — it's bracingly fresh and unlike anything you'd find elsewhere. For a proper sit-down meal, Fireweed Restaurant serves seasonal Alaskan fare in a warm, unpretentious setting. Their chowders, loaded with local clams and salmon, are the kind of thing you think about on the ferry ride home.

Don't overlook the farmers market, which runs through summer and showcases the ingenuity of local growers coaxing vegetables from Alaska's short but intense growing season. Kale, root vegetables, and wild berries appear alongside jars of homemade preserves and smoked fish. The town's small size means chefs and vendors know their suppliers personally — sometimes they are the suppliers. That intimacy shows up on every plate, making even a simple meal in Haines feel genuinely connected to place.