⚓ Captain Ken’s Recommended Eateries, Shops, Watering Holes, Seafood Spots & Must-See Sights

⚓ Captain Ken’s Recommended Eateries, Shops, Watering Holes, Seafood Spots & Must-See Sights

By Captain Ken — owner/operator of Serenity Adventures, Cordova’s unofficial harbor guide to good food, strong coffee, and stronger spirits.

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🍽️ Where to Eat Like a Local

Jen’s

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner — every plate’s a winner. Big portions, small-town hospitality, and the smell of wood-fired pizza drifting down Nicholoff Way. Grab a window seat and you’ll spot half the harbor eating there too.

Hours: Open daily for all three meals.

Powder House Bar & Grill

Classic Cordova hangout for burgers, beers, and post-adventure laughs. Football on the TV, conservative values in the air, and a coffee machine that could start a small engine. This is where deals get made and stories get bigger.

Hours: Lunch through dinner.

Reluctant Fisherman Restaurant

The harbor view alone is worth the stop — the food just seals the deal. Local seafood, burgers, steaks, and that “you earned it” vibe after a day on the water. Raise a glass and toast to your limit of coho.

Hours: Dinner only, most days of the week.

Copper River Brewing Co.

Locally brewed beer, hearty grub, and a rotating menu that always hits. I’m partial to the tacos, burgers, and spicy pork sandwich — order one and you’ll understand. The Sour Sea Witch with woodruff syrup is Captain Ken’s favorite beer.

Hours: Summer 12–9 PM, Winter 3–9 PM, Closed Sundays.

Little Cordova Bakery

The smell of fresh bread and espresso hits you before you open the door. This place powers half the town. Biscuits & gravy and the kolaches are a must — grab a treat for later.

Hours: Early morning – midday.

Baja Taco

Cordova’s famous beach-side eatery serving up legendary fish tacos, massive breakfast burritos, and milkshakes worth the detour. Grab a picnic table and watch the boats roll by. Great chocolate chip cookies too.

Fun fact: The building was moved in from Whitshed Road — it was actually the childhood home of one of Captain Ken’s friends growing up!

Hours: Seasonal – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Stanwhiches – Food Truck Lot

Smash burgers so good they’ll stop a fishing crew mid-set. Killer potato salad and sushi that’ll surprise you. Look for the dancing man next to The Alaskan on Main Street — if he’s grooving, they’re open.

Hours: Check social media or swing by — worth the trip.

Coastal Cravings – Food Truck Lot

Fresh seafood done right — halibut, salmon, and whatever just came off their boat. Dining Cordova-style: no suits, just smiles.

Hours: Lunch / Dinner – variable.

Pandamonium Paninis – Food Truck Lot

Hot-pressed sandwiches with attitude. Quick, creative, and always satisfying — perfect when you’re bouncing between harbor runs.

Hours: Lunch – early evening.

Nichols Deli

Home of the legendary breakfast burrito. Add in epic pizza slices and friendly banter and you’ve got the definition of local fuel.

Hours: Breakfast and lunch.

A.C. Deli (inside A.C. Value Center)

Breakfast sandwiches, fried comfort food, and the place to refuel while you restock supplies. Unfancy, but you’ll eat like a king.

Hours: Early morning – midday.

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🧭 Local Shops & Outfitters

Cordova Gear – Camping fuel, propane, stoves, and coffee gadgets for the brave and cold. If it keeps you alive, caffeinated, or dry in the bush — they’ve got it.

LFS Marine Supply – Ammo, tackle, buoys, boots, and rope — the lifeblood of any self-respecting Alaskan operation. You’ll find half the fleet here between tides.

Copper River Fleece – High-quality Alaskan outerwear, locally made and built to last. Equal parts souvenir and survival gear — it’s how you spot the locals from the tourists.

Ace Hardware (Upstairs) – Downstairs: bolts and boat paint. Upstairs: the good stuff — home goods, gifts, and little treasures you didn’t know you needed until you saw them.

The Net Loft – Trinkets, souvenirs, and that “Cordova charm” your wife will actually appreciate. Forgot an anniversary? This is your redemption stop.

Sue’s Knives and More – Hand-crafted blades, gifts, and Alaskan art — part cutlery shop, part conversation. Stop in and see what sharp really means.

Cordova Outboard and Auto Parts – Where the gearheads and boat captains meet. Engines, filters, spark plugs, oil, and advice you actually trust.

NAPA Auto Parts – A reliable lifeline for every fisherman, hunter, and traveler who’s ever snapped a belt or blown a fuse. If it keeps your rig running, they’ve got it.

Shoreside Petroleum – Fuel, propane, and oil for land and sea. A harbor essential — fill your tanks, your skiffs, and your coffee cup while you’re there.

North Star Lumber – The go-to for building materials, plywood, and local know-how. Whether you’re patching a porch or building a dream, they’ll point you in the right direction.

Henneker’s Arms (5.5 Mile Loop Road) – Local FFL, ammo, and firearms dealer. Friendly service, solid selection, and the kind of local expertise you won’t find in a big-box store. Great place to stop in, stock up, and talk hunting or ballistics with folks who know their stuff.

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🐟 Seafood to Take Home

Pioneer Square Seafood Shop – Right downtown, this is where you grab the real taste of Cordova to take home. Fresh and frozen options from local fishermen — salmon, halibut, and whatever’s in season.

60° North Seafoods – Open seasonally and packed with flavor — this waterfront gem offers one of the best retail selections of locally caught seafood in Alaska. From Copper River reds to halibut cheeks, it’s the perfect stop before you head home.

Drifters Fish – Run by local fishermen with pride in every fillet. Wild-caught, sustainable, and beautifully packaged — a perfect gift or a way to relive your Alaskan adventure from your own grill back home.

Serenity Seafoods – From the boats of Captain Ken himself — premium boxes of Copper River salmon, halibut, and blackcod available in bulk. Shipped direct to your Alaska Air cargo hub or available for local pickup. Stock your freezer with the same catch we serve aboard the Serenity.

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🥃 Watering Holes & Liquor Stores

The Alaskan Bar & Hotel – The oldest bar in town — and the soul of Cordova after dark. Cold beer, tall tales, and music that gets better the later it gets. Liquor store attached for easy re-supply.

Hours: Late morning – late night (liquor store daytime).

Laura’s Liquor Stores – Friendly, local, and always stocked. If you’re heading to the cabin or loading up for deer camp, this is your stop for a bottle of whiskey or a six-pack for the trail.

Hours: Daytime – early evening.

A.C. Liquor Store – Inside the A.C. complex — easy parking, cold beer, local brews, and solid prices. When the tide’s right, everyone’s stopping here.

Hours: Standard store hours, open 7 days a week.

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🗺️ Must-See Cordova Experiences

Cordova Historical Museum

A treasure trove of local history — from the early railroad and fishing days to photos and relics from Cordova’s colorful past. A great way to understand how this town grew from sawdust streets to a thriving working harbor.

Fun fact: The bank-vault door came from the building Captain Ken owns and rents out — it now houses Copper River Brewing Co.!

Ilanka Cultural Center

Operated by the Native Village of Eyak, this beautiful center showcases Eyak art, traditional crafts, and stories that connect the people of this region to the land and the sea. A deeply meaningful stop that reminds you Alaska’s roots run deeper than the tides.

Cordova Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center

Your first stop when rolling into town. Grab maps, trail info, ferry schedules, and a local’s smile. The staff knows every hidden gem and shortcut in town.

NVE Orca Skeleton Display

Right by the Native Village of Eyak office near the harbor stands the full skeleton of an Orca — the mighty killer whale. It’s an impressive tribute to Cordova’s deep connection with the marine world and a must-see photo stop for anyone passing through. You can almost feel the power of the Sound in those bones.

Fun fact: Captain Ken remembers when this Orca beached itself around the year 2000. Locals — kids included — poured water over it waiting for the tide to return. Sadly, it didn’t make it, but its memory now educates generations.

Fishermen’s Memorial Park

A quiet, powerful place on the waterfront where we honor those who dedicated their lives to this life. Some passed from age and others were lost to the sea. Stop here, take a breath, and remember why this town fishes with heart. Captain Ken’s grandparents have a placard dedicated here.

The Breakwater Trail Experience

Walk the harbor breakwater for unbeatable views of Orca Inlet, the boats, and the mountains that cradle our town. Bring coffee, bring a friend, bring a sense of peace.

Sheridan Glacier Trail

Just a short drive out the Copper River Highway — an easy hike through forest and moraine leading to a stunning glacier lagoon. Icebergs, blue ice, and that crisp alpine air — a must for every visitor. Later in the year, when the lagoon freezes solid, it turns into one of the most magical outdoor ice-skating rinks in Alaska.

Mt. Eyak Ski Hill

Right above town sits Cordova’s beloved Mt. Eyak — a year-round recreation hub with panoramic views of Prince William Sound. Home to one of the oldest single-chair lifts still operating in North America — and maybe the world.

Fun fact: Captain Ken’s grandmother, Pat Jones, was president of the Cordova Ski Club when they wrote the grant that brought this historic lift here all the way from Sun Valley, Idaho. It’s a living piece of Cordova’s history and community pride.

Perfect for skiing and snowboarding from January through March, or for summer hikes and berry-picking when the snow melts. Bring your camera — the views from the top are pure Alaska.

Cordova Trap & Gun Club Range

For those who like their recreation loud and precise, the local trap and gun range is a hidden gem. Located just outside town, it’s where locals go to sight-in before deer season or dust a few clays between tides. Family-friendly, safe, and a great way to spend an afternoon sharpening your aim while soaking up mountain views. If you hear the echo of a 12-gauge on the wind, that’s the sound of Cordova freedom.

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⚓ Captain Ken’s Final Word

Cordova isn’t some polished cruise-port — she’s a working harbor with grit, grace, and soul. A little rough around the edges at times. The folks here work hard for their living; they don’t just serve food and pour drinks — they live this life, every tide, every season. Even though this is your vacation, please be respectful, courteous, and always remember that our guests are a reflection of our family.

So wherever you go — tip your servers, be friendly and courteous, support the locals, and raise a glass to hard work and high tides.

Eat well, shop local, fish or hunt hard — and when they ask how you found the place…

tell ’em Captain Ken Jones sent you.