What in the Michelin Star was THAT?! There's something cooking in Seward, Alaska. Worth every minute of the wait. Who would've thought the best fried chicken in a seafood town would be absolutely unstoppable? And that chowder... it simply can't be matched. read more

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The wait to get in is long, but the food and service are worth it. We pulled up at around 5 on a Tuesday, gave our number to get on the waitlist, and were seated at around 6:30. Once you're in, nothing feels rushed or crowded at all - in fact we were surprised at how spaced out the tables were. Decor is sleek and modern and the waitstaff are knowledgeable and friendly. We had a collection of starter dishes - we'd recommend all of them. The broiled oysters were particularly delicious; as was the pimiento cheese. The mushroom toast felt decadent. Would definitely come back again! read more

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I had an incredible dinner here and lucked out with timing! We got on the waitlist shortly after they opened and waited an hour to be seated. This place doesn't take reservations and gets super busy. There's a lot of beautiful art hung up all around the restaurant. I ordered the pan roasted halibut for dinner and it was perfectly cooked and the veggies and sauce it was paired with made for a fantastic dish. I got the chocolate pot du creme for dessert which was like a chocolate mousse and I loved it. The service was great. read more

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Great food, service and ambiance. This place is very popular and they open at 5 pm. The lines start forming around 4:30 although we got there at 4:15. All four of us ordered different items from a ribeye, the salmon special, shrimp and grits and halibut. All great fresh and great tasting. We also had a delicious chocolate coconut gelatto. It was super great and a well spot for locals also! U cannot make reservations so just go and wait in line. read more

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Left the kids at the Airbnb o clean out the refrigerator and took my wife out for a final dinner in Seward. Several different locals had all recommended The Cookery for a date night, and we'd enjoyed their other spot, Lone Chicharrón, so we took a chance. It took about 15 minutes to get a table for two. The dining area is hip and funky, but also clean and spacious. Our server was a pro and got us sorted on drinks. I really enjoyed her suggested local beer, the Ky PA. We didn't have anything we didn't like. The standouts for me were the mushroom toast, the shrimp and grits, and the Homer raw oysters. The roast halibut and seafood chowder were also really good. For dessert we had the grilled angel food cake with blueberries. They were out of the lemon tarragon sorbet, but subbed in the chocolate coconut sorbet, and it was still very good. Overall a great final meal in Seward. Glad we stopped by! read more

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What a gem. The food, service and atmosphere were outstanding. We ordered the brussel sprouts app and it was perfectly roasted. We got fried chicken, shrimp and grits and the halibut. All dishes were cooked perfectly again. The fried chicken was lightly breaded and sat on top of an Asian slaw that was the perfect acidity to balance with the fried chicken. The grits had the right texture and was delicious. My halibut was seasoned with tons of flavor and cooked to perfection. Do you see a theme here? We sat near where the cook and prep the dishes before going to their respective tables. This place hums like a well oiled engine. Going to the owner's sister restaurant tomorrow and can't wait. read more

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Had dinner 2 nights at the Cookery. Amazing restaurant that you should experience when in Seward. Great atmosphere and amazing food. Justin at the bar is the best . He knows his stuff and is a pleasure to chat with. From the appetizers through the entrees and onto dessert, you can't go wrong. Opens at 5 pm and no reservations taken so get there will before 5 for your place in line if you want to be seated at opening. However, the waitlist moves pretty fast and usually ready to go for the next wave about 5:45-6 pm Well worth the wait Enjoy! read more

Was recommended to come here by Anchorage locals. Short wait shortly after they opened so must be a popular spot. We took a walk to the waterfront for 15-20 mins and could have easily gotten a drink somewhere or done some window shopping. Everything was really good - starting with salmon gougere amuse bouche, the soup of the day (curry carrot?), and local oysters to the smoked scallop cocktail. The fried chicken, salmon, and shrimp and grits. We ended up ordering the cream cheese ice cream which ended up taking FOREVER since they forgot about it and never checked on us. Unfortunately the cream cheese ice cream was also kinda disappointing and was just like scooped frozen cheesecake - which don't get me wrong is delish but not worth the wait or $. Service was good until the end. Great wine options! Prices on par with SF and presumably Alaska/touristy areas. read more

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Ideally located restaurant in Seward's harbor front. When we got there, the restaurant was packed on a Saturday, July 4th weekend. We only waited 25 minutes to snag a table. The hostesses were warm and friendly. There is good reason why it's popular. The food that comes out of the kitchen is elevated, creative and tasty---worthy of more sophisticated large urban cities. Service was casual, but proficient. We had oysters, which were tiny but full of tastes of the ocean. There was an amuse bouche of a choux filled with salmon cream. It was light and a good start to the meal. The shrimp with grits was artfully presented and tasted good. The cream of mushroom soup was rich and earthy. Fried chicken was a nice take on a simple dish. And the salmon dish was a clear proof of Alaska's rich waters. Loved this special place. read more

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The food was ok, but just ok. Went with my family and while the majority of the dishes were cooked well, my brother's chicken was over breaded and completely burnt. read more

Lucky for us, Cookery has bar seating available for walk-ins so we could come two nights in a row while in Seward. Sitting at the bar first night allowed us to have a lively conversation with a fellow Major Marine cruise guest I recognized from that day and get food recommendations like the mushroom toast and cream cheese ice cream topped with bacon from a couple who are frequent patrons from Soldotna. We made a dinner of Samish and Shikat Bay oysters and shareables of smoked salmon and halibut fish cakes and that mushroom toast along with one entree of grilled salmon so we'd have room for that dessert. By the time we returned for our reservations the next night, we felt like regulars already having repeats of those smoky fish cakes and shikat bay oysters that I fell in love with just 24 hours before. Although he was tempted to repeat that grilled salmon as he loved the charring on that salmon skin, I definitely had more than my share throughout our stay that halibut won out for both of us when I said he can have a bite of mine, but not half. Perfect last dinner not just in Seward but before leaving Alaska the next day. read more

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This is a very popular place for local foodies and if visitors are directed here it's a great treat. It might be on the tad expensive side for some, but if you're into upscale food experiences it won't be. I wouldn't bother taking young kids here though. Located in downtown Seward, it might appear empty but make sure you open the door. It was full when we arrived at 6pm on a Saturday. The website said they don't take reservations but you can call ahead and get on a toasttab wait list. I rarely use toasttab so I'm sure there's a more direct way. So we had to wait but it gave us time to look at the menu and pounce when we were seated. I'll just cut to the chase: 1. Complimentary cracker appetizer. Not sure what was on it. Small and delicious. 2. Sour Dough bread. This was magnificent. As a tried and failed sour dough bread maker, I appreciate the talents of a great baker. One of the best sour dough breads I've had in ages. This bread is award winner. The accompanying butter was good (when is butter bad) and the tapenade at first didn't attract me but I came to embrace the tartness it offered later in the meal. 3. Smoky Fish cakes. Dissappointed. Neither smoky or fishy enough for me. Seemed like too many potatoes. Dump more leftover fish in, please! 4. Mushroom Toast. A local we met outside, raved about this and sauteed mushrooms always delicious, but there seemed to be a bit too much soy sauce or something in the mix. My dinner companion was happy that I relinquished most of mine. 5. Grilled Halibut over lentils. Superb. One can just not get quality fish like this at the retail level NOR is it easily prepared as superb as this. Moist, perfectly grilled. Delish. The lentils were a delight as well. Almost made me want to try a recipe at home but alas I doubt mine would be as flavorful and crunchy. 6. Carrot Cake Parfait with Cream Cheese Ice Cream. Two separate desserts but go perfect together but means $$$$ for dessert. LOVED the flavor of each individually and combined. But absolutely HATED the presentation of the cake in a narrow jar. I get it that it provides the ability to get the frosting layered in but there's got to be a better way. Also, if you want to serve it this way, please provide tiny spatulas so a diner can get every smidge. But kudos to the chef for the dessert as carrot cake is my fave and the ice cream is the salute to the frosting we all love. 7. Malbec wine by the glass. Delish. 8. Decaf coffee. Was delighted a fresh pot was instantly brewed but super weak. 9. Service. Sean was our server and perfect as well as most of the staff. HOWEVER, the hostess should have pointed out the menu of the day on the table when handing us the regular menu. We didn't spot it but Sean pointed it out after we had been ruminating for several minutes. Well, I have no time to visit this place and I will say that my hotel (right next door) recommended it on day 1, so I could have had 2 dinners here but I was too beat to do it the first night plus at this price point, it's not a daily gig. Kudos to the chef/owerns/staff. read more

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The food was incredible! Loved the shrimp and grits! The bread was amazing! Tried oysters. Not for me but I was very impressed with every part of this meal! Staff was great and really would recommend. read more

This is a must visit restaurant if you're in Seward. The wait times can be long,Tuesday evening around 6 pm, it was 45 minutes. The food is delicious!! The decor is nice, very spacious and the service was fast, and friendly wait staff. We got the fried chicken and Halibut both were amazing!! read more

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The food may be delicious but the seating process and service in ordering was curt and condescending. Not worth the wait to be treated like this. read more

It's a very popular dinner place and we waited for the table even get there 7 minutes after open. All we ordered are from the freeh sheet. The seafood are all very fresh and tasty despite of surprisingly close-or-even-higher-than-bayarea price. We are happy to taste AK seafood and enjoy the nice atmosphere at the restaurant. read more

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I was told by so many people to visit this place when I am in Seward, and boy, this one didn't disappoint. The food was amaaaazing. Me and my husband tried the halibut and mushroom toast, and both tasted great. The red pepper sauce on the halibut with almonds was the perfect combo. Highly highly recommend visiting this place when in Seward. read more

The Cookery - Seafood Near Me - Seward, Alaska

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I really wanted to give this a five star but felt like it missed few things. We came in during dinner time with no reservation and were offered bar seats. We ordered the salty lady oysters for apps which were great. Since the bar is next to the door, every time a customer comes in, you will get hit with the cold chilly air. For entrees, we got the special (gnocchi with mushroom and smoked sablefish) and shrimp and grits. The shrimp and grits were great but the special looked like it was missing the fish. Unless the fish is purée, I did not see or taste it. We asked our server and she said its there in small pieces. Overall, the special did not taste like the amount it cost and felt lacking. read more

The Cookery - Shrimp and grits - Seafood Near Me - Seward, Alaska

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While the food was very good, it was extremely overpriced. We frequent $$$$ restaurants and aren't afraid of high prices if it has value. We value premium seafood and aren't afraid to oay for it. This was not a value. Also, we had a large party and it appeared that they were not experienced at larger groups. We had to wait more than 20 minutes for our bill and it appeared that because a 20% tip was already added to the bill because of the size of our party, which is standard, they were in no hurry to serve us when we were done eating, which was bizarre given that there were people waiting outside for a table. Obviously mis-managed and the server was overwhelmed. In retrospect, we should have gone to Chinooks, which has a higher rating. read more

My husband and I went to the Cookery for dinner on the final evening of our week long stay in Seward. We were excited to return after having visited 3 years ago for one of the most delicious meals of our life! Unfortunately, it missed the mark a bit for us. They had no fish entree options available so we went with the shrimp and grits and the winter salad. Both were tasty but we were definitely missing the salmon we had been so looking forward to. In addition, our entrees were brought out only a couple minutes after our starters which was not ideal. We had to rush to finish so our food didn't get cold. Overall a Seward staple but just didn't meet expectations for us this time. read more

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Decent overall, but we specifically came because we heard about the quality of the Halibut. All of ours were significantly overdone and dry. Not bad, but a bit disappointing and not worth the cost. read more

I was able to go back to back days. My favorite large place was the Salmon. The charing on the skin made for great flavor and the salmon itself was very moist. So good, as for sharing the other party only got one bite. The next night, I tried the other large plate, the Alaskan Halibut. Since this was pan roasted no charing, but again very moist and deliciious. Both perfectly prepared. for a dessert, I tried teh cream cheese ice cream with bacon and having salty, sweet and savory all in once package was a suprise. I do recommend this. As for apps I would recommend the chucked osters and the fish cakes. Due to large lunch each day we scaled back what we ordered and found it was just right size wise. Recommend reservatiuons. If you get there at five when they open you night get a seat, else you have to wait the next round. read more

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An Alaskan foodie dream. The Cookery is still serving up excellent, complex and perfectly mingled flavors. The fried chicken is phenomenal. It's a new take on fried chicken I had never experienced before. There's a crisp taste of fresh Yerba buena, accompanied by a perfect bed of slaw and expertly balanced maple dressing. Truly this dish is something crafted like a work of art and a must try while dining here. The steak once again is cooked to perfection. Warm, picturesque, hearty and filling. The accompanying broccolini is wonderful. Mashed potatoes as creamy, and delightful as you can hope for. As for service it is exceptional. We have a child with allergies to Dairy, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts. We let our server know and they helped us to navigate their menu, and omitted peanuts from the fried chicken for us. They went above and beyond for our allergies and went the extra mile to separate the dairy containing food on a separate dish to avoid cross contamination. This is a friendly, knowledgeable staff who know their menu well and treat their patrons with Alaskan hospitality. read more

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I wish I had more time in Seward or that they were open for lunch so I could've had one more meal here, it was fantastic. The broiled oysters were delicious (albeit very overpriced). The spot shrimp cocktail was so good, the shrimp was sweet and succulent and very fresh. Service was great. There was a wait for a table but luckily seats had just opened up at the bar. Would definitely go back if I ever find myself in Seward. read more

The oysters and salmon were very fresh and delicious! We also ordered the cream cheese ice cream with strawberries and basalmic drizzle.. don't skip out on that! I know it sounds like a weird flavor but so yummy! Be prepared for a wait as this place gets very busy! Also our server was very friendly. read more

The Cookery - Salmon was very flavorful with the tomato puree and shaved zuchinni salad. - Seafood Near Me - Seward, Alaska

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Hands down the best place we ate at in all of Alaska on our trip. I got the halibut burger and it was so good!! Then it came with fried? Smashed? Potatoes. I've never had potatoes that way. My husband got the shrimp and grits and it was to die for. Even though we didn't have reservations we were sat quickly. Our order came out very fast. read more

The Cookery - Seafood Near Me - Seward, Alaska

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The food was great, no complaints there. But the service at the bar was terrible -- no greeting, no water, no follow-up, no smile, no thank you no nothing. We were the only non-white at the bar and honestly felt uncomfortable enough that we won't be coming back. read more

OMG. What an awesome meal! From start to finish The Cookery is just perfect. If you're in Seward don't miss this fabulous dining experience. read more

The Cookery | Seward, Alaska -- A Review There are meals you enjoy, and then there are meals that recalibrate your entire understanding of what "flavor" can be. The Cookery in Seward falls decisively into the latter category: a restaurant that doesn't merely cook food--it composes it, with the precision of a conductor and the audacity of an artist who knows exactly how far to push pleasure before it becomes overwhelming. This is, without exaggeration, one of the most remarkable dining experiences I've ever had. What strikes first is the clarity--each dish arrives with a sense of intention so unmistakable it feels almost architectural. The kitchen's voice is confident: acid is bright and deliberate, heat is purposeful rather than performative, and salt is deployed like a scalpel--never bludgeoning, always refining. The seasoning doesn't sit on the food; it seems to migrate through it, as though each ingredient has been persuaded to reveal its most eloquent self. Oysters: a masterclass in restraint and seduction Start with the oysters and you immediately understand you're in serious hands. They emphasize freshness, noting oysters are delivered daily, and the presentation is both classic and inventive. The chilled oysters--paired with elements like hibiscus mignonette and pickled horseradish--create a stunning interplay: brine and mineral snap up front, then a floral-tart bloom, then that clean, sinus-clearing lift of horseradish that never turns harsh. And when you move to the baked version--oysters glazed in Calabrian chile butter with cilantro and crisped tortilla--everything gets warmer, rounder, more expansive. The butter coats the palate like velvet; the chile hums rather than shouts; the brine remains intact, sharpened by heat into something almost electric. The genius is in the contrasts A signature of The Cookery's style is contrast as a culinary philosophy. You see it across the menu: black garlic aioli against pickled daikon; brown-butter vinaigrette cutting through squash sweetness; smoked fish folded into creamy dips with capers providing that necessary punctuation. This is food engineered for palate momentum--one bite brightens, the next deepens, the next crackles. Your taste buds don't plateau; they keep ascending. The mains: bold technique, disciplined balance Even the "comfort" dishes arrive refined, layered, and utterly memorable. The fish-of-the-day format lets the kitchen flex, and the example pairing of king salmon with a miso-jjigae-inspired broth alongside smoked pork belly and mushrooms signals a chef who understands how to build umami without losing definition. You get smoke, fermentation, richness, and sea--all tethered by structure, so each note remains intelligible. It's the difference between "flavorful" and symphonic. Dessert: calibrated decadence, not sugar noise Dessert here doesn't collapse into cloying sweetness. It lands with sophistication: cream cheese ice cream with strawberries and balsamic, for example, is an intelligent sweet that pivots on tang and aromatic acidity--clean, buoyant, and strangely addictive. The chocolate offerings lean into depth rather than sheer sugar, with textures that feel deliberate and adult. Locally sourced, not as a slogan--as a standard What elevates The Cookery beyond "a great meal" is its evident devotion to Alaska's ingredients--seafood, produce, and regionally grounded selections that give the menu authenticity rather than theme. Their own materials emphasize Alaska's bounty and daily oyster deliveries, and the menu itself reads like a love letter to what the Kenai Peninsula and Alaska do best. Service: precise, warm, and unforced The hospitality matches the food: attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without lecturing. The staff guides you confidently--pairing suggestions feel curated, not upsold. The pacing respects the table. You leave feeling cared for, not managed. Chef Kevin Lane: disciplined creativity with a point of view Chef Kevin Lane cooks with the rare combination of technical competence and artistic restraint. There's nothing accidental here. The menu suggests a chef who understands that the highest form of culinary sophistication is not complexity for its own sake, but control--knowing exactly when to stop, when to sharpen, when to let an ingredient speak unadorned. That kind of discernment is not common. It's the mark of a serious, mature talent. read more

There was plenty of open seating however because I was one diner they said it would be an hour and a half wait, what a joke. If you are that pressed for money you shouldn't turn anyone away. I see the manger responded and is gaslighting me. How would he know if he wasn't involved. The hostess specifically told me why. You could remain humble and apologize. read more

Extremely disappointing experience. We showed up with a group of 10 and ended up waiting over an hour, only to be told--rudely--that their "policy" doesn't allow more than 8 people at one table. Instead of working with us or offering any kind of solution, the staff split us into two separate tables and showed zero cooperation or understanding. The attitude of the staff was dismissive, unhelpful, and showed no effort to understand or cooperate. Definitely not a place I'd recommend if you're looking for decent service or a welcoming atmosphere. read more

Very good restaurant in town. It was busy and I was unable to make reservations. So party of 5 sat at the bar. Ordered the sourdough bread the butter and olive spread were so good. The fish cakes were also yummy. Bowl of white chicken chili was excellent and hearty. The Ribeye was tasty they give you a nice green chili type sauce for the steak that was great. Oysters were also delicious I liked the sauces they had to put on top. Cute small restaurant with great service. read more

The Cookery - Seafood Near Me - Seward, Alaska

Being touted as the best restaurant in Seward set up high expectations. But also considering that it's a small town, there's not a plethora of restaurants to compare to anyway. That being said, I think it's important to highlight that reservations are definitely a must. Waiting is a coin toss on whether there's room or not. Now onto the food! My friend and I ordered a few things: 1. Mushroom Toast 2. Pig Du Jour 3. Fried Chicken 4. Cream Cheese Ice Cream 5. Bonus: Amuse Bouche The chef gave us a taste of the Amuse Bouche, which was corn marinated in some sauces. It was interesting, but tasted just like corn (no surprise there). Since it was free, no complaints. Now the appetizer on the other hand was Delicious! The mushroom toast was so savory and flavorful. There's a reason many people order it! Avocado toast, been there done that; French toast, a dime a dozen; but this was unique. You really taste the umami flavor of the dish. Definitely memorable! I tasted the Pig Du Jour and that sausage was juicy and flavorful! Since it was my friend's dish, he enjoyed the majority of it. My dish was the fried chicken. But don't be fooled, definitely not your average Popeyes or KFC. The chicken was crisp and juicy as you'd expect. It was served over a bed of slaw which definitely balanced out the heartiness of the chicken. One of the best friend chicken dishes I've had! Now the dessert was also special. The Cream Cheese Ice cream . So sweet and delicious, which I'll leave it at that! Overall if you're in the area, you need to go here. I heard from many of the workers treat the Cookery is considered the best restaurant in town. Although I haven't been to others, I'm definitely inclined to believe it! read more

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The Cookery is, based strictly on our limited experience, pretty typical for vegetarian options in the state. As a vegetarian you are not going to starve, but the options are limited. Overall a very nice restaurant with very good service. We cobbled together a dinner menu of 2 Appetizers (brussels and mushroom toast) and a main (beet burger) which we shared. They kindly provided a sharp knife to cut the burger which worked well. I was kind of looking forward to seeing what they would do with the beet burger. After ordering we were presented with Amuse Bouche's (I needed to google it) which was nicely presented and served as a pleasant start to the meal. The brussels were ok, but we tend to prefer brussels served seared and with stronger seasoning. I really enjoyed the mushroom toast, nicely seasoned and everything worked well together. The beet burger itself unfortunately was just ok, the pickled vegetables helped but I'm not sure I would order again. Apart from a dinner salad, it was the only main for vegetarians. read more

We came here on our last night in Seward and so glad we were able to make it. We didn't have a reservation but showed up shortly after they opened and got a table. The Amuse Bouche was a nice surprise to start and was quite tasty. We had the bread with the tapenade and butter and it was quite flavorful. I had the shrimp 'n grits - wow what a tasty dish! The lady had the fried chicken and it was fantastic, crispy with great flavor and juicy inside. We finished with the carrot cake parfait and it was also nice. I had the lemonade and Prosecco drink and it was refreshing. Very nice and friendly service by Lauren and others. Nice ambiance inside. By far our best meal in Seward. Highly recommend and would definitely return. read more

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We had amazing dinner! The presentation, the quality of food, service everything was 5 stars . Highly recommend this place !!!

Very nice staff. We had our 20 month old and they went above and beyond to accommodate us. Food was fresh. We had halibut and the salmon, both were great. Great relaxed vibes and worth the wait for a good fine dining in Seward! read more

Wow!!! Best meal we've had in Alaska. The Halibut and Salmon were amazing. The chicken was perfect too. The chowder and mushroom toast were exceptional and the dessert was fantastic too. Server was friendly and helpful. Ambiance was on point. Highly recommend!!! read more

Awesome Food at a very decent price! I had Braden's Burrito and it was almost as awesome as Braden! Our server was Justin and he was an amazing! The ambience is so relaxing and warm and mellow so if you're looking for a place to have great food and nobody rushing you, this is the place to be read more

I am both gluten free and vegetarian which is a tough combo for eating in a fishing town, but The Cookery was able to make it work. I had their beet burger on a salad bed and it was simply delicious. The rest of my family enjoyed their seafood and breads. A lovely lavender soda as well. read more

The Cookery - Beet burger and chips - Seafood Near Me - Seward, Alaska