Where to Eat in Haines Junction, Yukon: Your Best (& Only!) Bets

It’s called the “animal cupcake,” but it’s not edible: it’s the quirky roadside attraction that marks the interaction between the Alaska-Canadian Highway and the Haines Highway in the town of Haines Junction, Yukon Territory. Though you can’t nosh into it, you can find other delicious foods in this small northern community – for a town that just 700 people call home, there are some decent options.

I’ve been to Haines Junction several times, including as a kid when my parents first moved to Alaska and occasionally growing up when we visited Kluane Lake and the Yukon. Most recently, I drove the Klondike-Kluane Loop in June 2023 and refreshed my memory to all of the places I visited in my youth – as well as the new spots and businesses that have opened up.

Haines Junction is a good overnight stop whether you’re driving the Alcan to or from Alaska, or doing a road trip just in the Yukon as I did. Whether you stay the night or just stop to refuel your vehicle and yourself, here’s where to eat in Haines Junction. There aren’t a lot of options, but some are so good, you’ll be glad you pulled over to stretch your legs and grab a bite.

In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

Mile 1016 Pub – Best in Show

If you ask locals or people who pass through Haines Junction with any regularity, there’s no contest: the best place to eat in Haines Junction is Mile 1016 Pub, which sits next to the Alcan Motor Inn (where I stayed!). Everyone I asked agreed: this is the place to eat and drink, and after having my own dinner there, I definitely have to agree.

Named for the intersection and mile number that marks Haines Junction (Mile 1016, of course!), their menu is huge and varied. On it, you’ll find everything from a Canadian essential – poutine – to a huge burger list to healthier fares like salads. You really can’t go wrong, though this menu admittedly works best after a long day of hiking in Kluane National Park or in preparation for a day of it tomorrow.

Their patio is wildly popular with great views, so if you can snag a table out there, that will complete the experience. Enjoy!

Village Bakery & Deli – Best Breakfast/Lunch

If you’re looking for adventure fuel before a day of fun, there’s one spot that should top your list: Village Bakery & Deli. I made the short walk from my stay at the Alcan Motor Inn to Village Bakery on my morning in Haines Junction, and it was the perfect distance to stretch my legs and work up a little appetite for one of their delicious breakfast sandwiches and a nice coffee.

They also have a variety of other baked goods and deli items, depending on the day: quiches, sandwiches, bagels, soups, and sometimes casseroles. They also make plenty of sweets like danishes, cookies, and pies, if you have a tooth for that.

There are plenty of outdoor spots if the mosquitos aren’t bad and you want to eat on their patio among the trees, but they also have a few indoor tables and wifi if you need to catch up on work email or something else during your stop in town.

Lucky Dragon Restaurant – Best Ethnic Food

I was surprised to see that tiny Haines Junction (population ~700) is home to a decent ethnic restaurant; Lucky Dragon Restaurant says their menu focuses on “Chinese & Western Cuisine” which is appropriate after reviewing their menus.

Breakfast is all Western, but their Chinese menu for lunch and dinner looks awesome, think chop suey and foo yung dishes plus classic Americanized Chinese dishes like sweet & sour chicken and pork chow mein. They also offer Western lunch/dinner options like sandwiches, burgers, salads, and poutine (the Yukon is Canada, after all!).

If you’re looking for another option during your time in Haines Junction, Lucky Dragon is a really nice option for some foreign flavors in a far-flung corner of the Yukon.

Cozy Corner Restaurant – Your Other Option

I’ll be honest: I haven’t eaten at Cozy Corner Restaurant, but I thought it was worth including on the list primarily because I did hear a fellow travel endorse (or rather fail to endorse) it as an option.

Backstory: during my first morning in the Yukon, I went to breakfast at Burnt Toast in Whitehorse (one of the best places to eat in that town!). I ended up chatting with a fellow solo traveler in line, Jerry, and we ended up sharing a table. We chatted about his travels for work and my upcoming plans, and he shared how he stayed at the Cozy Corner (which is also a motel) and found very little cozy about it.

The Cozy Corner Restaurant has breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, all focused on basic American (or should I say Canadian?) fare. Keyword: basic. There are a few options for each meal and most are fried (or come with fries). Basically, I’d put this on your list if you know you’ll be in Haines Junction for longer than an overnight and want some variety – but it’s last on my list for a reason.

Honestly, that’s it: there are just four restaurants in Haines Junction, so those are your choices, and I hope my list has helped you decide which ones you want to prioritize. Have any other questions about where to eat in Haines Junction? Let me know in the comments below!

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