Located on Ismailof Island in Halibut Cove, Alaska, The Saltry Restaurant opened in 1984 with the mission statement - Art on the face of the wilderness and fine dining. Since then, we have been serving both quality interpretations of classic dishes and daring new ventures into the uncharted territories of food.
On an overcast day in the fall of 1983 the Saltry, jacked up and teetering on three foot wooden stilts, floated slowly down the Halibut Cove channel, flanked by skiffs bearing "no wake" signs. Rising over all was the Saltry's steeply peaked roof line-attributes that had earlier caused the locals to dub it "The Flying Nun."
On an overcast day in the fall of 1983 the Saltry, jacked up and teetering on three foot wooden stilts, floated slowly down the Halibut Cove channel, flanked by skiffs bearing "no wake" signs. Rising over all was the Saltry's steeply peaked roof line-attributes that had earlier caused the locals to dub it "The Flying Nun."
Services
Daily 5:00 pm ferry departure is available for The Saltry dinner customers. A relaxing and informal Alaskan Adventure, we want you to feel at home with us during your visit. Feel free to ask questions of our all-Alaskan crew. We're happy to share our knowledge of our home with you! You'll have three hours to dine at the Cove's local restaurant, The Saltry, visit the galleries and explore Halibut Cove.
The residents of Ismailof Island are working hard to keep everyone safe. Since it is a private island, they are requiring all Saltry customers age 16 and up to be vaccinated and wear masks. We have 2 dinner seating times available for private boaters; 7 pm or 8:00 pm based on availability. Halibut Cove and The Saltry practices Quiet Time until 1 PM on all boardwalks and hiking trails to respect our locals' privacy.
Reviews (20)
Maureen S.
Aug 22, 2021
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First one in, last one served! BEWARE!
Hard to believe, but they really seem overwhelmed when the dinner boat arrives at their dock. Haven't they been doing this for quite awhile now. Waiters chatting it up with the locals, but seem annoyed that tourists are spending their money at their private little gem....
Hard to believe, but they really seem overwhelmed when the dinner boat arrives at their dock. Haven't they been doing this for quite awhile now. Waiters chatting it up with the locals, but seem annoyed that tourists are spending their money at their private little gem....
Braden D.
Jul 24, 2021
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Fantastic experience! Not a single complaint here.
To begin with, our server was very friendly and attentive. He made sure that all of our food came out quickly, despite the fact that every party at the restaurant necessarily arrives at the same time and thus orders simultaneously. The drinks we ordered were very good, especially "Black as my Heart." The wine recommendation from our server was also very good and paired well with our food.
For our appetizers, we ordered the salmon pate, pickled salmon, and Saltry chowder. The pate had a good texture and a nice creamy, salty, and oniony
To begin with, our server was very friendly and attentive. He made sure that all of our food came out quickly, despite the fact that every party at the restaurant necessarily arrives at the same time and thus orders simultaneously. The drinks we ordered were very good, especially "Black as my Heart." The wine recommendation from our server was also very good and paired well with our food.
For our appetizers, we ordered the salmon pate, pickled salmon, and Saltry chowder. The pate had a good texture and a nice creamy, salty, and oniony
Allison K.
Jul 23, 2021
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The Saltry was fantastic! The whole experience was amazing, from the boat ride to water side dining to island exploring. The food was delicious and the service was friendly! Overall we enjoyed the food and drinks. Yes, the food pricey but totally worth it. We are in Alaska eating local food at a remote location. We'd do it again in a second! Also will note we had our 5 year old with us, they were kind and accommodating to his requests. Although he did eat a dozen oysters for dinner.
Kaitlyn P.
Jul 22, 2021
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Halibut Cove is a beautiful place, but the service at the Saltry was very disappointing and there definitely seems to be a preference of the locals over the visitors. It took two hours for us to receive our entrees, which impacted our time to be able to explore the area. Additionally, our waiter forgot to bring our appetizer. As others have noted, you should have a small meal or snack before leaving Homer if you are taking the Danny J boat. The portions are small and the food is okay. Halibut Cove is worth visiting, but if you decide to eat at the Saltry be prepared for not the friendliest staff
Kelli L.
Jul 16, 2021
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Christopher P.
Jun 24, 2021
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Great little spot! Clemonade tastes great with the touch of cinnamon a great touch, the oysters and mussels were great apps with whatever reason base the mussels soaking in can be sippable in itself. But the octopus was a different beast, cooked and seasoned very well, would def come order every time. Service was excellent as well! Great job staff!
Nina L.
Aug 13, 2019
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Saltry restaurant is accessible by ferry from Homer. The restaurant sets you up with the ferry company that takes you to halibut cove- a beautiful 45 minutes one way.
5-stars for the restaurants vibes and views. As far as the food and service, it seems like they only had two severs for the entire dinner service so while our server was kind, the service was slow. With the volume of guests, the restaurant was sold out of 3 items from their menu. Our time here for drinks, apps, entrees, and dessert went from about ~6p-8:45p, which seemed to be the avg time guests were dining.
We got the halibut
5-stars for the restaurants vibes and views. As far as the food and service, it seems like they only had two severs for the entire dinner service so while our server was kind, the service was slow. With the volume of guests, the restaurant was sold out of 3 items from their menu. Our time here for drinks, apps, entrees, and dessert went from about ~6p-8:45p, which seemed to be the avg time guests were dining.
We got the halibut
Trevor G.
Aug 07, 2019
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I don't review often (or ever really), but had the rudest experience of my life at this restaurant. Frankly, I am still trying to figure out what happened. Bottom line is that the food is good, most people are nice, and the area is pretty; but it takes an incredibly long time (drinks, food, any service). If you are lucky, you will have the owner (Marian) come up to your table drunk and start speaking gibberish at the end of the night. We had a large table at this restaurant and spent over $1000, only to have her be belligerent with our table (fortunately after the kids left), which was embarrassing
Zohar B.
Jul 16, 2019
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Ryan W.
Jul 12, 2019
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Super rough experience. The $16 kale Caesar was a handful of kale right out of the bag. The halibut tacos had maybe 1 ounce of halibut in each taco and the tortillas were waaaay over cooked. The ramen was atrocious, watery over cooked bleh! Top Ramen from the bag is better. Save your money and don't eat here
Carl W.
Jun 09, 2019
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Katherine S.
May 30, 2019
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If you're prone to hangry-ness, definitely have a snack before you come here, because it will be a while.
The food is pricey, small portion sizes, but good. You're paying more for the experience of taking the historical ferry, enjoying the gorgeous views, and exploring Halibut Cove. Our journey for this food experience started at 5pm and we received our food around 7pm. That included taking the ferry over, ordering, and waiting for it to come out, so just be aware of that.
The ride on the WWII wooden ferry boat was slow and smooth. I also love that they are dog friendly. We enjoyed
The food is pricey, small portion sizes, but good. You're paying more for the experience of taking the historical ferry, enjoying the gorgeous views, and exploring Halibut Cove. Our journey for this food experience started at 5pm and we received our food around 7pm. That included taking the ferry over, ordering, and waiting for it to come out, so just be aware of that.
The ride on the WWII wooden ferry boat was slow and smooth. I also love that they are dog friendly. We enjoyed
Lydia K.
Aug 18, 2018
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Fantastic dining experience. The ambiance was perfect - peaceful and laid back, great music, seals and sea otters swimming in the cove while we ate. The staff was friendly. The food was amazing. Oysters, caprese salad, octopus, pork - all amazing. Desserts and drinks also great. Wish we lived closer and could dine here more often! Absolutely recommend.
Kevin P.
Aug 05, 2018
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I booked this dinner experience back in April, and no one mentioned at the time that Tuesday was "community day" at the Saltry. Community Day is where everyone that lives in Halibut Cove gets together and commandeer's the restaurant and especially the bar so that no one else can eat there until 7pm.
The boat leaves Homer at 5pm and it took about 45-50 minutes to make its way over to Halibut cove. When we arrived, we were stranded and told to walk around the board walk to visit shops to kill 75 minutes before we could be seated. The problem is all the residents were at Community
The boat leaves Homer at 5pm and it took about 45-50 minutes to make its way over to Halibut cove. When we arrived, we were stranded and told to walk around the board walk to visit shops to kill 75 minutes before we could be seated. The problem is all the residents were at Community
Fred & Kathy G.
Jun 13, 2018
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First time in July 2017 was an experience well worth having.
We went a year later and what a difference, and not for the better. This is now a tourist trap, with cold food, slow service, and the owner just sitting there watching this unfold before her eyes. The trip over was fun and the area is pretty but the servers acted stoned, disorganized, and painstakingly slow. One table for their food so late the waiter suggested they take it to go. At $50 PP not including drinks, so many better places in Homer without the aggravation. Been there, done that.
We went a year later and what a difference, and not for the better. This is now a tourist trap, with cold food, slow service, and the owner just sitting there watching this unfold before her eyes. The trip over was fun and the area is pretty but the servers acted stoned, disorganized, and painstakingly slow. One table for their food so late the waiter suggested they take it to go. At $50 PP not including drinks, so many better places in Homer without the aggravation. Been there, done that.
Kylie B.
Dec 20, 2017
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I got to come here while I was on a trip for a wedding. We were staying in Homer, and to get to this restaurant you have to take a 45 minute ferry ride. It was a bit chilly outside, but they have a huge fire pit. I had the barley risotto. We had a large group who got to try most of the menu. It was awesome that the workers could tell us when everything was caught and by who!
Daniella A.
Sep 21, 2017
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I am somewhat confused by some of the poor reviews this restaurant has received. We dined here on our first night of our August trip to Alaska. The wonderful experience set the tone for an amazing Alaskan adventure. This was a one of a kind dining experience. And one to the top meals during our visit in Alaska.
The boat ride over on the Danny J was a lovely way to get our first views of Kachemak Bay, and the Homer spit. It was a lovely sunny evening, which certainly helped! But, the boat ride to the Saltry was just a nice add on to a wonderful dining experience. It was so cool to get
The boat ride over on the Danny J was a lovely way to get our first views of Kachemak Bay, and the Homer spit. It was a lovely sunny evening, which certainly helped! But, the boat ride to the Saltry was just a nice add on to a wonderful dining experience. It was so cool to get
Mc M.
Jul 14, 2017
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Excellent restaurant in Halibut Cove. Once in a life time experience on a beautiful day. Recommend to anyone who has the chance to visit this little piece of heaven. Octopus was absolutely amazing !! Oysters were also delicious, harvested at 10 am that morning. Executive Chef Adam will take great care of you.
Pros:
Views are like a Disney movie
Service is top notch
- Octopus was amazing
- Scallops were tiny bundles of flavor
- Every entry is fresh and superb.
Cons:
Be careful of ferry dinner parties. They become the priority upon arrival
Please don't feed the birds. No one wants
Pros:
Views are like a Disney movie
Service is top notch
- Octopus was amazing
- Scallops were tiny bundles of flavor
- Every entry is fresh and superb.
Cons:
Be careful of ferry dinner parties. They become the priority upon arrival
Please don't feed the birds. No one wants
Keith T.
Aug 30, 2016
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A friend and I went to The Saltry Restaurant, via the Danny J, on the last warm sunny weekend of August; before they close for the season after the Labor Day Weekend. My 4 Stars are for the sum total of the slow boat ride across Kachemak Bay from Homer to Halibut Cove; and, for the total experience of having lunch at The Saltry Restaurant and walking along the trails before catching the 4:00pm ride back to Homer for everyone in "lunch bunch." It was very pleasant to have lunch on the outdoor patio close to the water view. We enjoyed the Full Combo appetizer, Fish Tacos and Finger Potatoes
Tanice M.
Aug 02, 2016
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