Main lodge, lobby/check in, and home to the Creekside Cafe.  New 2023
1 / 10

McKinley Creekside Café & Bakery

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A cozy cafe near Denali offering fresh, delicious American fare, legendary baked goods, and stunning mountain views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Main lodge, lobby/check in, and home to the Creekside Cafe.  New 2023

McKinley Creekside Café & Bakery

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A cozy cafe near Denali offering fresh, delicious American fare, legendary baked goods, and stunning mountain views.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This is the best restaurant you will find in the Denali area. MUST VISIT!"

TIP

Reservations Recommended

The cafe is very popular, especially during peak times. Make reservations to avoid long wait times.

Breakfast is a Must

Consider visiting for breakfast to try their popular skillets, French toast, or the famous Cinnamon Roll.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

American

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(907) 683-2277

Address

224 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Legendary Cinnamon Rolls

Legendary Cinnamon Rolls

Indulge in warm, scrumptious cinnamon rolls that are a must-try, especially for breakfast. A sweet treat that draws visitors.

Prime Denali Views

Prime Denali Views

Dine with a spectacular view of Denali's tallest peak from the cafe deck, making every meal a picturesque experience.

24 Denali Restaurants You're Going to Want to Check Out on Your Trip
Fresh, Locally Sourced Meals

Fresh, Locally Sourced Meals

Enjoy delicious meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, from hearty breakfasts to exceptional chef specials.

Restaurants in Denali National Park and PreserveGoogle Review
Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

I thought we were just stopping for breakfast on the drive north… but instead, we ended up eating biscuits & gravy, french toast, hot coffee, and the best pie in Alaska with a front-row seat to Denali. 🏔✨ On a clear day, Mary’s McKinley View Café isn’t just a roadside stop💛it feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Tourists from all over the world were stepping out between bites just to take in th...
@lolasalty
2.7K likes • 35K views

Reservations Recommended

The cafe is very popular, especially during peak times. Make reservations to avoid long wait times.

Breakfast is a Must

Consider visiting for breakfast to try their popular skillets, French toast, or the famous Cinnamon Roll.

This cozy #cafe has been here since I was growing up and it just keeps getting more delicious. Everything freshly made, local ingredients & the friendliest staff ❤️ Add Creekside Bakery in @Visit Novato to your list the next time you’re looking for a breakfast or lunch spot in Marin!
@thespoonlist_
68 likes • 2.8K views
Pulled up to Creekside Cafe today… didn’t expect to fall in love 😍 10/10 #LocalEats
@wilddspirit
25 likes • 1.5K views

Explore the Menu

Don't miss highly recommended items like skillets, Halibut and Chips, Black Bean Burger, and Turkey Pot Pie.

Vegetarian Options Available

The cafe offers great choices for vegetarians, including delicious salads and veggie burgers.

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Recommended

The cafe is very popular, especially during peak times. Make reservations to avoid long wait times.

Breakfast is a Must

Consider visiting for breakfast to try their popular skillets, French toast, or the famous Cinnamon Roll.

Explore the Menu

Don't miss highly recommended items like skillets, Halibut and Chips, Black Bean Burger, and Turkey Pot Pie.

Vegetarian Options Available

The cafe offers great choices for vegetarians, including delicious salads and veggie burgers.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

McKinley Creekside Cafe is a beloved spot in Denali, praised for its fresh, delicious, and locally sourced food, including standout baked goods and chef specials. Diners appreciate the inviting atmosphere and beautiful views, though some note the small seating area can lead to significant wait times, and prices have increased. The service is generally highlighted as friendly and attentive.

"Great restaurant — fresh, yummy food, great atmosphere and vibes. Food is fresh and house-made, worth the price, good portions and good options, and all really good. I came here for dinner and breakfast and loved it. The creek and outdoor seating is beautiful and the indoor is good too. Definitely would return and highly recommend."

Annalese Wolf

"This is the best restaurant you will find in the Denali area. We ate here every day during our 3 nights in Denali, and luckily we were staying right on site in the creekside cabins so we didn't have to venture too far.

The food is exquisite and the chef fish specials are top notch. The service is also amazing - huge shout-out to Katie who is an excellent waitress! We enjoyed chatting with her during each visit. This restaurant is a MUST VISIT!"

Bailey Jaworski

"We had a great breakfast here (good selection of veg options) and the latte was so good! We had Avacado sandwich which was filling and well made with Sourdough bread and microgreens on top. We also ordered side of sourdough bread and rhubarb jam - it was good too!

It has a Togo menu separate from dining menu. Scones were the only other thing which was without eggs/gelatin. And they were out of Matcha tea."

Hiral V

What People Like

Fresh, delicious, and locally sourced food
Spectacular views from the deck
Amazing baked goods, especially cinnamon rolls and cookies

What People Dislike

Long wait times due to small seating area
Increasing prices
Limited seating for breakfast

Frequently Asked Questions

Due to its popularity, reservations are highly recommended to avoid long wait times, especially during peak hours.

Google Review

Customers rave about the Cinnamon Rolls, skillets, Halibut and Chips, Black Bean Burger, and Turkey Pot Pie.

Restaurants in Denali National Park and Preserve

Yes, the cafe offers great vegetarian choices, including veggie burgers and salads.

Restaurants near Denali National ParkGoogle Review

Yes, the cafe has outdoor seating with beautiful views of the surrounding nature.

24 Denali Restaurants You're Going to Want to Check Out on Your TripGoogle Review

Visiting during off-peak hours can help minimize wait times, but the cafe is popular throughout the day.

Google Review

The legendary Cinnamon Rolls and cookies are highly recommended, along with other delicious baked goods.

TikTokGoogle Review

Mentioned in

Featured in these publications

Fodor’s Travel

Restaurants in Denali National Park and Preserve

This is the place for hearty, delicious food, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. While the menu does offer some very good salads, the real treats include the mooster burger (made of locally sourced beef, as wild game can't be sold in restaurants), grilled halibut tacos, and Alaskan salmon with a rotating cast of sides and marinades. No matter how big you go on the meal, don't skip their legendary desserts.

Visit Source →
The Culture Trip

Where To Stay In Denali National Park Alaska

This boutique, friendly Alaskan lodge is just 15 minutes from the entrance to Denali National Park. So, it’s the ideal accommodation for those of you looking to perch on the edge of the action. If you’re getting to know the area, you’re offered all kinds of adventure packages (ranger-led walks, Jeep tours, photography, fly-fishing and more).

Visit Source →
Travel Tips - USA Today

Restaurants near Denali National Park

If you prefer to dine with the locals, head south to the McKinley Creekside Cafe (mckinleycabins.com) for simple fare including burgers, steak and salmon. Guests can purchase with wine and beer with their meals. Kids get their own menus and can hang out in the outdoor playground.

Visit Source →
Lonely Planet

Best hotels and hostels Denali National Park & Preserve, The Interior

The 'Grizzly' spans pretty much every price range and configuration, including wooded campsites by the Nenana River, platform tent-cabins, and well-spaced…

Visit Source →
Things To Luc At & Triple Point Training

A Hike Along the Northern Alaska Range, Denali National Park

After walking the trail from Wonder Lake to McKinley Bar, we started the off trail/road part of our journey, flanking the north side of the Alaska Range and wrapping our way toward Rohn. We had collected route information from a handful of friends (Taylor and John, Jen and Sam, Todd and Dusty), and had waypoints with labels like “Start of glory walking.

Visit Source →
ViaTravelers

13 Best Hotels in Denali National Park & Places to Stay

Address: 224 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755, United States. The luxurious hotel of McKinley Creekside Cabins & Café is ideal for those looking for a lovely place to seek shelter in Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska. It is among the best hotels in town, offering an impressive guest experience and a memorable holiday.

Visit Source →
AARP

Denali National Park Trip Planning Guide

The café is affiliated with McKinley Creekside cabins, a favorite go-to for many Anchorage residents needing a break from the city. From small cabins perfect for one person or a couple to larger family ones, the accommodations are comfortable, clean and fairly priced. You'll like their setting along Carlo Creek, surrounded by mountains.

Visit Source →
Alex on the Map

24 Denali Restaurants You're Going to Want to Check Out on Your Trip

It’s hard to say whether customers keep coming back to McKinley Creekside Café for the views or the food. Whatever your motivation, those are two of the things that it does right. McKinley Creekside Café is named after the former name of the park’s tallest peak, creating a spectacular view from the café deck.

Visit Source →
Runaway Juno

Why Carlo Creek is the perfect base for your Denali Adventure

McKinley Creekside, the Perch, and Carlo Creek Cabins are lodging and have food options. Denali Hostel & Cabins has accommodations from dorms to tents to private cabins and a shared kitchen for the guests. In fact, the restaurants at Carlo Creek are some of the best places to eat in the Denali area.

Visit Source →
Atly

Top 5 Gluten-Free Spots with Outdoor Seating to Enjoy in Denali National Park and Preserve

Wow Extremely coeliac aware and went to great lengths to ensure l had a great eating experience. There were a lot of GF fish meals, but l’m not a fan of fish, so they happily exchanged fish for chicken. Went back for breakfast and they brought mine out in the skillet that they’d cooked my meal in.

Visit Source →
National Park Obsessed

Where To Stay In Denali National Park? 14 Best Denali Hotels

McKinley Creekside Cabins is located just a 15-minute drive from Denali National Park. It’s situated on Carlo Creek with a beautiful mountain backdrop. You can choose to stay in one of their signature Creekside Cabins, family-friendly rooms, or they also have three house rentals on their property.

Visit Source →
Frommers

Restaurants in Denali National Park Region

Right next to gurgling Carlo Creek itself is the Creekside Café, a simple A-frame restaurant with plank flooring, country-inn décor, and entrees that are affordable and thoughtfully prepared. The annually-changing menu has included grilled salmon with a spicy plum glaze or a rib eye…

Visit Source →
ALASKA.ORG

Denali National Park Dining & Nightlife | Our Restaurant…

Locat­ed along­side the McKin­ley Creek­side Cab­ins, this café offers the space to relax and enjoy the moun­tain views while sip­ping an Alaskan beer or espres­so. Serves break­fast, lunch, and din­ner. Their hal­ibut and salmon are ocean caught and come direct from Homer, Alas­ka.

Visit Source →
cca.denalichamber.com

Accommodations - Denali

We offer AAA approved, clean, comfortable rooms and cabins at reasonable prices. All our accommodations have private baths and coffee makers, some available with refrigerators, microwaves and toasters. Our Family Cabins can sleep up to 6 people and Creekside cabins idea for couples.

Visit Source →
justasklayla.com

Wilderness Adventure In Denali National Park: Itinerary 2025

Start your adventure with a hearty breakfast at McKinley Creekside Cafe, known for its delicious morning fare. Afterward, head to the iconic Denali National Park and Preserve to immerse yourself in the stunning wilderness.

Visit Source →
atly.com

The 5 Best Gluten-Free Take Away Spots in Denali National Park and Preserve

National Park and Preserve, 224 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755, USA. Clearly labeled vegan and gluten-free gf options on the menu. Thai lettuce wraps with fried tofu were very good.

Visit Source →
mmm-yoso!!!

Alaska - Denali State Park, Denali National Park, the Husky Homestead, and McKinley Creekside Cafe

Visit Source →
The Adventures of Nicole

Denali National Park Travel Guide + 14 Things To Do In Denali

Visit Source →