When I decided to return to Iceland a few things were certain, I would try to keep my costs down on lodging and I would focus instead on great dining! I researched restaurants in each town I visited, travel sites, food blogs, ratings and reviews. I read them all and I believe it paid off. Here is part 2 of my own Icelandic foodie tour!
Sker
Situated in the coastal town Olafsvik, 2 hours and 40 minutes north of Reykjavik, this is definitely the place to be for lunch and not just because it’s the only place open for miles. This restaurant features upscale decor, a large bar and leather couches by the window overlooking the sea, not quite the place I was originally looking for for a quick lunch but locals and travelers alike were dining and their menu was diverse.
I opted for a burger and fries, very American of me I know. I don’t normally order burgers with eggs on them due to how messy they become but I made an exception only to be extremely surprised when it arrived. Have a look for yourself and tell me how you think I managed to eat it!
Hotel Langaholt Restaurant
I can not even tell you what is on my plate except that it’s fish, everywhere and all over! My hotel had one of the only restaurants around which was great for me but I’ll tell you if you don’t eat fish their all you can eat dinner buffet isn’t going to give you many options. But for those of us who do like fish then a feast awaits you! Dish after dish of fish cooked in sauces, with curry, pickled, baked, pan fried, the list goes on and on. I tried to sample a bit of everything but it was near impossible.
The curried fish was by far my favorite and sadly they only served it one of the two nights I was there. The bread you see here was extraordinary, I have no idea just what it was except fresh baked, soft and delicious. They also have beer and wine to pair with your meal so each night I treated myself to a large glass of wine thanks to their more than generous pours. This was a very pricey meal but it also is a dinner buffet in the middle of no where so I didn’t think on it too much, I had food in my belly!
Stapinn
This is the only place I forgot to snap a photo of my meal! I was a bit out of sorts, it was crazy windy and I had to skip out on a shoot because of it which never leaves me feeling good about the day. It also meant I was ahead of schedule by 2 hours and it was before noon. Since the winds were howling I thought I’d stop at my lunch spot early and grab a cup of coffee to warm up. There’s a few places to eat in Arnarstapi but I chose Stapinn, it was small and homey and had a bottomless cup of joe to warm me.
Their menu is a simple one and the food was very good, I did end up with a burger and fries again, no egg this time! Normally I’d probably have eaten something different but as I said I was thrown off schedule and that messed with my head. Travelers came in for coffee to go as I listened to music and relaxed before setting out on a long cold day of hiking. I definitely felt at ease here and while I missed taking a picture of my food I remember particularly liking the fries and cleaning my plate.
Svarta Kaffid
The last few days of my trip brought me back into Reykjavik for some much needed R&R. Of course this meant food, drinks, exploring and relaxing! My first dining stop would be lunch at Svarta Kaffid. They have a very simple menu, each day they prepare 2 soups. You choose which soup you’d like and it comes in this charming bread bowl. They had a combo special to pair with a Gull lager so who can refuse this?
I’m going to be honest with you, I love bread bowls and was so excited to try this but it left me wanting more. The amount of soup was small which wouldn’t be a problem because I have all that bread to snack on, only it just wasn’t that good. Personally I would skip this place next time I’m in town and opt for Cafe Loki where you get phenomenal soup and a side of delicious bread!
Ice Bar
Yes, I indulged in an ice bar! I have never been to one and thought this was the perfect place to go, have a drink, look at amazing ice carvings and enjoy being a tourist. I bought a ticket in advance though they weren’t overly busy. What attracted me to go here was the novelty of an ice bar, which you can find in most major cities, and the art carved into the walls! I spent an hour just looking at all of the work that had been done to create such a magical environment and I have countless photos of all the nooks and crannies. It was fun for what it was and I’m very glad I chose Reykjavik as my spot to check it out!
Rok
I remember eating here in 2019 and fell in love with the flavors. I’m not normally into small plates but it’s actually great when you’re traveling so you can try a little bit of everything. Since they wouldn’t allow me to purchase the tasting menu (because I was alone), I decided to create my own tasting adventure. Here’s what I chose to build:
Lemon cured salmon with goat cheese on sourdough – by far the best option, I savored every bite!
Arctic char with couscous and potatoes
Beef chimi churi – This was also extremely flavorful
Reindeer with blue cheese – Not as good as I remembered but not at all bad. Perhaps my first time eating it was more of a novelty which filled me with excitement
Icelandic cheese and sourdough – I wish I remember what the cheese was because it was lacking in flavor and I didn’t quite enjoy it as much as I’d hoped
*As a bonus you’ll find street art all over Reykjavik so I’ve thrown in a few shots below. The colorful murals are everywhere and make walking the city a day at the museum.
The Lava Cafe
My last full day in Iceland started off at the Blue Lagoon, which we’ll get into later, but I also decided to dine at their restaurant, The Lava Cafe, for lunch. I wish I remembered what fish I had but it was the catch of the day and it wasn’t something so common that it stuck in my brain but it was light and so good.
You may notice in my food photos that there’s a rock with a hunk of button on it. That’s standard practice in Iceland and I love it. Not only is the butter delicious but easily spreadable and the presentation is perfect for this rock covered island. If you feel like treating yourself after soaking in the lagoon I recommend a stop into The Lava Cafe, their views alone make for a unique dining experience.
Kopar
My last dinner in Iceland was spent at Kopar and I have zero regrets as it was one of the best meals I had. Located in the old harbor of Reykjavik this cozy eatery is the perfect spot to enjoy a view, a whimsical cocktail and exquisite meal. I was given a table right at the windows and treated to amazingly attentive service. I enjoyed everything about Kopar and would definitely stop in again but the star of my night was the damn butter! It was flavored and I could not get enough. It meant indulging on equally delicious breads and trying not to spoil my dinner, a very real struggle!
To start I ordered the Euphoria to drink, which consisted of Vodka, lemongrass, elderflowers and lime. And followed it up with Langoustine & Crab Risotto covered with a green apple salad. These flavors melted together, I’m hungry just thinking about it! I’d say if you’re looking for 1 upscale meal in Reykjavik Kopar is the place to go!
Kaffivagninn
And last on my list was breakfast, a sad affair when it’s your last day of traveling. For this meal I decided to step away from the bustling tourist spots and also not indulge on just pastry but instead take a mile long walk across town to the oldest restaurant in Iceland. This simple eatery was filled with locals and tourists alike. If you live in a large US city you may be used to this style of eatery as you walk in, order at the counter and wait to be served once you seat yourself. I opted for bacon and eggs and it was on par with any good diner I’ve visited. They were short staffed and a bit frazzled but no seemed too bothered as they hurried around and attended to us all. If you’re looking for a simple meal with a bit of history take a walk towards old harbor and check them out!
Well folks, that’s it, all of the food I ate as I made my way through the beautiful island country of Iceland. My biggest take aways from my 3 trips have been:
1. Plan ahead! No matter what your budget or what you want to eat know ahead of time if you’ll be shopping and dining in, trying local cuisine or tasting the tastes of your home. Iceland has something for everyone!
2. No matter your budget Iceland has something for you. If you choose to go to the local Bonus or Krona grocery stores to shop for your travels great, do it! If you want to eat pizza, hot dogs or sandwiches perfect, they have that too. If you decide dining out is your way to go, make those reservations! There’s no right or wrong way to travel and you can make it work no matter your budget!
3. Enjoy yourself! No matter what you’re eating or drinking remember to make it an enjoyable experience. If you’re with friends or loved ones use this as a way to decompress from your day, discuss tomorrow’s plans, laugh about the crazy adventure you just had. Or if you’re alone, like me, chat up the people next to you, post silly selfies on social media, savor our meal and relax from your day!