Islenski Barinn

Where? Islenski Barinn (Reykjavik, Iceland) Map Menu

When? Saturday March 30, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Icelandic

My last day in Reykjavik and I’ve managed to get a seat at Islenski Barinn - literally Icelandic Bar - which was one of the places I went to last night but couldn’t be bothered waiting in line since I had an aurora tour to go to (which was FANTASTIC). I’ve gone straight for a local speciality burger - reindeer! The atmosphere here seems quite muted since they’ve just opened for the day, but thirty minutes after being seated and the tables are almost full.

Today’s drink is a locally made grapefruit soda. It’s got a nice bitter finish to it.

Mains

Hreindýraborgari: Reindeer burger, brie cheese, lettuce, bell pepper, wild berry jam, garlic mayo and waffle fries
The burger tastes less gamey than I was expecting, but there’s still that hint of it. It’s very lean, but the cheese and touch of berry jam really help bring all the ingredients together. The burger compresses quite well into a mouth sized height, the lettuce is quite springy. The waffle fries are super crispy, almost like I’m eating just batter. They’re too dry to eat by themselves, so I need a dollop of ketchup on the side to help it go down.

Posted by Jeremy at 9:22pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Seabaron (Sægreifinn)

Where? Seabaron (Sægreifinn) (Reykjavik, Iceland) Map

When? Friday March 29, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Seafood

In my last night in Reykjavik, I wanted something local. My first choice had a reindeer burger on offer but had a massive line up that I couldn’t afford to stand in because of my aurora tour booking. My second choice was a seafood restaurant that was also fully booked, so with my options running low, I walked a little bit out of the city centre to get to the harbour area. This place does seafood skewers and the famous Icelandic lobster soup, so let’s see how this goes.

Appetiser

Lobster Soup
It’s not creamy like a chowder at all, and in some respects this means that there’s no way to hide behind the flavour of cream. It’s delicious and warming, and the flavour of the seafood comes through nicely. The chunks of langoustine are super soft and tender.

Mains

Salmon and Shrimp Skewers
What a beautiful char on the outside, that grill smokiness is fantastic. The shrimp is super tasty but the salmon is superior in all ways, it’s soft, it’s juicy and that flavour is amazing. There’s a lot of it, probably even more than what you’d get if you ordered a fillet in a usual restaurant. If I wasn’t such a stinge, I would have probably ordered a vegetable skewer too since the salmon is quite oily and rich, but the important thing is I’m satisfied, and it’s time for dessert. I'll have to grab something quick on the way to the bus terminal for the aurora tour.

Posted by Jeremy at 9:12pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Le KocK

Where? Le KocK (Reykjavik, Iceland) Map Menu

When? Thursday March 28, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Gastropub

After a long day of exploring Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjökull, and the ice cavern deep within, I’m back in Reykjavik for a relaxing meal. I’ve taken the opportunity to choose a place further away from my hostel since I’m not in a rush to get to an aurora tour tonight. I’m not particularly sure why this place is called what it’s called, but it’s not too far from the Icelandic Phallological Museum. That being said, they've really leaned into the theme, because there's no point calling yourself that and half-assing it.



The atmosphere is chill, like a pub or brew bar, and though I'm not really here for the alcohol, I can appreciate the vibe and tuck into the grub instead.

Mains

KocK Cheeseburger: 140g grilled beef patty with cheddar cheese, KocK sauce, cabbage, pickles, red onions and tomatoes
The potatoes are really nicely seasoned, fluffy on the inside and that KocK sauce is rich and creamy. I think it’s mayonnaise with paprika and something else like chipotle. There’s a lot of potato so I know I won’t be hungry at the end of this. The burger is solid and satisfying, it’s delicious and juicy. The cabbage here is the textural element, and the tomato and pickles add that acidity to balance everything out.

Posted by Jeremy at 7:12pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Kaffi Loki

Where? Kaffi Loki (Reykjavik, Iceland) Map Menu

When? Wednesday March 27, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Icelandic

I have been looking forward to this one. Loki, the famous Norse God of Tricks, has a cafe in Reykjavik named after him. It sits right opposite Hallgrimskirkja, the church at the top of the hill, and on this cold and windy Icelandic day, I’ve decided I need some excitement and mischief in my life. It smells of warmth and seafood in here, but what I’ll be ordering might spook the other patrons.

The national food of Iceland is fermented shark, hákarl. It’s the rotting meat of the Greenland shark, treated with urea to remove the toxins so that it becomes safe to eat. From Wikipedia: Chef Anthony Bourdain described fermented shark as "the single worst, most disgusting and terrible tasting thing" he had ever eaten. You’re supposed to follow up with a shot of Brennivin, the country's signature liquor, to clear the aftertaste. I've eaten durian before, how bad can it be?

Mains

Freyja: trout tarte with salad and Loki's unique rye bread ice cream
It’s fishy and creamy, the rye bread is very dense. The salad is okay, it’s well dressed and feels fresh. The rye bread ice cream is surprisingly good, and it tastes really well balanced because the bitterness in the bread matches the sweetness perfectly.

Speciality

Hakarl: Fermented shark and Brennivin shot
To be perfectly honest, it’s a lot milder than I thought it would be. It’s very similar aftertaste to century egg. The ammonia is definitely tastable after a few seconds but it’s really not as bad as the Internet was saying. I feel I’ve had worse. I had a good chat to the waiter about my experience and also told him about durian, and durian is definitely stronger in taste than that. Glad I've given it a go though, another checkmark for Iceland's list!

Posted by Jeremy at 6:22pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Reykjavik Fish

Where? Reykjavik Fish (Reykjavik, Iceland) Map

When? Tuesday March 26, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Seafood

It’s been snowing in Reykjavik while I’ve been wandering around town, but on the plus side I’ve encountered seven random cats along my walk, so everything in the world is as it should be. I’ve sought refuge from the elements close to the famous church Hallgrimskirkja, and I’ve gone for something nice and simple. I'm on an island, so it's time for some seafood. Reyjavik Fish actually has a few branches around the capital city, but I've gone for the one on Frakkastígur.

Mains

Fish and Chips: with tartare sauce
Yep it’s literally a bucket of two fish fillets and chips, and there isn’t even cutlery to eat them with. I think I have to get my own from the bar. This bucket is a terrible way to eat fish and chips, the fish keeps falling off into the bucket and it becomes inaccessible within all the chips. Both the chips and fish batter are a bit soggy and the fish is lacking seasoning but with the tartare sauce, it’s okay. Disappointing. Would not recommend and will not be coming back here.

Posted by Jeremy at 6:07pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Aurora Restaurant

Where? Aurora Restaurant (Akureyri, Iceland) Map Menu

When? Monday March 25, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Icelandic

My guide to Dettifoss today said he was a professional chef, so I’ve asked him for a recommendation for Akureyri’s best burger. He’s told me the Aurora Restaurant, which is situated in the Akureyri Berjaya Hotel. Lucky for me, he’s dropping off two of the tour group there so I can grab some food before walking home and taking a break before tonight’s aurora hunt. I'm a little disheveled from a day touring Northern Iceland, and I feel a little out of place in amongst the well-dressed cliente here, but I'm never seeing these people again and I'm hungry, so let's just get the food and go. Though there's a "Deluxe Hamburger" option, I've opted for the more simple of the two.


Yay free bread. It’s nice and dense, and the butter is really creamy and well seasoned. A testament to the dairy industry here.

Mains

Hamburger: ketchup, mustard, cheddar, salad, onion, tomatoes, pickled cucumber
The fries are thin cut but thicker than packet chips. They’re really nice and the chipotle mayo accompaniment hits the spot. I’ve ordered my burger medium, and it’s cooked perfectly. Still juicy, and a hint of smokiness from the grill on both the patty and the bun. The toppings are ordinary but work well. All in all, this is a solid but simple burger, but as with many Icelandic things, quite pricey for $37.

Posted by Jeremy at 5:54pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Greifinn

Where? Greifinn (Akureyri, Iceland) Map Menu

When? Sunday March 24, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Icelandic

My local restaurant in Akureyri is about ten minutes walk away, and seems to be a popular joint for families (as I’m writing this, there’s a kid on the other side of the room yelling). Tourism season is summer, so I imagine most people here today are locals. Really I’m only here for convenience and because my hostel gave me a 10% discount voucher. I’ve got an aurora tour to catch in just over two hours so I need something quick. Since I had seafood yesterday, I’m going for the other famous Icelandic protein - lamb. This is costing me 6790 ISK, which is just shy of $70 CAD.

Mains

Lamb bearnaise: Grilled lamb rib eye, served with bearnaise sauce, roasted vegetables and French fries
Oops. Didn’t realise there were mushrooms. Not really a fan of the bean sprouts either. The chips are really good though, solidifying my opinion that thick cut is superior to shoestring. The bearnaise is luscious and rich, but the protein is perhaps a little over medium rare. I think the sear isn’t strong enough, but it tastes very good and it’s very tender. As I’m finishing the chips, I spot a bottle of a mystery liquid with the salt and pepper shakers and I decide to try some. It’s garlic oil. What a great idea. I think every restaurant should have a bottle of garlic oil on the side.

I think I’ll pass on the ridiculously expensive desserts, but I do want something sweet to finish off so I’ll go with a hot chocolate instead. It’s no suizo, but it’ll do.

Posted by Jeremy at 5:18pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Centrum Kitchen and Bar

Where? Centrum Kitchen and Bar (Akureyri, Iceland) Map Menu

When? Saturday March 23, 2024

Who? Me

Food Style? Icelandic

Akureyri is a small town in North Iceland, and though it has been difficult logistically to get here, I’m well settled at my hostel and I’ve been out walking around town. It’s been slightly warmer here than in Toronto (lol) and now I’m ready to grab some food on the main street of the city. Food here is very expensive - mains are usually 4,000 to 7,000 Icelandic krona, which equates to $40 - $70 Canadian dollars.

Today I’m at the Centrum Kitchen and Bar, which is attached to the hotel of the same name. My drink is a local ginger beer with lots of kick and not much sugar. It’s perfect and has that spiciness with every sip.

Mains

Langoustine Pasta: Black linguini pasta with langoustine, cream langoustine sauce, cherry tomatoes, basil pesto and parmesan
Langoustine is one of the most important seafoods commercially in Europe and while it is related to the lobster, it only grows up to about 20cm in length. It’s abundant in Iceland waters and so I’ve decided to have some today in an octopus ink pasta. When it comes out - wow. It smells fantastic, rich, creamy, cheesy and seafoody at the same time. There’s lots of sauce, which is a must for a dish like this, since the pasta is merely a vessel to soak up all that delicious langoustine sauce. There’s some nice chunks of the protein strewn through and this is extremely delicious. I don’t think the spring onion is quite the right garnish for this, but I’m at a loss to provide an alternative. It does give a bit of crunch and freshness though, and the tomato provides that sweetness to balance out all the flavours on the plate. Not a single drop of that sauce is going to be wasted on my watch.

Posted by Jeremy at 5:13pm on Wednesday October 22, 2025 :: 0 comments ::

Old Iceland

Where? Old Iceland (Laugavegur, Reykjavik, Iceland) Map Menu

When? Thursday February 23, 2017

Who? Me

Food Style? Traditional Icelandic

I tried coming here a few days ago, but this small cosy restaurant was fully booked and had no space even for single diner me. I made a reservation and here I am, back again, hoping for a solid Icelandic meal experience.

Entree

Cured Salmon - picked cucumber, dill mayo, dulse and microgreens
Deliciously fresh, well seasoned and has that lovely acidity and sweetness from the cucumber pickle. The greens balance out the creamy sauce perfectly. Great starter!

Mains

Fillet of Lamb and Slow Cooked Shoulder - artichokes, carrots, beetroot, potatoes and demi-glace
Lots of well seasoned root vegetables and rich sauce with a swirl of cream, this is a classic winter dish. Very hearty and comforting given today's awful weather. The lamb is nicely cooked, pink in the middle, and is succulent and tender, but the fat could be rendered a bit more.

Dessert

Brownie - caramel sauce, roasted oats, vanilla ice cream and strawberries
Again, great comfort food, very homely. Decadent chocolate brownie with lots of fresh fruit to cut through that richness and oats for that added crunch. What looks like a slice of capsicum is actually a large strawberry. In hindsight, I should've ordered a dessert wine with this but I'm satisfied nevertheless.

The meal cost me 7990 ISK, or "$79.90", which is on par with how expensive everything is in Iceland, but I am quite full and happy to have had an enjoyable last meal here in Reykjavik.

Posted by Jeremy at 2:13pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::