Best Luxury Restaurants in West Iceland
The Best Seafood Restaurants in West Iceland
Iceland is known to us Brits for its fantastic cod that we devour in our fish and chips. However the region has so much more to offer us, and I headed down to West Iceland to sample some of the best restaurants in the area.
I had the chance to try some fantastic seafood dishes which I haven’t seen on the menu anywhere in London, making a trip to Iceland a must for foodies!
Viðvík, Snaefellsbaer
Seemingly located in the middle of nowhere, in what initially looks like a steel cabin, this is one of my favourite restaurants in Iceland.
When you enter Viðvík you’ll be amazed by the beautiful and classy decor, and welcomed by the friendly staff at this family-owned restaurant. There’s also a spectacular view over Snæfellsjökull glacier and Breiðafjörður from the windows. Judging by the impressive decor I couldn’t wait to try the food.
I visited for lunch and sampled an array of delicious fish based dishes. My favourite was our starter of marinated scallops in langoustine sauce, which was light and airy and full of flavour.
For our main course I tried the local cod served with Icelandic barley risotto and hollandaise sauce. This was an incredible dish in which the freshness of the cod really came through and emphasised the quality of the ingredients.
My dessert was a traditional liquorice creme brûlée, which I was surprised that I enjoyed very much!
A must-visit when in Snaefellsbaer, stop here for either lunch or dinner for an incredible Icelandic feast.
Viðvík is open from May-September
Visit the website to find out more.
Bjargarsteinn, Grundarfjörður
With breath-taking views, Bjargarsteinn is located in a beautiful old building which is over 100 years old.
The quaint interiors lend itself to the history of the venue as an old fishing shack. Dinner here is a beautiful experience, as you can start with a drink on the outside veranda admiring the scenic views, before moving inside to sample the delights of the menu.
Some of my favourite dishes included kelp and skyr and pickled seaweed as a delicious starter, and red fish with potato gratin as a second starter.
The ginger sorbet palate cleanser led into a fantastic main course of red snapper, pickled garlic, oyster mushrooms and potato gratin.
After exploring the museum located on the first floor of the restaurant, we settled down for dessert which was skry with melted white chocolate and blueberry sorbet. This was a light yet decadent dish to end an incredible meal.
A visit to Bjargarsteinn is highly recommend when visiting Grundarfjörður, for the food, views and immensely friendly staff too!
Sjávarpakkhúsið, Stykkisholmur
Another West Icelandic restaurant with beautiful views of Stykkisholmur and the working harbour - this is the restaurant to come to try fresh local fish.
The restaurant prides itself in offering expertly made and locally sourced seasonal seafood. They work with local fishermen to ensure that they are always using the best quality local ingredients, whilst also promoting sustainability.
The interiors are classy but relaxed and ideal for lunch or dinner during your trip to Stykkisholmur.
I sampled an incredible lunch, all of which was beautifully presented. We started with a range of starters including halibut with horseradish, fish roe with rye crackers and my favourite dish battered cod cheeks served with rhubarb barbecue sauce and smoked mayonnaise.
We then shared a platter of mussels, which was ideal as we didn’t want to eat too heavy a dish for lunch.
Dessert was also a stand-out dish, as although it was a simple combination of rhubarb jam with whipped yogurt, it was exactly what was needed after the meal.
Open all year with indoor and outdoor dining.
Narfeyrarstofa, Stykkisholmur
This cosy local restaurant in Stykkisholmur is the place to go for an Icelandic seafood feast.
We were presented with a breath-taking three-tier platter of local delights, including sea truffle, seagull eggs, crab, sea snails, whelks and fried cod tongues. There were so many incredible things to sample on the platter which made it a great way to start the meal.
For our main course I tried the salted cod served with spicy sauce, roe from monkfish and pickled mustard seeds. It was a delight to see a combination of spices served with local fish and this was the first time I had seen this in Iceland.
For dessert I opted for a chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream and it didn’t disappoint.
For all those looking to try a range to local seafood dishes you won’t find in England, this is the restaurant to visit!
Englendingavik, Borgarnes
Touted as serving some of the best fish soup in West Iceland, Englendingavik has a menu which will appeal to all.
Not only are the seafood dishes here delicious, but their non-seafood menu is spectacular. I sampled the slow-cooked lamb leg which was so perfectly cooked it fell from the bone.
My dessert of passion fruit meringue was one of the prettiest dishes I’ve seen in Iceland, and one of the tastiest!
The views here are also stunning, with a large outdoor dining space and plenty of room in the cosy interiors too.
Don’t forget to visit the toy museum located just next door when visiting!
Hofnin, Reykjavik
Reykjavik boasts a number of popular restaurants all of which serve delicious and authentic dishes. I decided to dine by the harbour at Hofnin, and take in the views on my last night in Iceland.
The decor here is cosy and welcoming and the menu is tantalising. Again seafood is the speciality, and I tried a trio of fish for my starter, including trout, breaded haddock, and salmon, all of which were delicious.
My main course of reindeer with a lobster shot was unique, well cooked and certainly worth a try when in Iceland.
I also tried a traditional dessert called the Happy Marriage Cake - a traditional cake enjoyed at wedding celebrations which was the prefect way to end our meal, and our trip to Iceland.
What are you favourite restaurants in Iceland? Let me know in the comments below.
My trip was in association with Seafood Iceland. All opinions are my own.
Her Favourite Food & Travel x
