7 Best Restaurants in North Iceland, Iceland

An attention-attracting Viking ship decked out with colorful shields acts like a visual ringmaster for this fabulous Hauganes restaurant, drumming up business for their fishy fare. Tasty seafood dishes and baccalá (salted codfish)–themed meals star on the menu alongside the seaside views. If you're lucky, you might just see a whale in the distance. 

There is a glorious jumble of vintage ski wear, old leather saddles, and other knickknacks to engage your curiosity in this small-town café, which is just as charming as the children’s story it’s named after: The Brothers From Bakki. The famous local storybook (about three brothers who build a house with no windows and tried to carry sunshine into the house using their hats) makes for a great read while you wait for your order. Look out for the marvelous wooden sculpture of former President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson by local artist Dagur Óskarsson.

Located within the 1238 Battle of Iceland museum, this restaurant not only serves some delightful fare but also acts as Skagafjörður's premier concert venue, bringing both famous and small-time artists to play in the remote countryside. They also have a small store with gifts and souvenirs. 

Glorious in its haphazardness, this welcoming café is also a bar and gallery exhibiting and selling various paintings, handicrafts, knitwear, and a selection of homemade jams and preserves. It’s a happy blend of old, upcycled, and new, featuring lots of driftwood and an entire wall dedicated to a quirky collection of teapots, pans, and kitchenware.

At Kaffi Klara, you can fill up on hearty traditional Icelandic food with langoustine pizzas and open-face sandwiches. It's owned by avid foragers, so it’s highly likely that a tasty harvest of blueberries and other fruits of the land could be flavoring your food. In case you are tempted to stay in town a little, the owners also offer comfortable and stylish guesthouse accommodation at Kaffi Klara Gistihús and  "the Hero Experience” courses where you can learn how to cook traditional Icelandic meals.

Located next to a swimming pool, Teni Restaurant & Café is an appealing café where you can fill up on traditional Icelandic dishes or something a little more exotic from Ethiopia, where the owner and chef are from. Portions can be generous here—particularly for Iceland—so arrive hungry. While opting for the Ethiopian fare is highly recommended, their pizzas are also total standouts.

This charming harborside restaurant is open daily during the summer and by appointment throughout the rest of the year. Using locally grown ingredients, this restaurant serves popular fish dishes, a soup of the day, burgers, and a selection of cakes.