Lemon

The Ultimate Restaurant Guide to Akureyri

For a relatively small place, Akureyri has a surprisingly wide selection of restaurants. From traditional fresh Icelandic grilled fish to tasty lamb goulash, or gourmet burgers to Asian or Spanish flavours, what would be your favourite?

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Mari Tirkkonen

12. October 2018

Rub 23

Rub 23, sushi in Akureyri. Photo: Rub23@Facebook. 

My absolute all time favourite! This fantastic place specializes in seafood dishes with Asian and American fusion, along with mouth melting chicken and meat options. They even offer something for vegans and their sushi is to die for. The restaurant uses ingredients from Icelandic fishermen and farmers, and the name “Rub” comes from their homemade spice mixtures that they indeed rub into the food for very special flavours. This place is not only a sweet little beauty with its stylish décor – they also change their menu 3 times a year and the staff is always super professional. Now that’s something to keep us locals coming in over and over again!

Opening hours:
Lunch Mon – Fri 11:30am until 2pm, evenings Sun – Thu 5:30pm until 10pm, Fri – Sat 5:30pm until 11pm.

Address:
Kaupvangstræti 6, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 462 2223

Bryggjan

Delicious food at Bryggjan restaurant, Akureyri Iceland. Photo: Bryggjan@Facebook. 

Located in a historical building right by the harbour of Akureyri, you can’t help but feeling full and happy once you leave this restaurant. I mean, who can argue against their daily pizza lunch buffet for a price of 2000 kr? The whole menu is wide and serves a bit of everything – from more traditional Icelandic dishes to pasta, burgers and of course, pizzas.

Opening hours:
Sun – Fri 11:30am until 9pm
Sat – Sun 11:30am until 10pm

Address:
Strandgata 49, 600 Akureyri. Phone +354 440 6600

Greifinn

Pizza at Greifinn Restaurant, Akureyri. Photo: Greifinn@Facebook. 

A few blocks away from the main streets of Akureyri, this classic has been one of the favourites for us town locals for years. Their extensive menu contains a bit of everything, from the most special pizzas (salted fish pizza anyone?) and classic burgers to pasta and Tex Mex dishes. A very easy to order type of place with great food and a nice family friendly atmosphere, with a kids playground in the corner.

Open daily from 11:30am until 10pm.

Address: Glerárgata 20, 600 Akureyri. Phone +354 461 1600.

Strikið

Photo: Strikið@Facebook. 

A rooftop restaurant overlooking the town and the beautiful Akureyri harbor, Strikið is fine dining at its best. After enjoying a fabulous Strikið cocktail, the extensive selection of appetizers encourages you to try as many as possible, before diving into the deep end. The diverse menu with some sushi thrown in there, with carefully selected quality wines to choose from, Strikið has the ingredients for a sweet little date night. Lunch menu here is also so well designed, that anyone can find something great to eat at very reasonable prices. My personal favourite is the Arctic Char for lunch, a mix of appetizers with some sushi for main, and the chocolate brownie for dessert.

Opening hours:
Mon – Thu 11:30am until 10pm
Fri – Sat 11:30am – 11pm
Sunday 5pm until late (open for lunch in summer time)

Address: Skipagata 14, 5th floor, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 462 7100

T-Bone Steakhouse

Photo: T-bone@Facebook. 

Another gem, specializing in grilled meats. Really, really tasty grilled meats. Doesn’t come too light on your wallet, but the amazing quality of the food, the decent wine list and the super nice staff has never disappointed me. This is the sort of place where you’d like to meet with some friends for a nice little cozy night together. I love their lobster soup for starters and grilled beef for main course.

Opening hours:
Monday closed, Tue - Sun 5pm until 10pm. Also open for lunch on Thu – Fri 11:30 until 2pm.

Address: Brekkugötu 3, Akureyri. Phone +354 469 2020

Noa Seafood

The name says it all, this is a seafood restaurant. A really good one too. With a carefully designed very tasty menu, the chef has thrown a few meat options there too to keep meat lovers happy too. If you’re looking for a fresh and authentic seafood experience, this is your place.

Opening hours:
During the summer time, from 3pm until 9:30pm
During the winter time, from 5pm to 8:30/9pm
Closed between early Dec – end of Jan.

Address: Hafnarstræti 22, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 461 2100

Múlaberg Bistro & Bar

Photo: Múlaberg@Facebook. 

An elegant and stylish restaurant and bar with an exquisite menu, located on the street level next to the entrance of Hotel KEA. They serve a variety of dishes from little tapas to main courses from 11am until 5pm, and from 5pm the real deal starts - it’s time for the á la carte menu. This might be a hotel restaurant, but don’t let it fool you - they do it with a style and taste in mind!

Opening hours:
Mon – Thu 11am until 23:00, Fri – Sun 11am until 1am. Kitchen closes at 10pm every day.

Address: Hafnarstræti 87-89, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 460 2020

Bautinn

Photo: Bautinn@Facebook. 

Another nice one located right bang on the main area of town. Being one of the oldest operating restaurants in Iceland, Bautinn was founded in 1971. Very family friendly, Bautinn has a bit of everything for everyone with reasonable prices too.

Opening hours:
During summer, daily from 11am until 11pm
During winter, Sun – Thu from 11am until 10pm, Fri – Sat 11am until 11pm

Address: Hafnarstræti 92, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 462 1818

La Vita é Bella

Photo: La Vita é Bella@Facebook. 

Attached to the same building as Bautinn, La Vita é Bella is a hearty Italian restaurant that makes their own pasta and bakes their own Italian bread. The menu is good, the wine list even better, and the staff the best. My recommendation here would be to order the seafood pasta.

Opening hours: Daily from 5pm until late, all year round

Address: Hafnarstræti 92, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 461 5858

1862 Nordic Bistro

Photo: 1862@Facebook. 

Located inside of the Culture & Concert Hall Hof, this café type of restaurant is indeed a hidden little gem. Once again one of my favourites by far. Their amazing selection of open gourmet sandwiches, inspired of Danish smörrebread, is a reason itself for going, even if you’re not super hungry! Other goodies on the menu, such as an Icelandic lamb goulash soup or the seafood soup, are specialities that one can’t find in many places in town. They also serve a fantastic brunch on Sundays. I often go here for lunch and always trust the open sandwiches of Christiansen and Høepfner.

Opening hours: Mon – Sat 11:30am – 8pm, Sun 11am – 6pm. Brunch on Sundays from 11am until 2pm.

Address: Strandgata 12, inside of HOF, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 466 1862

Goya Tapas Bar 

Photo: Goya@Facebook. 

Yes, our tiny Akureyri has even a tapas bar. It might not be the easiest place to spot, but this beauty is located on one of the main streets of town, almost the opposite of Rub 23. Their menu is wild and huge, with a matching wine list. The menu is in fact so huge that it would leave you to drool over it for a while – just ask recommendations from the staff, they know what they are talking about. The kid’s menu is the cutest in town and they also do take away.

Opening times: Wed – Sun from 5:30 until late. Phone +354 519 7650

Address: Kaupvangsstræti 23, 600 Akureyri

FRIENDLIER FOR YOUR WALLET:

Akureyri Fish and Chips

Photo: Akureyri Fish&Chips@Facebook. 

Year after year one of my favourites for a quick but a very filling meal. Be warned, the portions here come big! They do a lot more than just fish & chips as well – fish soup, chicken burger and plokkfiskur (smashed cod, a traditional Icelandic fish dish) are regulars on the menu. As a bonus, the wide choice of sauces will satisfy your taste buds with whatever you are in the mood for. In fact, if you’re in the mood for a proper Viking experience of fermented shark and a shot of brennivin, look no further!

Open from 11:30am until 10pm

Address: Skipagata 12, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 414 6050

Krua Siam

Photo: Krua Siam@Facebook. 

Akureyri’s deeply loved Thai food restaurant. Wide selection of everyone’s favourite Thai dishes straight from original Thai recipes. Always good, always really friendly staff, always reasonable prices. I love coming back here over and over again. Great take away service too and even better lunch buffet – I would highly recommend this place!

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11:30am until 1:30pm, and again from 5pm until 9:30pm. Sat – Sun from 5pm until 9:30pm.

Address: Strandgata 13, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 466 3800

Hamborgarafabrikkan 

Photo: Hamborgarafabrikkan@Facebook. 

This is where I go probably the most – The Hamburger Factory. The restaurant is located on the bottom floor of Hotel KEA, right bang on in town center, and their selection of gourmet burgers on the menu is quite impressive! Over 14 different burger options, you can also go vegan and light, or size up and change things around. Not forgetting those tasty side sauces! How would a Lamburger (lamb burger) sound? Or a Japanese trufflemayo with your fries? Or maybe a pulled pork sandwich or salad wraps is what you’ll fancy tonight? My vote goes for The Rescue burger, everytime. With an easy and chilled out vibe, it’s no wonder this chain restaurant has won both, the visitors and the Icelanders hearts, soon after they launched in 2010. So far Hamborgarafabrikan has two restaurants in Reykjavik and one in Akureyri, however you can get a little pre taste if you fly to Iceland with Icelandair – they have Hamborgarafabrikan mini burgers on their menu.

Opening hours:
Sun – Thu 11:30am until 9:30pm
Fri – Sat 11:30am until 10:30pm

Address: Hafnarstræti 87-89, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 575 7575

Akureyri Backpackers 

Photo: Akureyri Backpackers@Facebook. 

One of the most popular places to eat in town! Akureyri Backpackers is a fun hostel with a really cool bar/restaurant area and comes with a good vibe, always. Simple and tasty, the somewhat burger heavy menu serves everyone and the prices will keep you happy for sure. Their signature Backpackers Burger gets my attention every time.

Opening hours: Daily from 7:30am until late.

Address: Hafnarstræti 98, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 571 9050

Indian Curry House

Photo: Indian Curry House@Facebook. 

This Indian restaurant recently moved into a bit bigger area – it used to be a tiny take away hut, but now has a seating area for those who wish to eat inside. It’s the one and only Indian restaurant in town so it’s gotta be good one might think – and I have some good news on this front. Owned by an Indian family, they know exactly what they are doing. The menu has all the classics we know and they are really good!

Opening hours:
Tue – Fri 11:30am until 1:30pm, and again from 5:30pm until 9pm.
Sat – Sun 5:30pm until 9pm.

Address: Ráðhústorg 3, 600 Akureyri. Phone +354 641 4242

Lemon 

Photo: Lemon@Facebook. 

Lemon is a fresh little sister to all of the burgers and pizza in town. The idea is to be a juice bar, but Lemon also serves healthy gourmet sandwiches, super healthy breakfast, and has specials even for kids. Very budget friendly, especially if you go for the juice & sandwich combos. Top up your order with a shot of freshly squeezed ginger, and you know your day can’t get better than that. Mr. Blonde, Mr. Pink and Nice Guy are my chosen juices.

Opening hours:
Mon – Fri 8am until 9pm, Sat – Sun 10am until 9pm.

Address: Glerárgata 32, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 462 5552

Kaffi Ilmur 

Photo: Kaffi Ilmur@Facebook. 

Standing proudly on a little hill overlooking the walking street of Akureyri, Kaffi Ilmur doesn’t only serve mouth melting cakes and coffee. They have a superb breakfast options and a fantastic lunch buffet, for prices that will leave you some pennies for a coffee too. And if a buffet is not your thing, then no worries, there is plenty of other choices to choose from the A la Carte menu. Salad, quiche, or a traditional Icelandic lamb soup anyone?

Opening hours: Daily from 8am until 7pm.

Address: Hafnarstræti 107 b, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 571 6444

Berlin breakfast and coffee shop

Photo: Berlin@Facebook. 

This hidden little cutie right by the town square, does a great job with its weekday breakfast and weekend brunch. An awesome choice for anyone who needs to watch their pennies stretch a bit further!

Opening hours: Daily from 7am until 6pm.

Address: Skipagata 4, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 772 5061

Akureyri Hot Dog Stand

Every town in Iceland has to have a Hot Dog Stand! This classic little stand has its own unique place in the heart of Akureyri – right on the middle of the walking street. Perfect for a little snack, perfect for smashing a few down for a wallet friendly evening meal, and perfect as the tastiest snack you’ve ever had after your bar night out. Akureyri Hot Dog Stand never lets you down, and that’s a promise. With more options for toppings than one can even think of, the rumour is that our own sweet little Hot Dog Stand has created a bit of a reputation that’s known now all the way to the capital. We are way proud of that!

Opening hours:
Daily from 11am until 6pm, and Fri and Sat nights from 11:30pm until 4:30/5am.

Address: Hafnarstræti, 600 Akureyri. Phone: +354 849 8827