After a boat trip on the Fjallsárlón iceberg lagoon or glacier hike on Fjallsjökull Glacier, visitors will most likely to Fjallsárlón are likely to be thinking about food. Though the area around Fjallsárlón is relatively sparsely populated, there are a number of options when it comes to eating out. If you know you’ll be looking to fill an empty stomach, here are the options for dining near Fjallsárlón, including the best restaurants and local cuisine you must try on the Southcoast.
At Fjallsárlón itself: Frost restaurant – What a view!
Frost is a dine-in bistro which overlooks Fjallsárlón lagoon. Floor to ceiling windows make this the perfect spot if you’re looking to eat and enjoy a view at the same time. It’s a light and airy space thanks to all that glass, with a vaulted ceiling and plenty of comfortable seating.
The restaurant offers a buffet-style selection of hot and cold items making it ideal as a brunch or lunch stop. Each day a couple of hot dishes are offered, which might include dishes such as oven baked cod, lasagne, chicken or a vegetarian option. Accompanied by rice, potatoes or salad, it’s a filling, nutritious and tasty way to refuel.
If you’re looking for a light bite on the go, then you might also be interested to learn that the restaurant serves soup with fresh bread, plus a range of sandwiches, cakes, Icelandic desserts such as skyr and items to go. There’s also a good selection of drinks too. All this makes Frost not only convenient for visitors who’ve taken a lagoon or glacier tour but also great value.
Food trucks at nearby Jökulsárlón
The closest alternative to Frost is at nearby Jökulsárlón, which has a café adjacent to the car park. Food trucks park here too: try Nailed It for piping hot fish and chips, freshly prepared local langoustine rolls from Heimahumar or burgers made from Icelandic lamb at The Fancy Sheep. Vegetarian options are available.
Obviously, you shouldn’t except fine dining from these small kitchens on wheels, but if you’re looking for a light bite, then this will hit the spot. Seating is outside on benches but you might choose to eat in your car if the weather is inclement. There’s also a café at Jökulsárlón where you can step indoors.
Further afield as you make your way along Iceland’s scenic south coast: Höfn
Another option if you’re keen to eat after your Fjallsárlón boat or glacier tour is to continue east towards the town of Höfn. There are a number of eateries here, making this a popular destination for travellers. You’ll find cafés, takeaway joints and several standout restaurants. This is the langoustine capital of Iceland, so order accordingly.
It’s worth making a beeline for Otto Matur & Drykkur a fine dining which enjoys consistently good reviews, booking your dinner reservation in advance is advisable. This delightful seafood restaurant is housed in a building dating from 1897 and is located close to the town’s harbour. Built by merchant Otto Tulinius, it occupies what was originally the first family house in Höfn and retains that cosy ambience even though it’s now a business.
Another perennially popular option in Höfn is Pakkhús restaurant, with plenty of traditional dishes including desserts featuring a local favourite: liquorice. This former fish packing warehouse, constructed in 1932, has been skilfully converted into a restaurant with bags of character: look for the stamps used while the fish was boxed up ready to export. You can’t reserve ahead here, but with food of this quality and an abundance of charm, it would be worth the wait for a table.
Back towards the capital: Vik in Myrdal
It’s a little further to Vik if you’re heading west, but nevertheless in not much more than a couple of hours you can have your pick of the eateries in this cute, tourist-friendly village. Among those places that keep visitors happy are the Smiðjan brewery and restaurant, offering great selection of burgers and beers to taste. Halldórskaffi restaurant and Suður-Vík offer great dining experiences in historical houses in Vik. Black Crust Pizzeria, Ströndin pub and the Lava Bakery and Café adjacent to the shopping hall are also great for quick bite on the go.
So as you can see, there’s no need to worry about where to eat if you’re planning to visit Fjallsárlón – there’s plenty of choice no matter what your tastes and budget.
