What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Íslenski Barinn
Review
About
Travelers' Choice
2024
Authentic Icelandic home cooking with a modern twist. Superb selection of Icelandic dishes, ranging from the most traditional courses to Icelandic takes on burgers and hot dogs. This family run gastropub is also proud to stock the world’s best selection of Icelandic beers, liqueurs and spirits.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, European, Pub, Gastropub, Scandinavian
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Discover
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Live Music
Mastercard
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 11:30 AM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
11:30 AM - 3:00 AM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 3:00 AM
Contribute
4.6
2,245 reviews
Excellent
1,439
Very good
663
Average
98
Poor
29
Terrible
16
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Placeholder O
Northampton33 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
We came in on September 28 for dinner around 5pm. The waiting staff were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Food arrived in about 15 minutes, we had the gratinated fish pie and the fin whale. Food was delicious and well presented. All in all in prime location to enjoy some authentic local Icelandic cuisine, the menu is not enormous but if you enjoy fish, lamb or want to try something more exotic like the whale then give this a go.
Written September 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karim Maarouf
Cairo954 contributions
May 2024 • friends
We came here for dinner and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Our server was also very helpful and explained some of the dishes. They have traditional icelandic food, with quite a nice variety to choose from. We had a starter plate to share, which I can recommend since it included a lot of different things to try. They even have the fermented shark fin, which you can order by the piece. I had the fish and chips which were quite good. I can recommend this place.
Written June 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
francescopaciello73
San Benedetto Del Tronto94 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
On a side street of the main street, this restaurant serves some traditional food at affordable prices. Excellent reindeer burger, scampi salad and desserts. Try the shark! Really friendly service, friendly atmosphere.
Automatically translated
Written August 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petr V
Jesenik3 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
We went here on many recommendations but unfortunately left very disappointed. We came to taste hakarl with brandy brennivín, we had a tasting plate and drank 3 beers. The tasting plate is a mockery and its price does not match the quantity or quality. At the end, a very unpleasant waiter arrived, who came with the words "You only had an appetizer, what else are you going to order for the meal or pay." The approach was really terrible. It is better to choose another restaurant, of which there are many in the vicinity.
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LadyC0C0
Rome2 contributions
Dec 2023 • friends
I absolutely recommend it. A welcoming, warm place with typical food. The prices are in line with the rest of the restaurants but here it is worth it because you can taste typical things. We ate the salmon and lamb hot dogs, very good but they are not served with a side dish. Of course we also tried the whale. Super! Excellent meat, very soft served with a side of rocket, mashed potatoes and onion rings. The desserts however were a bit disappointing but I recommend it however for the whale it is amazing. Price €42 each, there were 7 of us: 2 fish & chips, sweet potatoes, 5 hot dogs, 1 sliced whale with side dish, 4 beers, 1 coke, 6 desserts.
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emeraldead
Philadelphia46 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
You won't see locals here, it's all the tourists. But the food is authentic and AWESOME. When we walked in it was already very crowded (the place isn't big to start with) and the waiters all took a minute to side eye eachother to see who would have to take on the new people, but since we had a reservation we got a table right off. We learned that waiters don't really check on you once you have your meal but are happy to get anything you want if you just signal them. Honestly the best meal we had in Iceland was here- the whale scone dish was phenomenal, the reindeer burger was out of this world, the fish of the day was a huge plate of food (I thought the mashed potatoes were a bit dense and needed salt but fish was awesome). Coffee of course was excellent and the waiter was asking everyone where they were from and was happy to answer our questions about the area and the taxi/bus system. And the price was completely reasonable- $75 for dinner for two. Generally I found Iceland is not place you can do cheaply, but it's nowhere near as expensive as New York City or similar...yet.
Written February 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rej1981
Glasgow39 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
This place does seem to be aimed at tourists but they come through on the food. We had the crispy cod skin with tartare sauce to start, then my partner had the sheep’s head and I had the pulled lamb roll with waffle fries. It was all delicious, although just a warning there’s not much meat on the sheep’s head! Definitely need to book if you don’t want to wait around, we went on a Saturday night and there was a queue of people waiting. Luckily we’d made a reservation in advance.
Written March 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire H
33 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
We loved our evening meal here, we didn’t book as we had a northern light excursion which got cancelled, but they found us a seat at
The bar which was fine for us, it’s a pub feel inside the food was lovely I had fish pie and my partner fish & chips, we both loved it. There is some cool stuff on the menu if you like to be adventurous, staff were great and service was lovely. Wine & beer both great prices too. We had a 15% off voucher in the hotel voucher brochure so definitely look through it made a big difference to the bill.
Written January 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YorkTraveller1962
York444 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
Dropped in here to avoid a heavy snowstorm and ended up staying and having a few drinks and some local food.
The knowledge of the bar team, particularly
Alexandra (I think that was her name) about the beers and the food, made this an easy place to relax and enjoy.
The range of excellent beers went down well as did the hearty and warming soups we ordered. The Icelandic Meat Soup as recommended was superb.
Would have eaten more but for evening reservations elsewhere.
Overall a relaxing bar and restaurant with a great ambience and friendly welcome.
Some of the local food looks exciting and “different” which I will try on a return visit.
Such a great find and a great place to shelter from a snow storm and have a few beers and a broth.
Highly recommended.
Written January 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David W
167 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
This was one of the stops on the Food Walk Tour and we so impressed we came back for lunch. My wife had the Fish Soup and I had Fish and Chips, both were well prepared and delicious. A definite re-do when we come back to Iceland.
Written January 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marie-Hélène A
9 contributions
Feb 2024 • family
Without reservation, patience and queue up to the street. But if you are patient it is worth it. We may ask you to wait at the bar because the service is very organized. The dishes are very good (my husband enjoyed the langoustine hot dog) for a lower price level for Reykjavik. On the other hand, you will not hang out at the table because others are waiting for your place.
Written March 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly D
Boston45 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
I hate lamb. I really hate lamb meat. This place could convert me. That lamb soup/stew was so delicious that I had to pace myself. It was perfect for a cold, snowy, windy February day. There wasn't much seasoning added, so the flavors of the lamb, carrot, and potato really shone through. This was the very first time I attempted eating lamb in Iceland, and I now know what I'm missing. I will be back again!
The Volcano is a mixture of red grapefruit and vodka served on tap. It's really refreshing. It's sweeter than grapefruit juice, but it's not too sweet. If you like cocktails, I highly recommend trying this one out.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael A
London27 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
Popular restaurant. I would not refer to it as a bar as it is almost impossible to come in for a drink. The few places at the bar get used for diners. Many reviews refer to it as touristy and the menu does seem to push the traditional Icelandic choices. Which seemed a bit gimmicky aimed at tourists. But we went there twice and many of the clientele were Icelandic. First visit was our first night in Iceland and spoiled by the chaotic table allocation and 'couldn't care less' attitude of the person handling the table allocation. Like several places we visited there seemed a reluctance to let tourists book a table in advance. My guess is that they get let down too often by no shows. So you have to wait for a table but with not much space for people to wait. Second visit was much simpler. OK, so we went early having realised that most Icelanders eat at 6pm. But we got a table immediately. Avoided the quirky specialities like the sheep's head or whale fin. Good selection of draught beers but of course at typical Iceland prices. Food was tasty and reasonably priced (on our first visit we would have said pricey but then we had not experienced the high cost of everything in Iceland).
Written September 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Halldis
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
I went here with a family member for something to eat around 7:30 pm. We were told we had to order in a hurry as the kitchen was closing. The order was puffin on flatbread & some sort of salami on flatbread. Two beers. I asked for a lime-flavored beer, the beer was served with limes that looked like they had been in other drinks. The puffin dish was tiny dried up pieces of puffin on soggy flatbread. The salami dish was the same, no flavor served on a soggy flatbread. They had the nerve to serve this. It should have gone back. It looked like it had been sitting in the kitchen for days. My family member did not send it back. I did send the beer back. I was given a new beer.
I am shocked at the way they treated us as a tourist to Iceland. No respect. Then they proceeded to move tables & chairs around for the night drinking crowd. If I ever visited Iceland again, I would not go back there. Despicable treatment.
Written October 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bland
Brisbane4 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
Grilluð langreyðarsteik, kartöflumús, laukhringir, klettasalat og Bernessósa
Grilled fin whale, mashed potatoes, onion rings, rucola & Béarnaise sauce.
My partner and I arrived in Reykjavik late last night on the Viking Mars cruise liner. After some online research, I convinced my partner that we had to try the Grilled Fin Whale. Fortunately, for us, the restaurant opened a little earlier than the website indicated, for a Sunday. The restaurant was quiet when we ordered but it quickly filled up with enthusiastic diners.
The grilled whale and my partners fish soup arrived promptly, as we enjoyed our white wine and local beer. The Fin Whale came cooked rare, as per the menu description, and was pared beautifully with the Malbec red wine, onion rings, mashed potato and bearnaise sauce. The serving staff were professional, friendly and timely. As the 5* rating I gave my meal indicates, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Reykjavik.
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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