1862 Nordic Bistro

Akureyri, the unofficial capital of North Iceland, has a dining scene that punches well above its weight for a town of eighteen thousand people. At the heart of it is 1862 Nordic Bistro, a harbourside restaurant that combines the Danish smorrebrod tradition with Icelandic ingredients and a view that would justify the visit even if the food were merely adequate. Fortunately, the food is considerably better than that.

The Food

The open Danish sandwiches are the signature, and they are beautifully executed. Slices of dense rye bread arrive piled with combinations of smoked fish, cured meats, pickled vegetables, and the kind of composed garnishes that make each sandwich feel like a small work of art. The shrimp smorrebrod is outstanding, and the lamb version makes convincing use of one of Iceland's finest ingredients.

Beyond the sandwiches, the menu explores broader Nordic territory. Fresh fish from Eyjafjordur appears in various preparations, lamb is given the respectful treatment it deserves, and seasonal ingredients from North Iceland add variety. The coffee is good, the cakes are better, and the Sunday brunch buffet is an event worth planning a morning around.

The View

If the food is the reason to eat at 1862, the view is the reason to linger. The restaurant overlooks Eyjafjordur, Iceland's longest fjord, with mountains rising from the far shore and, in winter, the possibility of northern lights dancing above them. The outdoor terrace in summer is one of the finest dining spots in all of North Iceland -- the kind of view that makes you put your fork down and simply stare.

Akureyri Context

Eating well in Akureyri is easier than you might expect, but 1862 stands out for the combination of quality, setting, and value. It works for a quick lunch of open sandwiches and coffee, a full dinner of lamb and wine, or a lazy Sunday brunch. This flexibility makes it the kind of restaurant you return to multiple times during a stay in North Iceland.

Practical Information

Strandgata is Akureyri's main harbourside street, and 1862 is easy to find on foot from anywhere in the town centre. Reservations are recommended for dinner and the Sunday brunch, particularly in summer when the terrace tables are in high demand. The phone number -- fittingly -- ends in 1862.

For anyone visiting Akureyri, 1862 is close to essential. It showcases Northern Icelandic ingredients, honours the Danish culinary traditions that still influence Icelandic food culture, and does so in a setting that few restaurants anywhere can match.