A Gregors Restaurant North Iceland

Dalvik is a fishing village of around 1,400 people on the western shore of Eyjafjordur, about forty-five minutes north of Akureyri. It is the kind of place you drive through on the way to somewhere else, which means most visitors never discover that it contains one of the better restaurants in North Iceland. A Gregors changes that equation.

The Food

The menu at A Gregors is built around what the sea and the land provide, and in a fishing village like Dalvik, the sea provides abundantly. Fish arrives fresh from the harbour -- sometimes the same morning it appears on your plate -- and is treated with the respect that this freshness deserves. Pan-fried Arctic char, fish stew, and seasonal catch feature prominently, each prepared simply to let the quality of the ingredient speak.

The Icelandic lamb is equally impressive. Reared on wild herbs and grasses, as all Icelandic lamb is, it arrives at the table tender and flavourful. The kitchen resists the temptation to overcomplicate, which is exactly the right approach when your raw materials are this good.

The Setting

Dalvik is not a destination that most travellers have on their itinerary, and that is part of A Gregors' charm. The restaurant occupies a comfortable space in the village, with an atmosphere that feels like being invited into someone's home for dinner. The service is warm and personal in the way that small-town Iceland consistently delivers, and the pace of the meal is unhurried.

Worth the Drive

If you are staying in Akureyri, the drive to Dalvik follows the western shore of Eyjafjordur through some of North Iceland's most scenic landscapes. Mountains rise steeply from the water, and on clear evenings the light on the fjord is extraordinary. The journey is as much a part of the experience as the meal itself.

Whale Watching Connection

Dalvik is also one of Iceland's whale watching hubs, and combining an afternoon whale watching tour with dinner at A Gregors makes for an excellent day trip from Akureyri. The two experiences complement each other well: the sea in the afternoon, the sea on your plate in the evening.

Practical Notes

Reservations are essential, particularly in summer. The restaurant closes on Mondays and Sundays, and winter hours may be reduced. Call ahead -- the phone number is the best way to confirm availability and hours. The drive from Akureyri is straightforward but allows extra time if weather conditions are poor, as the coastal road can be exposed.

A Gregors is the kind of restaurant that makes you glad you ventured off the main route. In a region full of natural wonders, a meal this good is a wonder of its own.