Backpackers Cafe

Budget dining in Iceland is an oxymoron that Backpackers Cafe in Akureyri does its best to resolve. Attached to the Akureyri Backpackers hostel on Hafnarstraeti, this unpretentious cafe serves filling, affordable food to a crowd that includes backpackers, road trippers, and locals who appreciate a good meal at a fair price.

The Food

The menu is built for sustenance rather than sophistication, and it hits the mark. Burgers are the main attraction -- thick, well-seasoned patties served in proper buns with chips. They are not gourmet burgers, but they are satisfying and generously portioned. Sandwiches, soups, and daily specials round out the offering, providing enough variety for repeat visits.

Vegetarian options exist and are handled without fuss. The vegetarian burger is a credible alternative to the meat version, and the soups are often naturally meat-free.

Budget Dining in North Iceland

Akureyri's restaurant scene has improved dramatically in recent years, but most options come with prices that make budget travellers wince. Backpackers Cafe offers a genuine alternative. The prices are significantly lower than the restaurants along the same stretch of Hafnarstraeti, and the portions are generous enough that one meal can genuinely sustain you through an afternoon of exploring.

For anyone driving the Ring Road or the Diamond Circle, this is the kind of stop that keeps a travel budget from spiralling. A burger, chips, and a drink for a price that most Reykjavik restaurants would charge for a starter alone.

The Atmosphere

The cafe has the relaxed, slightly lived-in feel of hostel common rooms everywhere -- communal tables, friendly staff, and a clientele that skews young and international. Conversations are easy to start, and the atmosphere encourages the kind of spontaneous socialising that makes hostels popular in the first place.

It is not the place for a quiet dinner, but it is an excellent place to meet fellow travellers, swap route recommendations, and eat well without spending much.

Location

Hafnarstraeti is Akureyri's main street, running through the centre of town. The cafe is easy to find, with the hostel signage visible from the street. It is within walking distance of Akureyri's botanical garden, the church, and the harbour.

The Bottom Line

Backpackers Cafe does not pretend to be anything it is not. It serves honest, affordable food in a sociable setting, and it fills a genuine need in a town where budget dining options are limited. If you are passing through Akureyri and want to eat well without the financial pain that usually accompanies meals in Iceland, this is your place.