Centrum Kitchen & Bar

Akureyri's dining scene has matured significantly in recent years, and Centrum Kitchen & Bar is a fine example of that evolution. Located on the ground floor of the Centrum Hotel right on Hafnarstræti, it serves a menu that would not look out of place in a good Reykjavik restaurant, but with the relaxed warmth that characterises Iceland's northern capital.

The Menu

The kitchen delivers a well-executed range of European dishes with Icelandic ingredients at their core. The langoustine pasta is a standout -- generous with the langoustine and dressed in a sauce that is rich without being heavy. The beef tenderloin is properly cooked and well seasoned. The burger, topped with Icelandic cheese and served with hand-cut chips, is one of the better specimens in North Iceland.

Smaller plates are available for those who prefer to share or graze, and the fish of the day -- which rotates based on local catches -- is consistently worth ordering. The kitchen is clearly staffed by people who care about what leaves the pass.

The Setting

The restaurant occupies a modern, well-designed space with large windows looking out onto Hafnarstræti. The interior strikes a balance between hotel restaurant polish and neighbourhood warmth -- you do not feel like you are eating in a corporate dining room, which is a common pitfall of hotel restaurants.

Summer brings outdoor seating on the pavement, which on warm Akureyri evenings (and they do happen) is one of the more pleasant dining spots in town. The happy hour, running daily from 16:00 to 18:00, draws locals in for post-work drinks and makes the already reasonable beer prices even more appealing.

Practical Notes

Centrum Kitchen works for both lunch and dinner, serving from 11:30 daily. Lunch is more casual and quicker, while dinner service is slightly more formal without being stiff. The children's menu is a genuine offering rather than an afterthought, making it a good choice for families.

For anyone staying in or passing through Akureyri, Centrum Kitchen & Bar represents a safe and satisfying choice. The food is reliably good, the service is professional, and the setting makes the most of Akureyri's increasingly confident culinary identity.