Eyri Restaurant Veitingahus

Twenty minutes north of Akureyri, where the western shore of Eyjafjordur curves gently towards the open sea, sits the tiny village of Hjalteyri. Once a thriving fishing community, it fell quiet when the fishing industry moved on, only to be reborn in recent years as an art village -- and at the heart of this reinvention is Eyri Restaurant, a harbourside gem that is worth the short drive from Akureyri.

The Setting

Hjalteyri is the kind of place that barely appears on maps. A handful of houses, a harbour, and several converted fish processing buildings that now house art galleries and studios. Eyri occupies a prime spot by the water, with views across the fjord that on clear days extend to the mountains on the eastern shore. The building itself retains its industrial heritage -- concrete walls, high ceilings, and the honest bones of a working harbour structure.

The Food

Eyri's kitchen works with what the surrounding land and sea provide. Fish comes from the fjord, lamb from local farms, and vegetables from nearby growers. The result is food that tastes of where it was made -- clean, honest, and deeply satisfying.

The seafood is the highlight, as you would expect from a restaurant that sits metres from the water. The catch of the day, simply prepared, is a consistent winner. But what really sets Eyri apart is its commitment to vegan cuisine. The plant-based dishes here are not afterthoughts or concessions to dietary trends -- they are full, creative, flavourful plates that hold their own against the fish and lamb.

The Atmosphere

Eating at Eyri feels like a genuine discovery. The combination of the converted harbour building, the fjord views, and the quiet of the village creates an atmosphere that is utterly removed from the bustle of Akureyri or Reykjavik. It is peaceful without being sleepy, and the service is warm and personal in the way that only tiny village restaurants can manage.

Getting There

Hjalteyri is an easy 20-minute drive north from Akureyri along Route 82. Combine a meal at Eyri with a visit to the village's art galleries for a half-day trip that reveals a side of North Iceland that most visitors miss entirely.