Hagavagninn

Some restaurants succeed by pushing boundaries. Hagavagninn succeeds by standing next to a swimming pool and serving really good burgers. That may sound like damning with faint praise, but in a city where a simple meal can easily cost a small fortune, a place that delivers honest comfort food at fair prices earns its place in the hearts of locals.

What to Expect

Hagavagninn sits on Hofsvallagata in the Vesturbaejar neighbourhood of west Reykjavik, directly adjacent to Vesturbaejarlaug -- one of the city's most popular neighbourhood swimming pools. The location is not a coincidence. Half the clientele at any given time have damp hair and the satisfied glow of someone who has just spent an hour rotating between hot pots and cold plunges. The other half are neighbourhood regulars who know a good burger when they see one.

The space itself is modest and cheerful. No design awards will be won here, but the vibe is warm, welcoming, and refreshingly unpretentious. You order at the counter, find a seat, and your food arrives quickly. There is outdoor seating for summer days, and on those rare occasions when the Reykjavik sun cooperates, eating outside here feels like a small holiday.

The Menu

The menu is mercifully simple. Burgers are the star attraction, and they are done properly: good-quality beef, fresh toppings, and buns that hold together. Classic, cheese, bacon, and a handful of variations give you enough choice without the paralysis of a 40-item menu. Fries are solid. The occasional special appears and disappears.

Beyond burgers, you will find a few other comfort food options -- wraps, chicken strips, and the like -- but the smart money stays on the burgers. They are what Hagavagninn is known for, and they are what it does best.

The Swimming Pool Connection

To fully appreciate Hagavagninn, you need to understand Icelandic swimming culture. The neighbourhood pool is not just a place to swim laps. It is a social institution, a gathering place, and -- with its geothermally heated hot pots -- one of the most relaxing things you can do in Reykjavik. Vesturbaejarlaug is among the city's best: well-maintained, rarely overcrowded, and favoured by locals over the larger, more tourist-heavy Laugardalslaug.

The established routine goes like this: swim, soak, dress, walk next door, eat a burger. It is one of those perfectly simple Reykjavik experiences that no amount of fine dining can replicate.

Practical Tips

Vesturbaejar is a pleasant residential neighbourhood about 15 minutes on foot from downtown Reykjavik, heading west along the coast. Bus routes serve the area well. If you are walking, the route along the seafront via Aegissida is scenic and enjoyable.

Hagavagninn is open daily from 11:30 to 21:00, making it suitable for both lunch and an early dinner. No reservations are needed. Just turn up, order at the counter, and settle in.