Hlollabatar Akureyri

If you have driven the Ring Road from Reykjavik to Akureyri — a solid five hours through some of the most dramatic landscape on Earth — you will arrive hungry. And if you have ever eaten at Hlolli in the capital, you will be relieved to find that the same submarine sandwiches are waiting for you at Skipagata 2.

The Subs

Hlollabatar, known universally as Hlolli, has been making sub sandwiches in Iceland since 1986. The Akureyri branch carries the same format that made the chain a national institution: choose your bread, pick your protein, load up on toppings, and add sauce. The sandwich is assembled in front of you with the speed and generosity that decades of practice produce.

The bread is fresh and substantial. The fillings — from chicken and ham to tuna and vegetarian options — are piled high. The sauces cover everything from classic garlic to spicier options. It is not complicated food, and it does not pretend to be. What it is, reliably, is filling, satisfying, and cheap. In a country where a bowl of soup can cost EUR 20, a Hlolli sub at ISK 1,800 feels like a minor economic miracle.

North Iceland Context

Akureyri has a growing restaurant scene, but options at the budget end remain limited. Hlolli fills that gap with zero pretension and maximum efficiency. It is the lunch stop for locals who want something quick and solid, the dinner option for travellers watching their spending, and — crucially — the late-night refuelling station when the bars empty on Friday and Saturday nights.

The late-night hours are not an afterthought. On weekends, Hlolli stays open until 03:00, and the queue that forms outside is as much a part of Akureyri nightlife as the bars themselves.

The Space

The Akureyri branch is compact and functional. There is some seating inside, but many customers order to go. The decor is minimal — you are here for the sandwich, not the ambiance. The counter service is fast even during busy periods, and the staff have the efficient rhythm of people who have made thousands of subs and know exactly what they are doing.

Practical Tips

No reservations — this is a walk-in, counter-service operation. Cards and cash accepted. If you are passing through Akureyri on a Ring Road trip and want an affordable meal without sacrificing quality, Hlolli is the answer. It is also the smartest option if you arrive in town late and everything else has closed.

For the price of a single appetiser at most Akureyri restaurants, you can get a full, custom-built sub that will keep you going for the rest of the day. In Iceland, that kind of value is not to be taken lightly.