Ishusid Pizzeria

Hofn sits at the southeastern corner of Iceland, where the Ring Road curves beneath the Vatnajokull glacier, and it claims -- with justification -- to be the langoustine capital of the country. This restaurant on Hafnarbraut caters to the steady stream of Ring Road travellers who roll into town hungry after hours of driving through some of Iceland's most dramatic scenery.

The Food

The menu is designed with broad appeal in mind. Pizza provides a familiar option for travellers who have been eating Icelandic food for days and want something straightforward. The seafood dishes take advantage of Hofn's location, with langoustine featuring prominently. The langoustine soup is warming and rich, and the grilled langoustine tails are simple and fresh.

The pizza is competent -- well-topped and properly baked -- and fills a genuine gap in a town where the seafood restaurants dominate. For families with children who are not interested in another fish dinner, this flexibility is welcome.

The Setting

The interior is casual and functional, designed for the practical reality of a Ring Road restaurant: hungry travellers who want to eat well and efficiently before continuing their journey or checking into their accommodation. It does not try to be more than it is, and that honesty works in its favour.

Why Hofn Matters

Hofn's langoustine comes from the waters of Hornafjordur, often landed the same day it appears on your plate. The town has built its culinary identity around this single ingredient, and any restaurant here that puts langoustine on the menu has access to arguably the freshest langoustine on the planet. That alone is worth the stop.

Practical Tips

If you are driving the Ring Road in summer, do not assume you can walk into any Hofn restaurant without waiting. The town is small, the restaurants are few, and the summer tourists are many. Booking ahead is advisable. In winter, the pace is slower and walk-ins are rarely a problem.

Pair your meal with a walk along the harbour to stretch your legs after the drive. The views of Vatnajokull from Hofn are among the best on the Ring Road.