Isbudin Akureyri

Icelanders have an unshakeable relationship with ice cream. They eat it in blizzards, in darkness, in temperatures that would make a penguin reconsider its choices. Isbudin Akureyri — "The Ice Cream Shop of Akureyri" — caters to this national obsession with cheerful dedication, serving soft serve, gelato, and elaborate ice cream creations from its spot on Geislagata in the centre of Iceland's northern capital.

The Ice Cream

The core offering is traditional Icelandic soft serve — creamy, thick, and served in quantities that suggest the shop has your best interests at heart. You can keep it simple with a swirl and a dip, or go elaborate with multiple toppings, sauces, and candy mix-ins. The gelato selection adds variety for those who prefer something denser and more intense.

The dipping station is where things get interesting. Liquorice — Iceland's true national flavour — is a popular choice, alongside chocolate, caramel, and various fruit options. The staff are happy to recommend combinations, and experimenting is half the fun.

Beyond Ice Cream

Isbudin doubles as a cafe, serving decent coffee, fresh juice, pastries, and sandwiches made with homemade pesto. It is not a restaurant, but if you need a light lunch alongside your ice cream, the sandwiches are surprisingly good. The coffee is perfectly adequate for a pick-me-up between sightseeing stops.

The Setting

The Geislagata shop is small and simple — a counter, a few seats, and a steady stream of locals and tourists. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with none of the tourist-trap polish that marks many similar establishments in Reykjavik. There is also a branch at Glerartor shopping centre for those staying on the outskirts of town.

Practical Tips

Timing. Evenings are busiest, especially in summer when the midnight sun makes a 22:00 ice cream feel entirely justified. For a quieter experience, visit in the early afternoon.

Year-round. Do not assume ice cream is a summer activity in Iceland. Isbudin is open every day of the year, and locals visit just as enthusiastically in January as in July. If anything, eating ice cream in the cold is the more authentically Icelandic experience.

Location. Geislagata is in the heart of Akureyri, within easy walking distance of the harbour, the church, and the botanical gardens. Make the ice cream part of an afternoon stroll through town.

Second location. If you are shopping at Glerartor mall on the edge of Akureyri, there is a branch there as well.

Isbudin Akureyri is exactly what an ice cream shop should be: unpretentious, generous, and genuinely enjoyable. In a town that serves as the gateway to Husavik, Myvatn, and the Diamond Circle, it makes for a sweet first or last stop.