What does Islenski Barinn serve?

Traditional Icelandic pub food: lamb soup, fish and chips, meat soup, pylsur (hot dogs), and a selection of snacks including fermented shark (hakarl). The menu is straightforward and unpretentious.

Is the fermented shark worth trying?

Hakarl is an acquired taste — strong, ammonia-scented, and unlike anything you have tasted before. Islenski Barinn serves it as a small tasting portion, usually chased with a shot of Brennivin (Icelandic schnapps). It is an experience worth having once.

How much does a meal cost?

Main dishes range from ISK 2,500-4,500 (approximately €17-31). Beer is ISK 1,400-1,800 per pint. Very reasonable for central Reykjavik.

Do I need a reservation?

No. Walk in, find a table, and order at the bar or from a server.

Daily from 11:00. Open until 01:00 Thursday through Saturday, 23:00 other nights.

Where is Islenski Barinn?

At Ingolfsstraeti 1a, just off Laugavegur in the centre of the city.

Traditional IcelandicCasual Dining

Islenski Barinn

Name: Islenski Barinn
Address: Ingolfsstraeti 1a, 101 Reykjavik, IS
Telephone: +354 517 6767
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.2

4.2(1567 reviews)$$$$Mid-rangeReykjavik, Iceland

The Icelandic Bar — traditional Icelandic food and local beer in a lively pub setting. Lamb soup, fish and chips, and fermented shark with a smile.

Islenski Barinn — The Icelandic Bar — does exactly what its name promises. It serves traditional Icelandic food in a lively pub setting, washed down with local beer, at prices that are fair by Reykjavik standards. It is not fine dining and makes no pretence of being so. What it is, genuinely, is a good time.

The Food

The menu is a greatest hits of Icelandic comfort food. The lamb soup is thick, hearty, and warming. The fish and chips use fresh Icelandic cod. The meat soup is home-style and generous. And for the adventurous, the fermented shark (hakarl) is available as a small tasting — served with a shot of Brennivin to wash it down. Try it once, tell the story forever.

The Atmosphere

This is a pub first and a restaurant second, and the energy reflects that. The room is lively, the music is upbeat, and the crowd is a mix of tourists and locals who come for the beer selection and stay for the atmosphere. On weekend nights, Islenski Barinn transitions into one of the city's livelier bar spots.

Practical Tips

No reservation needed. Come for lunch if you want a quieter meal, or for dinner if you want the full pub experience. The fermented shark is a small investment in a story you will tell repeatedly. The Icelandic craft beer selection is worth exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Islenski Barinn serve?: Traditional Icelandic pub food: lamb soup, fish and chips, meat soup, pylsur (hot dogs), and a selection of snacks including fermented shark (hakarl). The menu is straightforward and unpretentious.
Is the fermented shark worth trying?: Hakarl is an acquired taste — strong, ammonia-scented, and unlike anything you have tasted before. Islenski Barinn serves it as a small tasting portion, usually chased with a shot of Brennivin (Icelandic schnapps). It is an experience worth having once.
How much does a meal cost?: Main dishes range from ISK 2,500-4,500 (approximately €17-31). Beer is ISK 1,400-1,800 per pint. Very reasonable for central Reykjavik.
Do I need a reservation?: No. Walk in, find a table, and order at the bar or from a server.
What are the hours?: Daily from 11:00. Open until 01:00 Thursday through Saturday, 23:00 other nights.
Where is Islenski Barinn?: At Ingolfsstraeti 1a, just off Laugavegur in the centre of the city.