Lac Polaire

In Iceland's vast interior and along its remote south coast, finding a place to eat can feel like an achievement in itself. Lac Polaire, named after a waterfall near Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park, offers exactly what you need after a morning spent hiking through moss-covered lava fields and up to thundering waterfalls: warmth, soup, and coffee.

The Food

The menu is minimal and that is entirely appropriate. This is not a destination restaurant; it is a fuelling station for hikers and road trippers on one of Iceland's most dramatic stretches of landscape. The soups are the main attraction -- lamb soup, thick and warming with tender meat, is the standout. Sandwiches, cakes, and coffee round out the offering.

Everything is straightforward and honestly made. In a location where the nearest alternative might be an hour's drive away, the quality exceeds what it needs to be, which is a pleasant surprise. The soup alone is worth the stop.

The Setting

Vatnajokull National Park is Iceland at its most elemental: glaciers, waterfalls, black sand, and volcanic landscape stretching to the horizon. Lac Polaire sits within this setting near the Skaftafell visitor centre, which serves as the launching point for hikes to Svartifoss, the famous basalt column waterfall, and other trails in the area.

The cafe itself is modest, but what it lacks in interior design it compensates for with the landscape outside the windows. You are eating in one of Europe's largest national parks, and that context elevates even a simple bowl of soup into something memorable.

When to Visit

Summer (June to September) offers the most reliable opening hours and the best weather for combining a meal with hiking. The trails around Skaftafell are busy in July and August, and Lac Polaire fills up accordingly. Arriving early or visiting in shoulder season means a quieter experience.

In winter, availability is less certain. The Skaftafell area remains accessible year-round, but services -- including food -- operate on reduced schedules. Call ahead or check current opening information if visiting between October and May.

Practical Notes

Lac Polaire is on the Ring Road (Route 1), roughly midway between Vik and Hofn. If you are driving the south coast or the full Ring Road, it makes a natural stopping point. Fill up on soup, stretch your legs on a short trail, and continue on your way. In a landscape this remote and this beautiful, that is exactly enough.