Matstodin

There is a particular kind of restaurant that exists primarily for locals -- the kind of place that tourists rarely find because it sits in the suburbs, does not advertise, and relies entirely on word of mouth and repeat customers. Matstodin is that kind of place, and for visitors willing to venture beyond the downtown bubble, it offers one of the best-value dining experiences in all of Reykjavik.

What to Expect

Matstodin occupies a space in Hofdabakki, a commercial and residential area in the southeastern outskirts of Reykjavik. The setting is unglamorous: think suburban business park rather than charming fishing harbour. Inside, the restaurant is clean, bright, and arranged around a central buffet area that is the entire point of the operation.

The concept is simple. You pay a single price, and then you eat. The buffet includes homemade soup, a salad bar, a hot buffet with several daily changing main dishes, freshly baked bread, coffee, tea, and dessert. No limits, no supplements, no hidden charges. For a city where a single restaurant main course can easily exceed the entire cost of a Matstodin buffet, the value is extraordinary.

The Food

The buffet changes daily, which means repeat visits are rewarded with variety. The cooking is traditional Icelandic homestyle: the kind of food that Icelandic families eat at home but that is surprisingly hard to find in Reykjavik's restaurant scene, which tends to favour either fine dining or fast food.

On a typical day, you might find baked cod with butter sauce, lamb stew with root vegetables, plokkfiskur (a traditional mashed fish dish), roasted chicken, and a vegetable-based option. The soup is always homemade and always good -- often a meat or vegetable broth that is deeply flavourful and perfect for an Icelandic climate.

The salad bar is fresh and well-stocked. Bread is baked on-site. Desserts rotate but typically include cakes, fruit, and something sweet enough to round off the meal. Coffee and tea are included and unlimited.

The cooking is not trying to be innovative or award-winning. It is trying to be the kind of food that makes you feel well-fed, satisfied, and looked after. In that mission, it succeeds completely.

Practical Tips

Hofdabakki 9 is approximately 15 minutes by car from downtown Reykjavik, heading southeast towards Gardabaer. There is ample free parking at the building, which is a significant advantage over downtown restaurants. Public transport is possible but less convenient; a car is recommended.

The restaurant serves two sessions: lunch from 11:00 to 14:00 and dinner from 17:00 to 20:00. Note the gap between sessions -- if you arrive at 15:00, you will find the doors closed. Sunday is a rest day.

Matstodin is particularly good for families, as the buffet format means children can eat exactly what they want without the stress of ordering from a menu. The relaxed atmosphere and suburban location mean that nobody minds if children are noisy or take three trips to the dessert table.

For budget-conscious travellers who want to experience genuine Icelandic home cooking without the price tag of a downtown restaurant, Matstodin is essential knowledge. It is not a place you visit for the atmosphere or the location. It is a place you visit because the food is honest, the value is unbeatable, and the experience of eating homemade Icelandic food alongside local families feels like the most authentic meal you will have in the capital.