Matstofa Fru Lauga

Matstofa Fru Lauga occupies one of those happy intersections where good food meets interesting surroundings. Perched on the second floor of Hafnarhus, the Reykjavik Art Museum's harbour-side venue, this cafe brings together the quality ingredients that Fru Lauga has been sourcing from Icelandic farmers for years with a setting that adds cultural depth to every visit.

The Food

Fru Lauga's reputation was built on direct relationships with Icelandic farmers, and this ethos carries through to every dish. The ingredients are fresh, traceable, and treated with respect. The menu offers healthy dishes that taste genuinely good -- not the worthy-but-dull food that the word "healthy" sometimes implies, but vibrant, flavourful preparations that happen to also be nourishing.

The homemade cakes are excellent, and the organic coffee is properly sourced and well-made. Italian natural wines feature on the drinks list, adding an unexpected European accent to a distinctly Icelandic operation.

Thursday Wine Evenings

The weekly Thursday evening event, running from six to ten, has become a local favourite. A curated selection of wines and beers is paired with cheese and salami platters in the atmospheric museum setting. It is a civilised way to start the weekend early and attracts a knowledgeable crowd who appreciate the quality of both the wine selection and the accompanying food.

The Setting

Dining inside an art museum adds a dimension that most cafes cannot match. The Hafnarhus building itself is striking -- a converted harbour warehouse with industrial character -- and the current exhibitions provide conversation material that goes beyond the usual cafe small talk. The harbour location means you are in one of the more interesting parts of Reykjavik's waterfront area.

Why It Matters

Fru Lauga represents something important about Icelandic food culture: the direct connection between farmer and plate. In a country where much food is imported, the emphasis on local sourcing is both principled and practical, and the results speak for themselves in the quality of what arrives on your table.

Practical Tips

Open daily from 10:00-17:00, with extended hours until 22:00 on Thursdays for the wine evening. The cafe is centrally located near the harbour, within easy walking distance of the Grandi district and the Old Harbour area. Combine with a visit to the art exhibitions for a complete cultural experience.