Nailed It Fish and Chips

Hofn is famous for two things: langoustine and its position as the gateway to Vatnajokull glacier. Nailed It Fish and Chips has quietly added a third: some of the best fish and chips in Iceland, served from a small restaurant on Hafnarbraut that started life as a food truck near Jokulsarlon and has since earned a near-perfect rating from over 600 reviewers.

The Fish

Atlantic cod, caught in the waters off southeast Iceland, dipped in a light batter, and fried until crunchy. It is not a complicated concept, and Nailed It does not try to complicate it. What they do is execute it with precision: the batter is crisp without being heavy, the fish inside is moist and flaking, and the fries are properly cooked. The dipping sauces — a small selection including classic tartar and homemade options — complement without overwhelming.

The simplicity is the point. When the fish is this fresh and the technique is this consistent, adding complexity would only subtract from the result.

From Truck to Restaurant

Nailed It began as a food truck parked near Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, feeding Ring Road travellers who had worked up an appetite staring at icebergs. The success of the truck led to a permanent restaurant in Hofn, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating — a significant upgrade from eating battered cod while standing in an Icelandic car park, though that had its own charm.

Practical Tips

Arrive early. The restaurant opens at 11:30 and closes at 16:00. There is no evening service. In summer, the combination of a short operating window and a growing reputation means queues can form, especially between 12:00 and 14:00. Arriving at opening is the safest strategy.

Ring Road timing. If you are driving the Ring Road clockwise from Reykjavik, Hofn is typically reached in the afternoon of the second day, or the morning of the third. Plan your driving to arrive in Hofn during lunch hours and you can combine Nailed It with the town's other attractions.

After Jokulsarlon. If you have spent the morning at the glacier lagoon and the Diamond Beach, Hofn is about an hour's drive east. Nailed It makes for an ideal lunch stop before continuing the Ring Road journey.

No reservations. Walk-in only. The restaurant is not large, but turnover is fast — most people eat fish and chips in 20-30 minutes. A short wait is usually rewarded quickly.

Pair with. The town of Hofn also has excellent langoustine restaurants for a more upmarket evening meal. Nailed It covers lunch; langoustine covers dinner.

Nailed It Fish and Chips is the kind of restaurant that does one thing and does it superbly. In a region of Iceland where dining options can be sparse and expensive, it is a welcome find — fresh, honest, and priced fairly. The 4.8 rating from 600+ reviewers is not an accident.