Old Iceland

Old Iceland does what its name suggests: it serves the traditional dishes of Iceland in a comfortable setting on the main street. For visitors who want to taste authentic Icelandic home cooking without the fine-dining reinterpretation that many Reykjavik restaurants apply, this is a straightforward and welcoming option.

The Food

The menu reads like a primer on traditional Icelandic cuisine. The lamb soup is thick, warming, and filled with tender meat -- the dish that has kept Icelanders going through dark winters for as long as anyone can remember. The plokkfiskur -- a traditional mashed fish stew with potatoes and bechamel -- is comforting and authentic, the kind of thing that tastes better than its humble ingredients suggest.

The hangikjot (smoked lamb) is served in the classic style with potatoes and peas. The smoking process gives the meat a distinctive flavour that is uniquely Icelandic -- not quite like anything else in European cuisine. The salt fish, prepared traditionally, connects you to centuries of Icelandic food preservation.

These are not dishes designed to impress on Instagram. They are dishes designed to nourish, comfort, and sustain. They have done so for centuries, and they remain deeply satisfying.

The Setting

Old Iceland is comfortable without being fancy. The decor nods to tradition without descending into caricature. Tables are well-spaced, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff are accustomed to guiding visitors through unfamiliar menu items. It is the kind of place where you can ask questions without feeling foolish, which matters when the menu includes items most visitors have never encountered.

Practical Tips

Walk in any time. The restaurant is open all day and serves both lunch and dinner. The menu is well-explained in English, making it accessible for visitors unfamiliar with Icelandic cuisine. Pair your meal with an Icelandic craft beer for the full experience.

If you are visiting Iceland and want to understand what the locals have been eating for centuries -- before the sushi bars and the tasting menus arrived -- Old Iceland is an honest and satisfying introduction. It does not reinvent tradition. It simply serves it well.