Taste Akureyri

Akureyri does not have the restaurant density of Reykjavik, so when you find a place that is both affordable and genuinely good, it sticks with you. Taste, positioned right on the town hall square, is that place for a growing number of visitors to Iceland's northern capital.

No-Nonsense Comfort Food

The menu at Taste is not trying to reinvent anything. Burgers, wraps, falafel, fish and chips — the building blocks of casual dining done with care and decent ingredients. The burgers are properly seasoned and cooked to order, the falafel has a crisp exterior with a creamy interior, and the fish and chips use locally caught cod. Nothing revolutionary, everything satisfying.

The milkshakes deserve a specific mention. The "One Night Stand Shake" has developed a following of its own, and while the name is more creative than the shake is complex, it is genuinely enjoyable.

The Halal Factor

Finding halal food in Iceland outside of Reykjavik can be a challenge. Taste fills this gap in Akureyri, and it does so without treating it as a novelty or afterthought. The halal burgers are menu regulars, not special requests, and they are prepared with the same attention as everything else.

The Atmosphere

The space is casual and inviting. Think clean lines, warm lighting, and a general sense that the people running this place actually care about the experience. The owner is frequently present and visibly engaged — something you notice because it is reflected in the consistency of the food and the friendliness of the staff.

On a busy summer evening, the place fills up quickly. There are no reservations, so arriving slightly before the dinner rush is advisable.

Practical Tips

Taste sits at the very centre of Akureyri on Radhustorg, making it impossible to miss if you are walking the main strip. Prices are notably lower than what you would pay for comparable food in Reykjavik. A burger, fries, and a drink will set you back around ISK 3,000 to 4,000, which in Iceland qualifies as genuinely affordable.

If you are driving the Ring Road and passing through Akureyri hungry, this is a reliable stop. Not life-changing, but consistently good — and in a country where a mediocre lunch can easily cost ISK 5,000, that counts for a lot.