Vikingakrain

Hafnarfjordur is a small harbour town just south of Reykjavik, and it has something the capital does not: a Viking longhouse restaurant on the waterfront where you can eat traditional Icelandic food in surroundings that evoke the Norse era. Vikingakrain — the Viking Restaurant — is unapologetically themed, cheerfully historical, and surprisingly good at delivering both an experience and a meal.

The Viking Experience

Let us address the theme first. Vikingakrain is designed to resemble a Viking longhouse, with wooden beams, shields on the walls, and decor that commits fully to the Norse aesthetic. Staff may appear in Viking-era dress. The overall effect is somewhere between historical recreation and theatrical dining, and whether this appeals to you depends entirely on your appetite for that kind of thing.

What saves Vikingakrain from being merely a tourist trap is that the food is genuinely decent. The kitchen takes Icelandic culinary traditions seriously, and the theme enhances rather than substitutes for the cooking.

The Food

The menu is built around traditional Icelandic ingredients prepared in ways that nod to both history and modern taste. Seafood features prominently — Hafnarfjordur is a fishing town, and the proximity to the harbour means the fish is fresh. Lamb dishes draw on Icelandic farming traditions, and the dried fish and traditional preparations offer a taste of what Icelanders actually ate before international cuisine arrived.

The seafood soup is rich and warming. The lamb is tender and well-seasoned. The more adventurous items — fermented shark, dried fish, singed sheep head — are available for those who want the full Viking experience, though nobody will judge you for sticking to the grilled fish.

Hafnarfjordur

The town itself deserves exploration. The harbour is working and atmospheric. The lava fields that run through and around the town are geologically fascinating. The local belief in hidden people (huldufolk) gives the place a distinctly Icelandic character. Vikingakrain fits into this context naturally — it is part of a town that takes its Norse heritage seriously without being solemn about it.

Practical Tips

Hafnarfjordur is approximately 15 minutes from central Reykjavik by car, and accessible by public bus. Reservations are recommended, particularly in summer when tour groups often book the restaurant. The venue also hosts Viking-themed feasts for larger groups, which require advance booking. Prices are moderate for the quality and experience. If you are looking for something genuinely different from the Reykjavik dining scene, the drive to Hafnarfjordur and a meal at Vikingakrain is a worthwhile excursion.