Conclusion: consistency in Icelandic restaurants= non-existent? Or just people’s tastes differ…

I used to love Thrir Frakkar, 10 years ago. Went a couple of years ago and found it just awful.

Do try Tjoruhusid if you’re ever in Isafjordur. It was a completely different dining experience than any I’ve had here. And the kjotsupa in Hali– brilliant.

(Actually Saegreifinn can sometimes give a bit of a weird stomach afterward, and sometimes not.)

Best wishes,
Phil

The best burgers in town are at Hamborgarabullan. Burger, fries, Coke, and a shake makes for an excellent, comforting, and inexpensive (by Icelandic standards) meal (the “tilbod aldarinnar”), burger, fries, Coke, is only 1090 kr.) . The atmosphere is laid back, the posters on the wall are interesting, there is always a paper to read, and the staff are always friendly– they always say “Thanks” as you walk out the door.

Geysir used to do fish n’chips with the fish wrapped in newspaper, and the quality was decent as well. Nowadays, if I ever get round there (as I managed to do this evening), it would be the seafood soup and seafood salad, both with scallops and langoustine, excellent. Not too expensive but certainly more pricey than good old Bullan! The service there is always excellent.

There’s always lobster soup and bread at Saegreifinn– especially good on a dark, cold, blowy, snowy, rainy winter afternoon or evening. Cozy and relatively inexpensive. And a couple of the servers there are among the nicest that I’ve ever encountered in Iceland.

Krua Thai– very quick service, excellent food, relatively inexpensive… only drawback is that if you eat there, you come out with a lasting smell of Thai food on your clothing, because the ventilation system there is awful.

Finest restaurant meal that I’ve had in Iceland– at Tjoruhusid in Isafjordur. Best fish ever, anywhere, ever. Amazing fish dishes, awesome service, fun “rustic” atmosphere. In second place, simply because one has to follow the other, was the kjotsupa (lamb soup) at Hali in Sudursveit (near Hofn). Perfect. And accompanied by liver pate, smoked lamb, and smoked trout, all produced there… just fantastic. That, in my opinion, is the best of the best of Icelandic food, and it’s a real pity that it is not available elsewhere, at a decent price, particularly in Reykjavik.
And I’ve only ever used a bike in Reykjavik– can get everywhere and anywhere quickly and easily– though some parts are a bit hilly (like in places out in Kopavogur). The trail system in Reykjavik is excellent– the seaside trail from Vesturbaer to Kopavogur or on through Fossvogur is outstanding, and an easy way to get from one side of town to the other… goes all the way out to Arbaer and beyond. I bike every single day all year round, no matter what the weather– but it is disconcerting to hear kids shout “Thad er bannad ad hjola um veturna”– riding in winter is prohibited! It’s a pity, I think, because really there’s nothing funner than biking in snow. Just be careful on black ice.

John, Finnur – I stand corrected! thanks. Slight confusion with my conversion there. :8

John – actually the price doesn’t sound so bad when in non-ISK currencies — are you telling me US residents wouldn’t balk at paying almost $8 per gallon of gas??

Bromley86 – yes, there was /is a hydrogen venture here and moreover Icelanders could easily become sustainable in terms of electrical cars. As for your suggestion, no idea since I don’t know what BoP is.

Annie – you caught on quick to Icelandic bus habits, I see.

I seem to remember some talk of Iceland having hydrogen-powered cars in the future. Was this an Icelandic venture? If it was then it could further help with the BoP at a time when the oil price seems to be recovering.

Has there been any talk in Iceland of where the pain should fall? Well, other than on the heads of the super rich .