Tucked away in the picturesque town of Grundarfjörður, Iceland, lies a gem of a dining experience - the Harbour Cafe. Upon entering, you're immediately wrapped in a cozy embrace, with a rustic charm that whispers tales of the sea. The interior, a harmonious blend of comfort and style, features warm wooden accents and an open, welcoming layout. The soft, ambient lighting is just right, casting a gentle glow on the casual yet chic decor.
Now, let's talk about the feast for the senses that is their menu. My wife and I, adventurers at heart and foodies by choice, decided to embark on a culinary journey starting with their salmon panini. Oh, what a delight! The panini was like the warm hug you need after a day out in the Icelandic breeze, perfectly grilled with a symphony of flavors that only fresh, local salmon can provide.
The lamb soup, shared between us, was nothing short of amazing—a hearty embrace in a bowl, infused with the essence of Iceland's pristine pastures. It's the kind of soup that not only warms your belly but also your soul, leaving you in a state of content bliss.
Our Americanos, robust and aromatic, were accompanied by a charming surprise - a tiny chocolate bar that was the proverbial cherry on top of a perfect dining experience. And let's not forget the ham and cheese croissant, a flaky, buttery masterpiece that we split, savoring each bite as if it were our first.
The service? Impeccable! The staff was the epitome of friendliness, not only assisting us in navigating the menu but also teaching us the correct pronunciation of Grundarfjörður - a tongue twister for us foreigners but music to the ears when said right.
Speedy service, food that's a cut above, and a vibe that makes you want to stay all day - the Harbour Cafe is a must-visit. It’s where the warmth of Icelandic hospitality meets the mastery of culinary delights. A...
Read moreCozy little cafe that my only disappointment is that I cannot remember the gentleman’s name who was so warm and welcoming, and I didn’t take any photos of the delicious croissants.
Stopped in to grab a quick bite before heading up Kirkjufell, and it was delightful. Croissants, muffins, and espresso were delicious. Even better than all of those things was the service. We were greeted by a lovely young woman, who informed us if we wanted to order we just needed to take a menu and come back, but before we could have a menu we must have a little candy. Hey, rules are rules! LOL! Once we had our food, a gentleman came out to check on us and engaged us in some fun banter, and asked us if we had tried fermented shark. We had not…yet! He came back with some morsels for everyone and we all got our tiny harpoons (toothpicks, of course) at the ready. He explained about the sharks -the anatomy and how they filter out all of the from their bodies that in humans is done though organs they don’t have -super short and way less accurate summary, sorry…he was way better at explaining that! He threw in a few jokes and passed out the morsels. We ate them, and have to say, different but not bad! Definitely worth the experience to try, and I’m so glad we did as I probably wouldn’t have if this man wasn’t so delightful.
Even if you don’t try the fermented shark, stop in here for a delicious espresso and snack, or a meal (it smelled so good!!). The bathrooms were...
Read moreThis was one of the best meals we've ever eaten. Our group got the Icelandic Seafood soup which had fresh octopus, mini shrimp, and langoustine, and came with a baguette of garlic bread; baked lamb and baked salmon dishes, each with roasted potatoes and a side salad; plokkfiskur with local rye bread that was sweet and hearty; and lava cake with chocolate and vanilla ice cream for dessert.
The owner/employees were wonderful, very friendly, and really made us feel welcome. They insisted we take a chocolate when we arrived, especially for the Little Vikings among us, and were absolutely charming. I liked that we could help ourselves to more bottles of local water when we needed to refill our glasses and could go up to the counter to place our order when ready rather than waiting on tableside service to do this for us. This gave it a more homey feel. Even so, they were very attentive to our needs, bringing us silverware for various courses, and more chocolates when we tried the fermented shark, and clearing the table as needed throughout the meal.
This is a wonderful local restaurant with absolutely incredible food and atmosphere! I loved that they had books and magazines about Iceland for you to look through as you waited for your food, and they had some kids puzzles too. Would definitely...
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