Íslenski Barinn - The Icelandic Bar
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Probably my favourite restaurant in Iceland but only 4 stars… Came here twice during my stay in Iceland, mainly because they have a great selection on the menu and the menu selection is the only reason this place got 4 stars from me.. The food was so-so.. only getting 2 stars I would expect the service to be better as this place given they have sooooo many waiter/waitress on staff.. Getting was and getting the bill.. basically getting their attention was frustrating!!!!! My waiter during the first visit had very narrow vision and he never came out table.. he would just stand by the bar and kitchen area and never look at us.. he went in and out of the kitchen 5 times and served 5 other tables and just never saw us.. the bar tender made eye contact with me with hand up TWICE and still didn’t send anyone over.. I finally flagged someone else waitress to be able to get the bill… pretty much every table around me saw that I was getting FRUSTRATED trying to flag down some service The Reindeer burger was ok… I really couldn’t tell what kind of meat it was.. it could have been a beef burger and i wouldn’t have known.. the fries were really good, the bun was warm and toasted The fermented shark tasted good.. very new experience for me.. I don’t regret ordering and trying it.. but not really my type of dish The lamb soup was good, very hearty, had nice chunks of lamb, I did have lamb soup a few times at a few different places and I feel like this is truly Iceland’s authentic traditional dish that everyone can enjoy The whale-meat, I had on a platter.. tasted kinda like prosciutto if that makes any sense what-so-ever The puffin… was a miss for me.. it comes on a tortilla and lots of sauce.. you really can’t taste the puffin meat what-so-ever… I did try eating the puffin meat alone and it kinda tasted like chicken liver which is very distinctive The sheep-head was cool to order, unfortunately, they served it cold.. well half warm, half cold… they messed up the re-heating part… once lamb meat is cooled down.. it just doesn’t taste the same anymore… the sheep tongue was very tasty.. the sheep head skin was tender and fatty… but cold fatty meat usually doesn’t taste good The lamb dog was a joke.. I keep having expectations of very delicious hot dogs in Iceland, but I get fooled every time.. it’s not a lamb hot dog.. this place serves a lamb pulled sandwich in a hot dog bun.. and the hot dog bun was not toasted and the pulled lamb meat was not warmed up properly and served below room temperature and there was hardly any lamb in their lamb dog
Tazz HTazz H
00
We went here as a part of our Reykjavik Food Walking Tour, and we were told it's supposed to have a Grandma's home vibe, which is totally does. We had Traditional Icelandic Meat Soup (Kjötsúpa) which has Lamb Meat, Rutabaga, Carrots, Potatoes, Salt and Pepper. It was good, but lamb isn't necessarily for me - it's kinda more gamey than I personally like, but for a lot of our peers, they enjoyed it. We also had the infamous Hákarl (Fermented Shark) with a shot of "Black Death" or Brennivin. It isn't something normally that Icelandic locals love according to our guide, but it is a taste of their historical eats so they keep it and share it on the menu, especially for tourists. I will say...the recommendation is to chew at least 3-5 times and then take the shot of Brennivin. Warning...the taste of Hákarl lingers and please don't smell it before you eat it. It will deter you because it absolutely smells like cat pee, but you do this for the experience. We also had Einstök White Ale, which is from a local bar that has the Viking mural on the side of it. We heard an American came to Iceland to brew beer with the pure glacier water and this is why we had it - it tastes a bit hoppy, but I think you will enjoy it. We also had a snack of dried fish jerky, which reminded me of the dried squid I used to snack on as a kid, and we got some delicious bread and butter with our soup. The people were super friendly and warm, and the food is good. Definitely worth a stop in!
Michelle MatheusMichelle Matheus
00
We kept seeing this place pop up as a recommendation on travel blogs and other listicles, so naturally we went out of our way to go here. We should have realized it would be a total tourist trap. First of all, the place is tiny, which doesn’t suit its popularity at all. The limited seating means that there will almost always be a wait for a table. This helps to create a hectic atmosphere that seems to be pushing the staff to their limits, as they all seemed very stressed. There was a group of ten Italians in front of us who were incredibly rude and pushy about getting a table to seat all of them, and it looked like the hostess was about to have a meltdown. We finally got a table after about half an hour. It was next to the window so we got to watch the people waiting outside scowl at us for the entirety of our meal. We got the whale starter, the lamb shank, the reindeer burger, and a couple of beers. All of the food and drink came out very quickly, in less than 5 minutes. We were grateful for the quick service but the food probably wasn’t freshly made, especially since everything was lukewarm instead of hot. The whale starter was interesting. The lamb shank was tough and pretty flavorless. The reindeer burger wasn’t made of 100% reindeer since it tasted like a normal beef burger. The beers were good. Prices were ok. In summary, the food is passable (except for the reindeer burger, don’t get that), but expect to have to wait for a table. There are other places in the city where you can get similar food without the hectic tourist trap atmosphere.
Robert ERobert E
00
Islenski Barinn in Reykjavik is a true Icelandic treasure, offering an experience that goes beyond just dining and drinking. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere envelops you in a cozy embrace, combining rustic charm with a lively, welcoming vibe. It’s a place where both locals and tourists can feel right at home. The food here is a culinary delight, especially for those keen to explore Iceland's unique flavors. Their menu boasts an impressive selection of wild and exotic game, each dish exquisitely prepared to highlight the natural tastes of Iceland’s wilderness. Whether it's their renowned lamb or the adventurous puffin offerings, every meal is a celebration of Icelandic cuisine. But it's not just the food that makes Islenski Barinn stand out. Their drink selection is equally impressive. From a wide range of local beers to an extensive collection of Icelandic spirits, the bar offers a perfect blend of traditional and innovative drinks. The knowledgeable staff are always ready to recommend something special, ensuring that each drink complements the flavors of your meal beautifully. In summary, Islenski Barinn is a must-visit spot in Reykjavik for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Icelandic culture. The combination of exceptional food, a vast drink selection, stellar service, and a vibrant yet cozy atmosphere makes every visit memorable. It's not just a bar; it's a celebration of all things Icelandic.
Vitaliy SVitaliy S
00
If you are looking for some authentic Icelandic food this is the place to go to. We had to queue for awhile to get a table but it was totally worth it. Being on the low fodmap diet it has alot of restrictions so I was hoping I would have more options than a steak. I was so happy to learn that they had gluten free options and that they were so accommodating to my intolerances. For starters we shared the grilled fin whale and puffin and as I can't have onion or garlic they kindly put it on the side in separate plates so that my husband could still eat it the way it's meant to but I could also enjoy it too. The fin whale was very stringy I would say it's something I wouldn't eat again but the puffin was very soft. Both very nice starters and extremely different to what we typically eat. For mains I had reindeer burger with GF bun! It was very nice, I was so excited that I was able to try something different. I would recommend it! My husband had the sheep's head and said it was very good, me personally hated looking at it! The staff were very knowledgeable and made me feel really comfortable that my food would be prepared with no issues. The vibe is really lovely like a homely feel. I wish we had a chance to go again instead of visiting on our last day. Worth every penny! Check out my tiktok whatsvidhyaeating for the full video and review!
Vidhya ParaVidhya Para
00
This place has great food and the staff are helpful and attentive. However, it is really a bit of a tourist trap and so it does lack something of an atmosphere (at least when we were there). It is very much a rotation system of letting a certain number of people come in, they eat, they have a quick drink, and they go. Repeat the cycle. This is a great way to maximise profit but it does leave something to be desired. The food was great. I had a lamb starter on flatbreads and the fish pie and both were excellent. The soup of the day was described as "an onion soup with cheese" and my wife immediately though she was getting her favourite "French onion soup". It turned out to be nothing like it (go figure, no French onion soup in Iceland?) but it was so much better. Honestly one of the best soup I have every tasted. And the accompanying bread was gorgeous. The menu is quite varied with lots of local specialities. Every time we passed this restaurant there was a queue of people waiting to come in and that tell sit's own story. I aways like to measure a place by simply asking myself the question "would I come back?", and I would visit this place again any time I visit the city.
Mike McInerneyMike McInerney
10
Nearby Attractions Of Íslenski Barinn - The Icelandic Bar
Hallgrimskirkja
Sun Voyager
National Museum of Iceland
Rainbow Street
Old Iceland
Hótel Frón
The Settlement Exhibition
Sundhöllin
Ingólfur Square
Hús máls og menningar
Hallgrimskirkja
4.6
(9.8K)Click for details
Sun Voyager
4.5
(4K)Click for details
National Museum of Iceland
4.5
(1.7K)Click for details
Rainbow Street
4.6
(1.3K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Íslenski Barinn - The Icelandic Bar
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Café Loki
Icelandic Street Food
Seabaron
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Sandholt
Hard Rock Cafe Reykjavík
Lebowski Bar
Brauð & Co
101 Reykjavik Street Food
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
4.6
(3.6K)Click for details
Café Loki
4.5
(2.5K)Click for details
Icelandic Street Food
4.7
(2.5K)Click for details
Seabaron
4.5
(1.9K)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
43W8+QP5, Ingólfsstræti 1a 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Map
Phone
+354 517 6767
Call
Website
islenskibarinn.is
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(1.9K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Down-to-earth restaurant offering unique seafood & meat dishes including shark, reindeer & whale.
attractions: Hallgrimskirkja, Sun Voyager, National Museum of Iceland, Rainbow Street, Old Iceland, Hótel Frón, The Settlement Exhibition, Sundhöllin, Ingólfur Square, Hús máls og menningar, restaurants: Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Café Loki, Icelandic Street Food, Seabaron, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, Sandholt, Hard Rock Cafe Reykjavík, Lebowski Bar, Brauð & Co, 101 Reykjavik Street Food
