Seabaron — Restaurant in Reykjavik

TL:DR - We loved it here. Unpretentious, yummy, nice kids running the show. It's a bright green set of buildings right by all the whale and puffin sea tours - you really can't miss it if you look for the green, it's blinding. If they had free wifi I could post up here all dang day.

We came here for the lobster soup on our first day in Reykjavik and we were not disappointed. We were tired and cold and hungry and we walked in to find only a couple of people in line in a warm, cozy little front room that smelled strongly of fish. The menu is up on the wall on the left and consists of a few seasonal offerings of grilled fishes, potatoes, and the somewhat-bizarre-to-actually-see-on-a-menu Minke whale steak. They have a decent offering of beer, cider, soda, and plentiful free, incredible tap water (like everywhere in Iceland).

The place is operated mostly by young people but the service doesn't seem to suffer for it - but it's a basic place. You order what you want and pay, they'll give you a number, and you find a seat. The seating is communal so you'll likely be sitting near others, but like most places we found in Reykjavik folks keep their voices to a level that doesn't interfere with conversation. (Please keep this in mind, fellow Americans! Every single time the lovely quiet anywhere in town was violently broken by incredibly loud chatter, it was Americans. We are LOUD y'all.) We didn't go upstairs but it was available for larger parties. There was also some outdoor seating in front and in back.

The decor is weird/fun and fishy/boaty, and there's a wax (?) figure under the stairs that is scary at first but turns out to be an ode to the original owner that's super sweet. Have a nice chat and smell the smells of your tablemate's food (the whale smells so beefy it really freaked me out) while you wait for them to call your number and bring you your food.

The lobster soup is a bisque-like soup with a basic mirepoix and a few hunks of langoustine - a crustacean very similar to lobster but a little smaller, a little less sweet - and comes with about a third of a baguette of basic bread that is great for soaking up the last drops. The soup is really good - it's maybe a little on the salty side, but not bad at all and I tend to be super salt-sensitive (also it was less salty the second time around, so it's somewhat batch-dependent). Don't expect large amounts of seafood in the soup - it's about the broth. The depth of flavor is great and it sits nicely in your tummy.

It was so good that we came back again a few days later. It's good enough that I still think about it almost daily. It's good soup, and it's very affordable, unlike most everything else in this beautiful city.

When we came back, we decided to try the potatoes (basic, hearty, good in the soup forreal) and I also got the wolf-fish. I'd never had wolf-fish before but flavor-wise it reminded me of monkfish - savory and not as delicate as other white fishes - but firmer, meatier. I'll say my skewer was a little overcooked, but it wasn't too bad, and tasted fresh, even if it wasn't, so I was happy. We opted out of the whale - it turns out it's not even like... a real traditional or common Icelandic meal anyway, it's basically for tourists only. People around us seemed to like it a lot, but it smelled crazy like beef and that was too wild for me, I couldn't do it.

I would order this soup shipped to my...

Located in the seaport of Reykjavik, Seabaron is an absolute gem for seafood enthusiasts like myself. This unassuming yet charming eatery promises a delightful culinary experience that showcases the best of Icelandic seafood. From the moment I stepped inside, the cosy and intimate ambience instantly made me feel at home. The rustic decor, adorned with nautical memorabilia, adds to the maritime atmosphere, setting the perfect stage for a seafood feast. The menu at Seabaron is a celebration of freshness and simplicity. The focus is on the quality of the ingredients, and it shows in every dish. The selection of seafood is extensive, featuring a mouthwatering array of lobster, langoustine, shrimp, and various fish varieties sourced locally from the pristine Icelandic waters. Their signature dish, the lobster soup, is an absolute must-try. Creamy, rich, and brimming with the flavours of the ocean, it left me craving for more. Each spoonful offered a delightful blend of tender lobster meat, vegetables, and secret spices that elevated the soup to a new level of deliciousness. The langoustine skewers were a revelation. Grilled to perfection, the succulent and sweet meat practically melted in my mouth, leaving me in awe of its simplicity and taste. The freshness of the langoustines was evident, making it one of the best seafood delicacies I've ever had. The staff at Seabaron were warm, friendly, and highly knowledgeable about the menu. They were happy to recommend dishes based on my preferences, ensuring a personalized dining experience. One thing to note is that the seating can be limited due to the restaurant's popularity, so it's advisable to arrive early, especially during peak dining hours. As for the price, I found Seabaron reasonably priced, given the high quality of the seafood and the overall experience. It's worth every penny for the unparalleled taste and the chance to savour the authentic flavours of Iceland. In conclusion, Seabaron is a hidden treasure in Reykjavik that should be noticed by any seafood lover visiting the city. With its exceptional seafood offerings, inviting atmosphere, and attentive service, Seabaron has undoubtedly earned its reputation as one of the best seafood restaurants in Reykjavik. I left the restaurant with a satisfied palate and a newfound appreciation for Icelandic seafood, eager to return for another...

I read that this is a must try for their famous lobster soup, so we came here specifically for that. Each bowl of soup is served with a sliced baguette and butter, which can be a small meal on its own. For something more filling, they have a variety of seafood skewers that can be ordered a la carte.

The LOBSTER SOUP itself was pretty flavorful with bell peppers infused in what seemed like a seafood broth. Unfortunately, the lobster pieces were so mushy! I didn't even have to chew the lobster; it basically just disintegrated on my tongue which was kind of concerning. Based on a Google search, mushy lobster could mean that it was not fresh, or not handled properly, such as possibly being thawed and refrozen multiple times. We really enjoyed the bread which had a crisp chewy exterior and pillowy center, only made better by a dab of the smooth Icelandic butter or a dip in the soup.

We ordered a few skewers to share. The WOLFFISH and TUSK skewers were both meaty, tender and lightly grilled. The Wolffish was a little sweet and had a denser texture while the Tusk was more mild. The shrimp were snappy and delicious as well. A couple vegetable skewers of zucchini, mushrooms, onion and tomato balanced out our lunch.

This restaurant is quite popular with its location near the harbor area. The seating inside is pretty tight, so we were lucky to grab a seat outside at one of the picnic tables. Reading other reviews, I don’t see similar sentiments about the lobster soup, so maybe it was a one off case. However, we were disappointed that the dish we looked forward to the most ended up being a...