Tryggvaskáli

I was on the fence about going here because reviews said it was expensive and I’ve also heard Icelandic food is nothing to write home about. But it was our last night and we hadn’t tried a restaurant during our entire trip. We ended up going and I’m SO happy we did! It was one of the most mouthgasmic food experiences I’ve ever had. It was pricey, but totally worth it. Budget for about $100 CAD per person.

We ordered the 3 course set menu, and both started with the lobster bisque. The texture was incredible and every bite highlighted a different palate. The presentation was also interesting. I wish I had this recipe!

For the main course I had the salmon. I was worried it might not be anything special, but I was wrong! The barley seemed to be soaked in honey or something mildly sweet. The broccoli was buttery and the salmon was nice and oily, and cooked perfectly. There was also a nice salty crunch from some kind of finely crushed cruton type things. I passed on the blue cheese since I think it’s disgusting. The best part was that the bites near the end were super packed with flavour because as you eat the dish, the juice goes to the bottom.

My partner had the lamb, which he loved - though I preferred the salmon. The lamb had a good balance of buttery, salty and fatty flavours. It was a rich taste yet not gamey the way lamb can sometimes be. This was a less “safe” choice or the more adventurous or authentic choice, so it really depends on your food preferences.

The dessert was tasty and rich, but such a huge portion! (I’m not much of a sweet tooth). I would have traded my dessert for an extra bowl of that lobster bisque!

Overall, I give this place 5 stars for sure. If I ever come back to Iceland I’d pass by Selfoss just to eat here again!

P.S. The bread was...

We found this via google maps on our way back from a self-guided tour of the Golden Circle. It was such a great find! The place is so cute, a converted rooming house-turned restaurant, with various rooms up and downstairs, cozy nooks, a quaint bar area and truly gourmet food. Our party of four went with 2 tasting menus and 2 off the menu so we could try more and split the desserts. The lobster bisque was heavenly, just a touch of warm spice/heat and beyond tender lobster. The lamb had a wonderful crispy surface and was done to perfection. The smoked beef with ricotta melted in your mouth. The chocolate mousse was rich and creamy but not overwhelming. Great wine. The presentation of all dishes was lovely, the use of covered jars and bowls for the dishes was in line with the nostalgic ambiance of the place overall. The wait staff were friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Kudos to the chef, staff and management!! A great find that really made our day - later that night we saw the northern lights....

Lovely small town restaurant providing delicious big town sophistication. The ambience is pleasant and family like - the restaurant feels like a large home with a country decor. We had a delightful lunch with whale meat appetizers - which were tender in a tasty sauce. Lunch featured a fried crispy chicken salad, tasty hamburger and beef tenderloin. The chicken pieces were nicely cooked and very crispy. Dessert had fermented blue berries with a tasty custard. The coconut and pineapple cake was well done, even a bit crunchy. Overall a delicious meal. Our guests were enchanted with the chicken salad’s dressing which admittedly was quite tasty as was the grilled sweet corn which fit the dish very well. Our waiter was pilot, patient and professional. Pro-tip - our food did take a...