What to Eat in Höfn: Local Seafood and Warm Meals

From langoustine straight off the boats to lamb soup that warms you through, here is how to eat well in this south-east harbour town.

Seafood worth the detour

Höfn calls itself the langoustine capital of Iceland, and the label is earned: boats from the harbour at the end of Hafnarbraut land Norway lobster (langoustine) that reaches local kitchens within hours. Look for it grilled with garlic butter or in a creamy soup at restaurants around the harbour and along Suðurvegur. Expect to pay 3,500–5,500 ISK for a langoustine main; portions are generous but not cheap. The season runs roughly May to August, though frozen tails are used year-round. Plaice, cod and haddock also appear on menus, often pan-fried and served with potatoes and salad.

For a cheaper fix, the town’s fish-and-chips shops near the N1 station serve generous portions of fresh haddock for around 2,500 ISK. The best value is often the daily lunch special, which many places offer between noon and 2 pm. If you are self-catering, the Nettó supermarket on Suðurvegur stocks fresh fish from the harbour when boats come in. Do not expect a wide choice of restaurants — Höfn is small — but what is there is honest and well sourced. Book ahead in July and August, when the town fills with ring-road travellers.

Warm meals for cold days

Beyond seafood, Höfn does comfort food well. Lamb soup (kjötsúpa) — a broth of lamb, root vegetables and herbs — is a staple on many menus and costs around 2,200–2,800 ISK. It is exactly what you want after a day on the Vatnajökull ice caves or walking the black-sand stretch at Stokksnes. Another local favourite is the Icelandic meat soup’s cousin, plokkfiskur: mashed fish with potatoes, onion and milk, usually served with rye bread and butter. It sounds plain but is deeply satisfying, and a bowl costs about 2,000–2,600 ISK. Many cafés also offer a soup-and-bread deal at lunch.

If you are driving the Ring Road, the Gamla Bíó café on Heppuvegur is a reliable stop for a bowl of soup and a slice of cake; it is not fancy but it is warm and central. For something heartier, the restaurants along the harbour serve lamb fillet or slow-cooked shoulder with root vegetables for around 4,500–6,500 ISK. Vegetarians are not overlooked: most places offer a mushroom or vegetable soup, and the Nettó has a decent selection of produce. Skip the generic burger joints near the ring road — they are fine but not why you came to Höfn.

Where to eat and what to skip

The compact centre is easy to cover on foot. Start at the harbour: the cluster of restaurants around Hafnarbraut includes the well-known Humarhöfnin, which specialises in langoustine, and Pakkhúsið, a cosy café in an old warehouse. Both are popular, so reserve for dinner in summer. For a quick lunch, the Kaffi Hornið on Hafnarbraut does good sandwiches and cakes. If you are heading east towards Stokksnes, the Viking Café (open in summer) offers simple meals with a view of the dunes. The town’s dining scene is limited, so do not expect late-night options — most kitchens close by 9 pm, earlier in winter.

What to skip? The hot-dog stand at the N1 petrol station is a classic Icelandic road-trip stop, but if you are after local food, save your appetite for the harbour. Also, avoid anywhere with a laminated photo menu of burgers and pizza — you can eat that anywhere. Instead, look for the daily special boards written in Icelandic; they usually signal fresh, home-style cooking. In winter, many restaurants have reduced hours, so check ahead or ask your hotel. If you are staying overnight, your hotel can often book a table or point you to what is open.

Practical notes for your stay

Höfn is a natural stop on the Ring Road, about 4.5 hours’ drive from Reykjavík and 1 hour from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The town has a handful of hotels and guesthouses, mostly along Suðurvegur and Ránarslóð, and booking ahead is wise from June to August — the 7-day funnel shows 580 hotel views, so demand is there. If you want to be within walking distance of the harbour restaurants, choose accommodation near the east end of Suðurvegur. Prices for a double room in summer typically range from 20,000 to 35,000 ISK; winter rates drop by roughly a third.

Best months for a food-focused visit are May to September, when langoustine is in season and everything is open. October to April is quieter; some restaurants close or shorten hours, but you will still find warm soups and seafood. The weather is unpredictable year-round, so pack layers. For self-caterers, the Nettó supermarket is the main shop, and there is an ATM near the bank on Suðurvegur. If you are continuing east, fill up with fuel before leaving town — the next station is at Djúpivogur, about an hour away.

Questions, answered

What is the local specialty in Höfn?

Langoustine (Norway lobster) is the signature dish, thanks to the town’s harbour. Many restaurants serve it grilled, in soup or as part of a seafood platter. The season runs roughly May to August, but it is available frozen year-round.

How much does a meal cost in Höfn?

Expect to pay 3,500–5,500 ISK for a langoustine main, 2,200–2,800 ISK for lamb soup, and around 2,500 ISK for fish and chips. Lunch specials are often better value, around 2,000–3,000 ISK.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, most restaurants offer at least one vegetarian dish, often a mushroom or vegetable soup, or a salad. The Nettó supermarket has a reasonable selection of fresh produce if you are self-catering.

Do I need to book restaurants in advance?

In July and August, yes — especially for dinner at the harbour restaurants. The town is small and fills up with ring-road travellers. Outside summer, walk-ins are usually fine, but check opening hours as some places close early.

What are the opening hours like?

Most restaurants open for lunch around noon and close by 9 pm, earlier in winter. Some cafés close at 6 pm. In the off-season, several places shut entirely or open only for limited hours, so check ahead.

Is Höfn a good place to stop for lunch on the Ring Road?

Yes, it is a convenient break about 4.5 hours from Reykjavík and an hour from Jökulsárlón. The harbour area has several options, and the Nettó supermarket is handy for picnic supplies if you are pressed for time.

Where can I buy local seafood to cook myself?

The Nettó supermarket on Suðurvegur often stocks fresh fish from the harbour, and you can sometimes buy directly from fishing boats at the harbour. Selection depends on the day’s catch, so ask at the counter.

What should I avoid eating in Höfn?

Skip the generic burger and pizza places with photo menus — they are not bad, but they do not reflect the local food. Instead, look for daily specials written in Icelandic, which usually indicate fresh, home-style cooking.

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