Iceland review - 2016, Page 142

140 ICELAND REVIEW
SPECIAL PROMOTION
Visit Hafnarfjörður and you can’t miss the Viking Village and its beautiful old-style wooden
buildings which house a hotel and two restaurants. The restaurants Fjörugarðurinn and
Valhalla are interconnected and can seat up to 500 guests. Both offer à la carte menus and set
menus for groups. The menu has a Viking flair and includes Iceland’s famous sheep head and
þorramatur (often pickled or putrefied winter ‘delicacies’). Luckily the Vikings were also famous
for their steaks, and the menu includes fish dishes, pasta and more. Fjörugarðurinn is decorated
with wood carvings, stuffed birds, fish tanks and hide-covered seats, while Valhalla is smaller
and cozier, with space for about 40 guests. The kitchen is open daily from 6 pm to 10 pm and
there’s usually live entertainment, with hordes of Vikings and Valkyries jaunting about, sing-
ing. Groups love being ‘victims’ of Viking raids, but they have to book, unlike a thousand years
ago… 565-1213. fjorukrain.is
Eat Meat & Fish
Perlan (‘The Pearl’) restaurant offers a unique dining experience. The 25-meter-high res-
taurant features panoramic views of Reykjavík, with the restaurant floor slowly rotating,
making a full turn every two hours. The food, however, is the main event. The chefs take
great care to buy fresh and local food and make everything from scratch. Guests can expect
scrumptious seasonal vegetables, tender local lamb and fresh fish, including cod, ling, monk-
fish, flounder, salmon and trout. One of Perlan’s specialties is its tasty langoustine soup,
which is not to be missed. Visit Perlan for quality food, a relaxed atmosphere and a dynamite
view of Reykjavík. Located on Öskjuhlíð. 562-0200. perlan.is
P E R L A N
In the heart of Húsavík, North Iceland’s famous whale watching town, you’ll find the delightful
Salka Restaurant. With two passionate master chefs in the kitchen, Salka offers a full menu, as
well as a wide selection of lunches and light bites. The varied menu always features a catch of the
day, as well as sushi, beef, lamb, Arctic char, burgers and pizza, and much more. Salka Restaurant
offers a classic, comfortable, yet unpretentious space inside, and has a large outdoor seating
area as well. The restaurant boasts a great selection of drinks; including a varied cocktail menu.
Salka Restaurant opened in 2000 and quickly built up a following, which means booking ahead is
advised; especially for groups. The restaurant prides itself in accommodating groups of all sizes
(with a bit of notice!). 464-2551. salkarestaurant.is/english
S A L K A R E S TA U R A N T
Located at the historical Hotel Kea in downtown Akureyri, Múlaberg is a welcome addition
to the North Iceland capital’s restaurant scene, not the least for its spacious outdoor seating
area and daily happy hour at the bar. Open 11 am to 10 pm, Múlaberg serves as a bistro, as
well as accommodating fine diners, with a diverse and tempting menu. Inspired by French,
Italian and Danish cuisine, Múlaberg highlights Icelandic ingredients, offering everything
from the fish of the day and juicy steaks to sandwiches with a special twist, such as the
popular estragon-flavored lobster salad in a hotdog bun. The idea is to mix luxury Icelandic
ingredients with everyday food, as head chef Haraldur Már Pétursson explains. The combi-
nation is surprising and absolutely delicious. 460-2020. mulaberg.is
M Ú L A B E R G B I S T R O & B A R
F J Ö R U K R Á I N