Iceland review - 2016, Page 116

114 ICELAND REVIEW
Akranes is a charming, tranquil fishing town in West Iceland that has a popular
lighthouse, open to visitors, and a well-curated heritage museum. After a day
exploring the town, Galito is the ideal restaurant to sample fresh, local food,
in a warm and cozy atmosphere. The family business focuses on fresh fish,
homemade sauces and local ingredients. The chefs buy fresh fish every day
and source local, seasonal vegetables when possible. Guests can choose from
the restaurant’s fine-dining menu, such as tender lamb, beef tenderloin, and
fresh Icelandic fish, like salmon, catfish and pan-fried cod. Galito also offers
a good bistro menu which includes salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizza, as
well as sushi.
Stillholt 16-18, 300 Akranes. 430-6767. galito.is
GALITO
Grundarfjörður is a small, scenic town on the northern coast of the Snæfellsnes
peninsula in West Iceland. Situated between a mountain range and the
sea, travelers flock to the region for its unique nature and charming towns.
Bjargarsteinn Mathús is a new restaurant, based in a quaint old building along
the coast with an incredible view of Kirkjufell mountain. Guests are treated to
a seasonal menu, created by experienced chef Gunnar Garðarsson, with a focus
on local produce, seafood and meat. All meals are made from scratch on site.
Be sure to save room for dessert, as the skyr mousse with blueberry sorbet, and
the happy marriage cake (hjónabandssæla) with rhubarb ice cream, are treasured
family recipes.
Sólvellir 15, 350 Grundarfjörður. 438-6770. bjargarsteinn.is
BJARGARSTEINN MATHÚS
R ∙ E ∙ S ∙ T ∙ A ∙ U ∙ R ∙ A ∙ N ∙ T ∙ S
D i n i n g O u t i n t h e W e s t SPECIAL PROMOTION
In rural West Iceland, you’ll find a culinary surprise at the sustainable and
eco-friendly Rjúkandi Hotel and Restaurant. Re-opening as a family business
in 2013, a restaurant has been operated on the premises for 70 years. Rjúkandi
serves homemade bread and cakes, hearty lunches and delicious dinners with
seasonal local ingredients and a Mediterranean twist. The fish of the day var-
ies: cod, salmon, catfish, trout… whatever catch is freshest. The blue mussels
are cultivated in Breiðafjörður bay and the meat comes from neighboring
farms. Also the greens are locally-grown. A welcome break from the usual
roadside diners, Rjúkandi café is open daily from 10 am-6 pm and at the res-
taurant from 6 pm-9:30 pm. The opening hours change during the off-season.
Rjúkandi, Vegamót, Snæfellsnes. 788-9100. rjukandi.com
RJÚKANDI
The Borgarnes Settlement Center (Landnámssetur Íslands) is not only home to
a fun, informative and interactive museum, but also a bright and spacious res-
taurant that serves some of the best food in Borgarnes, West Iceland. The fami-
ly-friendly restaurant offers a relaxed environment with friendly staff, high-qual-
ity food, reasonable prices and a menu that has something for everyone. Guests
can choose from a range of traditional Icelandic dishes, like plokkfiskur (a creamy
mashed fish stew), lamb, fresh fish, mussels and lobster. The menu also includes
pasta dishes and hamburgers, light refreshments, homemade cakes and vegetari-
an options—not to mention a popular lunch buffet that features fresh soups and
salads, as well as homemade bread.
Brákarbraut 13-15, 310 Borgarnes. 437-1600. landnam.is
THE SETTLEMENT CENTER