Eldstó Art Cafe / Restaurant

A Restaurant in Hvolsvöllur that offers a cozy and artistic atmosphere, blending local craftsmanship with casual Icelandic dining. The café is filled with handmade pottery and art pieces, giving it a warm, creative charm that sets it apart from typical roadside stops. It’s a comfortable place to relax, especially after exploring the nearby waterfalls or the Lava Centre. The food, however, is a bit of a mixed experience. The lamb soup — a local favorite — was small in portion but flavorful and comforting, clearly made with care. The burger, on the other hand, was underwhelming and could have used more seasoning and better presentation. It’s the kind of meal that fills you up but doesn’t quite leave a lasting impression. Service was friendly and attentive, with staff who made us feel welcome and never rushed. The café’s laid-back vibe makes it an enjoyable stop for coffee or a light lunch, especially if you appreciate locally made ceramics and a relaxed, homey setting. Overall, Eldstó is worth a visit for its atmosphere and charm rather than the food alone. It’s a pleasant, artistic café with heart, even if the menu doesn’t fully match the beauty of its surroundings.

It feels cozy inside, the workers are polite and the fish and chips are absolutely delicious. These are easily the best for taste and portions around Iceland, and we are finishing up the our trip around the country (including the west fjords) soon. We also ordered hot drinks and those were tasty of course too!

This was a recommended spot to eat in the town. We were able to walk here from our accommodations. The menu had a good selection. We ended up getting the burgers and fries. They were both very good. The fries were seasoned and very good. The food came out hot and presentation was good. It was a quiet restaurant and they had an art show room off the back. There was plenty of parking. The restaurant is very accessible at one of the main intersections. If you are in the area, I would recommend it.

I am not exaggerating when I say this place has the best fish and chips I have ever consumed. We were exhausted, hungry, and worried we wouldn't find dinner before everything closed in Reykjavik. We stopped at Eldstó on a whim, and it ended up being one of the best meals of our entire trip. We both ordered the Fish and Chips (pro-tip: it's not on the menu, you have to ask for it!), and we were floored. I’ve eaten a lot of fish and chips, and this was, without question, the cleanest and most tender fish I have ever put in my mouth. The fries were perfectly seasoned and you get a very generous amount. We also warmed up with their two soups of the day (mushroom and carrot/bell pepper), which were just incredibly heartwarming and unlimited. (We love extra seasoning, so we added a pinch of the salt from the table, and they were perfect.) We were so blown away that we drove back out of our way for a second time just to have it all again. It was worth every mile.

Cozy and comfy road dinner where you can try a selection of local foods as well as dishes inspired by other cuisines (like poke bowls). The garlic bread steals the show - it's simply marvelous! The lamb stew and fish gratin hold their ground and the staff is always there the help if you cannot decide. Ah, the local lager is also order worthy.

I truly mean it when I say this was one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had. My boyfriend and I both ordered the beef burger They were accommodating in making mine “bunless” as a platter because I have coeliac disease (gluten free) which was really lovely of them. Everything on the plate was incredible. The salad was fresh, flavourful and zesty, with delicious pickled red onions that tied it all together. The portion of chips was generous and perfectly salted, paired with the most DELICIOUS chipotle mayo. And the burger patty itself, It genuinely took our breath away — perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned, with a salty, herby sauce that just made the whole thing unforgettable. All round, such an amazing little restaurant, and I believe family-owned, a truly incredible find. Every penny spent here was beyond worth it. To top it all off, the service and atmosphere were lovely — they were engaging, friendly, and genuinely pleasant to talk to. We’re so sad to be leaving Iceland, but we really hope we’ll get to taste this again someday. Would highly, highly recommend.

We ordered garlic bread for starter and it delicious . We tried the chickpea curry and it was great . Also ordered the traditional dish of mashed fish and potatoes and it was okay for me and not great as I was getting the fishy smell. The desert pies are super delicious. The hosts were nice and kind . They also sell cute pottery items.

Great lunch spot! The staff was friendly and gave helpful recommendations. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the lamb soup.