Tjöruhúsið

My mom and I just enjoyed dinner that this fabulous restaurant. (The building is over 300 years old). It's more than just incredible local food, it's an experience. The staff is fun and friendly. The fish is fresh local catch prepared in many different styles and flavors. I highly recommend eating here.

Hugh shout out to Tjöruhúsið for seating us without a reservation! This restaurant has by far the best seafood in Iceland and the price is unmatched. We started out with fish soup and bread to dip it in followed by six different fish all prepared six different ways and for dessert chocolate, cookies and coffee. It's all served buffet style. For the two of us, without drinks the cost was $100. If you're lucky enough to travel around the West Fjords go to the town of Ísafjörður for this spectacular meal. It is my understanding that whatever is caught from the sea in the morning is served at the restaurant the same day so they don't have a menu. Don't forget to walk around the charming town of Ísafjörður before and after your meal. FYI, it's advised that you do make a reservation in advance.

We visited this fish restaurant as a family and absolutely loved it! The concept is fantastic — they serve only fish dishes, all cooked in large pans right in front of you. You can tell the owners are truly passionate — they’re the ones cooking, and it shows in every detail. The atmosphere is amazing: authentic, warm, and full of life. It’s the kind of place where you feel like you’ve discovered a local gem. What I loved most is that in one visit, you can try many different types of fish prepared in various ways — grilled, stewed, fried — each with its own unique flavor. Highly recommended if you’re a seafood lover and want to experience something real and full of character!

An absolute gem tucked away in Isafjordur! My lady wisely made reservations a month in advance, knowing our cruise would only give us a few precious hours in port - and what a brilliant decision that was. This authentic family restaurant delivered exactly what we were hoping for: a true taste of Iceland's fishing heritage prepared by locals who clearly know their craft. The standout dish was their incredible fish stew featuring three different types of fish in a rich tomato-coconut base that was both hearty and bursting with flavor. Each spoonful was pure comfort. The fresh catch selection during our visit was impressive: Wolffish, Halibut, Cod cheek, Plaice, Arctic char, and Haddock - all prepared to absolute perfection. The fish was beautifully buttery and flaked effortlessly, showcasing the quality of both the ingredients and the skilled preparation. For cruise passengers with limited time ashore, this restaurant offers an authentic window into Icelandic culinary traditions that you simply can't get on the ship. The experience was both delicious and memorable - exactly what you want when exploring a new destination. Highly recommend making advance reservations, especially during cruise season. This is local dining at its finest!

I had an absolutely fun time! Make a reservation! The team were friendly and entertaining, food was fresh, hot and cooked with care (yes a tad salty) and music (vinyl!) was super rad! The team were so accommodating to my newly minted friend seated next to me who’s vegetarian (I loved the non-meat sides myself!). It’s totally true that one makes friends at the same table, swapping tales of Iceland adventures. We had round after round of food and really needed the hot tea after to digest. Pro-tip: take small portions the first round no matter how the generous staff insist and go back for the dishes you enjoy more.

While the restaurant left us generally satisfied, our experience was a mix of positives and letdowns. On the positive side, the venue itself is a highlight — a charming, vintage setting in a beautiful historical building. The atmosphere is cosy and welcoming, and the family running the place is very friendly and attentive. The concept of a buffet featuring fresh fish from Icelandic waters is appealing and initially raised our expectations. However, the execution fell short. Most of the dishes were overly salty, and many were quite oily and fatty. While the sauces were flavorful, they tended to overpower the delicate, natural taste of the fish. Unfortunately, much of the fish was also overcooked, which made it hard to appreciate the individual textures and nuances of each type. As a group of five, we all felt the same way — the meal was satisfying but not particularly impressive in quality. In summary: satisfied, but not impressed. And a bit expensive for what was served.

Such a wonderful experience, so much more than just lunch, it's like you're being welcomed into a local's home for a holiday meal. The food is amazing, you will not leave hungry. They were so considerate for my celiac friend, and made her a whole pan of fresh fish prepared gluten-free. You can also tell which server is the owners son... you can tell by the sense of humor!

Do this! And dont eat the day before or breakfast! Make reservations as soon as you know you will be in that port as it only holds @40 people. Everything was freshly made, brought out in huge cast iron skillets. We had the best time and didn't eat again that day!