Best Restaurants in Höfn, Iceland: Langoustine, Glacier Views & Local Dining

Höfn calls itself the langoustine capital of Iceland, and the claim isn’t idle. The local fishing fleet hauls Nephrops norvegicus — what Icelanders call humar — from the North Atlantic in quantities that few other towns can match. What that means in practice is that Höfn has a restaurant scene punching well above what you’d expect from a town of 2,000 people. You can eat extremely well here. You can also spend more than you planned. This is what you need to know.

Pakkhús Restaurant

Pakkhús is the restaurant Höfn is known for. It occupies a converted fish warehouse on the harbour — wooden beams, nautical details, harbour views — and the menu is anchored by langoustine in every preparation. The classic move is the langoustine soup: a rich bisque with cream and a depth of flavour that comes from using the whole catch. Langoustine tails grilled in garlic butter are the main event, priced from approximately ISK 6,500 for a half-dozen as of 2026. The full langoustine platter runs closer to ISK 10,000–13,000. Mains of fish, lamb, and beef are also available for those who don’t eat shellfish.

Service is professional and the wine list is short but functional. The room fills quickly in July and August — walk-ins after 18:30 are usually turned away. Book online through their website at least a week ahead in peak season. Dinner for two with wine costs approximately ISK 18,000–28,000.

Ósinn Restaurant

Ósinn sits above the town with views across the lagoon and the glacial mountains beyond. The menu covers similar territory to Pakkhús — langoustine, fresh fish, lamb — but the setting feels slightly more formal and the prices are comparable. Mains run approximately ISK 4,500–8,500 as of 2026. The langoustine pizza is a reliable order if you want something a bit different from the classic shellfish plates. The view at sunset compensates for any comparison shortfall versus Pakkhús.

Z Bistro

Z Bistro is the closest thing Höfn has to an affordable sit-down option. Burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, and a short pizza menu make up the bulk of the offering. Mains are approximately ISK 2,500–4,200 as of 2026 — meaningfully cheaper than the harbour restaurants. It’s the right call for lunch, for families with picky eaters, or for the second night in town when you don’t want to spend on a full restaurant dinner again. Don’t expect the langoustine experience here.

Hafnarbuðin (Harbour Shop Café)

A small café and snack counter near the harbour that functions primarily as a coffee stop and light lunch spot. Sandwiches, soup, and hot drinks in the ISK 800–1,800 range. It’s not a dinner destination, but it’s the best quick option for a mid-morning break when you’re coming in from the glacier. Open approximately 09:00–17:00, hours vary by season.

The Supermarket Option

Krónan, the main supermarket in Höfn, has a deli counter with smoked fish, skyr, Icelandic rye bread (rúgbrauð), and prepared foods. If you’re self-catering or on a tight budget, this is genuinely worth using. A meal assembled from the deli and bakery section typically costs ISK 1,200–2,500 per person. The supermarket is open approximately 10:00–20:00 daily.

What to Order

Langoustine (humar) — Order them however you can: grilled, in bisque, in garlic butter, on pizza. This is why you’re here.

Icelandic lamb (lambakjöt) — Höfn is surrounded by highland pasture. The lamb is excellent and appears on most menus as either a rack, cutlets, or a slow-cooked shank. Expect to pay approximately ISK 5,500–8,000 for a lamb main at a full-service restaurant.

Skyr desserts — Every restaurant offers some form of skyr-based dessert, often with wild berries or skyr mousse. It’s worth saving room for.

Icelandic beer — Víking and Egill’s are the most common local lagers. A half-litre costs approximately ISK 1,200–1,600 in a restaurant. Craft beer options are limited in Höfn compared to Reykjavík.

The Langoustine Festival

If you’re visiting in late June — typically the last weekend of June — the Langoustine Festival (Humárfestival) transforms the harbour area. Street food stalls, live music, and a local carnival atmosphere make it one of the better annual events in rural Iceland. Langoustine dishes sold at the stalls typically cost ISK 2,000–3,500. The festival is free to enter; individual food stalls charge separately. It draws visitors from across Iceland and can make accommodation significantly harder to find — if this is your reason for visiting, book months ahead.

Practical Notes

Dinner hours are strict. Most restaurants stop taking orders by 21:00–21:30. If you’re arriving from a long glacier day and it’s already 20:45, call ahead to confirm the kitchen is still open.

No late-night eating. Höfn is not a late-night town. Nothing is open past 22:00. Bring snacks for the guesthouse if you want to eat after the restaurants close.

Cash is unnecessary but acceptable. Every restaurant accepts card. ISK cash is fine but you won’t need it.

For places to stay in town, see our Höfn accommodation guide. For glacier excursions, our day trips from Höfn covers Jökulsárlón and beyond.

Book Iceland attraction tickets — skip-the-queue entry for geothermal baths, cave tours, and top attractions.

Browse Iceland tours — day trips, activity bookings, and multi-day packages across the country in one place.

Get travel insurance for Iceland — policies covering glacier hikes, F-road driving, and volcanic disruption.

See Also

• Höfn city guide — Full Höfn overview including hotel and restaurant recommendations
• Icelandic seafood guide — Langoustine, skyr, and the seafood traditions of Iceland
• Things to Do in Höfn — Glacier lagoon, ice caves, and the Höfn Humarhátíð lobster festival