Best Restaurants in Húsavík: Where to Eat in Iceland's Whale Watching Capital

Húsavík sits on Skjálfandi Bay in north Iceland, population around 2,200, and its economy is built on two things: fishing and whale watching. That combination means the town has a better relationship with fresh seafood than you’d expect from somewhere this size — the same boats that spot humpback whales in the morning bring fish back to the quayside in the afternoon.

The restaurant scene is small but not disappointing. Three or four places stand out from the backdrop of petrol station snacks and hotel buffets. Here’s what’s worth knowing.

Salka Restaurant

Salka is the main event in Húsavík dining. It sits on the harbour with a view across Skjálfandi Bay and serves a menu centred on local fish and traditional Icelandic ingredients. The fish soup — a cream-based broth with Arctic char, cod, or whatever the day’s catch dictates — is approximately ISK 2,200–2,800 and is one of the better versions you’ll find in north Iceland. Fish mains run approximately ISK 3,500–6,500 as of 2026; the pan-fried fish of the day is usually the right call.

The lamb is also good — Salka serves a slow-cooked lamb shank that benefits from the north Iceland pasture. Desserts lean on skyr in various forms. The dining room fills quickly in July; walk-ins at 19:30 may wait. Book via their website or call ahead. Dinner for two with a drink runs approximately ISK 9,000–16,000.

Gamli Baukur (Old Bucket)

Gamli Baukur is a harbourside pub-restaurant that occupies a converted boathouse. It serves a broader menu than Salka — burgers, pizza, fish and chips alongside the more Icelandic dishes — and is the right choice when you want a beer with your food or prefer a more relaxed setting. A half-litre of draught beer costs approximately ISK 1,200–1,500. Fish and chips run approximately ISK 2,800–3,800; burgers are in a similar range. The fish soup is also on the menu here and is reliably good.

Gamli Baukur tends to be livelier in the evenings — locals and tourists both use it as the informal social hub of Húsavík. It’s a good spot to hear about what whale watching tours went well that day.

Naustið (The Boathouse)

A smaller, more casual café and sandwich bar near the whale watching company offices. Naustið is better for lunch than dinner — it closes earlier than Salka and Gamli Baukur. The menu covers sandwiches, soup, waffles, and coffee. The homemade waffles with skyr and jam are a reliable order (approximately ISK 1,200–1,600). If you’re heading out on a whale watching tour and want something to eat beforehand, this is where to stop.

GeoSea Café

GeoSea is the geothermal sea baths 2 km north of Húsavík town, perched on a cliff above the ocean. The café attached to the facility serves coffee, light snacks, and soup while visitors soak in the infinity pools overlooking Skjálfandi Bay. It’s not a full restaurant, but the setting — geothermal water, whale-sighting distance offshore, northern light — makes a coffee here one of the most atmospheric breaks available in north Iceland. Entry to GeoSea costs approximately ISK 5,500 per adult as of 2026; the café is available to bathers.

The Supermarket Option

The Krónan supermarket in Húsavík is on the main street and functions as the town’s self-catering resource. The deli counter stocks smoked fish, cold cuts, and prepared salads; the bakery section has fresh bread and pastries. A self-assembled meal from Krónan costs approximately ISK 1,500–3,000 for two. If you have guesthouse kitchen access, this significantly reduces your food spend.

What to Drink

Brennivín: Iceland’s signature aquavit — caraway-flavoured spirit — is on the menu in most restaurants. Try it as a shot after the fish soup for the full Icelandic effect. A glass costs approximately ISK 1,200–1,600.

Local ale: Some Húsavík restaurants stock beers from north Iceland’s small craft producers. Askur Brugghús in Akureyri (1 hour south) produces a range that occasionally reaches Húsavík’s better restaurants.

Arctic char with white wine: The combination works well. Most restaurants have a short wine list; ask what pairs with the fish of the day.

Eating After a Whale Watching Tour

Whale watching tours from Húsavík typically depart at 09:00 and 13:00 and run 2–3.5 hours. The most popular post-tour lunch order is fish soup at Salka — the timing works, the harbour view extends the experience, and the soup is warming after time on the water. Gamli Baukur handles the same post-tour traffic for those who want something heartier.

For other activities around Húsavík, see our Húsavík things to do guide. For planning day trips to Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi from here, see day trips from Húsavík.

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

Book Húsavík whale watching tours — traditional oak boat and high-speed RIB options from the harbour.

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

See Also

• Húsavík city guide — Full overview of the whale watching capital
• Things to Do in Húsavík — Whale watching, GeoSea baths, and the Whale Museum
• Icelandic seafood guide — Langoustine, Arctic char, and the fish you’ll encounter throughout Iceland
• Icelandic food guide — What to eat across Iceland: traditional dishes and regional specialities