Best Restaurants on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Where to Eat in West Iceland

Snæfellsnes is 90 km long and around 12 km wide at its centre — a dramatic blade of basalt, glacier, and lava field jutting into the Atlantic. Kirkjufell sits at its shoulder. Snæfellsjökull caps the tip. In between are fishing villages, lava tube caves, basalt arches, and a small chain of restaurants that serve the peninsula’s 8,000 permanent residents and the considerable seasonal visitor traffic.

The restaurant scene here is distributed across several towns rather than concentrated in one. Stykkishólmur at the north end has the most options. Grundarfjörður near Kirkjufell has a couple. Arnarstapi in the south has a café. Everything else is a petrol station.

Narfeyrarstofa (Stykkishólmur)

Narfeyrarstofa is the most acclaimed restaurant on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It’s in a historic timber building in Stykkishólmur, decorated with old photographs and maritime objects, and serves a menu of west Iceland seafood and lamb with genuine care. The pan-fried lemon sole, the fish soup, and the lamb main are the most commonly recommended orders. Mains run approximately ISK 4,500–8,000 as of 2026; the fish soup is approximately ISK 2,200–2,800. Bookings are strongly recommended for dinner in July and August. The wine list is short but well-chosen.

Plássan Bistro (Stykkishólmur)

A more casual bistro in Stykkishólmur’s harbour area, Plássan serves burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, and Icelandic comfort food in a relaxed setting. Mains run approximately ISK 2,500–4,500. It’s a good lunch option — open earlier than Narfeyrarstofa and more accommodating for families or groups with varying tastes. The fish and chips is reliable; the clam chowder is worth trying if on the menu.

Kirkjufell Bistro (Grundarfjörður)

The most convenient restaurant to Kirkjufell mountain is in Grundarfjörður, 5 km west of the famous peak. Kirkjufell Bistro serves a simple menu of fish, lamb, and burgers at approximately ISK 2,800–5,000 per main as of 2026. It functions as the primary lunch stop for visitors doing the Kirkjufellfoss hike and the Snæfellsnes west-end circuit. Not a destination restaurant, but consistently solid and conveniently located.

Grundarfjörður Hotel Restaurant

The hotel restaurant in Grundarfjörður is the alternative to the bistro for something slightly more substantial. It serves a set menu or daily specials based on local fish and lamb. Dinner mains run approximately ISK 4,000–6,500 as of 2026. Reservations are advisable for evenings — the hotel has limited capacity and the same guests who are staying fill most of the tables.

Arnarstapi Café

Arnarstapi is a tiny fishing harbour on the southern coast of the peninsula, directly beneath Snæfellsjökull’s southern flanks. The café at the harbour serves coffee, soup, and light snacks to visitors walking the Arnarstapi–Hellnar coastal trail. It’s primarily a coffee-and-cake stop rather than a proper restaurant, but the location — a natural harbour full of basalt sea stacks and seabirds — makes it worth a stop. Light meals cost approximately ISK 1,000–2,200.

Hellissandur Café

On the northwest tip of the peninsula, Hellissandur has a small café-restaurant serving the local fishing village’s needs and passing travellers. If you’re making the full circuit around the glacier road (Route 574) and stopping at Snæfellsjökull National Park’s western access points, Hellissandur is the most convenient fuel-and-food stop on the north coast.

What to Order

West Iceland cod (þorskur): The waters off Snæfellsnes have been cod fishing grounds for centuries. Pan-fried, salt-cured (harðfiskur), or in soup — all forms are worth trying. Narfeyrarstofa does it best.

Hákarl (fermented shark): West Iceland is one of the production centres for Greenlandic shark fermented underground for several months. Shops in Stykkishólmur and roadside stalls sell it; several restaurants serve it as a starter with brennivín. Try it once.

Harðfiskur (dried fish): This Icelandic staple — wind-dried cod or haddock — is sold in every petrol station and shop on the peninsula. It’s an acquired taste (powerful umami, very dry) but is the most authentic Icelandic snack food and carries well on hiking days.

West Iceland skyr: Skyr is produced across Iceland, but the dairy farms in west Iceland supply some of the freshest versions. Served in bowls with local blueberries as a dessert at most restaurants.

Supermarkets

Stykkishólmur: Has a Krónan supermarket on the main street, open approximately 10:00–19:00. This is the best-stocked supermarket on the peninsula.

Ólafsvík: Also has a Krónan, useful for provisioning if you’re camping at the western end of the peninsula near the glacier.

For what to explore on the peninsula, see our Snæfellsnes things to do guide. For day trip ideas from the west coast, see day trips on Snæfellsnes.

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

Browse Snæfellsnes Peninsula tours — full-day tours from Reykjavík covering Kirkjufell, the glacier, and coastal highlights.

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

See Also

• Snæfellsnes Peninsula guide — Full overview of the peninsula
• Icelandic food guide — Icelandic cuisine: what to expect and what to order
• Things to Do on Snæfellsnes — Glacier hikes, coastal landscapes, and Kirkjufell