Tjöruhúsið in Iceland's Westfjords offers one of the most unique and delicious seafood buffets we've ever encountered. Here's what to expect!
Tjöruhúsið is a small seafood restaurant in Isafjordur, the largest town in Iceland’s Westfjords. It serves family-style seafood meals at specific times.
There is no set menu here. Instead, they serve whatever fish the local fishermen caught: some from the day-of, some from a day or two previous if it was a fish that needed to marinate or rest for the best flavor profile.
The evening we visited, the fish included langostine, halibut, salmon, salt cod, cod cheeks, wolffish and more.
I'd heard from multiple people that it was the best seafood they’d had in their entire lives, so I was pretty excited about this restaurant. And, yes, it turned out to be a highlight of my unofficial foodie tour.
Do I Need a Reservation?
Reservations are highly recommended, because they do sell out. Also it’s harder to know what time the meal begins without a reservation.
To get a reservation, you can call, but I didn’t want to make an international phone call. Instead, I messaged them on Facebook, and that worked really well!
When you make a reservation, don’t plan anything else for right after. Dinner here isn’t a quick experience: you should figure at least two hours. We were there for three, although the last hour was mostly just talking to the others at our table.
Dinner Prices
When we visited, dinner was 9000 ISK per person, plus the cost of any drinks. That’s around $65 (US Dollars) per person at the current conversion rate.
Considering it’s basically an unlimited buffet that included of some of the priciest fish I’ve ever ordered, that seemed more than reasonable.
There was also a cheaper lunch option listed, but I’m not sure how the experience differed for lunch. (We weren’t available for that time slot, so couldn't compare.)
I’d recommend messaging them on Facebook to double-check the latest pricing.
Arriving at Tjöruhúsið
When we arrived, the staff was still setting up for dinner, so we waited outside for a few moments and looked out at the fishing boats.
The restaurant is on a small peninsula on the outskirts of Isafjordur, so the views of the surrounding fjord and landscapes are fantastic.
Communal Seating
There are no private tables; instead, as you enter you’re directed to a spot on a long bench next to other dinner guests.
I’m unclear on how the owner chose where to seat us, but it wasn't based on our arrival time. He simply looked around and chose someone he thought we’d like to sit next to.
Amazingly, we ended up next to another couple who, like us, had just completed the Laugavegur Trail and planned to hike (but also canceled) Hornstrandir, the nearby nature preserve.
The places were set with dishes and water, and staff brought bread and other drinks as desired before dinner started. We tried a local seaweed beer.
Eating Dinner at Tjöruhúsið Is an Event
Once everyone was seated, the owner explained how dinner works. (We are to bring our bowl and stand in line for fish soup. Then later we’ll bring our plate and stand in line at the main course buffet.)
(The owner was hilarious — this felt more like dinner and a show!)
He also introduced us to the fisherman who caught the food we were about to eat.
And then, we got soup!
It was a fish soup with salmon, halibut, langostino, wine, brandy, and cream cheese. It was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted in my life!
When dinner was ready, we had the option to get sides first, including rice, salad, potatoes and more.
Then came the fish.
Our options were a little overwhelming, and included fried cod cheeks and an array of other fish dishes. Some were creamy, some were sweet, and every single one was melt in your mouth fabulous.
My plate isn’t the prettiest but — just as I'd been told — it was one of the tastiest meals I've ever had.
I found myself wishing I could eat even more because the food was so delicious, but I left absolutely as full as I could handle!
Coffee, hot tea, cookies and chocolate are available if you need something to round out your meal.
If you love seafood and will be near Isafjordur, this is a must do!
What Else Should I See in the Westfjords?
See my suggestions for the top things to do in the Westfjords. It's a huge, though rather remote, region that can easily supply you with activities for a couple of days or more.
A visit to the Látrabjarg bird cliffs should be at the top of the list (at least, if you get as excited about puffins as I do!). It's about a three-hour drive from Isafjordur.
The Westfjords are dazzling just to drive around in, and we made some of our best food and nature memories there. Let us know how your trip goes!
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