Eat · Harpa & Old Harbour

Old Harbour fish and soup countersFiskisúpa við höfnina

Q: What is the best value?

A soup and bread, about ISK 2,800–4,500.

Fish and lamb soup counters near the Old Harbour: a warm, quick lunch before or after a boat trip; confirm the counter is open and read the price board first.

last order: unknownmixedIcelandicNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person: ISK 2,800–4,500 (≈ US$25–40); Icelandic
Hours: unknown; see note below
Walk in: 11:30–14:00; easiest window
Seating: mixed
Card: yes
Getting there: Old Harbour quays, near the tour kiosks; 2 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Counter hours vary; confirm locally

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

11:30–14:00

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Paying

Bring cash

Per person

ISK 2,800–4,500 (≈ US$25–40)2026 estimate · check

DirectionsWhat to order ↓

Fish soup
Warm before a boat trip
Harbour setting
Order: Fish or lamb soup
Tables and stools
Walk-in window: 11:30–14:00
Queue risk: after 18:00
Bring cash

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

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Actions

Map & directions

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

11:30–14:00: high14:00–17:00: highafter 18:00: risky

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

Small counters and stalls at the Old Harbour (confirm locally)

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 09:00 (quiet).

09:00quietlittle or no wait
10:00quietlittle or no wait
11:00lightlittle or no wait
12:00busya short wait is possible
13:00heavyexpect a line
14:00busya short wait is possible
15:00lightlittle or no wait
16:00lightlittle or no wait
17:00lightlittle or no wait
18:00lightlittle or no wait

Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

1Read the price board at the counter; soup of the day and bread are common.
2Take a seat inside if the wind is high.

No shared language? Tap dishes in the order builder below and show the waiter the full-screen list in the local script. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In English	Say or show	Sounds like
The bill, please	Reikninginn, takk	RAYK-ning-in tahk
Hello	Halló	HAH-loh
Thank you	Takk	tahk

Extras, condiments and what costs extra

Ask for tap water.
Bread and refills: Some counters charge extra — Ask before you order.
Tap water is free and cold: ask for a glass, not bottled.

Paying and tipping

Unlike in the US, no tip is expected here.

Order and pay at the counter; ask about free refills.
No tipping; prices include tax.
Cards and phone payments are the norm; ask if a counter takes cards.
Tipping: Not expected; service is included. A small tip for exceptional service is welcome, not required.

At the table

Prices are high but portions are large: soup and bread is the value lunch.
Kitchens close early in the week: dinner service often stops around 21:00; book on Friday and Saturday.Kitchens close early in the week: dinner service often stops around 9:00 PM; book on Friday and Saturday.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate

Fish soupfiskisúpaThe classic harbour meal.ISK 2,800–4,200 (≈ US$25–35)order
Lamb soupkjötsúpaWarming.ISK 2,800–4,200 (≈ US$25–35)if hungry
Fish skewer or fish and chipsCheck the price board.ISK 3,500–5,500 (≈ US$30–45)if hungry
CoffeeAt a nearby café.ISK 600–900 (≈ US$5–8)if hungry

2026 estimate; menus change by counter.

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

Fish souporder
fiskisúpa
ISK 2,800–4,200 (≈ US$25–35)
Contains (from menu notes, check): fish
0
Lamb soup
kjötsúpa
ISK 2,800–4,200 (≈ US$25–35)
0
Fish skewer or fish and chips
ISK 3,500–5,500 (≈ US$30–45)
Contains (from menu notes, check): fish
0
Coffee
ISK 600–900 (≈ US$5–8)
0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Unlike in the US, no tip is expected here. Local custom: Not expected. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Price and paying

Typical spend: ISK 2,800–4,500 (≈ US$25–40) per person for a soup and bread

Paying

Cashsome stalls

Accepted at some counters.

Cardyes

Common; confirm at the counter.

QR walletsome stalls

Phone wallets through the terminal.

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

Vegetarianno
Fish and lamb; ask for a vegetable option.
Show: Ég er grænmetisæta.
Veganno
Not suitable.
Halalask
Fish is possible; ask about stock.
Show: Ég borða ekki svínakjöt.
Gluten-freeask
Bread is wheat; soup may be thickened.
Nut allergyask
Show a card.
Allergynot on file
Fish, shellfish and milk are in most items; show a card.
Show: Ég er með ofnæmi fyrir ___.

What is in the dishes

Fish soupfiskisúpafish
Fish skewer or fish and chipsfish

Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.

Make an allergy and diet card for Reykjavík →

Who it suits, booking, closures

goodSolo — A bowl at the counter.

goodKids — Warm soup.

cautionStroller — Cobbles and wind.

cautionGroups of 5+ — Small counters.

cautionWheelchair — Some counters have steps.

How to book: No booking; walk in.
How far ahead: Not needed
No-show / cancel fee: Not applicable
Dress code: A windproof layer.

When	Status	Note
Low season	check before you go	Some counters close in winter.
Public holidays	check before you go	Reduced hours at Christmas and New Year.

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Air: Open-air: hot at midday, wet in rain
Seating: Tables and stools
Kids: kids' menu: no · stroller: caution · Soup suits children; cold wind on the quay
Access: step-free: check · Quay surfaces; small counters with steps at some (check)

Hygiene

Choose a counter with a busy line and hot soup; skip lukewarm pots.

Facts

Reservations: Not taken — Walk-in.
Capabilities: food · seated_rest
Getting there: Old Harbour quays, near the tour kiosks · ~2 min walk

Cons

Counter hours vary by season.
Cash and card practices differ by counter.
Cold wind at outdoor tables.

Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check2 parts

Dish glossary

On the menu	What it is	Order it how
Fiskisúpa	Fish soup.	Say ‘fiskisúpa, takk’.
Kjötsúpa	Lamb soup.	Say ‘kjötsúpa, takk’.
Brauð	Bread.	Ask if bread is included.

Price check

2026 estimate

locals pay: A soup is about ISK 2,800–4,500 (≈ US$25–40) (2026 estimate).
tourist price: Counters near the quays may charge more than back streets; compare.
rule: No tipping; prices include tax.

Extra on the table	Typical charge	What to do
Bread and refills	Some counters charge extra	Ask before you order.

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

Which counter should I choose?

Look for a busy line and a clear price board.

Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk

Is it cheap?

Mid-range for Reykjavík.

Checked 2026-09-28 · Voykit desk

Is the counter open in winter?

Some close in low season; confirm locally.

What is the best value?

A soup and bread, about ISK 2,800–4,500 (≈ US$25–40).

Can I pay by card?

Usually; ask at the counter.

Are there seats?

A few inside and outside; wind is a risk.

Is it good before a boat trip?

Yes, a warm soup helps in the cold.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby alternatives

walk minutes · estimate

If it is closed or the line is too long

Go to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, about 5 min on foot; no reservation needed.

Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h3 mph.

All places to eat in Reykjavík, with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in Reykjavík in 4 days.

Sources

secondaryWikivoyage — Reykjavík (eat)
officialVisit Reykjavík