Eyri Restaurant: Indulge in culinary delights off the beaten track

In the picturesque fishing village Hjalteyri, visitors can enjoy a curated dining experience at Eyri Restaurant. This is also a meeting place for locals, who come to enjoy the culinary delights, the warm atmosphere and the stunning views of fjord Eyjafjörður.

Eyri is located in the small village of Hjalteyri, on the shores of fjord Eyjafjörður in northern Iceland. The brainchild of chef Nik Peros, this restaurant has become a hub for the local community as well as visitors. The village’s only restaurant, which can seat up to 30 people at a time, serves fresh, locally sourced organic food.

Think traditional Icelandic cuisine but elevated and with a high-end twist. “My dream was to have a small place not far from Akureyri, where people can indulge in something a bit different in a tranquil setting,” says Peros. Growing up in a restaurateur family, Peros also has plenty of experience cooking Arctic food on the Greenland Sea and in Finnish Lapland.

“Our menu is centred around local and organic ingredients,” says the chef. “We value Icelandic produce and strive to offer the freshest available from our area. It’s important for us to know not only where the food comes from, but also what the animals have been eating. We also forage mushrooms and collect seaweed and herbs such as Arctic thyme and Angelica – it’s such a privilege to have these local ingredients just around the corner.”

The team varies the menu depending on season, with fish and seafood as well as lamb, goose, reindeer, beef, and vegan dishes. Eyri also has its own smokery and smokes fish, meat, vegetables as well as cheese. A special treat is a dessert made with skyr, the thick and creamy Icelandic yoghurt. In addition to its fantastic dishes, the restaurant has a curated list of wines and beers.

The small fishing village Hjalteyri, with a population of around 40, has played a fundamental role as one of the major fishing ports of the northern region. Here, the old herring factory has been converted to an artisan hub, with artist studios as well as a whale watching station and a dive centre nearby. After a meal at Eyri, guests can go for a stroll and explore the artist workshops, and perhaps unwind in the local hot tub – the perfect activity after a delicious meal.

Web: eyrirestaurant.is
Facebook: Eyri - Hjalteyri
Instagram: @eyri_hjalteyri

If unable to travel to Hjalteyri, you can visit Torfanhús Restaurant in Reykjavik, which chef Nik Peros is opening with partners. It will have similar offerings as Eyri.