Hamsa: Cosy bistro making waves in the local community

Born out of a vision to fill a gap in the culinary scene in Hoyvík, Hamsa has become a must-visit destination for visitors to the Faroe Islands. With a new concept and a varied menu including a range of popular Indian dishes, the experienced team of restaurateurs continue to wow the crowds.

Since its opening in 2022, Hamsa has received rave reviews from locals and visitors. “I had a dream of opening a restaurant and when I saw a gap in the market in Hoyvík, this area became a part of my dream,” says Amine Bouzidi, who runs Hamsa with his wife Jóhanna E. Bouzidi. “Hamsa is a new concept, a casual restaurant with high-quality food at affordable prices, for the local community.”

Photo: Brend Pictures

The menu consists of flavourful Indian, Mediterranean and western cuisine, including vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options. No doubt, Hamsa can satisfy most palates. “Faroe Islands is small and it’s hard to specialise in just one type of cuisine, so we decided to have a range of dishes. All made with fresh, high-quality ingredients,” says Amine.

You can pop by for a coffee or a beer, or for a meal with the family. The ambience is warm and welcoming, with décor inspired by Morocco. The intimate venue is small, with room for up to 25 people at a time. Hamsa is open for lunch and dinner, and the team also offers catering for bigger groups and special occasions.

Photo: Amy Hansen

The couple are experienced restaurateurs, opening pizzeria Reyðleyk (which means red onion) in 2019, also in Hoyvík, and another branch in Klaksvík last year. “With Reyðleyk, we were the first to elevate fast food here, with fresh ingredients and homemade pizzas and burgers,” says Jóhanna. “Since our opening, this has pretty much become the new standard.”

Hoyvík is an up-and-coming area, not far from the centre of Tórshavn, with a lot of new developments and young families. This seems to be an ideal place for new culinary concepts. “We took a leap, with both Reyðleyk and Hamsa, and it worked,” adds Amine. “We love seeing people get together, be it for a cosy evening with family or a fun party with friends. Food is the centre of what we do and we believe high-quality food should be a tasty accompaniment to any occasion.”

Amine Bouzidi. Photo: Brend Pictures

Web: www.hamsa.fo
Facebook: HAMSA
Instagram: @hamsabistro

Hamsa – opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 11.00 – 21.00
Saturday: 11.00 – 22.00
Sunday: 13.00 – 22.00