Eat · Harpa & Old Harbour
Old Harbour fish and soup counters
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.
- 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.
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…In winter, ice and snow make suitcases hard to wheel
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Iceland ↗Iceland is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Iceland ↗Driving off marked roads is illegal and fined heavily; F-roads into the highlands open only in summer and require a 4x4.
- Iceland ↗Check the road authority's conditions map and the Met Office forecast every morning, and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel for hikes and remote drives.
- Capital Region Iceland ↗Check the road-condition and weather services before any drive out of the city; winter storms close roads.
- Reykjavík ↗In winter, ice and snow make suitcases hard to wheel: large suitcases go from the car to the door, never on a walk.
- Reykjavík ↗Check the Icelandic Met Office and the road-condition service on the day; storm warnings can close roads, the tower and tours.
More
Map & directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
Open now, when you can walk in, what to order
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
Walk-in windows
Tip
Format
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
Your first order
- Fish soupfiskisúpaThe classic harbour meal.ISK 2,800–4,200≈ US$25–35
Menus and prices change; the board on the day wins.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
On the ground
How to order, tip and pay, allergies, and booking
How to order
- Read the price board at the counter; soup of the day and bread are common.
- Take a seat inside if the wind is high.
Tipping
Unlike in the US, no tip is expected here.
Allergies and diets
- NoVegetarian · Fish and lamb; ask for a vegetable option. · say: “Ég er grænmetisæta.”
- NoVegan · Not suitable.
- AskHalal · Fish is possible; ask about stock. · say: “Ég borða ekki svínakjöt.”
- AskGluten-free · Bread is wheat; soup may be thickened.
- AskNut allergy · Show a card.
- Not on fileAllergy · Fish, shellfish and milk are in most items; show a card. · say: “Ég er með ofnæmi fyrir ___.”
Paying
Bring cash
- 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.
Booking
- Booking
- Walk-in, no reservation
- Reservations
- Not taken
- Note
- Walk-in.
Not checked in the last 12 months (no check date on file).
Map and nearby
Where this place is, how to get there, and what is around it
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Nearby places
Eat nearby
More detail
Everything else we know about this place
How to order here, in full
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.
Price and paying
- Typical spend
- ISK 2,800–4,500 (≈ US$25–40) per person for a soup and bread
Paying, diet and allergies
Paying
Accepted at some counters.
Common; confirm at the counter.
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.
Who it suits, booking and the kitchen
Who it suits, booking, closures
- 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. |
Show the kitchen
Tap a need to get a large screen you can hold up to staff. The wording is the guide’s; a helper who reads the language should confirm it if your allergy is serious.
Hour by hour, with queue times
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.
Comfort, facts and cons
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.
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
- 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, alternatives, and where our facts come from
Questions and answers
Questions and answers
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.
If it is closed or full
Nearby alternatives
If it is closed or the line is too long
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur5 min walkA hot dog stand.
- Brauð & Co17 min walkA bakery.
- Svarta Kaffið14 min walkA café on Laugavegur known for soup in a bread bowl: a filling, warming lunch for about ISK 3,000–4,000; go at 11:30 or 14:00 to avoid the rush.A café on Laugavegur known for soup in a bread bowl: a filling, warming lunch for about ISK 3,000–4,000; go at 11:30 AM or 2:00 PM to avoid the rush.
- Café Loki21 min walkA café opposite Hallgrímskirkja serving traditional Icelandic plates: fish stew, lamb soup and rye bread; a warm lunch stop with a view of the church.
Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h (3 mph)3 mph (5 km/h).
All places to eat in Reykjavík, with filters →
Used as a seated rest node in Reykjavík in 4 days.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Reykjavík (eat)
- officialVisit Reykjavík
Was this useful?
Add Old Harbour fish and soup counters to a day
Source: Price per person
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
Prices are 2026 estimates from the menu or the price line on file. Check on the day.
Source: Opening hours
Source: Best time
Draft
Written from desk research. Not yet compared with the official source.
No official source is recorded for this figure.
The easiest walk-in window or the quietest hour in this guide. Crowd levels are desk estimates, not counts.