With so much to do and see on a busy road trip around Iceland, slowing down for an indulgent midday meal feels opulent. Café Klausturkaffi is very much in the middle of nowhere so it is surprising that such a fabulous option is available.
In the summer a lunch buffet of local Icelandic cuisine is offered for $30. The atmosphere couldn’t possibly be more idyllic, located in the famous European author Gunnar Gunnarsson’s mansion.
A gorgeous spread of offerings start with homemade soups, on the day we dined there was a cream of mushroom and a cauliflower chowder.
Paired with several options of home-baked bread to clean your bowl with or to douse with Icelandic butter.
Try some of the spread which are made in house, such as the bright and unique angelica rhubarb jam or the Sorrel pesto.
This is a country who dines heavily on protein, my husband loved trying the reindeer meatballs and lamb, we both savored the endlessly tender chicken and curried fish. Vegetarians will be happy to know there are so many options for them as well. Fresh crisp vegetables, home made hummus, and a variety of salads were very welcome as they aren’t presented frequently in Iceland. After all of that food, you’ll have to create room for coffee/tea and dessert.
The currant pie with a whopping dollop of clotted cream was heavenly, the gingerbread snap cookies were nostalgic. Klausturkaffi has souvenirs options such as bramble-berry jam and dandelion syrup if you want to create your own recipes at home, or share this experience with someone else. Other rooms in the home house Gunnarsson’s books and artifacts, along with art exhibits. You might find some more information on the wyrm monster named Lagarfljotsormur that lives in the nearby lake.
Visitors to the restaurant can walk to the ruins of a monastery from the 1500s.
Located just down the road in Eastern Iceland: