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What to order
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Fish Soup
Recommended multiple times as a standout item, praised for being rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. Reviews highlight versions made with fresh local fish, including halibut and langoustine, and note that it was often described as one of the best soups or seafood soups ever had.
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Cod Cheeks
Frequently singled out as a house specialty and a must-try. Reviewers loved its soft, scallop-like texture and described it as especially delicious, even calling it one of the best items on the buffet.
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Wolffish
Mentioned repeatedly as a standout fish, especially because of its uniquely soft, buttery, and flaky texture. Several reviews called it the best or most memorable fish on the menu.
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4
Seafood Chowder
Praised for its creamy tomato and white wine broth and overall depth of flavor. Reviewers described it as rich, comforting, and exceptionally good.
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5
Langoustine Soup
Called legendary and especially memorable for its flavorful bisque-style broth. Reviewers highlighted the combination of halibut and langoustine as a particularly delicious soup.
Details
Hours
| Monday | 6 to 10 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12 to 2 PM, 6 to 10 PM |
| Wednesday | 12 to 2 PM, 6 to 10 PM |
| Thursday | 12 to 2 PM, 6 to 10 PM |
| Friday | 12 to 2 PM, 6 to 10 PM |
| Saturday | 12 to 2 PM, 6 to 10 PM |
| Sunday | 12 to 2 PM, 6 to 10 PM |
About Tjöruhúsið
Tjöruhúsið is a seafood restaurant in Ísafjörður, Iceland, known for its family-style fish buffet and historic setting. Reviewers consistently praise the very fresh fish, the homemade fish soup and chowders, and the variety of dishes such as halibut, cod cheeks, wolffish, haddock, and salmon. The atmosphere is described as casual, cozy, and communal, with shared tables in an old building and warm, attentive service. It is popular for lunch and dinner, and reservations are required or strongly recommended.
Amenities
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- All you can eat
- Beer
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Salad bar
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Historic
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
Frequently asked
What is Tjöruhúsið known for?
It is best known for its seafood buffet and homemade fish soup, especially the rich chowder-style soups made with fresh fish and local ingredients. Reviewers also repeatedly mention the fresh daily catch, including halibut, cod cheeks, wolffish, haddock, and salted cod, served family-style in Ísafjörður.
What dishes are most recommended at Tjöruhúsið?
The most frequently praised dishes are the fish soup, seafood buffet, cod cheeks, halibut, and wolffish. Reviewers also call out the fresh bread with herb and garlic butter, plus fish stew variations with tomato-based or creamy broths, as standout parts of the meal.
What is the atmosphere like at Tjöruhúsið?
The vibe is casual, cozy, and historic, with long shared tables and a communal, family-style setup. Reviewers describe it as a warm place that suits groups and tourists well, but it is also listed as popular for solo dining because the shared meal format makes it easy to enjoy on your own.
Is Tjöruhúsið good value, and what is the price range?
It is a higher-value experience for a fixed seafood buffet, not a cheap casual meal, and reviewers say the quality and variety make it worth the cost. The restaurant also offers all-you-can-eat service, and some reviews note discounted pricing for kids, which helps with value for families.
Do you need a reservation, and when should you go?
Yes, reservations are required and dinner reservations are recommended, with lunch especially structured around set times like 12:00 pm or 1:15 pm. Reviewers say booking ahead is important, especially for cruise visitors or peak times, because the restaurant can fill up quickly.
Is parking available at Tjöruhúsið?
Yes. Free parking lot, Free street parking, Usually plenty of parking is available.
Does Tjöruhúsið have vegetarian options?
Yes, Tjöruhúsið offers vegetarian options.
Is Tjöruhúsið kid-friendly?
Yes, Tjöruhúsið is good for kids.
