Tjöruhúsið

Eating soup in the "Tar House"

During the years 1760 to 1870 in Ísafjörður a trading center grew up, called "Neðstakaupstaður", the "lower trading center". The four buildings still remaining from this time form the oldest intact place of settlement in Iceland.

Today two of these houses are used as living quarters. "Turnhús", the "tower house", which had been a warehouse, hosts the Westfjords Heritage Museum. And in the former tar house ("tjöruhús"), where in the past ships had been tarred, there is now a fish restaurant named "Tjöruhúsið".

Museum on the left, "Tjöruhúsið" on the right

For dinner you should reserve a table. But at lunchtime we had luck and got a table without reservation. The restaurant was well attended, but not completely full. However, we had chosen a day, where no cruiser ship was in Ísafjörður. Otherwise it would probably have been crowded. But so, most of the guests in Tjöruhúsið were Icelanders, partly local residents, partly tourists from other parts of Iceland.

Tjöruhúsið only serves fish. You have the choice between fish soup with bread and the fish buffet. The buffet includes the soup, too, but in addition a various salads and a big variety of warm fish dishes served in big cast-iron pans, which come directly from the kitchen.

The content of the pans smelled delicious. When the cook brought the pan, licking his lips, he himself seemed to enjoy the food.

Here an overview over the cold dishes of the lunch buffet. In the background you can see the large pot with the hot fish soup.

We did not choose the buffet, but just the fish soup. With about 2.000 ISK (approx. 16 €, 19 $) not inexpensive, even for Iceland. In addition you get bread and butter, everything in self-service.

The soup was fine, but my husband noticed, that he missed some prawns in it. What's wrong with him? He never liked prawns or similar sea food. But after tasting so many fish and seafood soups in Iceland, obviously his taste has changed.

Coffee was offered after lunch.

The fish soup was fine. The fish buffet looked delicious. The location with its quaint and cozy atmosphere is charming. So, if it is not overcrowded with cruise tourists, Tjöruhúsið is worth a visit, for sure. 

[Translated from here.]