Introduction to Neskaupstadur in Northeast Iceland; things to do + restaurant reviews

Introduction to Neskaupstadur in Northeast Iceland

Located on the fjord Nordfjordur, the avalanche-vulnerable town of NESKAUPSTADUR has constructed a variety of defenses, including a long stone wall to catch runaway snow.  As in most towns in Iceland, an outdoor geo-thermal public swimming pool is in the center of town, and because the town is also the center for volleyball in Iceland it has two sand courts.  Many excursions can be arranged from here, including gourmet foodie tours, kayaking, golfing, trout-fishing, hiking, snowcat tours, and skiing.

Museum House/Nordfjordur Museum/Museum of Natural History

Eglisbraut 2.  Daily 1-9pm.  

This two-story building is home to local art, various collections of tools, and a large display upstairs of stuffed local wildlife. 

exhibit at the Museum House/Nordfjordur Museum/Museum of Natural History
in Neskaupstadur, Iceland

Hotel Hildibrand  

Hafnarbraut 2.  15 units.  

This boutique apartment hotel features simple, clean-lined contemporary style.  Units have stellar views and private balconies.  The inn was reopened in 2014 by the great grandson of the original owner. 

●Kaupfelagsbarinn restaurant  

Iceland’s slow-food movement is centered in this simple hotel restaurant.  The menu focuses on seafood, including sushi, and foodies are welcome.  My delicious lunch included: 

bread with two spreads:
tomato, and arugula-pine nuts with an Italian Pino Grigio

creamy Icelandic Wild Mushroom Soup and Cured Wild Goose
with Sour Crowberry Vinaigrette (from the blueberry family)

delicate peach-colored Panfried Arctic Char with Caramel-Butter,
sautéed greens, garlic potatoes, and barley with a tasty Italian red Campofiorin

Port-Glazed Wild Reindeer Steak (it tasted ungamey with a hint of liver) with creamy walnuts, freshly picked vegetables, and sweet potato mash

Skyr Mousse with White Chocolate and Fresh Blueberries

Skorrastaour farm  

In the valley of Nordfjordur, close to town..  You can ride the celebrated Icelandic horse on this lovely farm.  You can do a simple ride and experience the horse’s famous tolt gait, stay for a night, or book in for a longer stay that can include riding lessons, herding sheep, a walk in the valley to pick blueberries and crow berries, and more.  Guest rooms are available in a renovated barv with a sleeping loft.  The owners speak excellent English, and you become a member of their family during your stay.

On my visit, we had afternoon tea with the owners in their home.  On the menu were “sunshine pancakes”—crepes served with blueberry preserves and whipped cream—and round donut-hole-like “love balls.”  The pancakes are served to celebrate the return of the sun after the sunless few months that occur here every winter. 

 

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images and videos ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers