Lunch at Friðheimar in Iceland

Imagine eating lunch inside a cozy greenhouse during the middle of winter in Iceland. Kind of magical, right? That vision is what led me to make a reservation for a late lunch at Friðheimar in Reykholt.

We made the drive from our apartment in Reykjavík, which took us about an hour and a half.

First Impressions

When we arrived at Friðheimar, my first impression was that the beautiful, snow-covered property was something out of a dream. My second thought was wow this place is c-r-o-w-d-e-d, but that wasn’t too worrying since we had a reservation.

The Gorgeous Grounds

And, really, it wasn’t surprising that the property was busy. Friðheimar is a super unique place. One of the reasons why Friðheimar is special is that it provides you with the opportunity to eat inside the actual greenhouse your food has been grown in. It’s a true farm-to-table experience! You can even watch friendly bees fly around pollinating flowers – so awesome! Another fun fact is that the greenhouses are heated with geothermal water. Thanks to this green electricity, the farmers have all the light they need to grow crops in the wintertime when daylight is very limited.

The Restaurant 

While Friðheimar has a good-sized menu, most of their offerings are centered around tomatoes. As you sit next to beautiful tomato vines that essentially drape from the ceiling to the floor, you can enjoy a wide assortment of tomato-based options like their famous tomato soup that’s served buffet style with an incredible selection of delicious, homemade bread. Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can enjoy a tomato espresso or even tomato ice cream!

Exploring the Property

After I filled up on tomato soup and bread (the olive bread was my favorite!), I went and explored the property. I loved the wooded area right outside the greenhouse, and I had so much fun watching the adorable horses eat and play.

What to Know Before You go:

+ As I mentioned earlier, Friðheimar is about an hour and a half away from Reykjavík so plan accordingly.

+ If you want to sit in the restaurant section that’s right by the tomato vines, you’ll likely need to make reservations. There are only a few tables in the area, but there’s a larger first-come-first-served section, including a bar, nearby in the greenhouse.

+ If you’re sensitive to heat or lights, I recommend sitting in the bar area of the restaurant where it’s cooler and the lighting is less intense.

+ You can sign up for tours, including one with the horses, if you’re interested.

+ They have a little gift shop at the entrance of the greenhouse so don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs!

+ This is a popular stop for big-bus tours, but the busses never stick around for too long so don’t worry! The giant wave of people will probably be in and out rather quickly.

+ COSTS: Friðheimar is a very reasonable place to eat at! Their tomato soup and bread buffet is one of the most economical meals I’ve ever had in Iceland.

Get in Touch

If you want to learn more about visiting Friðheimar, feel free to email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com. Or, you can comment below with any questions you have.