Flatbread with hummus and small sharing plates served on a dark table at Eyja bistro in Akureyri. Eyja Vinstofa & Bistro is a cozy wine bar and bistro in the heart of Akureyri, North Iceland. A wine list that changes every week, small plates made for sharing, and a relaxed three-course dinner make it an easy place to spend an evening after a day of exploring the north.

Eyja means island in Icelandic, a fitting name for a small, warm hideaway built around good wine, good food, and time with friends. A young couple from Akureyri opened it in the spring of 2022, convinced their hometown needed a wine bar with gourmet food to match.

Eyja is part of Guide to Iceland's VIP Club, so members get 10% off the three-course menu every day of the week.

Wines by the Glass and Bottle at Eyja

Wine is the heart of Eyja. The list changes every week, and the wines open by the glass each night are written on the chalkboard, so there is always something new to try.

The bottle list leans on France, with Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhone, then travels through Spain, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Germany, Chile, Australia, and the USA. Bubble lovers can pick from Champagne and other sparkling wines, and there is a short list of orange wines. Larger groups can share a 51-ounce (1.5-liter) magnum.

Not in the mood for wine? Eyja also pours cocktails, beer, and spirits, and the spirits selection changes daily. Happy hour runs from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, a good excuse to arrive early.

Eyja's Small Plates Menu

Eyja Vinstofa & Bistro’s menu is built around small courses meant for sharing, so the best approach is to order a few for the table. Expect plates like baked shrimp with garlic and chili, tuna sashimi with pomegranate, chicken or vegetable gyoza, and baked Gullostur, an Icelandic cheese, with honey and nuts.

Marinated olives, fries with truffle mayo, and flatbread with hummus are easy picks with a glass of wine. Hungrier diners can move on to grilled beef tenderloin with chimichurri, cod fillet with the house Eyja sauce, or a cauliflower steak for vegetarians. Desserts include creme brulee, chocolate mousse, and lemon cake.

The Three-Course Menu at Eyja

The three-course menu costs 12,500 ISK (about 105 USD) per person. It opens with tomato and grilled pepper soup, moves on to beef tenderloin or cod fillet, and finishes with creme brulee.

VIP Club members save 10% on the three-course menu every day, which brings the price down to 11,250 ISK (about 90 USD) per person.

Over the Christmas season, Eyja also serves a three-course Christmas menu for 13,400 ISK (about 110 USD) and a five-course version for 17,400 ISK (about 145 USD). Both feature lobster soup and duck breast.

Group Dinners and Private Events at Eyja

Traveling with a larger group? Eyja can host up to 50 people for dinner, or 70 for drinks, and offers set menus for groups.

For a birthday, an anniversary, or a farewell dinner at the end of your trip, the private room seats up to 24 guests. You can also book the whole venue. Send group and private room requests by email to eyja@eyjaak.is.

Visiting Eyja in Downtown Akureyri

Eyja sits at Hafnarstraeti 90, a two-minute walk from the Akureyri Art Museum and three minutes from Akureyrarkirkja, the town's landmark church. That makes it a natural stop after an afternoon in the town center.

Eyja opens daily at 4 PM. It closes at 10 PM from Sunday to Thursday and at 11:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. In winter, the kitchen serves food from 5 PM to 9 PM, so plan dinner accordingly. You can book a table at Eyja in advance.

To plan the rest of your stay, browse hotels and accommodation in Akureyri and the top things to do in Akureyri.