Leaving Boston on the evening of my 40th birthday, I arrived in Iceland at 5am and proceeded to the Blue Lagoon via the first FlyBus of the morning. Since you can’t get into your hotel room until at least 2 or 3 pm, there’s really no point in heading to Reykjavik that early. So the best thing to do is head to the Blue Lagoon for a soak! When I booked my entrance ticket, I made lunch reservations for 11:30 which is when they open.
I was greeted with a glass of sparking wine and a chilled bottle of what is literally the world’s best water. I had a pretty decent table near the windows overlooking the lagoon, and the restaurant is nestled right into the lava cliffs. There was a crazy storm going on outside and the rain was coming in sideways and it was cold, so I was quite happy to be inside watching the wind blow the steam around the lagoon.
Since I was in a mind to splurge for my 40th birthday, I went with the 3 course meal for 7600ISK which is about $75. Steep, I know! But I figure this may be the only time I am ever eating a special occasion lunch in Iceland, so I went all in. I wish I’d had someone with me, but it was still nice anyway.
They offer 3 different set menus at LAVA, as well as a la carte options. I went with the Seafood Menu, and after I placed my order they brought out a lovely bread selection. The breads were nice, but what I soon learned is that Icelandic butter is quite the production. I love how they serve it on a little “dish” of lava rock, and it’s always topped with something incredibly fancy like violet sea salt or something lovely.
The first course was a Langoustine soup, described as Garlic marinated langoustine, dulse. It was warm, creamy, salty and fishy. Absolutely perfect for a blustery and cold day outside.
The main entree was Cod, prepared with cauliflower, barley, fennel, and mussel sauce. It was super lemony, full of fennel, and so beautiful. I enjoyed most of it but it wasn’t my favorite. It was an absolutely lovely presentation, though.
And finally, dessert was an orange creme brulee with lemon sorbet. It was delicious, creamy and crispy!
It was really a delightful and enjoyable meal in a beautiful restaurant. I enjoyed the long break after swimming in the lagoon to fuel up for a bit before heading out to catch the bus to Reykjavik. I’d highly recommend a stop at this restaurant if you’re at the Blue Lagoon!
