Tales of the Table · Heritage · Old Harbour
The fisherman who fed the world lobster soup
Kjartan Halldórsson spent his life at sea before opening a small fish shop by Reykjavík's old harbour in 2002. Tourists kept asking to taste the catch – so he started cooking.
The lobster soup and grilled fish skewers were an instant hit. In the early days guests sat on barrels in the old fishing hut on Geirsgata, and Kjartan never hesitated to call his soup the best in the world.
Elísabet Jean Skúladóttir started working there part-time and bought the business in 2011. She has kept its spirit intact – right down to a life-size wax figure of the late Kjartan, who still keeps an eye on the room.
Next year Sægreifinn turns 25. The soup recipe, as far as anyone knows, hasn't changed.
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