Humarsupa is a rich, creamy soup built on Icelandic langoustine, the small sweet shellfish often called lobster locally. The shells are simmered for a deep stock before the tail meat is added.
Icelandic langoustine, humar, is prized for its sweetness, pulled from the cold waters off the south coast. The soup made its name at Saegreifinn, the harbour shack where a former fisherman started ladling it in 2003, and travellers now cross Reykjavik for a bowl. A good humarsupa simmers the shells for a tomato-tinged bisque, then finishes with cream and the reserved tails, served with bread to mop the bowl.
3 editor picks for Humarsupa (langoustine soup) in Reykjavik, ranked by editorial score. All Reykjavik signature dishes · Humarsupa (langoustine soup) across every city.
Saegreifinn ★ 4.4
101-grandi · Geirsgata 4a, 101 Reykjavik
Saegreifinn, the Sea Baron, on Geirsgata serves a langoustine soup many call the world's best, plus grilled fish skewers in a tiny harbour shack in Reykjavik.
Kopar ★ 4.3
101-grandi · Geirsgata 3, 101 Reykjavik
Kopar sits over the water at the Old Harbour on Geirsgata, a Reykjavik seafood room that leans on local langoustine and cod with vegan plates too.
Hofnin ★ 4.1
101-grandi · Geirsgata 7c, 101 Reykjavik
Hofnin, The Harbour, fills a 1930s house on Geirsgata with family-run Icelandic seafood, a Reykjavik room for shellfish soup and plokkfiskur by the marina.