This is an article about the best pizzeria place in Reykjavik. But first some history.

Annus horribilis

2009 was a lousy year for Iceland. In the fall of 2008, the Icelandic banking bubble burst. The cost of living skyrocketed, Many people lost their jobs and homes. Tremendous energy was set free by the economic crisis, both positive and negative. Populists gained a foothold in Icelandic politics. Ruthless businesspeople fund the populists. They want to keep the Icelandic Krona as currency, stay outside the European Union (EU), and scuttle our new constitution. The good part is that Icelanders wrote a new constitution and applied to join the EU. The well-financed populists blocked those necessary changes.

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Pizza from Eldofninn, a Reykjavik pizzeria
Iceland could use bold flavors in 2009.

With the bad comes the good

What really changed Icelandic society in the right way is that a lot of innovative people started their own businesses. Many talented people who used to work at banks either jumped ship or lost their jobs. I work for one of those companies. Meniga is a fintech company founded right in the middle of the financial crisis. Its founders wanted to create better ways for people to improve their financial health. Now Meniga employs some 160 people in seven countries.

And now about the best pizzeria in Reykjavik

But I really want to talk about the best pizzeria in Reykjavik. It was astounding when it opened down from the road where I live in the bleak year of 2009. The new and shiny pizzeria replaced a rather dingy video rental that was going out of business. That somebody was taking the plunge and opening a new company was unheard of in the summer of 2009. But pretty soon, it became all the rage. For example, I left a banking job in 2010 to join a start-up social game company. Leaving the false security of a steady and stagnant job was one of my best decisions.

Eldofninn pizzeria in Reykjavik has a state of the art pizza oven.
Eldofninn pizzeria in Reykjavik has a state-of-the-art pizza oven.

The secret sauce

Eldofninn is the name of this excellent pizzeria. This translates as ‘Fireoven.’ The founders had imported a state-of-the-art, wood-fired rotating pizza oven from Italy. All ingredients are local and high-quality. Eldofninn also makes all their sauces. 

Blown away by the new Reykjavik pizzeria

Since I had kept my job, we could afford to sample this unique place. And it blew us away; we became regulars. Their menu is comprehensive, and they also sell gourmet coffee imported from Italy. You can check out their menu on their website. My personal favorite is the pizza called Eldofninn, a great combination of hot and crisp flavors. Its boldness reminds you of how Eldofninn and other businesses that emerged from the ruins of the Icelandic economy.

How to get to Eldofninn pizzeria

If you are coming from the city center, go to Hlemmur and take bus no. 11. It stops right outside Eldofninn. The bus stop is called ‘Grímsbær.’ Learn more about buses in Reykjavik and download the Reykjavik bus app on the bus website.