Washitsu.Casa Guide:

Stores

Where to Shop & The Joy of Cooking at the Casa

The Magic of Cooking at the Casa

While fine gourmet dining in Iceland actually offers surprisingly good value compared to similar restaurants elsewhere in the world, fast food and lower-end restaurants are disproportionately expensive. Because of this, making use of Washitsu.Casa's fully-equipped (microwave-free) kitchen is one of the smartest, most satisfying ways to travel. But cooking here is about much more than just saving money—it is a fantastic social hub!

Usually, guests have completely different schedules, so sharing the kitchen is rarely an issue. However, sometimes another group may be cooking at the exact same time. This is a brilliant opportunity to trade dishes, share stories with fascinating international travelers or our charity helpers, or even take the initiative to invite your fellow guests to share a meal! If you have a larger group or simply prefer your own space to eat, please note that there is an additional dining area located in the main square hall, featuring a side table that cleverly converts into a full dining table.

Fresh Harbor Fish & Must-Try Icelandic Delicacies

Cooking at the Casa gives you the perfect excuse to explore authentic local ingredients. To start, take a short stroll down to the Rif harbor and simply strike up a conversation with the local fishermen returning on their boats. It is highly common to be able to buy—or even be gifted—incredibly fresh fish directly from the morning’s catch!

While shopping at the grocery stores, keep your eyes open for these iconic, uniquely Icelandic foods to try in our kitchen:

● Unique Icelandic Milk: Because Icelandic cows have been isolated for over a millennium, they exclusively produce "Type A" milk (often known globally as A2 milk). This protein profile is remarkably similar to sheep and goat milk abroad, meaning it is much gentler on the stomach and comes with fantastic digestive benefits compared to modern, overbred dairy milk. Fascinatingly, despite having one of the highest sugar consumption rates in the world, Icelanders actually boast much lower diabetes rates, and many point to the health benefits of this pure milk as a possible factor!

● Skyr & Flatkökur: Skyr is Iceland’s famous, thick, high-protein cultured dairy staple. For an authentic snack, pair it with Flatkökur (traditional Icelandic flatbread), lightly buttered or topped with smoked lamb.

● Harðfiskur (Dried Fish): A beloved national snack. Rip off a piece of this wind-dried fish and eat it smeared with creamy Icelandic butter!

● Rúgbrauð & Síld: Traditional, dense, dark rye bread (Rúgbrauð) and marinated herring (Síld) are both absolute must-tries. However, a local warning: do not eat them together in the same bite, as combining both makes for an overwhelmingly sweet taste!

● World-Class Seafood: Skip the farmed varieties and explicitly hunt for wild Ocean Prawns and Icelandic Lobster (Langoustine). Tossing these in a pan with local butter in our kitchen is an unforgettable feast.

Pure Icelandic Spring Water: Forget the Plastic Bottles

Before you add bottled water to your grocery list, you should know that almost all tap water in Iceland is naturally filtered, pure spring water. It is absolutely delicious and widely considered to be vastly superior to expensive brands like Evian. As part of our deep commitment to the environment, we strongly encourage you to completely boycott environmentally unfriendly, expensive plastic water bottles. Simply fill your glass or portable bottle directly from the tap at Washitsu.Casa (and almost anywhere else in the country). Feel free to let the water run for a little bit until it gets refreshingly ice-cold!

Stocking Up on the Way: Bónus in Borgarnes

Borgarnes acts as the gateway town to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula if you are driving up from Reykjavík. We highly recommend stopping at the large Bónus supermarket here before you venture out to the remote edge of the peninsula. Bónus (easily recognized by its giant pink pig logo) is Iceland’s premiere discount grocery chain. It is the absolute best place to load up on bulk basics, breakfast items, and your main staples at the cheapest possible prices.

Mid-Peninsula Hubs: Stykkishólmur & Grundarfjörður

If you did not stop in Borgarnes, or if you need to resupply while enjoying a Grand Tour of the peninsula:

● Stykkishólmur: This charming, larger northern town features the only other Bónus market on the entire peninsula.

● Grundarfjörður: Located right next to the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, this town has a grocery store (soon to be connected with a big national chain) should you happen to need a few ingredients while exploring the area.

Our Main Local Market: Kassinn in Ólafsvík

Just a short, scenic drive from Washitsu.Casa is the town of Ólafsvík, home to our primary local grocery store: Kassinn. It carries an excellent variety of fresh food, produce, and daily necessities. Because local operating hours can be quirky in Iceland, keep their general rhythm in mind:

They are typically open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and open later until 8:00 PM on Fridays. Weekend hours are shorter, usually opening late morning/early afternoon and closing around 5:00 PM.

The Closest Lifeline: N1 in Hellissandur

Forgot an ingredient right in the middle of making dinner? Do not worry. Our immediate neighboring village of Hellissandur (which is connected to our village by the paved walking path) features an N1 gas station that includes a surprisingly robust small grocery section. Best of all, it tends to be no more expensive than the bigger Kassinn market! They carry basic necessities, snacks, and fuel for your car. They are usually open every day until 6:00 PM (typically opening at 10:00 AM on weekdays and noon on weekends).

Beyond Food: Hardware & Authentic Icelandic Wool

While you are exploring, there are two other possibly useful types of stores to keep on your radar:

● Hardware Stores: If you need emergency supplies, superglue, outdoor gear, or a tool to repair your camera tripod, there are fantastic options right here. You don't even have to leave the village for basics: Fönix is a brilliant hardware store located right here in Rif! For a different selection while exploring the northern side of the peninsula, visit Skipavík hardware store in Stykkishólmur.

● Local Wool & Clothing Stores: If you want the ultimate souvenir to help combat the wild coastal wind, completely skip the overpriced airport gift shops. Instead, support the local artisans! Stop by Wool ARTelier in Ólafsvík to find world-class yarn and beautifully warm, hand-knitted traditional Icelandic sweaters (lopapeysa). If you are wandering through Stykkishólmur, definitely visit Kram, an excellent boutique for high-quality local wool and clothing.