Hafnarfjörður's ice cream at Thorsplan all summer

Classic Icelandic at Thorsplan

„We make all our ice cream in Bæjarhrauni. There, we have gelato in a cone and this traditional white ice cream in a waffle cone and loaf tin. We decided to try being here at Thorsplan this summer and we plan to be open every day from 2 pm to 6 pm,“ says Björn Páll Fálki Valsson, who, along with his brother Grétar Þór, owns Hafnarfjörður's Ice Cream. He says that if the weather is good by the beautiful fjord, however, the tower will be open sooner or for longer.

The brothers have had big days, for example 17th June and the visit of the VÆB brothers to Thor's Plain, but these traditions have also brought joy.

„We've also tried, when the Heart of Hafnarfjörður was opening, staying open until just after 9 p.m. But the people who come here are mainly people who are just walking past, see the ice cream parlour and want to try it.“ Although the ice cream is the main attraction, you can also get fizzy drinks, sweets and a hot dog, just as you would from a good kiosk.

„Yes, we offer this classic Icelandic,“ says Björn, smiling.

The ice cream factory isn't old, but it's built on an older foundation. The brothers bought a company called Snjóís, which had previously been Skúbb, Hafís and more. „Yes, something that hadn't worked, and it remains to be seen which of us will make it. You have to give it a go.“ He himself is the most hands-on in the business; Grétar is the support, the statue, and has the experience.

„He used to make ice cream at Perlan, makes our ice cream and runs the day-to-day operations. I do the tasting,“ says Bjössi. „Yeah, he tricked me into this,“ says Grétar, smiling.

The Ice Cream Factory, Hafnarfjörður Ice Cream Parlour

The brothers are from Akureyri. Grétar lives in Vogarnir but Bjössi lives by Hellisgerði and now considers himself a Hafnfirðingur. „My wife Helena and I, along with the children, have lived here since 2018-9. When does one become a Hafnfirðingur? The boy just brought a cup to Kaplakriki after the N1 tournament. Surely that makes you a Hafnfirðingur? The child has delivered a cup to Kriki!“

The Ice Cream Factory of Hafnarfjörður has its flagship at Bæjarhraun 2. There, not only is a wide selection of ice cream desserts on offer, but there is also a skyr bar, snack stalls, dairy products and healthy options. The ice cream is available in both regular and lactose-free versions, which is suitable for individuals with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. „Then we have our skyr ice cream, which is sugar-free and lactose-free,“ says Grétar.

Open throughout August

The brothers are still trying to work out which of the dishes is the most popular. „We've only been open for three months and are still building up experience,“ says Björn. „I'm giving us 1-3 years to get the locals“ attention and introduce them to this Hafnarfjörður ice cream parlour."

The ice cream parlour on Thorsplan can't be missed, right in the middle of the square. The brothers aim to have it open for the vegan festival in August. „We'll be offering vegan ice cream then,“ he says.

„The idea of being here at Thorsplan is to let people get to know us, taste the ice cream, and then take them up to Bæjarhraun where the selection awaits them.“

Yes, summer is perfect with a good ice cream in hand!