Sisimiut, Greenland’s second-largest town with roughly 5,500 residents, offers a compact but diverse dining scene. From quick takeaway sandwiches to multi-course dinners featuring musk ox and Greenlandic halibut, there are options for every budget and taste. This guide covers the main eateries in town, including their specialties, approximate prices, and practical tips for visitors. Whether you are here for a day or setting off on the Arctic Circle Trail, knowing where to eat will make your stay more enjoyable.
Hotel Sisimiut Restaurant and Cafeteria
The Hotel Sisimiut (formerly known as Hotel Sisimiut) houses the town’s most versatile dining option. The restaurant, located on the ground floor, serves a daily dinner buffet from 18:00 to 21:00. The price in 2025 is 395 DKK for adults and 195 DKK for children aged 6–12. The buffet typically includes a hot main course (often fish or meat), a salad bar, bread, and a dessert. Greenlandic specialties such as suaasat (seal stew) or musk ox appear once or twice a week.
For lighter meals, the hotel’s cafeteria is open from 07:00 to 22:00 daily. The cafeteria offers coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, and pre-packaged salads. A coffee costs around 25 DKK, and a sandwich 45–65 DKK. The cafeteria is a popular spot for hikers loading up on supplies before heading out on the Arctic Circle Trail.
Practical tips
- Reservations are recommended for the dinner buffet, especially in summer (June–August).
- The cafeteria accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) and mobilepay.
- Free Wi-Fi is available in both the restaurant and cafeteria areas.
Misigisaq – Fine dining with a Greenlandic twist
Misigisaq (meaning “taste” in Kalaallisut) is the upscale restaurant located in the former Sisimiut Museum building, which itself tells 4,500 years of settlement history. The restaurant opened in 2018 and quickly gained a reputation for its innovative use of local ingredients. The menu changes seasonally, but staples include Greenlandic halibut, musk ox fillet, reindeer, and Arctic char. A three-course dinner costs around 695 DKK, while a la carte main courses range from 250 to 450 DKK.
The interior blends modern design with historical elements – exposed stone walls, wooden beams, and large windows overlooking the fjord. The restaurant seats about 40 guests. Reservations are essential, especially during the summer high season. Misigisaq is open Tuesday to Saturday from 18:00 to 22:00, with last orders at 21:30.
Sample menu items (2025)
- Appetizer: Smoked Arctic char with pickled cucumber and dill – 145 DKK
- Main: Musk ox fillet with lingonberry sauce, roasted potatoes, and seasonal vegetables – 395 DKK
- Dessert: Skyr panna cotta with cloudberry compote – 95 DKK
- Wine pairing: 3 glasses for 295 DKK
Pilersuisoq supermarket – Self-catering and takeaway
For budget travellers and those staying in holiday apartments, the Pilersuisoq supermarket (also known as “Brugseni” locally) is the main grocery store in Sisimiut. It is located on Aqqusinersuaq, the main street, and is open Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–16:00, and Sunday 12:00–16:00. The store stocks a wide range of products, including fresh vegetables (often flown in from Denmark), frozen meat, bread, dairy, and canned goods. Prices are higher than in Denmark due to transport costs: a litre of milk costs about 16 DKK, a loaf of bread 30–40 DKK, and a kilogram of apples 35–45 DKK.
Pilersuisoq also has a small hot food counter offering pizza slices (25–35 DKK), hot dogs (20 DKK), and chicken wings (40 DKK for 6 pieces). This is a good option for a quick, cheap meal. The store also sells camping gas canisters, which are essential for hikers on the Arctic Circle Trail.
Café Inuk – Coffee and light meals
Café Inuk is a cosy coffee shop located near the harbour, at the corner of Aqqusinersuaq and Kangerluarsunnguup Aqqutaa. It is a favourite among locals for its coffee, cakes, and light lunches. The café uses beans roasted in Nuuk, and a cappuccino costs 35 DKK. Homemade cakes, such as chocolate cake or carrot cake, are 30–40 DKK per slice. For lunch, they serve sandwiches (65–85 DKK) and soups (55–75 DKK).
Café Inuk is open Monday to Friday 10:00–17:00, Saturday 10:00–15:00, and closed Sunday. Free Wi-Fi is available. The café also sells a small selection of local crafts, including sealskin keychains and handmade soap.
KNI – The local fast-food spot
KNI (short for Kalaallit Nunaanni Brugseni, but often used to refer to the fast-food counter inside the larger Pilersuisoq) is the go-to place for a quick burger or hot dog. It is located inside the same building as Pilersuisoq, at the back near the entrance. The menu is simple: hamburgers (55 DKK), cheeseburgers (60 DKK), hot dogs (20 DKK), and french fries (25 DKK). A combo meal with a drink costs around 80 DKK. KNI is open the same hours as Pilersuisoq, but the hot food counter closes 30 minutes before the store. This is a popular spot for school kids and workers on lunch break.
Other options: Pizza and Chinese takeaway
Two other eateries worth mentioning are Pizza King and China House. Pizza King, located on Aqqusinersuaq, offers takeaway and delivery (within town) from 16:00 to 21:00 daily. A medium pizza costs 89–129 DKK, and a large 119–159 DKK. They also sell garlic bread (25 DKK) and soft drinks (15 DKK).
China House, near the harbour, serves Chinese-style dishes such as fried rice, noodles, and sweet-and-sour chicken. Main courses cost 85–110 DKK. It is open Monday to Saturday 17:00–21:00. Both places accept cash and credit cards, but it is advisable to have cash for smaller purchases.
Practical tips for eating out in Sisimiut
- Payment: Most places accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), but smaller takeaway spots may prefer cash. ATMs are available at the Pilersuisoq and the post office.
- Opening hours: Many restaurants close early, and Sunday openings are limited. Plan ahead, especially if arriving on a Sunday via Sarfaq Ittuk coastal ferry or Air Greenland.
- Dietary restrictions: Vegetarian and vegan options are limited. Misigisaq can accommodate with advance notice, but most other places focus on meat and fish.
- Alcohol: Beer and wine are available at Misigisaq and the Hotel Sisimiut restaurant. The town has a state-run Brugseni (liquor store) near Pilersuisoq, open limited hours.
- Hiking provisions: If you are heading out on the Arctic Circle Trail, stock up at Pilersuisoq. The trail has no shops, so you need to carry all food from Sisimiut.