Reykjanes Peninsula
The Blue Lagoon's cavernous dining room can feel like a function hall, but views to the lagoon are serene, the waitstaff are excellent and the menu…
Must-see restaurants in Iceland
Reykjanes Peninsula
On the way out of town, a few minutes' walk from the Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll, is this excellent bakery and cafe. It serves dozens of sweet…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Reserve ahead for this French bistro that's a megahit with locals. The secret of Snaps is simple: serve perfectly cooked seafood and classic bistro mains …
The South
This little hut cafe near the start of the trail to Reykjadalur serves homemade soups, flatbread with smoked lamb or salmon, cakes and coffee. Gluten free…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
This comfortable little restaurant over by Hlemmur Sq is worth the trek for delicious changing menus of seafood and the friendly family that runs the…
The South
This minimalist pizzeria and microbrewery is a fine combination of bar and restaurant. Pizza toppings are creative (ever had banana on a pie?) and the…
Reykjavík
Elegance is everywhere at Matarkjallarinn (the 'Food Cellar'). Brasserie-style dishes, Icelandic ingredients, magical decor and oh-so-skillful cocktails…
Akureyri
Breakfast served all day? Hello Berlin! If you need a fix of bacon and eggs or avocado on toast, this cosy timber-lined cafe is your spot. Good coffee is…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
For well-priced New Nordic cuisine, head to the classy Matwerk for a duck salad or Arctic char and everything in between. The two-store venue is…
Reykjavík
Theme cafe Kumiko is a Japanese tea house and cake shop that revels in a bright, cartoon-like decor. The vibe extends to their creations: Princess Cakes,…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Icelandic Júlía and Swedish Julia run this stylish cafe, whose name also references a book and a film starring Meryl Streep. Soups and cakes draw from…
Reykjavík
In this historic brick building you'll find a warmly welcoming cafe with worn wooden floors, plump couches and a spacious main room. Settle in for coffee,…
Reykjavík
Pop into this cool eatery for delicious brunches (11am to 4pm Friday to Sunday) and decadent cocktails. It's casual, small and groovy, with mosaic plywood…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Half restaurant, half gourmet deli, Ostabudin has a friendly owner and serves up cheese and meat platters, soups and fish of the day with homemade bread…
Reykjavík
This popular hang-out in the Vesturbær neighbourhood is a real hipster stronghold, with thrifty, mismatched decor. Delightful dishes range from soups and…
Greater Reykjavík
The humbly named 'Small Cafeteria' has been serving travellers for some 60 years. Set between Reykjavík and Hveragerði, regulars love it for the greasy…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Duck into the small timber house with a turf roof and sunny terrace across from Hallgrímskirkja for high-concept small plates and good beer and wine. Book…
Reykjavík
Throughout summer happy families flock here, take a number and join the crush waiting for a scoop chosen from the huge array of homemade ice creams…
Greater Reykjavík
Choose between soft serve and gelato ice cream made with lactose-free products from Arna's dairy farm in Bolungarvík in the Westfjords. Or opt for smooth…
Reykjavík
Cod, ling, lobster soup? Salt is an excellent Old Harbour option for fruits of the sea and is among the many 'whale-friendly' restaurants in Reykjavík.
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
This tiny burger booth, part of the famous local chain, is tucked back inside and behind the B5 nightclub. It serves up tasty patties.
North Iceland
Roughly 25km from Hvammstangi – 3km north of Illugastaðir – is the wonderfully unique Geitafell, a restaurant in a converted barn where fish soup is the…
Akureyri
Suffering afternoon sluggishness? Get your sugar rush courtesy of the great-value high tea served every afternoon in the smart lounge of the Icelandair…
The Golden Circle
Hearty soups are served at the counter of this more recent addition to the Geysir Center. Flavours include the Kenya (with kidney beans, tomatoes, red…
East Iceland
At Blábjörg Guesthouse, this stylish, airy space is an inviting cafe-bar, with a small but pleasing menu that runs from traditional Icelandic plokkfiskur …
The South
Fossbúð doesn't have the most glamorous decor, but it does have friendly staff and serves reasonably priced hearty plates. Order soup, hamburgers,…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Part of the Canopy by Hilton, but far more than just a hotel restaurant, Geiri Smart gets creative with local ingredients and is renowned for its service…
Mývatn Region
Kaffi Borgir is a cafe-souvenir shop at the top of the ridge overlooking the Dimmuborgir lava field. Grab a table on the outside terrace, sample the house…
Seyðisfjörður
At the reception building for Hótel Aldan, coffee and cakes are served all day in a country-chic setting, and lunches feature the likes of goat's-cheese…
West Iceland
Tucked into a verdant valley winding southeast off Hvalfjörður (Rte 461), this welcoming roadside cafe overlooking glittering Meðalfellsvatn offers a…
Akureyri
Part gallery, part furniture store, part restaurant – ‘Noah’s Ark’ is certainly unique, and offers a simple food concept done well. The menu features a…
North Iceland
Behind the N1 is a harbourside restaurant – and it's a cool surprise to find a loungey area, wide-ranging menu, high-quality food and some excellent local…
East Iceland
As befits its location, L'Abri has a slight French accent, showcasing local produce (seafood soup, beef fillet) plus offering lighter, cheaper bistro…
The South
Rose garden, coffee shop and gift shop all rolled into one. Selling plants, cushions, candles and trinkets, cakes and food in an enormous conservatory…
Heimaey
On the ground floor of Hótel Vestmannaeyjar, Einsi Kaldi is Heimaey's highest-end dining experience, with well-crafted seafood recipes and modern mood…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Good oven-cooked pizzas with fun names to honour Norse gods and warriors like the Ingólfr Arnarson (with ground beef, chicken, red onion, Béarnaise sauce…
Greater Reykjavík
Thai, Indian and Mexican flavours jazz up the raw and organic ingredients dished up here to create a wonderland of largely vegetarian wraps, soups and…
East Iceland
There's nothing quite like stumbling across unexpected flavours in small-town Iceland. This small, sweet restaurant (housed at Guesthouse Askja) does a…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Gourmet tasting menus are served in the top part of the Retreat Hotel where guests can gaze at volcanic views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows…
The South
In the same complex as the Icewear store, this modern canteen-style dining room has futuristic lighting (with electric tree-like centrepieces) and serves…
