Reykjavík
Tapas restaurants are popular in the capital, and this hip joint near the harbour is a favourite for its menu of creative plates like cod and pork belly…
Must-see restaurants in Iceland
The South
Set on the river bank of the Rangá, Árhús serves tasty pasta, meat and fish dishes, plus burgers and pizzas. In nice weather the terrace overlooking the…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Six pots of steaming soups make this snazzy downtown corner a top lunch spot for non-meat eaters. The place is entirely vegetarian (some options are vegan…
Akureyri
In a charming historical building painted butter yellow (and once a saddlery), this welcoming cafe offers a tasty range of bodacious breakfast and lunch…
Akureyri
What could be better than a designer cafe in a botanical garden? This cafe has gorgeous picture windows, good coffee, a big sun terrace and a lunchtime…
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
On the road into town, this bakery is a good choice for a quick breakfast or lunch. Stock up on sugary confections such as kleinur (traditional twisty…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Ban Thai is by far the local favourite for Thai food and a fair few Hollywood stars have dropped in too. Find it just east of Hlemmur Sq. It also has a…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Fish and chips at Papa's are a treat, although you'll also find locals crowding in for pizza, salad, burgers and pulled-pork sandwiches. The space is…
Heimaey
Top spot for a pizza. All pies are cooked in a wood-burning oven. Classic styles include margarita and calzone, plus some more bonkers flavours such as …
Akureyri
Family-friendly and always full to bursting, Greifinn is one of the most popular spots in town. The menu favours comfort food above all: ribs and wings,…
Reykjanes Peninsula
This friendly, nautical-themed cafe-restaurant-bar, decorated with walrus tusks, overlooks the small-boat harbour. It serves generous platefuls of fresh…
The South
Icelandic dishes (soup, fish and lamb), plus an array of sandwiches and pizzas. Loads of mega-cakes, vegan options and geothermal bread, too. When the…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Excellent Asian-style tapas and great local draught beers are just part of the draw at this central gastropub. It's also a fun place to hang out, with its…
Heimaey
With giant windows looking onto the harbour and comfortable, modern decor in slate and wood, Tanginn makes for a fun stop for fresh fish, burgers, crêpes,…
The Westfjords
A friendly local woman serves up delicious daily soup (the fish stew is outstanding) with excellent fresh bread, and bakes cakes and irresistible waffles…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
At this intimate, atmospheric place, traditionally Italian dishes are prepared with elements from Nordic cuisine – the tomatoes are pickled and the capers…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Cheap-eats counter-service joint selling tasty Middle Eastern and Indian dishes, from falafel wraps to curries. Open until the wee hours, it's one of the…
Southeast Iceland
Jöklasel, the base hut for Glacier Jeeps, is situated at the top of Rte F985, 840m above sea level. The cafe at Jöklasel must have the most epic views in…
North Iceland
Skerjakolla is a sweet surprise: a decent grocery store, with a small and simple cafe serving pizza, sandwiches, coffee and cake. There's even a Vínbúðin…
Inland
In Fellabær, at the western end of the bridge across the river from Egilsstaðir, is this sweet, low-key cafe with quality coffee, retro furniture, vinyl…
Reykjavík
Pick your fish and, voila, spelt-batter fried it becomes. Pair it with local beer, organic salads (990kr) and ‘Skyronnaises’ – skyr-based sauces (eg basil…
Reykjanes Peninsula
The classy wooden Salthúsið specialises in local saltfiskur (saltfish), which is prepared in different ways, plus there's salmon, lobster, chicken and…
East Iceland
Kaupfjélagið stocks groceries and serves up coffee and light meals to passing travellers. Its best feature is the fun displays of vintage general-store…
Southeast Iceland
The fresh-faced restaurant at Hótel Höfn is open year-round and offers a creative menu that sings with fine local ingredients. It ranges from pearl-barley…
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
This upbeat establishment on the main road cheerfully fills a blond-wood building with a broad front deck. The only gig in town besides fast food, it does…
The Golden Circle
Café Mika is popular with locals for its sizeable menu, outdoor pizza oven, sandwiches and Icelandic mains. The roasted langoustines (lobster) with garlic…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Kolabrautin, high up on the top of the Harpa concert hall, creatively teams Icelandic ingredients with Mediterranean techniques. Start with a flashy…
Akureyri
This legendary ice-cream shop is known across Iceland for one of the best ice creams in the country (it’s made with milk, not cream). It’s 500m downhill…
Reykjavík
The ground-floor cafe at the National Museum offers wi-fi and a welcome respite, with wraparound windows looking out on a flowing fountain. It serves a…
North Iceland
The newest entry on Sauðárkrókur's food scene, this casual restaurant specialises in noodles and Asian fusion, but also offers popular pizza, fish-and…
Ísafjörður
After a stretch of limited food options in remote Iceland, this small Thai canteen seems decidedly exotic. There’s no grand ambience but the curries and…
Reykjavík
There’s an easygoing air at this bright art deco cafe-restaurant. Pizzas are freshly made before your eyes, the prettily presented pasta meals will set…
Southeast Iceland
The liveliest place in town is this cafe-bar, which can get slammed in summer. Its tasty, wide-ranging menu offers soups, salads, pizzas and burgers – but…
Reykjavík
What's it gonna be? Lobster soup? Lobster salad? Lobster sandwich? This little food truck dishes it all out, for fine diners on the run. By day it's…
North Iceland
The island's only restaurant (named after the Arctic tern, kría in Icelandic) is an agreeable place with an outdoor deck that enjoys views over the…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
The best-value supermarket in the city centre. Also at Hallveigarstígur, Grandi near the Old Harbour and Kringlan shopping centre.
West Iceland
Local ingredients from cod to lamb feature on this short but tasty menu. For dessert try the delicious skyr (yoghurt-like dessert) and ice cream from…
Reykjavík
Hip and open plan, this buzzy bistro-bar serves up a tasty selection of pub food, from creative small plates to burgers and fresh fish. Coffee and…
Akureyri
Like your food fast, but fresher than you've been encountering at all those N1 grill-bars? Hit up Serrano for a delish burrito, made to order; you can…
Reykjavík
An acclaimed seafood spot with great harbour views and a daily-changing lunch menu featuring the freshest catch. The same family runs Bergsson Mathús in…
