East Iceland
This cafe-bakery and craft shop has a quintessential small-town vibe and offers excellent crêpes, cakes, sandwiches and soup.
Must-see restaurants in Iceland
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
In the Saga Centre, this cheery cafe is tops for cappuccinos, hot soup and sandwiches.
Reykjavík
A harbourside eatery with broad windows looking onto the bobbing boats, good breakfasts and hearty seafood-based lunches.
Ísafjörður
Check to see if friendly Gata – part cafe, part outdoors store – is open for coffee, cake, paninis and fresh juice.
Reykjavík
Select from a broad range of Icelandic cheeses and skyr (Icelandic yoghurt), and other deli and sweet treats.
West Iceland
This simple shopfront houses a seafood joint run by a friendly family serving dishes from fish-and-chips to mussels.
Southeast Iceland
Warm up with lobster bisque or a lobster roll from this ace food truck. Non-lobster-lovers can opt for a hot dog.
The Westfjords
Simple cafe that serves soup, sandwiches and hot dogs during summer; also sells ferry tickets and has brochures.
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
No-frills but delicious Thai noodle soups are dished out by the bowlful at this trusty popular establishment.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Casual spot for grabbing a pizza, burger, nachos, fish and chips, and beer, with a nice deck for sunny days.
Reykjavík
Delicious, piping-hot fish and chips are on offer at this simple food truck near the Vikín Maritime Museum.
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Scoops of high-end homemade ice cream and sorbets in delectable flavours, including Icelandic strawberries.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Meistarinn hot-dog and sandwich wagon has menu items named after members of the Danish royal family.
West Iceland
This little eatery near the water offers cakes, soup and salad, as well as full seafood and pasta meals.
Heimaey
Delicious baked goodies from chocolate cake and fresh bread to pastries. Top-notch coffee drinks, too.
East Iceland
Stop by this first-rate bakery-cafe and choose from a cabinet full of sandwiches, salads and pastries.
The Westfjords
Reliable Icelandic basics, burgers and a vegan option. Plus sweeping fjord views from broad windows.
Akureyri
Add a little heat to a chilly evening with a flavourful curry from this family-run restaurant.
Southeast Iceland
Karl serves up delicious fresh fish (battered cod) and chips from his spotless food truck.
The South
This independent bookshop (with both new and secondhand books) serves coffee and cake.
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
Quick and easy Thai noodles and mains to eat in or take away.
Reykjavík
This is one of the city’s prime people-watching spots, particularly in summer, when outdoor seating spills onto Austurvöllur Sq, and at night, when the…
Reykjavík
A neighbourhood favourite, serving ice cream and tasty locally made German sausages. It's popular year-round, since Icelanders don't need sunshine to…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
A bustling spot serving pizza, pasta, meat and fish. Many dishes are designed for sharing, making it a sound option if your group has diverse tastes.
East Iceland
The old fish factory is a big, bright community centre and event space opposite Hótel Bláfell. It opens most days in summer with a cafeteria-style lunch,…
Southeast Iceland
This log-cabin affair is an unpretentious bar and restaurant. The atmosphere here is less polished than at fellow Höfn restaurants Humarhöfnin and Pakkhús…
North Iceland
Beside the whale-watching office in Hauganes, the local company Ektafiskur, known for its traditional bacalao (salted codfish), operates this fun, kitschy…
Akureyri
Wearing its carnivorous heart on its sleeve ('we bloody love steak' is on the menu, and the exterior signage), this steakhouse gets mixed reviews, but may…
