East Iceland
The small supermarket by Fjarðarborg (the community centre) closed in 2017, but at the time of research the locals were banding together to create a much…
Must-see restaurants in Iceland
East Iceland
Here, next to the local fish factory, tasty fish soup is the headlining act (with decent support from the likes of flatbread with salmon, plus cakes and…
The South
In the parking lot of Seljalandsfoss, 50ft from the waterfall, is this convenient food trailer where you can get an enormous slab of cake, a hot chocolate…
Inland
For a taste of local produce stop by ‘Cowshed Corner’, beside Gistihúsið – Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir, where you can buy beef and dairy products (such as skyr…
East Iceland
Tærgesen makes much of its connection to the British TV series Fortitude. It's known for its pizzas, and for hearty traditional fare that ranges from…
Akureyri
Iceland is one of few countries without McDonald's, but who needs them? Part of a small chain, the Hamburger Factory gives you a choice of 15 square-patty…
Reykjavík
Ever-present 10-11 are similar to 7-Elevens in other countries. They are often open all night and have inflated prices.
The South
The bistro-bar at Hótel Skógafoss is in a very convenient location, and rather tempting with its large windows looking onto the nearby falls. However,…
North Iceland
Among shiny nautical relics, this timber-framed restaurant-bar serves high-quality food (spaghetti with shellfish, wild mushroom barley, organic lamb)…
Reykjanes Peninsula
With big windows and views over the town harbour, family-owned Brúin is part coffee shop, part bar and part seafaring-themed restaurant. The house…
Borgarbyggð
Simple eats from daily soups to burgers are on offer at this large roadside restaurant with friendly staff. Also has basic groceries and a campground …
East Iceland
The in-demand cafe inside Langabúð Museum has a suitably old-world atmosphere, and serves cakes, soups and sandwiches. Keep an eye out for occasional live…
East Iceland
The elegant restaurant at Hótel Framtíð is easily the nicest option in town. Dinner of lobster tails or roast lamb fillet hits the top end of the price…
The South
For a good low-cost eating option try this little red food truck in a parking lot off the main street. It serves tasty chicken wraps and salads, with a…
Inland
Based in Egilsstaðir’s oldest house, cottagey Café Nielsen offers a wide-ranging, crowd-pleasing menu that roams from lobster soup to (pricey) reindeer by…
Tröllaskagi
Dressed in sunny yellow, this stylish, light-filled space is furnished with cool seats made from old herring barrels. It's under the same ownership as…
The South
It has no frills and zero atmosphere, but if you're looking for a quick fix, Bjork Restaurant is undoubtably one of the cheapest eating options in town…
Southeast Iceland
Supermarket (with bakery) in the central Miðbær shopping centre. Stock up – in either direction, it's miles to the next grocery selection. The bakery…
Akureyri
Cheerful, citrus-toned decor matches the fresh approach of this all-day cafe in the heart of town: smoothies, fresh-pressed juices and salads make it easy…
East Iceland
The menu is simple and the decor uninspiring at this option inside Fjarðarborg (the community centre), but it’s well worth a visit for its bumper burgers…
North Iceland
Grab a quick bite or check your email in this little cafe where they homemake the fillings for their wraps (from chilli to stir-fry) and homebake their…
North Iceland
Once home to Iceland’s first cooperative, this historical building houses an easy-breezy, crowd-pleasing restaurant serving a diverse menu: everything…
North Iceland
This store on Rte 85, close to the visitor centre, has a selection of groceries, plus simple grill-bar options (soup, lamb, fish, burgers). There's also a…
Greater Reykjavík
Viðey's little cafe serves very basic versions of dishes like burgers, salmon and waffles. The food may be so-so, but the setting is bliss in the historic…
North Iceland
Right beside Goðafoss is a complex with information, free wi-fi, a few groceries, a souvenir shop, public toilets, a petrol pump and a decent cafeteria…
Seyðisfjörður
The grill bar at the petrol station does fast-food regulars, as well as inexpensive hot lunch and dinner mains. As a completely unexpected treat:…
North Iceland
Small but well-stocked supermarket. If it's closed when you need it, it's usually just a matter of letting a local know and they'll arrange for it to be…
Southeast Iceland
A busy cafe beside the visitor centre sells coffee, grilled panini, cake and waffles, plus takeaway hiking snacks (skyr etc). Hot food (soup, dish of the…
North Iceland
The usual suspects – soup, salad, burgers, fish and pizza – greet diners on the picture menu at this decent, albeit overpriced, place neighbouring the N1,…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Decorated like the interior of a wooden cruise ship from the 1970s, Ráin offers Icelandic favourites, including seafood and meat dishes, with great sea…
Tröllaskagi
Super-sweet, this wee cafe opens for a short burst in peak summer, in the kitchen and lounge of a local house. It serves soup, coffee and wine, plus…
The South
Mia's red-and-while polka-dotted food truck sells one thing only – fresh fish and chips, with crunchy wedges and sauce (choose Icelandic tartar, sweet…
Southeast Iceland
At the western end of town, Kaffi Munkar serves as the bright cafe-reception of Klausturhof guesthouse. Pop in for soup, spicy chicken, fish stew or …
Tröllaskagi
Ruby-red Rauðka has an informal atmosphere, with an all-day menu of sandwiches, salads and tasty mains like the catch of the day.
Mývatn Region
At Vogár campground, this small space cranks out tasty pizzas to eat in or take away. Try the house speciality: smoked trout, nuts and cream cheese …
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
A fixture of Reykjavík's restaurant scene for more than 20 years, Lækjarbrekka delivers traditional Icelandic dishes (game, lobster, juicy pepper steak…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
The leather banquettes and hammered copper tables at this trendy bar-restaurant fill up with folks digging into dishes ranging from burgers and tapas to…
Mývatn Region
If you're just after a quick bite, grab a hot dog, soup or prepackaged sandwich at this combined souvenir shop-cafeteria next door to the Sel-Hótel.
The South
This small cafe serves hot dogs, soup, sandwiches, pizza, hot drinks, cakes and pastries. It also has a teeny mini-mart selection and some camping…
East Iceland
Café Sumarlína, at the entrance to town, is a cosy restaurant-bar in a creaking wooden house, cranking out decent pizzas, burgers and crêpes. Note: the…
