Must-see restaurants in Reykjavík

  • Dill

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    Exquisite New Nordic cuisine is the major drawcard at Reykjavík's elegant Michelin-starred bistro. Skilled chefs use a small number of ingredients to…

  • Hlemmur Mathöll

    Hlemmur Mathöll

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    If only all bus terminals had a food court like this. Some 10 vendors rustle up multicultural foods including Danish smørrebrød (rye bread), Mexican tacos…

  • Café Flóra

    Café Flóra

    Reykjavík

    Sun-dappled tables fill a greenhouse in the Botanic Gardens and spill onto a flower-lined terrace at this lovely cafe specialising in wholesome local…

  • x-default

    Gló

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    Join the cool cats in this airy upstairs restaurant serving fresh daily specials loaded with Asian-influenced herbs and spices. Though not exclusively…

  • x-default

    Þrír Frakkar

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    Owner-chef Úlfar Eysteinsson has built up a consistently excellent reputation at this snug little restaurant. Specialities range throughout the aquatic…

  • x-default

    Fiskmarkaðurinn

    Reykjavík

    Dramatic presentations of elaborate dishes fill the tables of this intimate, artistically lit restaurant, where chefs excel at infusing Icelandic seafood…

  • Messinn

    Reykjavík

    Make a beeline to Messinn for the best seafood that Reykjavík has to offer. The speciality here is the amazing pan-fried dishes: your pick of fish is…

  • x-default

    Sægreifinn

    Reykjavík

    Sidle into this green harbourside shack for the most famous lobster soup in the capital, or choose from a fridge full of fresh fish skewers to be grilled…

  • Hverfisgata 12

    Hverfisgata 12

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    There's no sign, but those in the know come to this cream-coloured converted corner house for some of the city's best gourmet pizza and fabulous cocktails…

  • x-default

    Bakarí Sandholt

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    Reykjavík’s favourite bakery is usually crammed with folks hoovering up the generous assortment of fresh baguettes, croissants, pastries and sandwiches…

  • Brauð & Co

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    Head for the building smothered in rainbow spray paint then queue for the locals' tip for the best snúður (cinnamon buns) in town – watch Viking hipsters…

  • Matur og Drykkur

    Reykjavík

    One of Reykjavík's top high-concept restaurants, Matur og Drykkur means 'Food and Drink', and you'll surely be plied with the best of both. The brainchild…

  • Nostra

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    Fine-dining Nostra is where fresh, local ingredients – à la New Nordic Cuisine – are turned into French-inspired multicourse tasting menus, including…

  • Grillmarkaðurinn

    Reykjavík

    Top-notch dining is the order of the day here, from the moment you enter the glass atrium with its golden-globe lights to your first snazzy cocktail, and…

  • SKÁL!

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    SKÁL! demands your attention – with its capital lettering and punctuation but most emphatically with its food. Experimental offerings combine unusual…

  • Grandi Mathöll

    Reykjavík

    There's no neater encapsulation of Grandi's rejuvenation than the transformation of this old fish factory into a pioneering street-food hall. Long trestle…

  • Frú Lauga

    Reykjavík

    Reykjavík's trailblazing farmers market sources its ingredients from all over the countryside, featuring treats such as skyr (Icelandic yoghurt) from…

  • Fiskfélagið

    Reykjavík

    The ‘Fish Company’ takes Icelandic seafood recipes and spins them through a variety of far-flung inspirations, from Fiji coconut to Spanish chorizo. Dine…

  • Flatey Pizza

    Reykjavík

    Flatey raises pizza making to something akin to an art form. Its sourdough circles are made from organic wheat and are baked for just one minute at 500°C…

  • Apotek

    Reykjavík

    This beautiful restaurant and bar with shining glass fixtures and a cool ambience is equally known for its delicious menu of small plates that are perfect…

  • Le Kock

    Le Kock

    Reykjavík

    The three founding chefs at this charismatic joint have impressive restaurant pedigrees, Icelandic and otherwise. Their skills shine through in reinvented…

  • Messinn Granda

    Reykjavík

    Sample the catch of the day at this buffet-style harbour restaurant, serving its freshly caught selection on steaming skillets with root vegetables and…

  • Snaps

    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 …

  • Restó, resturant, exterior

    Restó

    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…

  • Matarkjallarinn

    Matarkjallarinn

    Reykjavík

    Elegance is everywhere at Matarkjallarinn (the 'Food Cellar'). Brasserie-style dishes, Icelandic ingredients, magical decor and oh-so-skillful cocktails…

  • Matwerk resturant.

    Matwerk

    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…

  • Kumiko tea house and cake shop.

    Kumiko

    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,…

  • x-default

    Julia & Julia

    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…

  • x-default

    Stofan Kaffihús

    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,…

  • Coocoo's Nest restaurant

    Coocoo's Nest

    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…

  • x-default

    Ostabúðin

    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…

  • Kaffihús Vesturbæjar

    Kaffihús Vesturbæjar

    Reykjavík

    This popular hang-out in the Vesturbær neighbourhood is a real hipster stronghold, with thrifty, mismatched decor. Delightful dishes range from soups and…

  • ROK

    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…

  • Valdi's offers ice cream

    Valdís

    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…

  • x-default

    Salt

    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.

  • x-default

    Hamborgara Búllan

    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.

  • Geiri Smart

    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…

  • Vitabar

    Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur

    Sidle up to the bar to order your short-order burger with some of the best hand-cut fries you'll find. This is a tile-and-formica kind of joint, with…

  • Icelandic Street Food

    Reykjavík

    For a budget taste of old Iceland, squeeze into this tiny canteen that just loves showcasing home-cooked food. Owner Unnar has drafted in his grandmother…

  • 17 Sortir

    Reykjavík

    From Toblerone cupcakes and vegan pastries to four-layer chocolate cake – the daily selection here includes something for every sweet tooth. The name '17…