Heimaey
Lively Slippurinn fills the upper storey of a beautifully remodelled old machine workshop that once serviced the ships in the harbour and now has great…
Must-see restaurants in Southwest Iceland
The Golden Circle
In the most unlikely location, Azeb cooks up traditional Ethiopian specialities in a welcoming, unpretentious setting decorated with African farming tools…
The South
Situated in Selfoss' first house (built for bridge workers in 1890), Tryggvaskáli has been lovingly renovated with antiques. Some tables in the intimate…
The South
The friendly ambience, in a warmly lit building with hardwood floors, exposed beams and interesting artwork, helps to elevate this restaurant beyond its…
The Golden Circle
Owned by Baldur, an affable, celebrated chef, Lindin could be the best restaurant for miles. In a sweet little silver house, with simple decor and wooden…
Reykjanes Peninsula
The nautical-themed Vitinn is not to be missed. A friendly team serves heaps of seafood (stored in tanks out back in the courtyard) in marine-fancy…
The South
At the Frost & Fire Hotel, this wonderfully scenic restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the stream and gorge. Icelandic dishes are made…
The South
Three kilometres west of Eyrarbakki on Rte 34 at the Ölfusá Bridge, this seafood restaurant sits on the water's edge in an ovoid building, with a…
The Golden Circle
Located 12km northeast of Laugarvatn on a working dairy farm with brilliant views of hulking Hekla, Efstidalur offers tasty farm-fresh meals and amazing…
The South
The ‘Coffee Jar’ is a popular cafe and restaurant in a charming, cosy old orange house along the main road. There’s great outdoor space and a large…
The South
This large seafood restaurant sits on the shore, just behind the ocean berm, and is known for making some of the best lobster bisque (langoustine tails…
The South
A large, bustling bakery that also serves sandwiches, salads and soup of the day with fresh bread. The cakes here range from enormous Icelandic pastries…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Facing the harbourfront, in a block of warehouses, this adorable small cafe is decorated in fishing buoys, sailing memorabilia and framed photos. It…
Heimaey
Fresh fusion food is done with care, using organic, healthy ingredients in this jolly wood-floored dining room with coloured chairs. Menu items range from…
The South
This elegant and romantic white-linen restaurant fills a red house (hence the name) and has cheery staff and great fresh seafood prepared to perfection…
The South
Eldstó serves fresh-brewed coffee, homemade daily specials (such as traditional Icelandic flatbread with smoked lamb, and hot chocolate, for 1350kr) and…
The South
Built in a former cowshed that was in use until 1999, this charming eatery’s focus is on farm-fresh and grass-fed meaty mains, from burgers to Volcano…
The Golden Circle
This restaurant is attached to Iceland's only mushroom farm. The mushroom soup is made with a secret recipe and served from a buffet with homemade bread…
The South
This chilled-out cafe-cum-restaurant incorporates rough wood furniture, antiques and vintage photos. Creative meals are crafted from fresh Icelandic…
The Golden Circle
This farm is a surreal sight: huge, bright greenhouses grow tomatoes and a range of other crops throughout the year using geothermal energy. Staff sell…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
The South
Those looking for a hearty feed should head inside the LAVA Centre, where a large modern dining area serves a decent buffet. Fill up on soup, bread, salad…
The Golden Circle
Serving the best burgers for miles, this simple joint has only four types of flavoursome beef patties. Choose them small, medium or large (like really…
The South
The town pizzeria, one street back from the main road, is a busy, no-frills place with vinyl booths and 20 different pies to try, from mixed seafood or…
The South
Inside Vík's Brydebúð museum, this lively, timber-lined all-rounder is very popular in high season for its crowd-pleasing menu ranging from burgers and…
Reykjanes Peninsula
In the 1950s, thanks to American-introduced rock and roll, Keflavík was the coolest place in Iceland. This US-style diner transports locals back to the…
The South
Located inside the Hótel Örk, this modern dining room serves Icelandic produce in mains like slow-cooked lamb fillet with potato terrine or glazed chicken…
The South
Black volcanic cubes, meant to mimic the nearby black-sand beach Reynisfjara with its famous basalt columns, house this contemporary cafe that serves…
The Golden Circle
The restaurant at the Ion Adventure Hotel serves modern Icelandic fare with a slow-food twist, featuring locally sourced ingredients. Try slow-cooked…
Reykjanes Peninsula
At the Northern Light Inn, Max's Restaurant boasts a smattering of Nordic fare from lamb fillets to fish and traditional Icelandic meat soup. The dining…
