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Tours in Reykjavik |
There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Reykjavik. We have selected some of the best, which we have listed under five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations.
These restaurants are divided into four different pricing categories (the prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal; they do not include tax or tip or drinks):
$$$$ (over IKr5,000)
$$$ (IKr2,500 to IKr5,000)
$$ (IKr1,000 to IKr2,500)
$ (under IKr1,000)
Reservations are recommended wherever possible; in the case of upscale and popular restaurants, they are essential. Bear in mind that alcohol is prohibitively expensive in Iceland, so an easy way to cut down on the cost of eating out is to avoid it altogether, and stick to water and soft drinks.
Gastronomic
Laekjarbrekka
The black wooden house overlooking the junction of Bankastraeti and Laekargata was built by a rich Danish merchant as a bakery shop in the 1830s, and for many years it remained the only such shop in Reykjavik. Now fully restored, the restaurant still has that old time feel to it, and eating at Laekjarbrekka is a bit like stepping back in time, sampling the best traditional food Iceland has to offer in authentic 19th century surroundings. There is a cosy bar upstairs under the eaves which is perfect for pre- (or post-) dinner drinks, and the main dining room downstairs is just as comfortable and homely, with its collection of eclectic ornaments, embroidered tablecloths, lace curtains, Tiffany lamps and tapestries on the walls... there is even a grandfather clock. Add to this piano music in the background, and fresh roses and candles on the table, and you have the perfect setting for a romantic dinner like no other. The food, which is excellent, is traditional Icelandic fare in all its splendour, ranging from lamb to lobster (the house speciality): we felt a bit bemused by the choice on offer at first, but our waiter provided excellent advice and guidance and helped us made judicious choices. All in all, an evening with a touch of magic, and one well worth splashing out for.
Laekjarbrekka Bankastraeti 2
Tel: 551 4430.
Website: www.laekjarbrekka.is
Price: $$$$
Siggi Hall
Gourmets argue that Siggi Hall is worth a trip to Iceland in itself, and I am not one to disagree with them, although the country has much to offer beside. But this restaurant really stands in a class of its own. Named after Iceland's best loved chef Siggi Hall (a man with several TV shows and cookbooks to his credit), the restaurant offers Icelandic food with a modern twist. Siggi has long been a champion of Icelandic ingredients, passionately campaigning to raise their profile at home and abroad, and this is evident on the menu, where lamb and seafood are prominent. The delivery is never short of exceptional as the maestro in the kitchen conjures up superb creations that are as inspiring for the tastebuds as they are pleasing for the eyes. Add to this a stylish setting, an informal atmosphere (the host frequently makes appearances to enquire about the wellbeing of his guests) and attentive waiting staff, and it is easy to see why Siggi Hall is one of Reykjavik's most popular restaurant.
Thorsgata 1
Tel: 511 6677.
Website: www.siggihall.is
Price: $$$$
Sjavarkjallarinn
The award-winning Seafood Cellar (thus named because it is located in the oldest cellar in Reykjavik) has gained recognition for its inventive and daring cooking on several occasions over the years, most recently in 2006, when chef Stein Oskar Sigurdsson won the prestigious Chef of the Year award. The main emphasis here is on fusion cooking, with fish and seafood, as one would expect, very much at the forefront of the menu (although lamb and vegetarian options are also available). The setting, with its stone walls, dimmed lights and white tablecloths, is original and inviting, and the service professional and unobtrusive. Add to this a solid wine list, and you are on to a winner.
Aðalstræti 2
Tel: 511 1212.
Website: www.sjavarkjallarinn.is
Price: $$$$
Business
The Gallery Restaurant
Based in Hotel Holt, the Gallery Restaurant, named after the paintings that adorn the hotel (the largest permanent private art collection in the country) is a perfect setting for a business meeting with a touch of class. Since it first opened in the 1960s, the restaurant has remained among the finest dinning places in the capital, and indeed Iceland. The wine list, with over 4,000 bottles, features an impressive selection of vintage wines, cognacs, malt whiskies and Armagnacs, and the food, traditional French with Icelandic touches, is superb.
Hotel Holt, Bergstathastaeti 37
Tel: 552 5700.
Website: www.holt.is
Price: $$$$
The Pearl Restaurant
The Pearl is a favourite for business meetings. The restaurant, on the top floor of the Perlan building, is located on a revolving platform which allows guests to enjoy spectacular panoramic views while savouring fine international cuisine. The Pearl truly comes into its own in the evening (it is in fact closed at lunchtime), when the sunset can be admired through the thousand glass panels of the dome, and later on when the lights all over it turn the interior into a star-studded night, regardless of the weather outside. The restaurant completes a full rotation every two hours.
Perlan, Oskjuhlith
Tel: 562 0200.
Website: www.perlan.is
Price: $$$$
Vox
Located in the Nordica Hotel, Icelandair's flagship hotel, the open-plan Vox Restaurant is fast becoming a gourmet destination in its own right, and it is the perfect setting for a classy night out. The restaurant, under the auspices of award winning executive chef Hakon Mar Orvarsson, is popular with hotel guests and locals alike, but also increasingly with business people looking for a venue with a touch of sophistication for their meetings. The food is international, and combines Icelandic ingredients such as game, seafood and lamb with strong Mediterranean flavours, in dishes that embrace various continental trends.
Nordica Hotel, Suthurlandsbraut 2
Tel: 444 5050.
Website: www.voxrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Trendy
Apotek
Right next door to Hotel Borg, Apotek is one of the latest additions to the capital's dining scene, and a trendy venue popular with the younger crowd (there is a disco on the fifth floor). The restaurant, a spacious airy room with an adjacent bar, occupies the premises of what used to be a pharmacy... hence the name. The décor is full of subtle contrasts, with oriental touches offset by shades of Scandinavian whites, and the food, best described as Icelandic and Asian fusion, is likewise marked by a variety of influences. Dishes range from traditional offerings with a twist to more adventurous creations, but all reflect the chef's desire to please the eyes and the palate at the same time.
Austurstraeti 16
Tel: 575 7900.
Website: www.veitingar.is
Price: $$$$
Café Paris
With a prime location by Austurvollur Square bang in the city centre, this popular venue is a prime spot for people watching in summer. Open daily until 0100 (and 0300 at the weekend), Café Paris offers a range of sandwiches, cakes, soups, salads and pasta dishes, as well as a grill menu and a breakfast selection. The warm, relaxed atmosphere and the extensive bistro-style menu ensure this place is busy from early in the morning to late at night.
Austurstræti 14
Tel: 551 1020.
Website: www.cafeparis.is
Price: $-$$
Café Solon
Pass Café Solon at any time during the day or in the evening and you will notice the place is always packed to the rafters, so they must be doing something right. Maybe it's the music playing in the background, or the huge windows and the funky artwork on the walls of the bright dining room that make it such a relaxing place to hang out? Maybe it's the chilled out and friendly attitude of the staff who never seem too busy to attend to their customers despite the sometimes hectic pace of proceedings? Or maybe it's just because the dishes here are always tasty, filling, well presented, reasonably priced and served with a smile. Whatever the answer, the recipe is a successful one, and customers (a mix of tourists and locals) keep coming back to this happy eaterie, some for the food alone, others to also enjoy the upstairs bar and disco after hours.
Bankastraeti 7a
Tel: 562 3232.
Website: www.solon.is
Price: $$-$$$
Budget
A Naestu Grosum
Vegetarians can sometimes feel a bit left out in Reykjavik, as few eateries offer many meat-free options, but this restaurant, on the first floor of a wooden house right on the main shopping street, will certainly have them leave with a full stomach... and a smile on their face. Reykjavik's premier vegetarian restaurant offers a great selection of healthy dishes such as home-made salads, quiches and soups, pasta and rice dishes, all very reasonably priced. There are also yummy desserts to choose from, and take away is available. On Fridays and Saturdays, the emphasis is on Indian cuisine served with freshly baked Naan bread.
Laugavegur 20b
Tel: 552 8410.
Website: www.anaestugrosum.is
Price: $$
Baejarins Beztu
Hot dogs (pylsur) are big in Iceland, as in many other Nordic countries, and Baejarins Beztu has become a real institution. Facing the harbour and overlooking a rather uninspiring parking lot, this tiny kiosk is famous throughout the city (and indeed further afield according to locals) for serving the original quintessential Icelandic hot dog; over a thousand a day are sold from the unassuming window. Like the locals who flock to the place at any time of day or night for a quick bite to eat, go for the full monthy, i.e. a hot dog with mustard, ketchup and chopped raw and fried onions. It might not be glamorous, but it sure tastes delicious!
Corner of Tryggvagata and Pósthússtræti
Price: $
Kina Husid
Centrally located on Laekjargata, this restaurant, housed in a little red building, offers some tasty, no-nonsense Chinese food in a comfortable setting. There are excellent value special discount lunch menus as well as an a la carte selection featuring house specialities, including Cantonese,Szechuan and Peking dishes.
Laekjargata 8
Tel: 551 1014.
Price: $$
Personal Recommendations
Austur India Felagið
If you ever feel in need of a curry fix while in Reykjavik, you could do a lot worse than heading for Austur India Felagið on Hverfisgata. This award-winning upmarket Indian restaurant is not only the northernmost in the world, it is also one of the best in Europe... Mughalai, Tandoori, North and South Indian dishes all feature on the menu, and the food looks, tastes and smells very authentic indeed. Excellent value for money.
Hverfisgata 56
Tel: 552 1630.
Website: www.austurindia.is
Price: $$$
Rauðara Steakhouse
Rauðara Steakhouse (the name means ‘red river') occupies the premises of Reykjavik's first brewery, and the only one to remain open (allegedly to keep the army and the politicians of the day supplied in beer) after Iceland, well ahead of the USA, set the international prohibition bandwagon rolling by outlawing alcohol. (The prohibition was to last for over seven decades, and beer only legalized again in 1989!). The restaurant has retained many of the original features, which bear witness to the history of the building. The setting is cosy and intimate, with dimmed lights, big candles and imposing wooden tables, and the service friendly and relaxed. The main menu features typical Icelandic offerings varying with the season (and includes whale, puffin, reindeer and even horse meat), with strong emphasis on grilled meat and fish. There is also a more affordable international tourist menu for those with more conservative tastes... and/or those watching their budget. The owner and head chef, Stefan Stefansson, is a friendly host, and he will make sure that your evening at Rauðara is a memorable one...
Rauðararstigur 37
Tel: 562 6766.
Website: www.raudara.is
Price: $$-$$$
Tveir Fiskar
Located right on the harbour, Tveir Fiskar is without doubt one of the best seafood restaurants in town. The fish here is as fresh as it comes (as the boats and trawlers literally empty their catch straight through the kitchen door) and the service is relaxed and friendly. But what sets Tveir Fiskar apart is the originality of its menu, which combines typical Icelandic fare (with offerings such as smoked puffin, dolphin carpaccio, whale steak or skyr, the traditional yoghurt-like dessert, for example) with Mediterranean inspired fish dishes such as bouillabaisse. Garlic, olive oil and basil all feature prominently on the menu. There is also a changing daily special, depending on the catch of the day.
Geirsgata 9
Tel: 511 3474.
Website: www.restaurant.is
Price: $$$-$$$$
These restaurants are divided into four different pricing categories (the prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal; they do not include tax or tip or drinks):
$$$$ (over IKr5,000)
$$$ (IKr2,500 to IKr5,000)
$$ (IKr1,000 to IKr2,500)
$ (under IKr1,000)
Reservations are recommended wherever possible; in the case of upscale and popular restaurants, they are essential. Bear in mind that alcohol is prohibitively expensive in Iceland, so an easy way to cut down on the cost of eating out is to avoid it altogether, and stick to water and soft drinks.
Gastronomic
Laekjarbrekka
The black wooden house overlooking the junction of Bankastraeti and Laekargata was built by a rich Danish merchant as a bakery shop in the 1830s, and for many years it remained the only such shop in Reykjavik. Now fully restored, the restaurant still has that old time feel to it, and eating at Laekjarbrekka is a bit like stepping back in time, sampling the best traditional food Iceland has to offer in authentic 19th century surroundings. There is a cosy bar upstairs under the eaves which is perfect for pre- (or post-) dinner drinks, and the main dining room downstairs is just as comfortable and homely, with its collection of eclectic ornaments, embroidered tablecloths, lace curtains, Tiffany lamps and tapestries on the walls... there is even a grandfather clock. Add to this piano music in the background, and fresh roses and candles on the table, and you have the perfect setting for a romantic dinner like no other. The food, which is excellent, is traditional Icelandic fare in all its splendour, ranging from lamb to lobster (the house speciality): we felt a bit bemused by the choice on offer at first, but our waiter provided excellent advice and guidance and helped us made judicious choices. All in all, an evening with a touch of magic, and one well worth splashing out for.
Laekjarbrekka Bankastraeti 2
Tel: 551 4430.
Website: www.laekjarbrekka.is
Price: $$$$
Siggi Hall
Gourmets argue that Siggi Hall is worth a trip to Iceland in itself, and I am not one to disagree with them, although the country has much to offer beside. But this restaurant really stands in a class of its own. Named after Iceland's best loved chef Siggi Hall (a man with several TV shows and cookbooks to his credit), the restaurant offers Icelandic food with a modern twist. Siggi has long been a champion of Icelandic ingredients, passionately campaigning to raise their profile at home and abroad, and this is evident on the menu, where lamb and seafood are prominent. The delivery is never short of exceptional as the maestro in the kitchen conjures up superb creations that are as inspiring for the tastebuds as they are pleasing for the eyes. Add to this a stylish setting, an informal atmosphere (the host frequently makes appearances to enquire about the wellbeing of his guests) and attentive waiting staff, and it is easy to see why Siggi Hall is one of Reykjavik's most popular restaurant.
Thorsgata 1
Tel: 511 6677.
Website: www.siggihall.is
Price: $$$$
Sjavarkjallarinn
The award-winning Seafood Cellar (thus named because it is located in the oldest cellar in Reykjavik) has gained recognition for its inventive and daring cooking on several occasions over the years, most recently in 2006, when chef Stein Oskar Sigurdsson won the prestigious Chef of the Year award. The main emphasis here is on fusion cooking, with fish and seafood, as one would expect, very much at the forefront of the menu (although lamb and vegetarian options are also available). The setting, with its stone walls, dimmed lights and white tablecloths, is original and inviting, and the service professional and unobtrusive. Add to this a solid wine list, and you are on to a winner.
Aðalstræti 2
Tel: 511 1212.
Website: www.sjavarkjallarinn.is
Price: $$$$
Business
The Gallery Restaurant
Based in Hotel Holt, the Gallery Restaurant, named after the paintings that adorn the hotel (the largest permanent private art collection in the country) is a perfect setting for a business meeting with a touch of class. Since it first opened in the 1960s, the restaurant has remained among the finest dinning places in the capital, and indeed Iceland. The wine list, with over 4,000 bottles, features an impressive selection of vintage wines, cognacs, malt whiskies and Armagnacs, and the food, traditional French with Icelandic touches, is superb.
Hotel Holt, Bergstathastaeti 37
Tel: 552 5700.
Website: www.holt.is
Price: $$$$
The Pearl Restaurant
The Pearl is a favourite for business meetings. The restaurant, on the top floor of the Perlan building, is located on a revolving platform which allows guests to enjoy spectacular panoramic views while savouring fine international cuisine. The Pearl truly comes into its own in the evening (it is in fact closed at lunchtime), when the sunset can be admired through the thousand glass panels of the dome, and later on when the lights all over it turn the interior into a star-studded night, regardless of the weather outside. The restaurant completes a full rotation every two hours.
Perlan, Oskjuhlith
Tel: 562 0200.
Website: www.perlan.is
Price: $$$$
Vox
Located in the Nordica Hotel, Icelandair's flagship hotel, the open-plan Vox Restaurant is fast becoming a gourmet destination in its own right, and it is the perfect setting for a classy night out. The restaurant, under the auspices of award winning executive chef Hakon Mar Orvarsson, is popular with hotel guests and locals alike, but also increasingly with business people looking for a venue with a touch of sophistication for their meetings. The food is international, and combines Icelandic ingredients such as game, seafood and lamb with strong Mediterranean flavours, in dishes that embrace various continental trends.
Nordica Hotel, Suthurlandsbraut 2
Tel: 444 5050.
Website: www.voxrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$
Trendy
Apotek
Right next door to Hotel Borg, Apotek is one of the latest additions to the capital's dining scene, and a trendy venue popular with the younger crowd (there is a disco on the fifth floor). The restaurant, a spacious airy room with an adjacent bar, occupies the premises of what used to be a pharmacy... hence the name. The décor is full of subtle contrasts, with oriental touches offset by shades of Scandinavian whites, and the food, best described as Icelandic and Asian fusion, is likewise marked by a variety of influences. Dishes range from traditional offerings with a twist to more adventurous creations, but all reflect the chef's desire to please the eyes and the palate at the same time.
Austurstraeti 16
Tel: 575 7900.
Website: www.veitingar.is
Price: $$$$
Café Paris
With a prime location by Austurvollur Square bang in the city centre, this popular venue is a prime spot for people watching in summer. Open daily until 0100 (and 0300 at the weekend), Café Paris offers a range of sandwiches, cakes, soups, salads and pasta dishes, as well as a grill menu and a breakfast selection. The warm, relaxed atmosphere and the extensive bistro-style menu ensure this place is busy from early in the morning to late at night.
Austurstræti 14
Tel: 551 1020.
Website: www.cafeparis.is
Price: $-$$
Café Solon
Pass Café Solon at any time during the day or in the evening and you will notice the place is always packed to the rafters, so they must be doing something right. Maybe it's the music playing in the background, or the huge windows and the funky artwork on the walls of the bright dining room that make it such a relaxing place to hang out? Maybe it's the chilled out and friendly attitude of the staff who never seem too busy to attend to their customers despite the sometimes hectic pace of proceedings? Or maybe it's just because the dishes here are always tasty, filling, well presented, reasonably priced and served with a smile. Whatever the answer, the recipe is a successful one, and customers (a mix of tourists and locals) keep coming back to this happy eaterie, some for the food alone, others to also enjoy the upstairs bar and disco after hours.
Bankastraeti 7a
Tel: 562 3232.
Website: www.solon.is
Price: $$-$$$
Budget
A Naestu Grosum
Vegetarians can sometimes feel a bit left out in Reykjavik, as few eateries offer many meat-free options, but this restaurant, on the first floor of a wooden house right on the main shopping street, will certainly have them leave with a full stomach... and a smile on their face. Reykjavik's premier vegetarian restaurant offers a great selection of healthy dishes such as home-made salads, quiches and soups, pasta and rice dishes, all very reasonably priced. There are also yummy desserts to choose from, and take away is available. On Fridays and Saturdays, the emphasis is on Indian cuisine served with freshly baked Naan bread.
Laugavegur 20b
Tel: 552 8410.
Website: www.anaestugrosum.is
Price: $$
Baejarins Beztu
Hot dogs (pylsur) are big in Iceland, as in many other Nordic countries, and Baejarins Beztu has become a real institution. Facing the harbour and overlooking a rather uninspiring parking lot, this tiny kiosk is famous throughout the city (and indeed further afield according to locals) for serving the original quintessential Icelandic hot dog; over a thousand a day are sold from the unassuming window. Like the locals who flock to the place at any time of day or night for a quick bite to eat, go for the full monthy, i.e. a hot dog with mustard, ketchup and chopped raw and fried onions. It might not be glamorous, but it sure tastes delicious!
Corner of Tryggvagata and Pósthússtræti
Price: $
Kina Husid
Centrally located on Laekjargata, this restaurant, housed in a little red building, offers some tasty, no-nonsense Chinese food in a comfortable setting. There are excellent value special discount lunch menus as well as an a la carte selection featuring house specialities, including Cantonese,Szechuan and Peking dishes.
Laekjargata 8
Tel: 551 1014.
Price: $$
Personal Recommendations
Austur India Felagið
If you ever feel in need of a curry fix while in Reykjavik, you could do a lot worse than heading for Austur India Felagið on Hverfisgata. This award-winning upmarket Indian restaurant is not only the northernmost in the world, it is also one of the best in Europe... Mughalai, Tandoori, North and South Indian dishes all feature on the menu, and the food looks, tastes and smells very authentic indeed. Excellent value for money.
Hverfisgata 56
Tel: 552 1630.
Website: www.austurindia.is
Price: $$$
Rauðara Steakhouse
Rauðara Steakhouse (the name means ‘red river') occupies the premises of Reykjavik's first brewery, and the only one to remain open (allegedly to keep the army and the politicians of the day supplied in beer) after Iceland, well ahead of the USA, set the international prohibition bandwagon rolling by outlawing alcohol. (The prohibition was to last for over seven decades, and beer only legalized again in 1989!). The restaurant has retained many of the original features, which bear witness to the history of the building. The setting is cosy and intimate, with dimmed lights, big candles and imposing wooden tables, and the service friendly and relaxed. The main menu features typical Icelandic offerings varying with the season (and includes whale, puffin, reindeer and even horse meat), with strong emphasis on grilled meat and fish. There is also a more affordable international tourist menu for those with more conservative tastes... and/or those watching their budget. The owner and head chef, Stefan Stefansson, is a friendly host, and he will make sure that your evening at Rauðara is a memorable one...
Rauðararstigur 37
Tel: 562 6766.
Website: www.raudara.is
Price: $$-$$$
Tveir Fiskar
Located right on the harbour, Tveir Fiskar is without doubt one of the best seafood restaurants in town. The fish here is as fresh as it comes (as the boats and trawlers literally empty their catch straight through the kitchen door) and the service is relaxed and friendly. But what sets Tveir Fiskar apart is the originality of its menu, which combines typical Icelandic fare (with offerings such as smoked puffin, dolphin carpaccio, whale steak or skyr, the traditional yoghurt-like dessert, for example) with Mediterranean inspired fish dishes such as bouillabaisse. Garlic, olive oil and basil all feature prominently on the menu. There is also a changing daily special, depending on the catch of the day.
Geirsgata 9
Tel: 511 3474.
Website: www.restaurant.is
Price: $$$-$$$$
