Reykjavik Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Reykjavik

November 23, 2017 Frederic Celentano

Reykjavik bears the distinction of being the world’s northernmost capital, and for many Icelandic visitors it also serves as a gateway to the rugged adventure options beyond. Recharge after outdoor pursuits in one of the many geothermal springs or luxurious indoor spas. We appreciate Reykjavik’s open-minded and energetic culture that includes a hip and internationally recognized music and arts scene, great food and notoriously "enthusiastic" nightlife.
Things to do in Reykjavik

1. Grillid

Hagatorg | At the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel, Reykjavik 107, Iceland Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi European, Fusion, Scandinavian, Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Late Night HK$487 - HK$1,452 +354 525 9960
Excellent
81%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 214 reviews

Grillid

Fine dining On the eighth floor of the Radisson BLU Saga hotel is Grillid, a restaurant that for more than half a century has been a symbol of a perfect night in Reykjavik. The reason is simple, at Grillid quality comes first, in food and drink, service and atmosphere. A night at Grillid is really a celebration for your senses, quality food and fine wine. Grillid Restaurant truly defines fine Icelandic dining. Panoramic view Grillid is on the eight floor of the Radisson Blu Saga hotel in Reykjavik and provides amazing view over Reykjavik city, the sea and the Mountains.

Reviewed By toddman572001 - Bath, United Kingdom

We ate here during our stay at the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel and the home of a Michelin chef. This is not food, it is a dining experince, everything about eating and drinking here is an experience. The serving staff went to great lengths to...MoreDear Todd. Thank you for spending your evening with us,We are delighted to read about your experience and happy to know you have enjoyed our food and as well our wine pairing. We hope to see you again one day. Warmest regards. Team Grillið.

2. Fiskmarkadurinn - The Fish Market

Adalstraeti 12, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi Japanese, Seafood, Sushi, European, Soups, Scandinavian, Fusion, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$118 - HK$667 +354 578 8877
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Fiskmarkadurinn - The Fish Market

Reviewed By PiscesToo - Texas

I chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner while we were in Reykjavik and I was very happy I did. We did the tasting menu and everything was delicious. Fresh fish, inventive food, great presentation, nice ambience. Service was wonderful. Highly recommend.

3. Svarta Kaffid

Laugavegi 54, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Bar, Soups, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$63 - HK$141 +354 551 2999
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Svarta Kaffid

A tiny, family owned soup restaurant in the heart of Reykjavik. We are proud to be the first and the original "soup in bread" restaurant in Iceland. We've been serving soups in bread for over 20 years amd we love it. Please note: We do not take Reservations, ever - but swing by and we will do our best to fit you in with smiles on our faces! :)

Reviewed By Richard_in_Virginia - Ashburn, Virginia

We didn't know anything about this place, but decided to give it a try because we were cold and tired from walking. We hoped that they had soup, but didn't realize that it's a SOUP restaurant. There's no menu... the waiter shows up and says "today, we have soup X and soup Y... what would you like?"
They only had two soups: a meat soup and a vegetarian... luckily, because my wife is vegetarian. I got the meat soup.
Both soups come in a bread bowl. This makes for a pretty heavy meal, but the bread is SO GOOD. The meat soup was slightly thick, had nice onions and carrots, but was pretty light on the meat. This didn't bother me, but for $25/ea...well, that's why I'm only giving 4 stars. They also have beer. I just drank the tap water (which is better than any bottle water you can buy).
We really like the decor of the place... it reminds me of a Portland Maine fish house... old, small, rustic, dark, warm and cozy. Perfect for hot soup. The staff are young, friendly and professional. It's on the 2nd floor, overlooking the main street. It only seats about 30, and there's no waiting area, so it's in or out if you don't have Reservations (not sure if they take reservations). This time of year, at 6:00PM we had no problem getting seated.

4. Fiskfelagid - Fish Company

Vesturgata 2a | Grófartorg, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards Seafood, European, Scandinavian, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Late Night HK$314 - HK$628 +354 552 5300
Excellent
73%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Fiskfelagid - Fish Company

Reviewed By Richard C - Warrington, United Kingdom

One of our best meals for ages. Brilliant menu and fantastic cooking. Great staff that make you feel really welcome. Great location and great atmosphere. All Courses that we saw looked fantastic. Not cheap but worth the expense.

5. Grillmarkadurinn

Laekjargata 2A, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi European, Scandinavian, Grill, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +354 571 7777
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Grillmarkadurinn

Reviewed By eidolonnyc - New York, NY

Had a nice meal hear. Kind of a supper club vibe. Worth a splurge, but we had a much better experience at Snaps and ROK.

6. Forrettabarinn

Nylendugata 14, Reykjavik 101, Iceland (Formerly Forrettabarinn) Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards Seafood, European, Scandinavian, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Drinks, Dinner HK$133 - HK$534 +354 517 1800
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Forrettabarinn

We serve starters of all sizes from around the world, made out of Iceland's freshest ingredients and seasonal game. Forrettabarinn is a true gem in the oldest part of town, in the fresh sea air down by the harbor.Our wine and beer-list matches perfectly the spirit of the ever changing menu of our sometimes "experimental kitchen".We offer you exciting new angles to traditional dishes with a vibrant atmosphere and warm service.

Reviewed By DrBooska H

We had dinner here. We order horse and beef burger. Both were delicious. Also chocolat cake for dessert was nice too.

7. Ostabudin

Skolavoerdustigur 8, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Credit Cards European, Soups, Scandinavian, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Drinks, Lunch, Brunch HK$71 - HK$235 +354 562 2772
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Ostabudin

Food connoisseurs and other gastronomes have ever since the year 2000 slipped into our basement during lunch hour to feast on various delicacies. But of course everyone knows that because ever since the restaurant opened for business it has been the least kept secret in the area. Ostabuðin has truly been an oasis on Skolavorðustigur because we have tried our best to offer a wide varaity of fresh and curious products which have tickled our patrons taste buds and in turn trickled salivating reflexes in the city center. Even though we have taken some pride in the queue that has formed outside our entrance every single day during lunch break for the past 15 years we have finally expanded our premises. Thus we can now welcome our patrons from dawn til dusk and offer them a variety of fish and meat dishes which we have refined with passion. Of course there is also a lot of cheese on the menu and now we can also serve wine with our fare. Our daily specials always include both a fish dish and a soup during lunch hour on weekdays. Do not hesitate to ask what is on offer today. Also, our seafood soup never disappoints. Our guests might have to share tables during the lunch hour rush but who knows – maybe you will make new friends. Bon appetit, Joi.

Reviewed By greg h - Camberley, United Kingdom

Service awesome. Authentic atmosphere and marvellous meats. Lamb cooked beautifully and reindeer succulent. Beets earthy and farmers salad flavoursome and colourful. Sykrmus......l licked the bowl clean whilst others chomped the apple crumble! Just go!

8. Kaffivagninn

Grandagardur 10, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Credit Cards Seafood, European, Scandinavian, Cafe, Soups, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$133 - HK$157 +354 551 5932
Excellent
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 645 reviews

Kaffivagninn

Reviewed By Michael K

Decided to use this restaurant based on comments on TripAdvisor. Wasn't disappointed!! Food, service and ambience very good, and lovely and warm inside. My wife had the fish and chips (to which I commented we've travelled to Iceland to have what you can get at home?) but to be fair the dish was excellent and to quote 'the best fish and chips I've had for along time). I had the 'fishpan'- again really good. Prices are reasonable for Reykjavik, well worth a visit.

9. Old Iceland Restaurant

Laugavegur 72, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi Seafood, European, Scandinavian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +354 551 6131
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Old Iceland Restaurant

We are a family run restaurant with Icelandic home cooking. Our specialty is on seafood and Icelandic lamb. We also offer a choice of three or a five course set menu OPENING HOURS: Lunch: 11:30 - 16:15, Dinner: 17:00 - 22:00

Reviewed By Pinz - Ashford, United Kingdom

A quaint restaurant offering fabulous food. We wanted the 3 course set menu but tried to substitute the starter for one of us. We had previously done this in other restaurants and they were happy to oblige, here however it was a definite NO! We went for different options in the end and had fantastic meals. The presentation and flavours of all of the courses was first class.

10. AALTO Bistro

Saemundargata 11 | The Nordic House / Norraena Husid, Reykjavik 101, Iceland Takeout, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Highchairs Available, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards Seafood, Scandinavian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +354 551 0200
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 206 reviews

AALTO Bistro

Nordic cool at its best. For years, the renowned chef Sveinn Kjartansson has been showing viewers of Icelandic Television how to make the most of the country's natural food sources, especially its impressive range of seafood. Now, visitors to AALTO Bistro in the Nordic House can sample for themselves the work of this creative chef, in the form of delicious and delightful fresh lunch specials and during the day. When it comes to afternoon coffee, linger awhile, over delicious homemade cakes, all made with the best ingredients available at the time, Over the weekends, a delicately constructed dinner menu. Naturally, the fruits of the sea feature prominently, although meat and vegan options are also on offer. In true New Nordic style, the food at AALTO Bistro draws on fresh, local, healthy produce, ingredients which change with the seasons. Head chef Sveinn stirs in a dash of his trademark magic to create the prettiest of plates. Healthy food for a happy heart!

Reviewed By Thordur H - Reykjavik

The Nordic House is one of the finest buildings in Reykjavik, a great homage to the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The small restaurant has a fine view of the city over a busy duck pond. There were 4 of us and all had excellent food. The crab cakes and the seafood soup were tasty and so was the fish pan, catfish and cod that followed, all perfectly cooked. This is surely some of the best food to be had in Reykjavik. The chef, Sveinn Kjartansson was charming. Ask for a window table.

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