Top Restaurants in Keflavik
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Top 10 restaurants in Keflavik, Iceland
Discover the best restaurant in Keflavik, Iceland including Kaffi Duus, Rain, Thai Keflavik, Kaffi Sudur, Kef Restaurant & Bar, Olsen Olsen, Pulsuvagninn, Cafe Petite, Fernando's Restaurant, Radhuskaffi
Things to do in Keflavik
1. Kaffi Duus
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By SigriddeC - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
This place reminds me of a family run Italian bistro in Melbourne that works on volume and big plates with little finesse. It's a fairly small cafe, with views overlooking the small Keflavik harbour which would be pretty nice on a sunny day.
Kaffi Duus is a bit of an institution, it's been around for more than 20 years, mostly servicing bus groups and meals post whale watching tours. There are 3 areas Seating about 35, 60 and 30, but I'm at a loss to understand how they can cram 250pax in here (or so their website claims).
Maths may not be their strong point but they sure know how to charge. If you haven't visited Iceland be prepared for the sticker shock ... everything is expensive here, and Kaffi Duus is no exception. Don't expect to get any cheap meal for less than AUD$100.
We chose this place on recommendation from another guest at the Hotel Berg, whose wife liked the place (but he thought it was just OK). So we weren't expecting anything amazing. We just wanted something warm and hearty on a friggin' freezing cold night.
Kaffi Duus is not the easiest place to get to having to wind yourself around the shoreline until you find the car park (watch the black ice in winter). Once inside we were taken to a window table where we couldn't see a thing because it was pitch black outside. It also meant we weren't that warm either.
The staff are efficient here but not very good at building rapport. The menu is pretty extensive with seafood done several ways and it reads really well. On a budget (and not that hungry) we skipped the Starters, Salad and Wines and headed straight for the mains.
I didn't quite understand the mix of Italian and Indian food on the menu, but I'd seen that warning on Foursquare so I was prepared - I suppose it means there's something for everyone. Wanting to try the local seafood (which is why I suspect many come here) Hubby had the Sailor's Plate without garlic (Diskur sjóarans 3,950 ISK) and I had the Panfried Monkfish (Pönnusteiktur skötuselur 4,550 ISK).
Most of the dishes come coated with a sauce - so ask for it on the side to be sure you can actually taste the seafood. And they do use a lot of garlic too. Flavour? Perhaps, but it's also a good masking agent for inferior produce.
Au naturale Hubby's fish tasted fresh and was cooked well, but sadly mine tasted like it had been frozen. I know it's not always possible but I wish menus declared that, or you were told at the time of ordering. I'm also glad I didn't get the sauce on mine (see photo)
And the 'lobster' wasn't really lobster either, not in my experience anyhow. Better to save your money and go to Z Bistro in Hofn for their Langoustine Salad or Pizza - both completely amazing at a much cheaper price with better service.
We didn't stay long after our two AUD $128 mains were finished, and paying at the counter took ages as staff were busy with other duties. The complimentary chocolates at checkout are terrible too ... avoid them at all costs.
I'd love to give this place a better review but it's the service that lets it down ... we weren't made to feel particularly welcome and food was sort of thrust down on the table without a smile. Maybe it's a standoffish Icelandic thing? But we definitely felt like a number going through a 'process', rather than a valued guest.
Overall this place wasn't too bad, and it met our average expectations. But in my line of work you under promise and over deliver ... and that's not what Kaffi Duus did. If they focused on giving better customer service and ensuring their produce was 100% fresh and accurately listed then the experience would have been better. Oh, and change those chocolates!
2. Rain
Overall Ratings
4 based on 233 reviews
Reviewed By Steve H - London, United Kingdom
Service friendly and attentive.
For a very expensive restaurant we were a little disappointed.
While the fish meal was very nice but simple, the spaghetti was appalling. Instead of a nice tomato salsa it was served with a large blob of ketchup on top.
To be fair the restaurant didn’t charge us for it when we complained - so top marks for that.
Seriously, the chef should hang his head in shame.
For future reference, Mr Chef:
1 onion sweated in butter, oil and oregano
Fresh basil added to onions when transparent
1 can polpi (tomato)
100gm tomato paste
Half a cup of water
Half a can of beer or 100ml of red wine
Pinch of salt
Pepper to season
3. Thai Keflavik
Overall Ratings
4 based on 285 reviews
Reviewed By mandaf76 - cardigan Wales
Really nice food we had 2 starters, spring rolls and chicken satay 2 mains a noodle dish with chicken and a chicken curry... all really nice and freshly cooked, however we did find it expensive but again seems to be the general rule in Iceland... very tasty though
4. Kaffi Sudur
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By FoiledSeattle - Seattle, Washington
lots of very fresh fish, everyone spoke English, and seems like the locals eat here as well!
5. Kef Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
KEF is a glass-enclosed restaurant attached to Hotel Keflavik. We serve International and Icelandic cuisine. Please note! It is recommended to reserve a table in advance by phone or by email. Hope to see you soon.
Reviewed By ChrisDessein - Izegem, Belgium
On our last evening and night in the fantastic Iceland, before going back home, we had a good dinner at the Kef restaurant.
I recommend to make a reservation, what we did, as all tables were occupied ( at 8.30pm).
Menu is not extensive, but has something to offer for all. Good taste, good portions with a serving staff in a good and relaxing mood. Relaxing also due to the with light filled restaurant.
6. Olsen Olsen
Overall Ratings
4 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By Zak N
Super nice burger and very polite staff. Prices are relatively cheap and the place is clean. No bad smell because of the burger, and there is free water which you can take up to the table.Thank you for your review, and thank you for taking the time out to visit us.
7. Pulsuvagninn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Henrik N - Soenderborg, Denmark
The staff are friendly and they serve things quickly. Good place for a Quick bite. Its not gourmet but the hot dogs are pretty good. The hot dog comes with "remuladi", mustard, ketchup and fried i onions that add a little crunch to the experience. Prices are very reasonable for Iceland
8. Cafe Petite
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Cafe Petite is a cosy coffee house in Keflavik. We emphasize on a relaxed, comfortable environment that makes you feel right at home. With comfortable Seating, no-limit free WiFi and prices that will make your bank account very happy. We have coffee, cocktails, desserts and great variety of unique Icelandic beers. And if all that isn't enough we have pool tables, chess and playing cards to make sure you won't get bored. We do not serve food
Reviewed By Ziplocked - Montreal, Canada
Located right behind Hotel Keflavik this café is a nice place to spend some quality time with the locals or with your travelling companion. Pool tables, coffee, Deserts, alcohol, cards are just some of the ways you can relax here in a living room style...MoreThank you so much for your visit, we're very happy that you enjoyed yourself and hope to see you again ! :)
9. Fernando's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
Reviewed By June C - St. Ives, Australia
Friendly waiters, delicious generous sized pizza and fantastic desert. Best food we had in Iceland. A relief after some super dodgy meals throughout our 3 week trip. Special favourite was the lava cake desert served with strawberries, ice cream... yum. Nice to have a good Italian meal.
10. Radhuskaffi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Raðhus Cafe is located in the center of Keflavik five minutes away from the airport; apart from our coffee house services we also offer a variety of house specialties such as “Bacalhau a Braz”, Portuguese food, breakfast, Icelandic appetizers, frappo, soups, sandwiches, pasta, quesadillas and more.
Reviewed By Blossi63 - Iceland
What better than going to the local Library and sit down a the Ráðhúskaffi for a light meal. Angela the owner is amazing and always joyful.
