50 Best Restaurants in Iceland

Glaumbær's cozy tea room is an unforgettable stop, particularly after a meander around the historical grounds. Either get their soup, cakes, and coffee buffet or just order something á la carte. Their traditional pancakes are particularly drool-worthy, as is the homemade rhubarb jam.

The fresh flavors of Icelandic seafood and lamb feature in several superb dishes served at Báran, a welcoming bar and restaurant where the prices are affordable and the quality is high. Its harborside location adds atmospheric charm to the welcoming candlelit interior, where old historical annals, some dating back to the 19th century, have been incorporated into the decor. Standouts on the menu include several tasty modern classics with pizza and pasta dishes, but the Báran burger, dubbed as the best in Iceland, is always a winning choice.

This spot sources many of its ingredients from the surrounding fjord, offering an authentic taste of local life. This spot is often busy so call to book a table ahead of time.

This restaurant is often packed with locals and travelers, which is a true testament to how great it is. Café Riis serves up a mean fish soup, as well as pizza that some have called the best in Iceland. Its cozy interior feels a lot like a family holiday cabin.

The only mushroom farmers in Iceland invite you to feast on pâté, spreads, sauces, and ice cream—all made out of mushrooms. There's an emphasis on slow cooking, and their herbs, meat, and vegetables come from neighboring farms.

The town's old icehouse, which was once a storeroom for glacier ice used to keep the local fresh catches cool, is now a popular harborside pizzeria serving up soups and salads but mainly stone-baked pizzas. You’ll find classic pizza toppings along with langoustine. There’s also lobster soup and cheese-filled breadsticks.

The quiet enclave of Húsavík found worldwide fame in 2020 with the release of the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, which told the dramatic tale of two Húsavík musicians who dream of winning the famous contest. Named after a song from the film, this themed café pays homage to the hit in a delightfully cheesy manner.

While enjoying the exhibitions at Skriðuklaustur, you might get distracted by the delightful aromas wafting from the inviting in-house restaurant. If you follow your nose, you'll discover a lovely farmhouse-style dining area serving a buffet of lamb stew, reindeer pie, quiche, and potato salad, all made from mostly local ingredients. There's also a tantalizing display of sweets at the afternoon cake buffet. The cook, Elísabet, has published a collection of her favorite recipes available to purchase at the reception in English and Icelandic.

Sipping on a refreshing "Donkey" cocktail will add a spicy warmth to your cheeks while you take in this friendly spot's sights, sounds, and aromas, which intensify as the evening progresses. Each dish is carefully paired with wine and delivered with a detailed narrative by well-informed staff. Send your senses into overdrive with dishes like fruits de mer, charred salmon, or an assemblage of popular desserts aptly titled "Simply the Best."

Nestled on the first floor of the art-centric Marshall House, La Primavera's impressive interiors give you a taste of what's to come on the upper floors. If you never thought you'd find Italian dishes in Iceland to rival those you'd find in Italy, think again.

Helmed by the former head chef at Reykjavík restaurant Dill, Nielsen is the first Icelandic eatery to be awarded a Michelin star. The chef does wondrous things with the fine produce, all grown, caught, farmed, and foraged in the restaurant’s radius. You might spot wild game, pickled rhubarb, local barley, and angelica alongside better-known favorites such as fresh fish and lamb. 

Winning high-pedigree accolades for its food that creatively fuses fresh local fish with Japanese techniques and flavors, Norð Austur is worth booking ahead for. It is open in the summer only and is in high demand for its beautifully presented morsels, creative cocktails, and cozy atmosphere.

Reserve a table at this restaurant run by award-winning Moroccan chef Jaouad Hbib, who arrived at this remote northern town in 2016. The menu changes every few weeks and often features local ingredients.

Seashells, driftwood, and nautical knickknacks are cleverly incorporated in this well-designed space, where large windows overlook the bay. Here you can dine on some hearty seafood dishes while enjoying a spot of whale-watching; humpbacks and killer whales are often seen breaching in the bay. 

As with any restaurant in a coastal town—and Sker is located right on the sea—fish is the way to go here. Travelers also come (and come back) to this restaurant for its broad menu, which ranges from seafood and pizza to vegan options.

You never know exactly what the menu will be at the family-owned Tjöruhúsið, and for good reason: it all depends on what the local fishermen catch. You have your pick of two dinner seatings, at 7 pm and 9 pm (so don't be late), and three menu options—soup only, fish only, or fish and soup.

Fish and lamb are the name of the game at this casual eatery, which is perfect for a filling dinner after a day of sightseeing. Despite its humble exterior, the cooking here is expert. Make sure to leave room for some cake for dessert. 

The menu at Apotek is much the same as those at other upscale spots in Reykjavík—tons of fish, some sort of take on a tasting menu of traditional dishes (often with whale and puffin), and a few turf additions here and there—but the care and attention to detail is obvious here. It's a great splurge for those looking to get in one last memorable meal before heading home.

You'll have a tough time choosing your dinner line-up at this Indian restaurant. From the fan-favorite tandoori salmon to the pappadoms, the spices are bold and the flavors are unbeatable when it comes to Indian fare in the city.

There’s a ramshackle appeal to this converted old fishing hut located by the waterfront (its name translates to “the Bait Shack"). Meals served under the low-beamed ceilings decorated with nautical salvage are tasty and the service is quick, but the real draw of this place is the epic views of the fjord.

Seafood is the spotlight at this restaurant inside the Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel. Do yourself a favor and sign over all control to your server when it comes to the wine—the recommendations are spot on.

Toss out any expectations of bar food at this microbrewery hot spot—the menu here will surprise you. From the Lobster Feast to the Beer Piri-Piri Chicken, there's more to Bryggjan Brugghús than its taps. If you can't stay for lunch or dinner, at least take advantage of the expansive patio with a beer in hand.

If you're exhausted after a long day of driving between all the wonders of the Mývatn region, Daddi has you covered. This small hole-in-the-wall pizza place is a local favorite and offers quick delectable bites. If you're brave, order the one with smoked trout on it. 

You'll get the best of land and sea at Galito, from burgers and cod to sushi and even pizza. There's something for everyone here, which is especially tempting in a region that isn't known for having a ton of restaurant options.

This attractive old harborside restaurant made mainly of driftwood serves some of the heartiest meals in town, featuring a blend of burgers and pasta with an emphasis on seafood and traditional Icelandic dishes. It can get lively under the low beams of the nautical-inspired tavern, especially when there’s live music playing. 

There’s a lively, old-fashioned tavern vibe going on at this “Old Farm,” where you can enjoy a cold beer and a pub lunch in the comfort of one of their velvet-upholstered, vintage wooden chairs. The menu features a range of popular classics like burgers and fish and chips, with a few local specials thrown in like Icelandic flatbread and meat soup.

An honest family bistro run by a renowned and highly decorated chef is only a few minutes' walk from the harbor. Opt for the fish of the day; it is always fresh and delicious. The smell of freshly baked bread and organic coffee is enough to get any appetite going, and their famous date cake with caramel sauce and ice cream will win over any skeptic.

Three kilometers west of Eyrarbakki, this seafood restaurant sits almost right on the ocean—surprisingly uncommon in Iceland. Hafið bláa serves fresh seafood and very sweet Icelandic desserts.