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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.
Glaumbær, Varmahlíð, Northwest, 561, Iceland
Known For
- Looks like grandma's house, tastes like grandma's secret family recipes
- Top-tier pancakes
- Every traditional Icelandic pastry there is
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed late Sept.–early May
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$$$$ | | Indian
Long before Reykjavík could boast of its cosmopolitan culture, this outstanding restaurant was busy with loyal local customers who enjoy authentic Indian cuisine. The gormandizing gets underway in a luxuriously decorated lounge where colorful, golden-brocade cushions, Tanjore painting, and teakwood walls frame a collection of Hindu deities. Here you can sip on a cool Cobra beer or Mysore masala cocktail, nibble on poppadoms (seasoned dough), and browse a menu of popular Indian classics with enough obscure regional dishes to impress any thali aficionado. The seafood dishes are worthy of consideration, too: the tandoori lasooni lobster and hariyali salmon are scrumptious, as are kozhi mappas chicken and achari gosht lamb.
Hverfisgata 56, Reykjavík, 101, Iceland
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An attention-attracting Viking ship decked out with colorful shields acts like a visual ringmaster for this fabulous Hauganes restaurant, drumming up business for their fishy fare. Tasty seafood dishes and baccalá (salted codfish)–themed meals star on the menu alongside the seaside views. If you're lucky, you might just see a whale in the distance.
Hafnargata 6, Northeast, 621, Iceland
Known For
- Outrageously good fish and chips
- Amazing views out to the ocean
- Baccalá pizza
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Akureyri’s favorite bakery gets a lot of business from locals but still flies under visitors' radar. Like most Icelandic bakeries, the shelves are stacked with Danish pastries, freshly baked bread, sandwiches, and cakes—but the quality here puts them a cut above the rest. It’s by the Glerá river, about a 10-minute walk from the city center.
Dalsbraut 1, Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland
Known For
- Best kleinur (traditional Icelandic twisted doughnuts) in Iceland
- Gooey chocolate snuður, the Icelandic take on cinnamon buns
- Freshly baked bread
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$$$ | |
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.
Eyrarvegur 3, Þórshöfn, Northeast, 680, Iceland
Known For
- One of the best burgers in Iceland
- Historic charm
- Relaxing waterfront terrace
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Hungry locals and visitors all come to Berlin (no relation to the city or German food) for the eggs, bacon, and baked tomatoes served on thick crusty bread with a side of juicy fruits. For those with a sweet tooth, the Belgian waffles will no doubt hit the spot.
Skipagata 4, Akureyri, Northeast, 600, Iceland
Known For
- All-day breakfast
- Hearty portions
- Waffles with whipped cream and caramel sauce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Pretty enough to be featured on picture postcards of Akureyri's town center, this beautiful blue building with red turrets is the perfect spot in any season to grab a coffee and watch the world go by. The interior, with weathered wooden beams and chandeliers, gives off a supercozy vibe—the perfect setting for a simple savory brunch plate, a soup, or a nice sweet treat.
Hafnarstræti 96, Akureyri, Northeast, 600, Iceland
Known For
- Happy marriage cake (a traditional dessert in Iceland made with rhubarb)
- The best coffee in Akureyri
- Brunch plate
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$ | Miðbær |
Ágúst Einþórsson is the baker behind this local favorite, with its full displays full of simple yet perfect pastries and other baked goods. It's the kind of unflashy spot you stumble upon and can't get out of your head long after you return home.
Frakkastígur 16, Reykjavík, Capital Region, 101, Iceland
Known For
- Superfresh cinnamon buns
- Buttery croissants
- Early open hours
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$ | Miðbær |
In a parking lot facing the harbor, this tiny yet famous fast-food hut is known for serving the original Icelandic hot dog—and a single person serves about a thousand of them a day from the window. Ask for eina með öllu (pronounced "ayn-ah med utl-lou"), or "one with everything," which gets you mustard, tomato sauce, rémoulade (mayonnaise with finely chopped pickles), and chopped raw and fried onions.
Tryggvagata and Pósthússtræti, Reykjavík, Capital Region, 101, Iceland
Known For
- Quick service
- A wide variety of locally loved condiments
- Incredibly helpful hot dog holders on the nearby tables
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$$$ | |
This spot sources many of its ingredients from the surrounding fjord, offering an authentic taste of local life. This spot is often busy so call to book a table ahead of time.
Sveinseyri, Westfjords, 460, Iceland
Known For
- Stunning scenery
- Local ingredients
- Lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | Miðbær |
This Icelandic food haven is a must-stop for many people around the world—just take a look at their guest book. Do yourself a favor and visit after taking in the views from the iconic Hallgrímskirkja; you'll feel like you're in the center of a Nordic movie set.
Lokastígur 28, Reykjavík, Capital Region, 101, Iceland
Known For
- Location across from Hallgrímskirkja
- Delicious homemade dishes
- Friendly service
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$$$ | |
This restaurant is often packed with locals and travelers, which is a true testament to how great it is. Café Riis serves up a mean fish soup, as well as pizza that some have called the best in Iceland. Its cozy interior feels a lot like a family holiday cabin.
Hafnarbraut 39, Westfjords, Iceland
Known For
- Tasty seafood soup
- Delicious pizza options
- Cozy interior
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$$$$ | Miðbær |
There's only one option at Dill: a tasting menu with a modern spin on traditional Icelandic dishes. In 2017, Dill was the first restaurant in Iceland to be awarded a Michelin star, with chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason at the helm. The spot is known around town for precision, and making a reservation here will win you brownie points with locals.
Laugavegur 59, Reykjavík, Capital Region, 101, Iceland
Known For
- Spectacular tasting menu
- Careful attention to detail with presentation
- Downright delicious takes on Icelandic dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. year-round, Sat. every other week, and Tues. every other week. No lunch
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$$$$ | |
White tablecloths, vintage-style crockery, and antiques add to the neoclassic tone of Eldhúsið restaurant, where you can enjoy beautifully plated meals made from local ingredients. You can’t go wrong with the fish of the day, beef reared on the surrounding farm, or the homemade ice creams and sorbets. There's a vegan menu, too.
Egilsstöðum 1-2, Egilsstaðir, Eastfjords, 700, Iceland
Known For
- Lunchtime beef burger
- Beef tenderloin and beef cheek
- Beef rib eye and béarnaise
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$ | Vesturbær |
This spot serves up Neapolitan-style pies with slow-rising sourdough made on-site. Most of the menu stays relatively traditional when it comes to toppings, but the Pizza of the Week tends to be a bit more creative.
Grandagarður 11, Reykjavík, Capital Region, 107, Iceland
Known For
- Unusual pizza of the week toppings (like dates)
- Home-fermented pizza dough
- Flavorful tomato sauce
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$$ | Laugardalur |
This bistro has a truly unique location inside the botanic gardens of Reykjavík. Of course, much of what you'll find on the menu is grown in the gardens, and you can learn all about the sustainable practices of the kitchen.
Grasagarðinum Laugarda, Reykjavík, Capital Region, 104, Iceland
Known For
- Organic ingredients
- Truly unique atmosphere
- Beautiful dish presentation
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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.
Garðarstígur 8, South, 845, Iceland
Known For
- “Georg the Great” carrot cocktail named after the founder
- Charming setting
- Gourmet buffet
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$$$$ | |
Located inside the Fosshotel Húsavík, this beautifully designed restaurant is a convenient place for guests to dine, although you don't need to be a guest to eat here. While their main menu offers traditional first rate Icelandic fare, they also have pizzas and great burgers.
Ketilsbraut 22, Húsavík, Northeast, 640, Iceland
Known For
- Hits-the-spot burgers
- Great arctic char
- Creative pizza menu
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$ | |
For a true chocolate high, visit Frida—aka the chocolate temptress of the north—who sells exceptional handmade chocolates in her delightful coffee shop. The decor is stylish, from the cartoon-covered walls of the bathroom to all the featured works of art, but the chocolates are the star attractions here, with some surprising flavors like blue cheese and beer.
Túngata 40a, Siglufjörður, Northeast, 580, Iceland
Known For
- Some of the best chocolate in Iceland
- Delicious hot chocolate
- Belgian waffles
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$$ | |
When you eat at Friðheimar, you're in for an experience. The restaurant is located in a tomato greenhouse and every single thing on the menu uses tomatoes in some shape or form. And boy does the chef get creative—from the green-tomato-and-apple pie to the tomato beer, you're going to find something new at this spot.
Bláskógabyggð, West, Iceland
Known For
- Perfect tomato soup
- Fun atmosphere
- Unique green-tomato-and-apple pie
