61 Best Restaurants in Iceland

The menu is always changing at this locally owned restaurant—you might find anything from Thai favorites to hearty burgers. It's a great place for the family, given the friendly atmosphere.

Located inside a high-ceilinged greenhouse, this organic café only serves products made from organically cultivated foodstuffs, with most of its pastries coming from the bakery in town. Experience the unique, positive atmosphere in Sólheimar while enjoying food and drink made with love.

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.

This breakfast-and-lunch spot in Grindavík started in Halla's kitchen at home. Her specialty is fresh, healthy daily to-go bags, which are filled with snacks, fresh juices, a hot lunch, and something sweet—perfect for a long day of sightseeing.

Just a 20-minute drive south of Akureyri lies this idyllic dairy farm. While you can get some local meat and other wares here, the real draw is their homemade ice cream, which will have you swearing off the grocery store stuff. They, of course, have the basic flavors, but make sure to try their wackier ones—they're a true standout. Grab a scoop and meander around to say hi to the animals. Make sure to stop by their farm store as well.

The menu at this casual restaurant favors burgers, pizza, seafood, and salads. The town of Tálknafjörður is a quick trip from Patreksfjörður and offers up stunning scenery—the best kind of side dish for your meal.

Fire-baked sourdough pizzas are the thing to get at Hressó, where the atmosphere is casual and the toppings are truly local. If you've ever wanted to try a pizza with shrimp on top, this is the place to do it.

The soup bar is the main draw at this bistro attached to Hotel Húsafell. There are vegetarian options on the menu, making it an easy stop for groups with various dietary needs. If you take one of the local glacier tours, there's a chance you'll get a discount here so don't miss out on that.

Head to Old Town to dine at Husið, which offers a wide variety of menu options from burgers to seafood. They also offer brunch, which is not often found in the more remote areas of Iceland.

If there are two things Icelanders love, it's swimming pools and ice cream. This charming ice-cream parlor offers delicious flavors, including Icelandic favorites like Bragarefur as well as the Icelandic version of gelato.

You'll find a line full of locals winding out the door of this ice-cream shop during the summertime. They offer two kinds of ice cream: "old" and "new," both of which describe the recipes used to make the soft serve (the older recipe is creamier). Choosing which toppings to get will be your hardest decision of the day.

In any weather—even the most brutal snowstorm—Icelanders will meet their friends for an ice cream. Ísbúð Vesturbæjar is a famous family-owned ice-cream parlor with one of the best Bragðarefur (blended mix of crushed-up candy and vanilla soft-serve) in all of Iceland.

Overlooking the dark blue waters of Faxaflói Bay, Kaffi Duus has been part of the Keflavík Marina since the 1990s. They offer an extensive seafood menu that features a mix of Icelandic and Indian dishes, guaranteeing that anyone can find something to suit their fancy.

Located in a bright yellow historic house right by the river, Kaffi Krús has fed locals and tourists alike for over 25 years. In its charming setting, which is furnished with a mix of modern and antique pieces, they offer a variety of great pizzas, burgers, and cakes.

In business since 1958, Iceland's oldest café is a wonderful place to mingle with locals of all kinds. Many consider the waffles at this Reykjavík institution to be the best in town.

This is a popular spot for dining and people-watching. The menu is broad, covers all main meals with basic dishes, and there are daily specials.

Simply put, Kanslarinn is like a classic American roadside diner with an Icelandic country twist. The space itself is not intended to impress, but their classic diner dishes and Icelandic favorites consistently deliver.

Wood-fired pizza is the main appeal here, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Don't sleep on the homemade garlic oil the restaurant offers on the side—it will take your pizza to a whole new level. Its location near a golf course makes it the perfect pre- or post-round snack. 

For over 20 years, Langbest has fed the citizens of Reykjanesbær to great acclaim. This is a must-stop for some of the region's best pizza, but they also serve hamburgers, steaks, and more.

Reminiscent of an American-style diner, Laundromat Café makes two promises: a meal and a place to wash your clothes—and it delivers. The latter can be found in the basement, but you'll find no frills meals, lots of books, and neverending coffee refills in the restaurant. 

Serving locally sourced seafood and lamb dishes, Malarkaffi is also popular for its memorable location with a veranda that overlooks the surrounding fjord. Note that this restaurant is closed during the wintertime.

This hot dog food truck has an intriguing naming system when it comes to its menu: each item is named after a member of the Danish Royal Family. The Icelandic hot dogs here are tasty, affordable, and filling.

In an unassuming summer cottage at the town limits of Flúðir, you will find traditional Ethiopian specialties cooked and served by an Ethiopian-Icelandic couple. Eating spicy food with your hands surrounded by Ethiopian art is a real treat after a full day of sightseeing in the intense Icelandic terrain. Reservations are highly recommended. 

Burgers, fish soup, lobster, mussels, deep-fried Camembert, garlic bread—these are just some of the ample nourishment you can find here after a day of swimming at the nearby geothermal beach. This is a also great spot to take a break from walking Ægisíða and its water views.

The people of Keflavík talk about Olsen Olsen like it's a family member—its legend precedes it. Grab a burger and a Coke and get a taste of what it was like when the U.S. Army introduced Icelanders to rock 'n' roll and fast food.

Located next to the Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft and Sorcery, Galdur is a counter-style restaurant that serves local dishes. It's a tad on the expensive side (even by Icelandic standards), but the dishes remain worth the price tag. You're not exactly spoiled for choice here, but this place would stand out even in Reykjavík.

A kind Polish family runs this restaurant on the Golden Circle route. Don't let the humble exterior fool you: inside you will find some of Iceland's best pizzas and handmade chocolates.

Even if you're not hungry, a stop by Röstin Restaurant is worth it for the sea views alone. Located on the second floor of the Heritage and Maritime Museum of Garðskagi, the eatery offers classic Icelandic meals with a twist. During summer you can sit outside and enjoy the breeze, and if you're lucky, you just might spot some whales in the distance. 

This laid-back and charming restaurant at a campground near Geysir serves excellent pizzas and burgers. They also have a selection of beer, as well as nachos—together they make the perfect ending to a long day of sightseeing.