213 Best Restaurants in Iceland

If you’re serious about the quality of your cup of joe, then you should feel right at home at Reykjavík Roasters. Owned and operated by some of Iceland’s most esteemed, award-winning baristas, Reykjavík Roasters delivers incredibly consistent cups of coffee. Its dedicated patrons seem to occupy the shabby-chic seating all day long, occasionally getting up for a refill or to play the other side of a vintage vinyl. The staff at this respected establishment prepare every coffee variety perfectly, every time.

The plokkfiskur (fish stew) at this local favorite is the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold night. The restaurant also hosts a Champagne happy hour that includes a bottle of bubbly, licorice, and cantaloupe every day between 4 and 7 pm.

This Akureyri restaurant takes its name literally, with chefs who use their signature “magic pepper” rub and a variety of others to enliven fish, lamb, and beef dishes. There are excellent sushi options too, and it's one of the few places in Iceland where you can sample real Icelandic wasabi (fresh wasabi is actually grown locally in Iceland, whereas previously the wasabi you would eat here was an imitation). Book in advance for evening meals.

There’s a good selection of quality bread and pastries at Sesam, an artisanal bakery in the middle of town that also serves coffee and cake. Each weekday there’s a good-value lunch special that’s popular with locals (Friday is pizza day).

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.

Built in 1915, this former general store is now a restaurant loved by locals and visitors alike. Go for Belgian waffles in the morning or afternoon, and visit again at night for the local catch of the day and lamb tagine.

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. 

Located in the Hlemmur Mathöll food hall, Skál! offers elegant Icelandic platings in a casual setting. The best part is that prices are much more reasonable than you'd see in most restaurants around the city, but you really aren't giving up any quality when it comes to the food.

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.

A port in all weather (especially for local professionals and tourists), this hotel bistro-bar—which also hosts the Reykjavík Bar Summit—has played a key role in reviving the heart of the Old Harbor. It’s especially popular on weekends when it pumps out a contagious flow of good vibes to go with its filling brunch, legendary cocktails, and highly addictive licorice-flavored popcorn. The menu features top-notch dishes at fair prices: don't hesitate to order the sensational seafood platter or the superlative Omnom chocolate cake. The bar, managed by cocktail wizard Ásgeir Björnsson, is stacked to the hilt with glass jars containing experimental infusions with labels like Cherry Blossom Bourbon and Duck-Washed Cognac, and waiters serve drinks from chemistry-set beakers that reinforce the scientific approach here.

For those looking to try authentic Icelandic food, look no further than this beloved family-run eatery. Specializing in fresh fish, their ethos is all about sustainability and slow food. And clearly it's worked, as many Icelanders make the long trip to Vestmannaeyjar purely for a dinner here. So don't be surprised if even a quick lunch at Slippurinn ends up being the meal you rave about for months after.

Always bustling, this popular bistro bar is famous for its weekend brunch and attracts a lively group of locals, whose musical inflections mingle nicely with the chatter of out-of-towners. Standouts on the French-inspired menu are many, but you can't go wrong with the fish of the day or the beef tenderloin. Tables are arranged around an elevated open kitchen and central bar. One side of the bistro features large windows with dangling vines, and vintage Icelandic newspapers engage diners on the other. Service is swift, informative, and delivered with a genuine smile. If you have room for dessert, the crème brûlée is pure velvety vanilla heaven.

The views from this attractive fifth-floor restaurant are just as excellent as the food and service. The menu focuses on Icelandic ingredients but doesn’t mind borrowing from around the world. Lounge music blends with the enthusiastic chatter and laughter of locals and tourists, who come to sip house cocktails like the “Yfir Strikið” (Over the Line; made with rose gin and champagne).

Fine dining enhanced by glorious views over the marina and fjord create a memorable experience at Sunna. Standouts on the menu include the lamb fillet and pan-fried cod, but save some room for the white chocolate mousse, a sweet, tangy dessert with lime pear that fizzes delightfully on your tongue. The prices are surprisingly affordable, given the exceptional quality: a three-course meal is ISK 7,990.

There are only two options on the menu at Svarta Kaffið: a vegetarian soup and a meat soup. Known locally as the soup spot, this restaurant really has more of a café atmosphere, with a small list of beers and wine on tap too. You can get your soup in a regular bowl or you can opt for the carb-heavy bread bowl, which is never a mistake.

The old fish barrels used as seating in this humble harborside fishing shack are kept warm by an increasing number of tourists and the odd celebrity. The trademark lobster soup is just as good as its well-traveled reputation. Thankfully, a section at the back can now accommodate the influx of wayfarers, some of whom dine on the shamelessly advertised "Moby Dick on a Stick" minke whale kebab.

For an affordable treat, environmentally conscious locals flock to this excellent eatery in the Grandi Harbor area to indulge in good, hearty food made with mostly organic ingredients. Apart from its weekend brunch (the perfect hangover cure), the Coocoo's Nest is also famous for exceptional sourdough pizza. The interior design is a clever assemblage of salvaged wood and exudes a cozy, lived-in appeal, making you feel right at home.

Led by Michelin-starred chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason, this cozy restaurant nestled inside the Reykjavik EDITION Hotel is a fantastic spot for a celebration dinner. There is a set menu available, but the friendly staff will also help you choose from the many à la carte seafood dishes, cocktails, and wines on offer.

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.

If you want the best meal you can get in Hellissandur—and possibly the entire region—head to Viðvík. The catch of the day is always a good bet in Iceland, but treat yourself to the three-course chef's menu here—you won't be disappointed.

Those who appreciate dairy will love this place, which serves super-fresh whole milk and cream to go with your coffee and delicious (although ridiculously overpriced) home-baked cakes. The café has big windows with such satisfying views of the lush surroundings that you might be tempted to stay for the free refills (filter coffee only). There’s also a menu of farm–to–table dishes, a souvenir shop, and a viewing window into the cowshed.

From the classic cornerstore Sjoppu burger to the BBQ and bacon burger, the menu is far from one-sided at this lunchtime favorite. Plus, there are plenty of vegan options. Don't forget to ask about the burger of the month.

If a smash burger is what you're after, head to this casual spot from Hjalti Vignisson and Robert Aron Magnússon. You'll also find a bar with a set of dart boards for some casual fun.

Whether you're catching a soccer game or grabbing a much-needed meal after climbing nearby Kirkjufell Mountain, this space delivers. The beer on tap is local, the meals are hearty, and the locals are friendly.

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.