216 Best Restaurants in Iceland

This little café serves up coffee, cakes, light meals, and a menagerie of locally made tchotchkes and handicrafts. Fresh bouquets of flowers are on offer, too—an unexpected touch in such a rural area.

A simple, rustic space, Askur Pizzeria pumps out a menu of 12-inch pizzas with toppings that range from standard (ham and pineapple) to unexpected (reindeer and red onion). It's attached to Askur Taproom, which serves craft beers from the Austri label (brewed on-site) in a relaxed, fun setting.

Aðalbakerí is Icelandic to the core, offering up all the country's classic pastries at refreshingly reasonable prices. Grab a gooey caramel snúður—an Icelandic-style cinnamon roll—or opt for more traditional bakery fare like a buttery croissant. Make sure to wash it all down with some of their superb coffee. 

The chef here is a supporter of the sustainable food movement and sources almost all supplies from local Icelandic farmers. All the veggies, salads, and berries are picked from the greenhouses next door. They serve breakfast and dinner and are open all day for light refreshments.

If you want authentic Thai, check out Ban Thai. Here you'll find traditional Thai dishes—on a ridiculously long menu—with a lot more kick than you might find elsewhere in the city. They also have seafood and lamb dishes.

Located on one of the main corners of town and in one of its oldest buildings, this family favorite offers generous portions at affordable prices. Popular international favorites (burgers, pasta dishes, and tacos) are served alongside fresh local fish and some Akureyri favorites. It’s an excellent place for a quick and filling lunch or evening meal.

There’s a ramshackle appeal to this converted old fishing hut 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. It's open only in summer, hosts live music and events, and gets lively until late on Friday and Saturday night. 

This is a charming place to dine, located in the same building as the Skaftfell Art Center and furnished in the spirit of the late artist Dieter Roth, a one-time Seyðisfjörður resident. The small menu is regularly updated and aims high, with great use of local ingredients. The opening hours can fluctuate so it pays to check their Facebook page, and be aware that the kitchen closes at 9 pm. In summer, it's open for a weekday lunch hour (noon to 1 pm). 

This spot has been in business since 1973, first as a bookstore and now with the addition of a homey café. It serves a daily lunch special that often features Icelandic home-style classics.

At this great modern bakery-café by the harbor, you can enjoy delicious sourdough bread with tasty, original salads and mouthwatering pastries, either to eat there or to take with you on a road trip. In a city with as fierce a bakery scene as Hafnarfjörður, this spot is a true standout, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a local who isn’t obsessed with their cheese and tuna spreads.

This Michelin-recommended seafood restaurant offers a seasonally inspired menu featuring dishes like marinated scallops, skate, and Icelandic whelks. The ambience is casual yet stylish, with stone floors, large bright windows, and the works of local artists on the walls. Brút is celebrated for its exceptional service, high-quality food, and award-winning wine list, making it a standout choice for dining in Reykjavík. Don't sleep on the weekend brunch, either—it's long been considered the best in Reykjavík, bringing the same level of quality to a buffet of assorted fresh salads and hot dishes.

Akureyri’s most famous ice-cream parlor has been dishing up everyone’s favorite scoop since 1939. Legend has it they use a special secret ingredient, and people have traveled from as far away as China to get a taste. The shop also sells candy and it's a popular family destination on Saturday (“Candy Day” in Iceland), when sweets are half price.

As the only place of shelter at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, this basic café, resembling a series of pitched roofs, offers light refreshments with sandwiches, soups, hot chocolate, and coffee. There is free Wi-Fi and a modest selection of postcards and souvenirs. If the weather is good, the food trucks in the car park are a much better option for a bite.

This cozy, quirky café is known for its eclectic decor and friendly atmosphere. Offering a variety of hot beverages, light meals, and delicious cakes, it's a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.

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. 

Located inside the hotel of the same name, this spot is beloved for its pizza. You'll love the friendly service and cozy furniture—there are sofas in place of more traditional chairs.

\"Fire and Ice\" does two things really well: ice cream and crepes. You can choose from the menu they've put together, or you can make up your own crepe creation.

From lamb shanks to spaghetti, you never quite know what's going to show up on the menu at Englendingavík. The historic building is surrounded by equally aged architecture; it's almost like stepping back in time—a much cozier time.

There's only one item on the menu at this unassuming little eatery and it's fresh, flakey, and guaranteed to hit the spot during a long day of sightseeing. Make sure you get your fries with \"kokteilsósa\"—a beloved Icelandic blend of ketchup, mayo, and secret spices.

This little fish-and-chips shop along Grandi's main drag began as a beloved food truck in the harbor. With the excellent quality of fresh Icelandic fish, battered, fried, and served alongside mushy peas and chips, this street food option has become very popular with locals, who still get a kick out of the knowledge that Iceland won \"the cod war.\"

Tucked into a cozy downtown cellar, Fish Company is a love letter to Icelandic ingredients with a globetrotting soul. Chef-driven and unafraid to experiment, expect dishes like Arctic char with unexpected international flair. The vibe is intimate, sleek, and a bit mysterious—ideal for date nights or marking a special occasion. It’s where Reykjavík fine dining meets delicious, creative storytelling. Their lunch menu sushi platters are a favorite, but you really can't go wrong with anything at this local institution.

The highlight of Fjöruborðið is the incredible lobster tail. Pay a bit more for the side order of veggies with couscous, and you're on your way to culinary delirium. Reservations are highly recommended. 

Located in the second oldest building in Hafnarfjörður and shaped like a Norwegian Stave church, you will travel in time and land in a dark, wooden scene filled with Viking-inspired art. Fjörukráin serves traditional Icelandic meals on Viking-style trays carried by waiters dressed in Viking clothes. They often have live music, too, and if you're lucky singing Vikings will show up and join you. If you are sick of the Scandinavian chic that you will find in most restaurants in Iceland, Fjörukráin is the place for you. 

Immerse yourself in everything Viking—from the style of architecture to the menu. Excellent seafood and meat dishes are served for those leery of traditional fare. It's next to the Viking Hotel.

This vibrant Reykjavík eatery offers inventive tapas-style dishes that marry classic Icelandic flavors with the spice of southern Europe. The restaurant has a selection of local beers and cocktails, set in a modern, art-adorned space with high ceilings and an open kitchen. It's a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking a lively dining experience.

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.

This humble, local bakery is known for their fantastic \"love balls,\" a local delicacy somewhat like a fried doughnut hole infused with cardamom. For a savory treat, you can try their homemade steamed rye bread, flapjacks with smoked salmon, or all-you-can-eat soup. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a quick and affordable meal on your way out of the city and take in the views through wraparound windows.