216 Best Restaurants in 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.

Fill up on a hearty panini and end with a delicious piece of apple pie at this popular local café. It's owned by avid foragers, so it’s highly likely that a tasty harvest of blueberries and other fruits of the land could be flavoring your food. In case you are tempted to stay in town a little, the owners also offer comfortable and stylish guesthouse accommodation at Kaffi Klara Gistihús.

This appealing restaurant set in a historic town building from 1890 offers a menu of traditional Icelandic dishes with a variety of international favorites, including pizza, pasta, and a grill menu with burgers. If you can't decide what to order, the fish-and-chips is always a star.

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.

This quirky café claims the secret ingredient on the menu is \"love,\" and you might guess it after being greeted by a cornucopia of crystals and Icelandic tchotchkes. If you don't mind some dusty corners and are looking to center yourself with a quiche and a cup of tea, this is the place for you.

Though attached to a guesthouse, Kaffi Lækur is wildly popular with locals, who flock to the cozy, family-friendly café and restaurant for its fresh, farm-to-table menu. Don't miss the daily happy hour from 4 to 7 pm and 10 to 11 pm.

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.

Even if you aren't hungry, a trip to this eatery—located in the so-bright-you-can't-miss-it red house right on the Siglufjörður harbor—isn't a wasted one, thanks to its spectacular views. But if you are hungry, the pizzas are filling and the cakes are sweet. In the off-season, the café is often open during holidays or random weekends, so check their Facebook or call in advance. 

The terrific views of Stakhólstjörn pond and the Skútistðagígur pseudocraters are reason enough to visit this no-frills café, but the homemade fare comes in at a close second. Along with their delightful meat soup and cakes, they also offer a cozy selection of souvenirs and beer brewed on-site.

This tiny coffee shop has built itself a solid reputation for excellent Italian espresso. Its delightful brand has been dubbed the \"best cup of joe to go,\" and customers gather on the sidewalk, where they sip from paper cups and talk about politics and the weather.

If the cool essence of the Vesturbær neighborhood had to be summed up in two words, they'd be: Kaffi Vest. This charming neighborhood café and restaurant serves small meals, snacks, killer coffee, and refreshing beers and wines from morning to night.

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.

This restaurant blends traditional Icelandic cuisine with contemporary flair, with a stunning view over the harbor. The menu features locally sourced ingredients, including rock crab, Icelandic lamb, and a fresh catch of the day, all served in a cozy, maritime-inspired setting. There's also a curated selection of craft cocktails, whiskeys, and cognacs.

Named after the arctic tern, Krían is the only restaurant on the island. The menu includes simple traditional Icelandic dishes and standard international favorites like hamburgers; it's also one of the few places in Iceland where you can try puffin. The restaurant operates in tandem with the ferry and the airport and is always open for visitors.

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 postround 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 hearty breakfasts, weekend brunches, and a selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and snacks in the main-level eatery.

Although others claim to have the best burger in town, locals know that Leirunesti is the real deal thanks to its famous Norðlendingur (aka Akureyri style) burger, stuffed with fries in the middle—order it on its own or as a combo with soda and extra fries. Also try the deep-fried hot dog with fries and melted cheese, another specialty that draws in both locals and out-of-towners. Views from this location are sensational in all directions, especially in the summer.

This lively and elegant hotel bistro is perfect for a refreshing cocktail and a rich meal after a long day of endless lava fields and hot springs. On the weekends they serve brunch.

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.

In the Botanical Gardens, this café stands out with its bold design—a dramatic pitched roof and shimmering glass walls, pierced together like a mosaic. It's a scenic, affordable stop for both breakfast and lunch, as well as for some truly stellar coffee. Later in the day, return for a glass from their extensive natural wine list. 

Set in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavík (built in 1834), this restaurant serves a wide range of dishes, from salads and soups to meat and fish options. Among the menu's treats are the Icelandic lobster and the mountain lamb. The restaurant's interior features antique furniture and lace curtains.

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.

If you're short on time and you need a snack—or some quick fuel for your next museum visit—Mandi has you covered. The Middle-Eastern dishes span kebab and hummus to shawarma and falafel, but there are a few outliers as well, like burgers and fries.

The atmosphere is the real crowd-pleaser here—especially if you're looking for a romantic restaurant with low lighting for date night or a hip dinner with perfectly fine food. Matarkjallarinn serves a more casual menu of burgers or a fish of the day at lunch before dimming the lights and letting the live pianist loose on the ivories to bring a touch of class to dinner, when a selection of steaks, seafood, and duck confit are on the menu. As the name suggests, the surroundings skew toward stone and offer the cozy kind of vibes only a cellar can provide. 

High-end food halls are a big trend in Iceland—and Mathöll Suðurlands is right up there with the best of them. Part of the Greenhouse hotel and shopping center, it offers a number of established and up-and-coming eateries. Don't miss the delectable kimchi-smothered chicken burgers at Yuzu or, for the vegans, the stellar mushroom open-faced sandwich from Hipstur. 

A renowned Reykjavík restaurant, Matur og Drykkur is celebrated for its inventive takes on traditional Icelandic cuisine. Situated in a historic saltfish factory, it offers seasonal tasting menus crafted from locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has garnered acclaim for its creative dishes and commitment to honoring Icelandic culinary heritage.

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, and they often feature loaded submarine sandwiches on the menu as well. Make sure to try their deep-fried variation on the classic Icelandic dog.