216 Best Restaurants in Iceland

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. Calling ahead is highly recommended. 

This restaurant is located in the oldest section of Stykkishólmur inside a bright, airy building from the early 1900s. The crowd-pleasing menu features regional items like lamb shanks, scallops, and cod. It's a popular spot with the locals and its downstairs bar is a good choice for a late-night drink and to catch some classic 1970s pop ballads.

Nestled between the greenery of Öskjuhlíð and Reykjavík's geothermal beach, Nauthóll serves fresh fish, burgers, soups, salads, and a selection of small plates all creatively prepared using fresh ingredients. Meals feel elevated in Nauthóll's sparse gallery-like interiors, which put the sweeping views over Nauthólsvík front-and-center.

Gunnar Karl Gíslason is somewhat of a rock star in the Icelandic culinary scene. After founding Dill—Iceland's first Michelin-starred restaurant—he opened North in his hometown of Akureyri, serving breakfast daily and dinner several nights a week. Focusing on using as many local ingredients as possible, the ever-changing prix-fixe menu offers a journey into the heart of Icelandic cuisine. 

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.

The large restaurant inside the Þórbergssetur museum and cultural center is often busy, as there are limited food options along this stretch of road in Iceland. Even with that pressure, the dishes are always tasty, with a special emphasis on lamb and arctic char raised on the local farm. It's an all-day affair, too: you can stop by for a light meal, soup, a piece of cake, or a hearty, three-course evening meal.

Reykjavík's cozy, all-vegan café is celebrated for its inventive plant-based dishes and warm ambience. It serves up a rotating menu of house-made pastries, hearty soups, and inventive sandwiches. Signature items include the vegan cheese and jalapeño roll and indulgent cakes. With reclaimed furniture, local art, and a zero-waste ethos, it's a favorite spot for a peaceful coffee break.

Eyrarbakki's only restaurant can be found in a stately red house facing the town church. Thankfully, it happens to serve one of the best lobster soups in the south of Iceland. Be sure to treat yourself to the aptly named chocolate lava cake. Opening hours change seasonally so be sure to check that's open before you head out. 

Located next to the Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft and Sorcery, Galdur is a counter-style restaurant that serves local dishes like baked cod and lamb stew. You're not exactly spoiled for choice in Hólmavík, but despite the simple menu and a casual setting, it is still a solid eatery.

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.

Once exclusively focused on Belgian-style fries, this cozy little eatery now serves up burgers and battered fish to enjoy on the side of those tasty strips of hand-cut potato. Good luck choosing from the lengthy list of flavored fry sauces (hint: they’re all delicious).

Head to Reykjavík Röst to enjoy a harborside coffee. If caffeine isn't your thing, opt for the well-loved hot chocolate or just grab a beer.

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. 

Built in 1883, this appealing old wooden building once housed the town’s first co-op and was the heart and soul of the community. It’s now home to a lovely restaurant, where its historic presence is augmented by a lively crowd of locals and tourists getting their fill. The big menu is packed with popular classics, including tacos, street food, pizzas, burgers, and seafood. The catch of the day is always delicious.

Reykjavík’s beloved family-run bakery, Sandholt has been delighting locals and visitors alike since 1920. Its marble counters showcase an array of freshly baked goods, including sourdough bread, pastries, cakes, and handmade chocolates. Renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition, Sandholt is a staple in the city's culinary scene.

Situated right on the quiet edge of town is a true culinary enigma. Its eclectic, upscale menu ranges from crisp internationally inspired artisanal pizzas to bold, traditional Icelandic fare like horse steak and mutton. In a small restaurant full of small-town charm, the flavors could still easily hold their own in any major city. Remember to save room for dessert.

A port in any weather, this lovely little bakery-cum-café on the main street has great coffee and lots of tasty pastries and cakes. They also serve daily delicious soups and a variety of ready-made sandwiches.

This laid-back and charming restaurant at a campground near Geysir serves excellent pizzas and burgers. They also have a solid selection of beer and some particularly great lamb soup—together creating the perfect ending to a long day of sightseeing.

After a long day of exploring the south coast, a burger and beer from Vík's Smiðjan Brugghús is just what the doctor ordered. This brewery serves up its own luxurious craft beer brewed on the premises along with a selection of comfort food including wings, chicken and waffles, BBQ ribs, and, of course, loaded burgers.

The only dining stop in the fjord, this basic café serves coffee, hot chocolate, sandwiches, and freshly baked waffles with rhubarb jam and whipped cream. On display are old photos of life in the valley.

At the artsy Solon, you can view some modern art, have a meal (try the fish of the day), and enjoy some people-watching through the large windows. You'll find local ingredients alongside Italian staples and fresher-than-fresh seafood dishes on the menu.

A great option after a long day of traveling, this hotel restaurant offers an elegant but casual place to sit down and have a well-rounded Icelandic meal. They have an à la carte menu but also offer take-out box lunches for traveling guests.

This is where Reykjavík meets Beirut, with North African spices colliding with Icelandic ingredients in the sultry, dimly lit space. Come for the grilled lamb, and stay for cocktails and the vibrant downtown energy. This place is always buzzing, and never boring.

Fine dining enhanced by glorious views over the marina and fjord create a memorable experience at this restaurant that focuses on fresh, local seafood (though offers meat options). Prices are admittedly high, but the quality makes up for it, and there's a good three-course prix-fixe menu.

In an old beautiful house overlooking the mountains, Suður-Vík offers a wide variety of dishes, ranging from wild game to curry bowls. In the basement they have a bar that stays open late.

If your ideal dinner consists of eating on a patio with a good beer in hand, you won't be disappointed by this lively gastropub. You can even mingle with the locals for a rousing game of bingo once a month. Be sure to greet the pig out front—she's usually dressed for the occasion.

This eatery blends Icelandic ingredients with Spanish flair in a cozy, dimly lit cellar. Think puffin with blueberry sauce, langoustines, or lamb—all washed down with a killer sangria. This is a great place to go with friends and share a selection of small plates or order a set menu for the table.

Iceland’s biggest coffee chain is run by the couple largely responsible for starting the modern Icelandic coffee revolution. Far from its humble beginnings in 1984, the company today boasts its own roastery and operates 12 shops. Six are in downtown Reykjavík—three inside Eymundsson bookstores, so you can enjoy a good book while sipping on a smooth, barista-brewed double latte or macchiato. They also sell great tea, as well as their own brand of light refreshments like cookies, cakes, and delicious frosted muffins. They simply don’t make enough of the citron muffin (everyone’s favorite) so get there early!

Located next to a swimming pool, Teni Restaurant & Café is an appealing café where you can fill up on traditional Icelandic dishes or something a little more exotic from Ethiopia, where the owner and chef are from. Portions can be generous here—particularly for Iceland—so arrive hungry. While opting for the Ethiopian fare is highly recommended, their pizzas are also total standouts.