51 Best Restaurants in Iceland

This spot has been spicing up Reykjavík since 1994 with rich, aromatic Indian cuisine in a cozy setting. Beloved for everything from its tandoori salmon to the pappadoms, it’s a timeless go-to when winter demands warmth, flavor, and fire. This is not only the best Indian restaurant in Reykjavík, it's one of the city's best restaurants period.

An attention-attracting Viking ship decked out with colorful shields acts like a visual ringmaster for this fabulous Hauganes restaurant, drumming up business for their fishy fare. Tasty seafood dishes and baccalá (salted codfish)–theme meals star on the menu alongside the seaside views. If you're lucky, you might just see a whale in the distance. 

The menu may be small and handwritten, but dining here is an experience and stepping inside the family-run restaurant feels like walking into, well, a family home. The cuisine is contemporary Icelandic, with a French bistro twist; the primary emphasis is on seafood with a nose-to-tail philosophy, so expect to see dishes incorporating dulse and fish skin. Comfortable chairs dressed in luxurious fabrics flank the tables and the views are great no matter the season. The owner is usually there; be prepared to be engaged in a chat (bordering on a stand-up routine) about everything from small town gossip to food preferences. 

Set in a house so old that the village was actually built around it, calling Café Riis a local institution is putting it mildly. The restaurant is very popular with the locals and specials include langoustine pizza and braised cod cheeks, along with plenty of witchcraft-theme local microbrews. Its cozy interior gives it the feeling of a family holiday cabin, but don't let that fool you, as Café Riis seats up to 80 people in summer and can be booked for events and gatherings. 

Offering a truly elevated countryside culinary experience, this restaurant's menu includes sophisticated, high-end twists on traditional Icelandic cuisine. While the meat dishes—often involving unique ingredients like reindeer and horse—are impressive, the vegan dishes are just as stunning.

This beautifully designed hotel restaurant is a convenient place for guests to dine, although you don't need to be a guest to eat here. While their main menu offers traditional first-rate Icelandic fare, they also have great burgers.

This plain and simple breakfast spot has won the hearts of many politicians who work nearby—as well as Björk—and it tends to get quite busy. If you feel like taking on a huge meal, give \"the Truck\" (pancakes, eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, tomatoes, and toast) a go. All of the books on the shelves surrounding the tables are free for perusal while you wait for your food.

Stop for pizza named after local landmarks at this cozy restaurant overlooking the harbor, or try something a little more exotic like chicken tikka masala. Whether it’s trout, salmon, haddock, or plaice, the catch of the day is always delicious, as is the soup.

The large windows of this luxury country-lodge restaurant frame an engaging pastoral scene starring the bountiful Rangá (one of Iceland’s best fishing rivers) with Hekla (a famous sleeping volcano known as “the Gateway to Hell”) in the background. Here guests dine on a variety of locally sourced seasonal produce, and are often given the full VIP treatment from enthusiastic owner Friðrík, who takes great pride in everything from the presentation of the food to the minutiae of its preparation.

From traditional plokkfiskur (fish stew) and meat soup to a spectacular waffle fry, Íslenski Barinn covers a lot of ground on its menu, but the focus is local at this restaurant and bar. You'll also find only beers and spirits made in Iceland—so don't come here looking for imports.

While enjoying the exhibitions at Skriðuklaustur, you might get distracted by the delightful aromas wafting from the in-house restaurant. If you follow your nose, you'll discover a lovely farmhouse-style dining area serving a buffet of lamb, reindeer pie, quiche, and salads, all made from mostly local ingredients. There's also a tantalizing display of sweets at the afternoon cake buffet. The cook, Elísabet, has published a collection of her favorite recipes available to purchase at the reception in English and Icelandic.

Sipping on a refreshing cocktail will add a spicy warmth to your cheeks while you take in this friendly spot's sights, sounds, and aromas, which intensify as the evening progresses. Each dish is carefully paired with wine and delivered with a detailed narrative by well-informed staff. Send your senses into overdrive with dishes like fruits de mer, charred salmon, or an assemblage of popular desserts

Located inside the exhibition space of the National Park Center, Matarlist looks like a run-of-the-mill museum cafeteria, but it offers a pleasant departure from Iceland's usual roadside fare. Meals are nutritious and balanced, featuring freshly caught fish and a variety of other local ingredients mixed with Thai and Indian touches. Generous portions of lamb over puréed vegetables and hearty soups with red curry and coconut milk leave you with plenty of energy for glacial hikes and spelunking.

This small restaurant in the heart of the city is famous for its fish pans: the sizzling catch of the day accompanied by butter-fried potatoes and seasonal vegetables. It's a basic dish, but it is hearty and wholesome.

Located in a charming cottage and run by an Icelandic chef with a serious pedigree, Nielsen does wondrous things with its fine produce, all grown, caught, farmed, hunted, and foraged in the restaurant’s radius. Choose three, five, or seven shareable courses from the menu. You might spot wild game, pickled rhubarb, local barley, and angelica alongside better-known favorites such as fresh fish and lamb.

Every table at this bistro under the expansive glass dome of Perlan comes with a 360-degree view of Reykjavík. Perched atop the city's geothermal water distribution tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill, the eatery's international menu emphasizes quick, fresh dishes like pizzas, fish-and-chips, pizza, and lamb soup.

At this boathouse on the water’s edge (built in 1890), you can enjoy gourmet dishes like fjord-fresh salmon and crispy reindeer meatballs. The interior is furnished with an impressive collection of maritime artifacts, and the soundtrack is of old Icelandic fishing songs. Upstairs the fishermen’s living quarters have been preserved exactly as they were found, undisturbed for almost a century.

According to urban legend, it’s tradition for Icelanders returning home from abroad to make their first stop at this beloved restaurant, and indulge in chef Úlfar’s legendary fish stew. Not just a favorite with the locals, Þrír Frakkar—a curious name that can be interpreted either as \"the Three Overcoats\" or \"the Three Frenchies\"—has a number of high-profile celebrity fans, including chef Jamie Oliver, who reportedly dined on guillemot during his visit. Other cultural delicacies include smoked puffin, salt cod, and peppered whale steak.

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.

A charming old bait shack has been turned into an ecologically certified restaurant, serving up contemporary Icelandic cuisine with delicious fish sourced directly from local fishermen. The limited seating and high popularity means you will need to reserve in advance to secure a spot at this local gem. There are few better places to enjoy a deeply savory wolffish or a gently poached halibut with a gorgeous view of Stykkishólmur harbor.

As with any restaurant in a coastal town—and Sker is located right on the sea—fish is the way to go here. But travelers keep coming back here for its broad menu, which ranges from seafood and pizza to vegan options for both lunch and dinner. The meals are filling, but may be a little heavy on the sauce for some. They are able to handle big groups with ease and seating sometimes carries over to their sister restaurant Reks (\"Sker\" backward), which also offers event catering services.

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.

Located within the boutique Óðinsvé hotel, 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 while vintage Icelandic newspapers engage diners on the other. 

This restaurant inside the Reykjavík 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.

This restaurant celebrates the history of Hafnarfjörður with old fishing gear strung between the tables and chandeliers made from old buoys. Dive into seasonally focused Icelandic dishes with a twist while watching the boats huddle together in the harbor.

The restaurant of Hotel Aldan is a lively spot for dinner, especially during the summer. The menu features a fusion of Icelandic cuisine with a dash of continental influence and is big on fish fresh from the fjord.

The menu at Apotek is much the same as those at other upscale spots in Reykjavík—tons of fish, some sort of take on a tasting menu of traditional dishes (often with whale and puffin), and a few turf additions here and there—but the care and attention to detail is obvious here. The desserts alone are worth a visit, and can be enjoyed in the front lounge area with a tea or coffee for those seeking an afternoon treat while watching the hustle and bustle of the city. It's a great splurge for those looking to get in one last memorable meal before heading home.

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.