41 Best Restaurants in Iceland

There's only one option at Dill: a tasting menu with a modern spin on traditional Icelandic dishes. In 2017, Dill was the first restaurant in Iceland to be awarded a Michelin star, with chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason at the helm. The spot is known around town for precision, and making a reservation here will win you brownie points with locals.

White tablecloths, vintage-style crockery, and antiques add to the neoclassic tone of Eldhúsið restaurant, where you can enjoy beautifully plated meals made from local ingredients. You can’t go wrong with the fish of the day, beef reared on the surrounding farm, or the homemade ice creams and sorbets. There's a vegan menu, too.

Located inside the Fosshotel Húsavík, this beautifully designed 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 pizzas and great burgers. 

A collaborative project by well-known culinary innovators Hrefna Rós Sætran (founder and owner of the Fish Market) and Guðlaugur P. Frímannsson, Grillmarkaðurinn serves seasonal, organic, and locally grown ingredients in a beautifully designed interior that's heavy on natural materials such as wood and stone. The menu is equally "earthy," featuring lots of smoked, grilled, and barbecued meat dishes. For something classic, try the grilled chicken wings or grilled pork ribs; for something more unique, order the minke whale steak.

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.

Eating world-class food at a restaurant built into a lava cliff with views of the milky Blue Lagoon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you will never forget. The set menu offers a gourmet meal for pescatarians, vegetarians, and carnivores at a reasonable price (by Icelandic standards).

The menu at waterside L’Abri is full of fish and meat dishes with the usual emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, and a twist on French classics like French onion soup and steak frites. The decor is modern and minimalist, featuring vintage photos of life in the town, but the best feature is the epic views of the fjord, where you might see a whale swimming by or even catch a show of the northern lights.

This restaurant is located in the oldest section of Stykkishólmur inside a bright, airy building. The menu is full of local seafood, as well as lamb from the region. It's known locally as one of the nicest places around, and it definitely warrants a place on your "vacation splurge" itinerary.

Be prepared to give up all control when you walk into the intimate space that is the 11-seat, Michelin-starred ÓX. The 12-course tasting menu is a surprise, but just give in to the experience and let the chefs introduce you to the freshest Icelandic ingredients you can experience.

Based in an old warehouse made of scrap wood, Pakkhús makes good use of the area's supply of fresh seafood, especially the langoustine, which they are primarily known for (often referred to as 'lobster' in Iceland). Their menu also features duck, lamb, and beef, with some tempting desserts too. The créme bruleé flavored with licorice presents a tasty (and very Icelandic) twist.

At this boathouse on the water’s edge (built in 1890), you can enjoy gourmet dishes like spotted catfish 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the oldest house in Selfoss, Tryggvaskáli takes you back a century to the sitting room of an upper-class family. Allow yourself to feel like the honorary guest at a dinner party; your hosts will offer excellent Icelandic and international farm-to-table dishes. 

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.

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

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.

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.

The menu may be small and handwritten, but dining here is an experience. Stepping inside the family-run restaurant feels like walking into, well, a family home. Comfortable chairs dressed in luxurious fabrics flank the tables and the views are great no matter the season.

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.