30 Best Restaurants in Iceland

Glaumbær's cozy tea room is an unforgettable stop, particularly after a meander around the historical grounds. Either get their soup, cakes, and coffee buffet or just order something á la carte. Their traditional pancakes are particularly drool-worthy, as is the homemade rhubarb jam.

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.

The only mushroom farmers in Iceland invite you to feast on pâté, spreads, sauces, and ice cream—all made out of mushrooms. There's an emphasis on slow cooking, and their herbs, meat, and vegetables come from neighboring farms.

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.

While enjoying the exhibitions at Skriðuklaustur, you might get distracted by the delightful aromas wafting from the inviting in-house restaurant. If you follow your nose, you'll discover a lovely farmhouse-style dining area serving a buffet of lamb stew, reindeer pie, quiche, and potato salad, 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 "Donkey" 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 aptly titled "Simply the Best."

This Nordic-Italian restaurant does the classics very well, but the owner, Guðjón Hauksson, sought out an Italian cheese-maker for the mozzarella; it's best with pickled tomatoes and basil in MAT BAR's take on the traditional Caprese salad. There's an emphasis on seasonal produce, so there's a good chance the menu will be different every time you visit.

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.

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.

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. It's a great splurge for those looking to get in one last memorable meal before heading home.

You'll have a tough time choosing your dinner line-up at this Indian restaurant. From the fan-favorite tandoori salmon to the pappadoms, the spices are bold and the flavors are unbeatable when it comes to Indian fare in the city.

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 by the harbor, Forettabarinn serves up dishes from around the world along with local beers from the breweries that dot Iceland's coast. The small plates make it a great place to start the night, but the set menus also offer welcoming options for a full meal. The flavors bounce around the globe, from beef carpaccio and a Cajun-style burger to Caprese salads and pumpkin soup.

There’s an unusual ensemble of Asian and Mexican dishes at the Hard Wok Cafe, with a few international fast food favorites like pizza and burgers thrown into the mix. While you wait for your meal you'll hear '80s classics and get to appreciate framed quotes by the likes of Captain Jack Sparrow and Bob Marley.

Located inside of Harpa Concert Hall, Hnoss is the newest endeavor from Fanney Dóra, the chef behind local favorite Skál! Naturally this is a great spot for a pre-show meal, but the focus on local ingredients and freshly caught seafood make it worth a trip to Harpa on its own.

Although Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar has a similar menu to other eateries around the city (burgers, fish-and-chips, cod, catch of the day, etc), what's really intriguing about this restaurant is the private garden area. Dining in this dreamy oasis in the middle of the city's main shopping street is a real pleasure.

It's hard to tell what stands out more at Matur og Drykkur: the accommodating staff or the A+ dishes. Located in an old salt fish factory, the views of the harbor overlook the perfect scene for a post-dinner walk. Vegetarians, take note: they have separate tasting menus just for you.

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.

Shared plates are the way to go at Sumac, where you're bound to make a few new friends given the lively environment. The menu is set up for tasting a lot of different dishes—perfect when you're with a crew or not quite sure what you're craving.

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.

The chic restaurant's award-winning chef creates some unique international-themed dishes, and its wine list is one of the city's most impressive. The main menu features items such as arctic char and lamb fillet, and weekend brunch, while less inventive, is generous—and understandably popular.