47 Best Restaurants in Iceland

Ágúst Einþórsson is the baker behind this local favorite, with its displays full of simple yet perfect pastries and other baked goods. It's the kind of unflashy spot you stumble upon and can't get out of your head long after you return home.

In a parking lot facing the harbor, this tiny yet famous fast-food hut is known for serving the original Icelandic hot dog—and a single person serves about a thousand of them a day from the window. Ask for eina með öllu (pronounced "ayn-ah med utl-lou"), or "one with everything," which gets you mustard, tomato sauce, rémoulade (mayonnaise with finely chopped pickles), and chopped raw and fried onions.

This bistro has a truly unique location inside the botanic gardens of Reykjavík. Of course, much of what you'll find on the menu is grown in the gardens, and you can learn all about the sustainable practices of the kitchen.

Iceland might not be a place you’d normally associate with the production of delicious tomatoes, but thanks to the abundance of geothermal energy, hothouses like those at Fríðheimar can produce more than 300 tons of them a year. At its greenhouse café—a popular stop with those traveling on the Golden Circle route—its juicy variety of tomato is the star ingredient of every dish on the menu, including the superlative soup, the bizarrely good tomato ice cream, and perhaps the best Bloody Mary you’ll ever have. The homemade bread is a standout as well. Make sure to book in advance. 

This beautifully designed food hall may not be that big, housing just seven food stations, but it brings together some of the most exciting spots to eat in the city. Come here to check out Garlic, the Gastro Truck, Kore Grandi, Grandi's Pasta Shop, Annapurna Asian Spices, The Sheepfold, The Cold Store, and Fjárhúsið.

By day, Kaffibrennslan is a cozy café, with a menu full of sandwich and soup options and every coffee drink you could imagine. At night, the scene changes and you're more likely to be taking a shot with the bartender than asking them which sandwich they prefer—no matter what, you're in for a great time. The second floor is an intimate loft area with window seating that overlooks the busy street below.

Way back before the Grandi area was cool, this value restaurant with exceptional harbor views served up good, old-fashioned, hearty Icelandic food for a league of local fishermen. Although it’s still mainly patronized by marine-industry natives, an increasing number of tourists now venture through its humble doors to enjoy the quality fish balls and other tasty dishes.

Two friends came together to open this café, which specializes in Italian coffee and baked goods. The interior is airy and lively, the perfect spot to plan your day of adventures.

Take a break from your tour of the west coast for a slice of cake at this quaint coffee shop. They also have solid coffee and a great selection of baked goods—everything you need to keep you going while sightseeing.

Tucked away in the sleepy fishing town of Hafnarfjörður, Pallett looks at times like an ad from a 1970s issue of Vogue with its jungle of houseplants, a rotary telephone at the counter, and cassette player blaring in the background. But this is more than just a hipster hangout: the food is hearty, wholesome, and inherently British (think freshly baked scones with homemade jam) and the coffee is made from award-winning beans. Pálmar Þór, co-owner and resident coffee guru, is a twice-national barista champion and makes a first-class Irish coffee that'll leave you feeling so serene, you might just want to stay in the 1970s a little longer.

This rotating restaurant, atop Reykjavík's geothermal water distribution tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill, has spectacular panoramic views (one revolution takes about two hours). The international menu emphasizes quick, fresh dishes like salted cod, fish and chips, pizza, and lamb soup.

If you’re serious about the quality of your cup of joe, then you should feel right at home at Reykjavík Roasters. Owned and operated by some of Iceland’s most esteemed, award-winning baristas, Reykjavík Roasters delivers incredibly consistent cups of coffee. Its dedicated patrons seem to occupy the shabby-chic seating all day long, occasionally getting up for a refill or to play the other side of a vintage vinyl. The staff at this respected establishment prepare every coffee variety perfectly, every time.

Built in 1915, this former general store is now a restaurant loved by locals and visitors alike. Go for Belgian waffles in the morning or afternoon, and visit again at night for the local catch of the day and lamb tagine.

There are only two options on the menu at Svarta Kaffið: a vegetarian soup and a meat soup. Known locally as the soup spot, this restaurant really has more of a café atmosphere, with a small list of beers and wine on tap too. You can get your soup in a regular bowl or you can opt for the carb-heavy bread bowl, which is never a mistake.

The old fish barrels used as seating in this humble harborside fishing shack are kept warm by an increasing number of tourists and the odd celebrity. The trademark lobster soup is just as good as its well-traveled reputation. Thankfully, a section at the back can now accommodate the influx of wayfarers, some of whom dine on the shamelessly advertised "Moby Dick on a Stick" minke whale kebab.

Whether you're catching a soccer game or grabbing a much-needed meal after climbing nearby Kirkjufell Mountain, this space delivers. The beer on tap is local, the meals are hearty, and the locals are friendly.

When you find yourself tired of Icelandic dishes, check out Ban Thai. Here you'll find traditional Thai dishes with a bit more kick than you might find elsewhere in the city. They also have seafood and lamb dishes.

As the only place of shelter at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, this basic café, resembling a series of pitched roofs, offers light refreshments with sandwiches, soups, hot chocolate, and coffee. There is free Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and a modest selection of postcards and souvenirs. It's open year-round. If the weather is good, the food trucks in the car park are a better option for a bite.

The menu is simple at Café Babalú: choose between crepes, grilled cheese options, or a selection of soups. It's a fantastic spot for a quick lunch near Hallgrimskirkja.

If you're exhausted after a long day of driving between all the wonders of the Mývatn region, Daddi has you covered. This small hole-in-the-wall pizza place is a local favorite and offers quick delectable bites. If you're brave, order the one with smoked trout on it. 

The owners of this food cart trained intensively in the United Kingdom to perfect British-style fish-and-chips before importing their skills to Iceland. With the excellent quality of fresh Icelandic fish thrown into a hearty mix of mushy peas and chips, which you can drown in malt vinegar, this street food option has become very popular with locals, who still get a kick out of the knowledge that Iceland won "the cod war."

If all-you-can-eat soup and bread is your idea of the perfect lunch, get yourself to Geirabakari Kaffihus. You can also enjoy pastries, baked goods, coffee, or soup, all with a great view of the mountains.

This spot is all about homemade cakes, fish soup, and small plates. While there may not be many options on the menu, it offers up snacks and meals for all appetites.

Located inside a high-ceilinged greenhouse, this organic café only serves products made from organically cultivated foodstuffs, with most of its pastries coming from the bakery in town. Experience the unique, positive atmosphere in Sólheimar while enjoying food and drink made with love.

For a quick bite, settle into a pizza or panini at this waterside café. It's casual and quick, so don't expect a special presentation or intricate ingredients.

The restaurant at the Highland Center Hrauneyjar caters to both hotel guests and visitors, offering home-cooked cuisine like leg of lamb and pan-fried salmon. An attached grill offers a variety of cheaper burgers and grilled sandwiches with later opening hours. The Highlands location has the benefit of zero light pollution, meaning guests can experience brighter displays of the northern lights while they dine. The restaurant is also one of the few places in the area where you can get a decent meal.

The soup bar is the main draw at this bistro attached to Hotel Húsafell. There are vegetarian options on the menu, making it an easy stop for groups with various dietary needs. If you take one of the local glacier tours, there's a chance you'll get a discount here so don't miss out on that.