7 Best Restaurants in City Center West, Reykjavík

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.

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.

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.

Tucked into a cozy downtown cellar, Fish Company is a love letter to Icelandic ingredients with a globetrotting soul. Chef-driven and unafraid to experiment, expect dishes like Arctic char with unexpected international flair. The vibe is intimate, sleek, and a bit mysterious—ideal for date nights or marking a special occasion. It’s where Reykjavík fine dining meets delicious, creative storytelling. Their lunch menu sushi platters are a favorite, but you really can't go wrong with anything at this local institution.

Hressingarskálinn, more commonly known as Hressó, has been in operation since 1932. Though it has changed hands a few times in the past decades, it has been reinvented as a bistro with a talented culinary team serving home-cooked Icelandic foods with modern flair. If you're popping in between meals, be sure to order a slice of the cake of the day or a fresh kleina with your coffee.

The atmosphere is the real crowd-pleaser here—especially if you're looking for a romantic restaurant with low lighting for date night or a hip dinner with perfectly fine food. Matarkjallarinn serves a more casual menu of burgers or a fish of the day at lunch before dimming the lights and letting the live pianist loose on the ivories to bring a touch of class to dinner, when a selection of steaks, seafood, and duck confit are on the menu. As the name suggests, the surroundings skew toward stone and offer the cozy kind of vibes only a cellar can provide. 

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.