73 Best Restaurants in Reykjavík, Iceland

From a classic Sjoppu burger to the BBQ-and-bacon burger, Yuzu infuses their creations with international flavors, from coriander to kimchi. Vegan options are available and the fries are delightfully crisp.

If you like burgers, you'll love this popular burger joint known for its juicy smashed patties and creative toppings. There's also a bar with a set of dartboards for some casual fun.

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.

If you want authentic Thai, check out Ban Thai. Here you'll find traditional Thai dishes—on a ridiculously long menu—with a lot more kick than you might find elsewhere in the city. They also have seafood and lamb dishes.

This Michelin-recommended seafood restaurant offers a seasonally inspired menu featuring dishes like marinated scallops, skate, and Icelandic whelks. The ambience is casual yet stylish, with stone floors, large bright windows, and the works of local artists on the walls. Brút is celebrated for its exceptional service, high-quality food, and award-winning wine list, making it a standout choice for dining in Reykjavík. Don't sleep on the weekend brunch, either—it's long been considered the best in Reykjavík, bringing the same level of quality to a buffet of assorted fresh salads and hot dishes.

This cozy, quirky café is known for its eclectic decor and friendly atmosphere. Offering a variety of hot beverages, light meals, and delicious cakes, it's a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.

"Fire and Ice" does two things really well: ice cream and crepes. You can choose from the menu they've put together, or you can make up your own crepe creation.

This little fish-and-chips shop along Grandi's main drag began as a beloved food truck in the harbor. With the excellent quality of fresh Icelandic fish, battered, fried, and served alongside mushy peas and chips, 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."

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.

This vibrant Reykjavík eatery offers inventive tapas-style dishes that marry classic Icelandic flavors with the spice of southern Europe. The restaurant has a selection of local beers and cocktails, set in a modern, art-adorned space with high ceilings and an open kitchen. It's a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking a lively dining experience.

A popular burger joint serving up smash-style patties with a range of toppings, Hagavagninn is conveniently located next to Vesturbæjarlaug so you can fill your belly after swimming laps (or just lazing about in the hot pot)—and you won't be the only one seeking post-pool sustenance. The vegan burgers are just as good as the meat options.

Located inside of Harpa Concert Hall, Hnoss is a picturesque place to go for a delectable weekend brunch. The bistro also offers a lunch menu on weekdays and opens for dinner when larger events are taking place in Harpa, making it an ideal spot for a preshow bite to eat or a postconcert drink.

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.

Inspired by its name (which is Danish for "cozy"), Hygge offers a, yes, cozy atmosphere with Scandinavian-inspired design. They serve high-quality coffee and freshly baked pastries that are all sweet, shiny, and scrumptious.

You'll find a line full of locals winding out the door of this ice-cream shop during the summer months, and things don't slow down much when the temperatures drop either. They offer two kinds of ice cream: "old" and "new," both of which describe the recipes used to make the soft serve (the older recipe is creamier). Choosing which toppings to get will be your hardest decision of the day.

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.

Though attached to a guesthouse, Kaffi Lækur is wildly popular with locals, who flock to the cozy, family-friendly café and restaurant for its fresh, farm-to-table menu. Don't miss the daily happy hour from 4 to 7 pm and 10 to 11 pm.

In business since 1958, Iceland's oldest café is a wonderful place to mingle with locals of all kinds. Many consider the waffles at this Reykjavík institution to be the best in town.

This is a popular spot for dining and people-watching. The menu is broad, covers all main meals with basic dishes, and there are daily specials.

This tiny coffee shop has built itself a solid reputation for excellent Italian espresso. Its delightful brand has been dubbed the "best cup of joe to go," and customers gather on the sidewalk, where they sip from paper cups and talk about politics and the weather.

If the cool essence of the Vesturbær neighborhood had to be summed up in two words, they'd be: Kaffi Vest. This charming neighborhood café and restaurant serves small meals, snacks, killer coffee, and refreshing beers and wines from morning to night.

This restaurant blends traditional Icelandic cuisine with contemporary flair, with a stunning view over the harbor. The menu features locally sourced ingredients, including rock crab, Icelandic lamb, and a fresh catch of the day, all served in a cozy, maritime-inspired setting. There's also a curated selection of craft cocktails, whiskeys, and cognacs.

Reminiscent of an American-style diner, Laundromat Café makes two promises: a meal and a place to wash your clothes—and it delivers. The latter can be found in the basement, but you'll find hearty breakfasts, weekend brunches, and a selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and snacks in the main-level eatery.

Set in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavík (built in 1834), this restaurant serves a wide range of dishes, from salads and soups to meat and fish options. Among the menu's treats are the Icelandic lobster and the mountain lamb. The restaurant's interior features antique furniture and lace curtains.

If you're short on time and you need a snack—or some quick fuel for your next museum visit—Mandi has you covered. The Middle-Eastern dishes span kebab and hummus to shawarma and falafel, but there are a few outliers as well, like burgers and fries.

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.