81 Best Restaurants in Reykjavík, Iceland

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.

This is a name you'll see all over Reykjavík—Kaffitár is where Icelanders grab a coffee on their way to work. Some might call it a Nordic Starbucks, but this coffee shop chain is known for paying careful attention to where its beans come from.

With a name that means "copper" in Icelandic, Kopar is known for its harborside location and intriguing cocktail menu that brings locals and travelers alike to its bar and tables. Try the Stand by Me if you're looking for a delicious cocktail made with Iceland's favorite schnapps (Brennivin).

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 no frills meals, lots of books, and neverending coffee refills in the restaurant. 

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. As the name suggests, the surroundings skew toward stone and offer the cozy kind of vibes only a cellar can provide.

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.

Burgers, fish soup, lobster, mussels, deep-fried Camembert, garlic bread—these are just some of the ample nourishment you can find here after a day of swimming at the nearby geothermal beach. This is a also great spot to take a break from walking Ægisíða and its water views.

The talented owners here (one of whom is a BAFTA Award–winning musician) are keen to prove that they can make a tasty meal out of the lowly potato. Cooked in the simple Belgian style and offered with a range of tasty sauces and beverages, the "chips" are surprisingly good and certainly worthy of the hype.

Head to Reykjavík Röst to enjoy a harborside coffee. If caffeine isn't your thing, opt for the well-loved hot chocolate.

At the artsy Solon Bistro & Bar you can view some modern art, have a meal (try the fish of the day), and enjoy some people-watching through the large windows. You'll find local ingredients alongside Italian staples and fresher-than-fresh seafood dishes on the menu.

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.

If your ideal dinner consists of eating on a patio with a good beer in hand, you won't be disappointed by this lively pub. You can even mingle with the locals for a rousing game of bingo on Sunday night. Keep an eye out for the burger of the month—they can get pretty inventive.

If you're interested in trying some of the more traditional dishes of Iceland (think puffin or whale), pay Tapas Barinn a visit. Here you can pass small plates among your group or opt for the more substantial Icelandic Gourmet Feast, which includes smoked puffin, minke whale, and a shot of Brennivín.

Iceland’s biggest coffee chain is run by the couple largely responsible for starting the modern Icelandic coffee revolution. Far from its humble beginnings in 1984, the company today boasts its own roastery and operates 12 shops. Six are in downtown Reykjavík—three inside Eymundsson bookstores, so you can enjoy a good book while sipping on a smooth, barista-brewed double latte or macchiato. They also sell great tea, as well as their own brand of light refreshments like cookies, cakes, and delicious frosted muffins. They simply don’t make enough of the citron muffin (everyone’s favorite) so get there early!

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.

According to urban legend, it’s tradition for Icelanders returning home from abroad to make their first stop at this beloved restaurant, and indulge in chef Úlfar’s legendary fish strew. Not just a favorite with the locals, Þrír Frakkar—a curious name that can be interpreted either as "the Three Overcoats" or "the Three Frenchies"—has a number of high-profile celebrity fans, including chef Jamie Oliver, who reportedly dined on guillemot during his visit. Other cultural delicacies include smoked puffin, salt cod, and peppered whale steak.