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The dining scene in Reykjavík has diversified a great deal in the past few years: traditional Icelandic restaurants now face competition from restaurants serving Asian, Italian, Mexican, Indian, and vegetarian fare. A recent trend has seen the emergence of several upscale establishments emphasizing locally grown ingredients and new Nordic cuisine.
This spot has been spicing up Reykjavík since 1994 with rich, aromatic Indian cuisine in a cozy setting. Beloved for everything from its tandoori salmon to the pappadoms, it’s a timeless go-to when winter demands warmth, flavor, and fire. This is not only the best Indian restaurant in Reykjavík, it's one of the city's best restaurants period.
Reykjavík’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, Dill offers a multicourse tasting menu that celebrates Icelandic ingredients through New Nordic cuisine. Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason emphasizes sustainability, foraging, and preserving seasonal produce.
The "Grill Market" is known for its emphasis on Icelandic cuisine, featuring dishes like grilled beef, lamb, and seafood. The restaurant collaborates closely with local farmers to source fresh seasonal ingredients, ensuring high-quality meals. Its interior blends natural Icelandic elements such as basalt, wood, and moss, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere that feels like a destination in and of itself.
Sipping on a refreshing 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
This small neighborhood restaurant and bar turns out an impressive quantity and quality of small plates from its postage-stamp-size kitchen located smack-dab in the center of the dining room. The constant activity on display from the kitchen staff, bartenders, and attentive waiters only adds to the buzzing atmosphere of dining here. It helps that the food and drinks are all top-notch, too.
Hidden behind a graffiti-covered door on Laugavegur, ÓX is Reykjavík’s intimate Michelin-starred secret. With just 17 seats, this chef’s table delivers a dazzling tasting menu rooted in Icelandic ingredients, bold technique, and genuine hospitality. It’s theatrical, personal, and unforgettable—like being invited to a private culinary performance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A renowned Reykjavík restaurant, Matur og Drykkur is celebrated for its inventive takes on traditional Icelandic cuisine. Situated in a historic saltfish factory, it offers seasonal tasting menus crafted from locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant has garnered acclaim for its creative dishes and commitment to honoring Icelandic culinary heritage.
This is where Reykjavík meets Beirut, with North African spices colliding with Icelandic ingredients in the sultry, dimly lit space. Come for the grilled lamb, and stay for cocktails and the vibrant downtown energy. This place is always buzzing, and never boring.
The chic restaurant's award-winning chef creates some unique international-theme 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 with special menus for high tea and weekend brunch.
