27 Best Restaurants in Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík’s artisanal bakery haven, Braud & Co. is famed for its legendary cinnamon rolls and flaky croissants. Using Icelandic butter and imported flours, they craft stunning sourdough loaves, pretzel croissants, vegan snúður, and much more.

This tiny yet famous fast-food stand 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. Expect fairly long lines at almost all hours of day and night.

Located in a greenhouse within the Reykjavík Botanical Garden, Café Flóra, serves light bistro fare amid tropical plants and an idyllic pond. 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.

A vibrant food hall in Reykjavík's Grandi district, Grandi Mathöll is housed in a converted fish warehouse. It features diverse street food stalls offering Icelandic, Korean, Italian, and other international cuisines, making it a great spot to go with a group---especially one that can't always agree on a single place to dine. It also has a communal seating area and waterfront views.

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.

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.

Every table at this bistro under the expansive glass dome of Perlan comes with a 360-degree view of Reykjavík. Perched atop the city's geothermal water distribution tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill, the eatery's international menu emphasizes quick, fresh dishes like pizzas, 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.

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 institution 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 says it is, and the grilled seafood kebabs are delightful. Those wanting to test their mettle by trying a bite of fermented shark and a shot of black death can do so here. 

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 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.

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."

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Nestled between the greenery of Öskjuhlíð and Reykjavík's geothermal beach, Nauthóll serves fresh fish, burgers, soups, salads, and a selection of small plates all creatively prepared using fresh ingredients. Meals feel elevated in Nauthóll's sparse gallery-like interiors, which put the sweeping views over Nauthólsvík front-and-center.

Reykjavík's cozy, all-vegan café is celebrated for its inventive plant-based dishes and warm ambience. It serves up a rotating menu of house-made pastries, hearty soups, and inventive sandwiches. Signature items include the vegan cheese and jalapeño roll and indulgent cakes. With reclaimed furniture, local art, and a zero-waste ethos, it's a favorite spot for a peaceful coffee break.

Once exclusively focused on Belgian-style fries, this cozy little eatery now serves up burgers and battered fish to enjoy on the side of those tasty strips of hand-cut potato. Good luck choosing from the lengthy list of flavored fry sauces (hint: they’re all delicious).

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

Reykjavík’s beloved family-run bakery, Sandholt has been delighting locals and visitors alike since 1920. Its marble counters showcase an array of freshly baked goods, including sourdough bread, pastries, cakes, and handmade chocolates. Renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition, Sandholt is a staple in the city's culinary scene.

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!