Iceland Restaurants Guide

Fine Dining · New Nordic · Fine

An exclusive 16-seat restaurant hidden behind Dill, ÓX offers an intimate counter-dining experience. Chef Þráinn Freyr Vigfússon creates a surprise multi-course meal right before your eyes. With only one seating per night, this is Iceland's most exclusive dining experience.

New Nordic · Fine Dining · Fine

Iceland's first and only Michelin-starred restaurant, Dill celebrates New Nordic cuisine using exclusively Icelandic ingredients. Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason creates seasonal tasting menus that tell the story of Iceland through food — foraged herbs, wild game, and pristine seafood.

Fine Dining · New Nordic · Fine

Perched atop the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel, Grillið offers panoramic views of Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains. This Michelin-recommended restaurant combines French technique with Icelandic ingredients for an unforgettable fine dining experience.

Seafood · New Nordic · Upscale

A Michelin Guide restaurant opened in 2021 that quickly became one of Reykjavík's hottest tables. Brút focuses on high-quality seafood in a relaxed, casual-fine setting with an award-winning natural wine list.

Bakery & Café · Budget

An artisan gelato shop where everything is 100% gluten-free, with many vegan and dairy-free options. Using Icelandic ingredients like skyr, licorice, and rhubarb for unique flavors. A must-visit for anyone with dietary restrictions.

Seafood · Asian · Upscale

Known as Fish Market, this Reykjavík institution blends Icelandic seafood with Asian influences since 2007. The innovative menu features sushi, sashimi, and creative fish preparations using the freshest catch from Icelandic waters.

Traditional Icelandic · New Nordic · Upscale

Located in the historic Grandi harbor area, Matur og Drykkur (Food and Drink) reinvents traditional Icelandic recipes with modern technique. Based on recipes from a 1858 Icelandic cookbook, expect creative takes on salt cod, lamb, and seasonal vegetables.

Vegetarian & Vegan · Asian · Mid-Range

An award-winning vegan restaurant serving upscale pan-Asian dishes with 100% plant-based ingredients. From ramen to katsu curry, everything is crafted without animal products. Many options are also gluten-free.

Bakery & Café · Mid-Range

Operating since 1920, Sandholt is Reykjavík's premier artisan bakery. The family-run bakery produces exceptional sourdough, croissants, and traditional Icelandic pastries. Their breakfast and brunch offerings are legendary.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Mid-Range

Famous for its sizzling fish pans served directly to your table, Messinn offers generous portions of fresh fish at reasonable prices. Each fish pan comes with buttery potatoes and vegetables — simple, delicious, and filling.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Upscale

A beloved Reykjavík grill house offering high-quality Icelandic meats and seafood cooked over open flame. Known for generous portions and a relaxed atmosphere, it's perfect for those who want authentic Icelandic flavors without the fine dining price tag.

Traditional Icelandic · Bakery & Café · Mid-Range

Directly across from Hallgrímskirkja church, Café Loki is the go-to spot for authentic traditional Icelandic food. Try hákarl (fermented shark), hearty lamb soup, and their famous rye bread ice cream. Small, cozy, and utterly Icelandic.

Vegetarian & Vegan · International · Mid-Range

Reykjavík's most popular health-conscious restaurant, Gló serves organic, plant-forward meals with abundant vegan and gluten-free options. The daily specials change constantly, featuring colorful bowls, fresh salads, and hearty mains that even meat-lovers enjoy.

International · Vegetarian & Vegan · Mid-Range

Inspired by Middle Eastern and North African cuisines, Sümac brings rich, exotic flavors to Reykjavík. The generous mezze platters, grilled meats, and vegetarian options offer a flavorful departure from traditional Icelandic fare.

Bakery & Café · Budget

Reykjavík's best specialty coffee roastery, sourcing and roasting single-origin beans in-house. The cozy café has a relaxed, hipster vibe with mismatched furniture and the aroma of freshly roasted beans. A must-visit for coffee lovers.

Seafood · New Nordic · Upscale

Overlooking the Old Harbour, Kopar offers a relaxed yet refined dining experience with sweeping harbour views. The menu celebrates Icelandic seafood and meats with Nordic simplicity.

International · Street Food · Mid-Range

Reykjavík's first food hall, housed in a converted bus station. Multiple vendors serve everything from Vietnamese pho to Neapolitan pizza, Mexican street food, and craft cocktails. A great spot to sample diverse cuisines under one roof.

Burgers & Grill · Street Food · Mid-Range

Founded by three chefs with fine dining backgrounds, Le Kock brings gourmet quality to fast food. The burgers use Icelandic beef, the buns are house-made, and the tattoo-art décor with punk music creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

International · New Nordic · Mid-Range

A beloved French-inspired bistro on the main street of Reykjavík. Known for its excellent weekend brunch, classic bistro dishes, and outdoor seating on sunny days. The perfect European café experience in Iceland.

Street Food · Traditional Icelandic · Budget

Iceland's most famous hot dog stand, operating since 1937. The legendary lamb-pork-beef hot dog comes with raw onions, crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade. Bill Clinton, James Hetfield, and Kim Kardashian have all queued here.

Street Food · International · Budget

A budget-friendly Middle Eastern street food spot serving some of the best shawarma and falafel in Reykjavík. Generous portions and affordable prices make it a local favorite for a quick, satisfying meal.

Traditional Icelandic · Vegetarian & Vegan · Mid-Range

A one-of-a-kind dining experience inside a working geothermal greenhouse on the Golden Circle. Surrounded by tomato vines in a tropical atmosphere, enjoy unlimited tomato soup with fresh-baked bread. Friðheimar grows all its tomatoes using geothermal energy — a uniquely Icelandic experience.

Traditional Icelandic · Bakery & Café · Mid-Range

A working dairy farm on the Golden Circle where you can watch cows being milked through a glass floor while eating homemade ice cream and burgers from their own cattle. A truly unique farm-to-table Icelandic experience.

Traditional Icelandic · Bakery & Café · Mid-Range

Right at the Gullfoss waterfall visitor center, this large café is a convenient stop on the Golden Circle. The homemade lamb soup is hearty and warming, and the Icelandic pastries make a sweet end to a waterfall visit.

Burgers & Grill · Pizza · Mid-Range

The best burgers in Vík, served alongside their own craft beer. Smiðjan opened in 2018 in a rustic building and has become the essential stop for travelers along the South Coast. The beer is brewed on-site, and the burgers are made with local beef.

Traditional Icelandic · Seafood · Upscale

A refined dining option in Höfn area serving locally sourced seafood and lamb. The seasonal menu highlights the best of South Iceland's produce with Nordic-inspired presentations.

Pizza · Italian · Mid-Range

A creative pizzeria in Vík that infuses charcoal into their dough for a dramatic black crust. The gourmet toppings and wood-fired technique make this a standout. A fun and unique dining option on the South Coast.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Mid-Range

Named after a beloved Icelandic novel, Salka Valka specializes in fresh fish prepared simply and beautifully. Located in Vík, it's a wonderful option for seafood lovers visiting the South Coast.

Bakery & Café · Traditional Icelandic · Mid-Range

A beloved café in Selfoss near the Golden Circle, Kaffi Krús is known for its incredible homemade cakes and cozy atmosphere. A perfect stop before or after the Golden Circle route.

Traditional Icelandic · Seafood · Mid-Range

A cozy restaurant in the heart of Vík offering traditional Icelandic dishes alongside international comfort food. Popular with travelers for hearty lamb and fish dishes after a day exploring the black sand beaches.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Upscale

An ambitious fish restaurant on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula using exclusively local ingredients from nearby fishermen and farmers. Each dish celebrates the peninsula's unique terroir with creative, seasonal preparations.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Upscale

Located in the heart of Ólafsvík on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Sker is cozy with amazing views. The varied menu uses only the best local ingredients, with fish caught fresh from the harbor steps away.

Bakery & Café · Budget

A family-owned café at Hellnar offering good, filling soups and sandwiches, pastries, quality coffee and tea. With vegan and gluten-free options, it's a welcome stop while exploring Snæfellsjökull National Park.

Traditional Icelandic · New Nordic · Mid-Range

Located in the historic town of Borgarnes, this restaurant in the Settlement Center museum serves traditional Icelandic food inspired by Viking-era recipes. A cultural and culinary experience combined.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Mid-Range

A legendary fish buffet restaurant in Ísafjörður, considered one of the best seafood experiences in Iceland. The all-you-can-eat fish buffet features pan-fried, smoked, and grilled fish caught that morning from the fjord. Set in a 1781 timber building.

Traditional Icelandic · Bakery & Café · Mid-Range

A charming café/restaurant in Patreksfjörður overlooking the fjord. Known for its daily soup with freshly baked bread, homemade cakes, espresso, and delicious local food. A warm refuge in the remote Westfjords.

Seafood · Asian · Upscale

Akureyri's premier restaurant combining Nordic ingredients with Asian technique. The open kitchen creates sushi, grilled fish, and meat dishes with creative rubs and marinades. A must-visit in North Iceland.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Mid-Range

A small, family-run seafood restaurant in central Húsavík known for its incredibly fresh fish and homemade bread. Housed in one of the town's older buildings, Naustið offers an intimate, authentic dining experience perfect after whale watching.

Bakery & Café · Traditional Icelandic · Mid-Range

Housed in one of Akureyri's oldest homes, Kaffi Ilmur is a charming café serving freshly baked Icelandic cakes, hearty soups, and home-cooked meals in a warm, historic setting.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Mid-Range

Perched on the Húsavík harbor, Gamli Baukur is built entirely of driftwood collected from the north coast. It's the iconic dining spot after whale watching tours, serving hearty fish, lamb, and burgers in a uniquely Icelandic setting.

Traditional Icelandic · New Nordic · Upscale

Committed to sourcing local ingredients including vegetables from Hveravellir, fish from Húsavík, and lamb from across North Iceland. Eldey creates seasonal menus that reflect the unique terroir of the Mývatn region.

Asian · International · Mid-Range

A surprising Japanese ramen restaurant in Húsavík, opened in 2022. Serving authentic ramen, gyoza, and other Japanese dishes in the whale-watching capital of Iceland. A welcome variety after days of lamb and fish.

Traditional Icelandic · Bakery & Café · Mid-Range

A cozy restaurant by Lake Mývatn with a rustic interior and welcoming atmosphere. Specializes in local ingredients including geothermally baked rye bread, smoked trout from the lake, and lamb from nearby farms.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Upscale

The finest restaurant in Höfn, Iceland's langoustine capital. Set in a beautifully restored 1920s warehouse on the harbor, Pakkhús serves the freshest langoustine you'll ever taste, along with other Icelandic delicacies.

Seafood · Traditional Icelandic · Upscale

The original langoustine restaurant in Höfn, Humarhöfnin has been serving the town's famous shellfish since opening. Their langoustine pizza is legendary, and the restaurant offers more casual langoustine options than its neighbors.

Seafood · Bakery & Café · Mid-Range

A beloved café in Grindavík (near the Blue Lagoon) famous for its rich, creamy lobster soup. A perfect stop before or after the Blue Lagoon, offering fresh pastries, excellent coffee, and harbor views.

Traditional Icelandic · International · Mid-Range

One of the few dining options in the Icelandic Highlands, the Highland Center provides hearty meals for travelers on the Sprengisandur and Kjölur highland routes. Don't expect fine dining — expect warm, filling food when you need it most.