The best restaurants Iceland

Here's an unusual place, just the way we like it! Here, you'll have a breathtaking view of the fjords, and maybe even the chance to see whales in the distance. Unusual and welcoming, the place is decorated with old fishing tackle - you'd think you were in a fishing shack! On the plate, delicious pizzas, fried burgers, kebabs and fresh fish. The service is fast and friendly, a no-brainer. You'll also appreciate the terrace in fine weather. Mind you, it can sometimes be a little chilly inside.

A small black-and-white house on the harbor that immediately catches the eye. Inside, you'll find a warm, subdued atmosphere, and a menu of tasty, exquisite seafood dishes (mussels, scallops, crab soup, bouillabaisse...). Wonderfully presented, the dishes are truly delicious, the fish fresh, the flavors exquisite... We love the fusion cuisine inspiration with the addition of wasabi to various sweet and savory recipes. Of course, the budget is rather high, but remains average.

In the capital, you'll find both excellent fish restaurants and succulent addresses for meat lovers. For the latter, The Steak House is sure to please! This restaurant is dedicated to meat, with a variety of high-quality Icelandic recipes and made-to-measure service, all in an intimate setting near Reykjavik harbor. Some dishes include fish, for those who prefer it.

Naustið is a family-run restaurant in a quiet neighbourhood that specialises in fresh fish, including delicious soups and kebabs. The family that owns it loves seafood and fish, and it shows! The fish of the day is truly exceptional, always fresh, and the soup is a real delight! So accompany your meal with a good beer, or finish it with a great coffee. Not to spoil anything, the welcome is very nice and friendly, in a very cosy setting. Good location in the heart of the city.

Everything is said in the name! You will have understood, here, you can only eat fish & chips and what fish & chips! As melting as delicious and the portions of chips are generous, very generous. The price is more than reasonable for Iceland. The staff is welcoming and we enjoy ourselves. This unpretentious place offers a practical solution for small budgets and people in a hurry. To enjoy your meal, you can choose between a small room nicely decorated with references to marine life or a terrace with a view of the port.

The only restaurant on the island, so you won't be spoilt for choice! It is nevertheless a good address, where you can eat good food on a reasonable budget. Located upstream from the harbour, the restaurant offers a view of the Arctic Ocean and the north coast of Iceland. You can eat light meals based on local specialties (fresh fish, salted and dried fish, whale steaks, sea birds, etc.). The soup of the day is really delicious and inexpensive, perfect for small budgets. Groups of up to 50 people can be accommodated.

A nice little address known as the "best restaurant in the area"! Here, we stop to eat well and at a reasonable price or simply to have a hot drink. The place is particularly popular with tourists returning from an excursion to Puffin Island. You can also enjoy a delicious fish soup, salted breads, homemade pastries. Very good and in addition, the decoration is composed of period instruments, objects of the sea... You can also buy some stones.

A bit of an all-in-one place, very useful for all needs. Here, you can enjoy the supermarket section, which acts as a cheerful bric-a-brac shop where you can buy food on the go, drinks, charcoal and other useful products. In the same large room, there's a nice little café where you can enjoy a hot drink or fill your belly with a fuller meal. If you're in a hurry, you can also order takeaway.

Without being exceptional, this address remains a good place to stop for a meal when you are in a hurry and/or have only a small budget. It must also be said that there is not much to choose from... Here, you can enjoy a succulent and melting fish & chips, the speciality of the sign, or rather opt for a burger or a sandwich. If you want to eat healthy, however, the options are not there. For dessert, homemade pastries are a delight. In any case, the quality/price ratio is good.

Very good surprise, a balanced and original cuisine in a cosy and colourful atmosphere for a good value for money. Located inside the Aska youth hostel, this gourmet address will delight vegetarians, but also vegans! The veggie burgers are delicious and generous, perfect for discovering new flavours and indulging yourself. Also on the menu, fish dishes, at least one vegan option, aperitif boards... Finally, take a look at the dessert menu, which also has some good surprises in store.

The Black Beach, both a restaurant and a cafe, is located at the end of Reynishverfisgur (road 215), a few kilometers from Dyrhólaey, right on the sea. Built in 2014, you won't be able to miss this rather unusual building, which blends into the landscape (rocks from the beach were used as building material). The place offers coffee, hot soup, cakes, waffles and sandwiches for those in a hurry, or plustraditional lamb, beef or fish cuisine for those with time to savour. Times can be random.

Located on the roadside, this restaurant is generally very popular! Run by farmers, the produce is fresh and local, including beef - a rarity in Iceland! Other delicious dishes include salad and soup. Most are served on old-fashioned plates, adding to the charm of the whole experience. And to make sure you don't miss a thing, you'll be warmly welcomed in a setting that's as rustic as it is friendly.

Reykjavik Kitchen is a restaurant whose name perfectly illustrates its promise: to offer you typical dishes, in an atmosphere as friendly as that which can reign in a kitchen! In a room with a sober, modern and neat decoration, you will be able to taste local dishes based on fish, meat or vegetarian. The service is very pleasant. Special mention to the desserts, with an excellent crème brûlée with Skyr or the Eyjafjallajökull cup: home-made vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce and chocolate ashes!

This little red house with its warm interior opened its doors in 2005 after having been abandoned for several years. On the menu, you'll find local specialties, with langoustine taking pride of place, since it was first discovered and fished right here. Enjoy langoustine soup or perfectly prepared langoustine tails. Lamb, beef and vegetarian dishes are also available. A fine address with cachet, and that's no mean feat! A real treat.

To eat or to warm up, think of this nice little place with a view on the fjord, and, with luck, some whales will pass by. On the menu, soups and paninis for lunch and lamb or fish for dinner, with a choice of salads. Presented on pretty plates, the dishes are delicious and generous. For those with a sweet tooth, opt for a slice of home-made cake, so good! Finally, the service is as good as the meals (some waiters speak French), so perfect that we can't wait to come back!

As you walk along the paths of the Old Port, you may be struck by the large blue façade of the Höfnin restaurant. With a direct view on the quays, this restaurant is a very good place to eat local dishes, either fish or meat, in a warm room. The welcome and the service are irreproachable, which is far from being the case everywhere. Don't hesitate to try the seafood soup as a starter, a real treat ideal before an activity at sea for example

Are you passing through and looking for a late breakfast or a quick lunch? This small restaurant, located in a former gas station, offers an unusual setting for enjoying hot drinks, pancakes and tasty toast. It's also here that you can enjoy the only pizzas in the village (at the time of publishing this guide), as the bistro Skaftfell no longer offers them following its takeover. With its friendly atmosphere and gourmet dishes, this is a great place to stop for a bite to eat.

From the moment you enter, you feel transported to another world. Subdued lighting, background music, the journey continues into the large dining room, decorated with plants and a (fake) cherry tree right in the middle of the room. On the menu, a myriad of small and large dishes to savor: cauliflower or langoustine fritters, beef or salmon tartare, burger-style tacos... You can feel the creative sensibility of the chefs, and the desire for a cuisine that combines inspirations. For a normal appetite, a taco won't be enough, so opt for a dessert as well.

An unpretentious little café that's still a great option, just a stone's throw from some of the finest views of the harbor, all at prices that are more than reasonable for the place AND the country. Hamburgers, salads, fish & chips, hot drinks, waffles... Come for a more or less well-balanced break before setting off on your assault on the peninsula, or at the start/finish of the hike to Hellnar. Our tip: the soup is incredible, and it's even better eaten on the terrace when the sun is out.

A breathtaking view of Kirkjufell and the waters of the fjord, attentive service and cuisine, a charming historic building, impeccably laid tables: you're at Bjargarsteinn, a restaurant where seafood and fresh fish are the order of the day. The decor is authentic, as if frozen in time, the plates resemble those of a Michelin-starred chef, the service is welcoming... You'll be charmed by the mismatched chairs. An excellent, cosy address for an authentic gourmet experience!

Opened in 2015, this distinguished establishment overlooks the Borgarfjörður. In high season, it's a particularly refreshing place to be. Tables outside the wooden building allow you to enjoy the summer sunshine, while relaxing by the sea. The interior of the building, meanwhile, is full of character, with its "old-fashioned" decor and samovars. The menu features typical fish and meat dishes, all elegantly presented and delicious. The lamb is to die for - we recommend it!

Opened a few years ago, this restaurant was built on the edge of Route 574, not far from the campground. Inside, the atmosphere is sober but warm. The restaurant provides a warm, invigorating shelter when the aquilon blows in, or when returning from a hike to Snaefellsjökull. The dishes (seafood, meat...) are generally well presented and of the highest quality, a feast for the eyes and the taste buds! To warm you up, try the excellent fish soup. And to top it all off, the welcome is just right.

Opened in May 2018, this cosy establishment with friendly staff is owned by a fishing family from Rif, so the fish on the menu comes from the family's fishing nets. Here you can be sure to feast on fresh fish, while supporting the local economy. You can also enjoy slightly less local dishes, with a nice selection of homemade pizzas and cheese breads. The decoration is friendly and the staff are pleasant. A good address that offers excellent value for money.

Here, you can eat well, and feel well too! If you're in the mood for a meal in a place that's as warm as its food is delicious, you've come to the right place. Here, you can watch live broadcasts of sporting events or enjoy concert evenings, while feasting on hearty burgers and fish & chips. People are here to have a good time, and the staff are as smiling as they are welcoming. This bar-restaurant, with its unassuming facade, is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. Free wifi.

A good address for eating and lodging. On the restaurant side, a menu with local specialties, as usual, but also more original with sushis! On the guesthouse side, several options for accommodation in recent wooden houses. The rooms are clean and functional, some of them a bit small, the breakfast appetizing and generous. There is also a restaurant on site. An excursion is also possible to the island of Grimsey.

This is in fact the former Braeðraborg café, which means "Brothers' House", named in tribute to the former watchmaking company founded in 1907. After a complete renovation of the building in a very rustic style, the café is now called Heimabyggð. Take the time today to enjoy their freshly baked bread, numerous vegetarian dishes, cakes, gluten-free cookies and hot drinks. Very popular, it's a real haven for travellers who love organic produce and a warm atmosphere.

Very popular with locals and tourists alike, Galito's welcomes you not far from a golden sandy beach (Langisandur beach), a rare thing in Iceland. Here, you will be served a wide variety of dishes, traditional and international (sushis, pizzas), on the menu or à la carte. At lunchtime, a dish of the day with soup offered, at reasonable prices to eat. The chef buys from local farms and offers a tasty cuisine based on seasonal products. It is possible to park on the car park very easily.

This restaurant can accommodate up to 110 people, so you can be almost sure to find a seat. It serves tasty local cuisine, but here "less is more". Only a few dishes are offered a la carte, to focus on quality. For the smaller budget, it is possible to ask for the copious meat soup as a main course. Normally, you won't be hungry afterwards! If you are looking for a place to stay, there are also 35 spacious and modern rooms and two apartments for up to 5 people each.

A great place to eat hot between two hikes in the region! Here, you'll find home-made breakfasts, take-away picnics (sandwiches, snacks, chocolate bars, orange juice), a lunch menu with soup, salad, home-made bread, coffee and cakes, or a two-course evening menu with a choice of lamb, pork or fish. All accompanied by a cool drink and a friendly atmosphere! Opening hours are extended, from early morning to late evening. On-site accommodation options.

For a long time, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur (or "the best hot dog in town") was the only hot dog stand in the country. Today, it's a popular spot for tourists craving a hot meal on the go after a long day. At Pylsuvagninn, you'll find a wide choice of hot dogs at very reasonable prices: veggie, bacon-sausage and white bean, with or without cheese. The result: a well-deserved treat after a long day, to be enjoyed in the park next door or in your accommodation.

Here's a place where you can enjoy a typically Icelandic experience. Located ten minutes from Hveragerði and right next to the geothermal exhibition, you can spend a pleasant moment eating, chatting with the owner, discovering geothermal energy in action on small hiking trails, or buying a rye bread steamed with geothermal energy! Finally, provided the place is open, as its opening hours can sometimes vary, it's best to book by contacting them by e-mail.

Fancy a meal on the go during your visit? Feast on delicious fish & chips, with particularly incredible fresh fish and generous portions! The place is modest, but the food is good. There's also a delicious fish soup and a fish pizza for those who like it. The service is fast, and the value for money is excellent. When the weather's nice, it's a pleasure to sit outside on the tables and enjoy the fresh air.

In Iceland, restaurants close early and it's not always easy to find a good address after 8pm. If you're in the mood for good food in elegant surroundings, the Ósinn restaurant is located in the Höfn hotel, founded in 1966. The menu features fish and meat dishes made with high-quality local ingredients. From traditional lobster soup to Icelandic lamb, burger and pizza, the menu is varied enough to satisfy every taste! The service is top-notch, and the fries are tasty, as the French say!

Fancy taking to the sea without leaving land? Stop off for a waffle or delicious fish & chips at Baccala! Rather than a terrace, Baccala offers a real Viking ship with a view of the sea. Very popular with visiting tourists, this restaurant offers not only pizzas, but also delicious fish & chips with quality local fish, sometimes caught in the fjord you see. A pleasant setting, rarely visited outside the whale-watching season, and just a few steps from the hot baths.

If you like big pancakes, you'll love Grái Kötturinn or "the gray cat"! This cosy, atypically charming establishment welcomes you every day until early afternoon. Here, you can enjoy homemade bread, XL pancakes and delicious bagels. Open since 1997, this establishment stands out for its cheeky touches, timeless interior and tasty, gourmet brunch plates. Be warned, the place is small and service can take a while, so don't come in a hurry!

A great place to stop for a bite to eat while discovering the splendid Jökulsárlón! Here, you'll find lobster soup, a delicious lobster hot dog or hot chocolate for those with a sweet tooth. Everything is really tasty and it's nice to find something to eat here. The service is fast and the price is right. When the weather's fine, it's nice to sit down at one of the picnic tables on site.

Located in the Aldan Hotel, this excellent Japanese restaurant will delight you with delicious sushi, sashimi, tataki and maki! Considered one of the best sushi restaurants in the country, the place offers only the freshest fish caught in the waters of the fjord, and everything is prepared with the greatest attention to detail. The service is fast and friendly, and the restaurant is open all summer long for your enjoyment. Reservations are recommended in advance.

Adjacent to the tourist office, this is one of the city's best addresses for tasty meat dishes in sauce, pizzas and burgers. The staff are very attentive and the portions are generous, for a rather reasonable budget. It's also a pleasant place to enjoy an afternoon coffee and pastry, or an early evening drink. A few chairs and tables are brought out as soon as the first rays of sunshine appear, and many locals make this their regular haunt.

Located in the city centre, this gourmet restaurant will seduce you if you are looking for a good table in the capital. Here, carefully prepared dishes are served, in beautiful proportions and inspired by Italian cuisine, but not only! Try the tagliatelle with truffles (a delight), one of the most popular dishes in the house, and it is easy to see why. You can also choose from pizzas (including a vegan pizza), salads, gourmet desserts and cocktails with or without alcohol.

Ideal if you're feeling peckish after a trip to Lake Tjörnin, Café IÐNÓ boasts a lovely terrace in fine weather, with a view of the lake and its feathered inhabitants (or from its windows in winter)! In this historic building, you'll appreciate the cosy atmosphere, ideal for a drink to warm up, a slice of homemade cake or a soup at lunchtime. In addition to its high-quality, reasonably-priced cuisine and great location, IÐNÓ also has a pleasantly atmospheric room for regular concerts.

Looking for a gourmet break? Eldur Og Is is here to treat you with homemade pancakes and tasty ice creams! Located in the city centre, this pancake and ice cream parlour offers you many savoury and sweet options to treat yourself all week long. We appreciate the large choice of sweet toppings (Skyr, cinnamon, Toblerone, Oréo, whipped cream...) and the location, although the small room fills up quickly. Please note: the basic price of a plain pancake is quite high (5 euros), the bill can quickly rise if you are not careful.

The Viking village has two restaurants. The best-known of these is undoubtedly Fjörugarðurinn, which can accommodate up to 350 guests. The restaurant is a sort of large, cheerful tavern in a reconstructed Viking setting, complete with folk music. The waiters are dressed as barbarian warriors with armor. Brennivin (local schnapps) is served in sheep's horns. It's an unusual experience, but may seem too touristy for some, so it's up to you!

This restaurant, nestled between the river and the campsite, is undoubtedly the best restaurant in the small town. Typical dishes and friendly staff are on hand.