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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.
Ágúst Einþórsson is the baker behind this local favorite, with its full displays full of simple yet perfect pastries and other baked goods. It's the kind of unflashy spot you stumble upon and can't get out of your head long after you return home.
In a parking lot facing the harbor, this tiny yet famous fast-food hut 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.
This bistro has a truly unique location inside the botanic gardens of Reykjavík. Of course, 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.
This beautifully designed food hall may not be that big, housing just seven food stations, but it brings together some of the most exciting spots to eat in the city. Come here to check out Garlic, the Gastro Truck, Kore Grandi, Grandi's Pasta Shop, Annapurna Asian Spices, The Sheepfold, The Cold Store, and Fjárhúsið.
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.
Way back before the Grandi area was cool, this value restaurant with exceptional harbor views served up good, old-fashioned, hearty Icelandic food for a league of local fishermen. Although it’s still mainly patronized by marine-industry natives, an increasing number of tourists now venture through its humble doors to enjoy the quality fish balls and other tasty dishes.
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.
This rotating restaurant, atop Reykjavík's geothermal water distribution tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill, has spectacular panoramic views (one revolution takes about two hours). The international menu emphasizes quick, fresh dishes like salted cod, 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 fishing shack 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. Thankfully, a section at the back can now accommodate the influx of wayfarers, some of whom dine on the shamelessly advertised "Moby Dick on a Stick" minke whale kebab.
When you find yourself tired of Icelandic dishes, check out Ban Thai. Here you'll find traditional Thai dishes with a bit more kick than you might find elsewhere in the city. They also have seafood and lamb dishes.
The menu is simple at Café Babalú: choose between crepes, grilled cheese options, or a selection of soups. It's a fantastic spot for a quick lunch near Hallgrimskirkja.
This is the only spot in the city where you can taste a huge variety of dumplings and satay. You'll find it tucked on a quiet street off of Hverfisgata with a few outdoor tables.
French-inspired pastries and baked goods are served at this popular coffee shop. There isn't a ton of seating, but you can take the items to go.
The owners of this food cart trained intensively in the United Kingdom to perfect British-style fish-and-chips before importing their skills to Iceland. With the excellent quality of fresh Icelandic fish thrown into a hearty mix of mushy peas and chips, which you can drown in malt vinegar, 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."
The best place in Reykjavík for an affordable late-night bite, here you can satisfy a craving for a great-tasting kebab in less than five minutes—and No. 7 (chicken shawarma) might just be your lucky number. You can either take it to go or hang out for a while, read the local newspaper, or people-watch from its clean and bright, tangerine-colored interior.
This coffeehouse delivers on the hygge theme, right down to the handmade dishware. It's the sister café to Héðinn restaurant and offers the best in baked goods: croissants, cookies, and scones (and don't forget about the coffee).
Attached to a guesthouse offering dorm-style and private rooms, Kaffi Lækur is open to nonguests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 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.
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