Restaurants in Reykjavík

Restaurants in Reykjavík

Reykjavík has an excellent selection of top class restaurants, most of which are located in and around the city center.

Globalization has reached the city and can be seen in the wide range of tastes and flavours here. So if you like Asian, Japanese, Italian, Nordic, French or fusion cuisine, or would like to try something Icelandic, then head downtown and take your pick. Responding to the demand for vegetarian and vegan cuisine, more and more restaurants also offer meatless dishes on their menus.

You will find here a list of different dining experiences, ranging from fine dining at the top restaurants in the city to budget dining for those on the go. The combination of fresh ingredients and raw passion make it easy for chefs to create mouth-watering eating experiences in Iceland. Using only the best raw materials available, such as Icelandic mountain lamb, freshly-caught fish or newly-picked herbs, our chefs can create anything from a simple traditional dish to a masterpiece on a plate.

Good to know:

•     You can ask for a children’s menu, when dining out with little ones.
•     Tipping is not customary in Iceland since service is included in the price.
•     All restaurants, cafés and bars in Iceland are non smoking.

Fine dining is a must when on holiday and Iceland is no exception. Many of the restaurants in this category employ award-winning chefs, who have won praises for their cooking skills and innovative ideas. Fine dining includes top quality service, cosy ambience, unique menus and an excellent selection of wine.

Essensia

Hverfisgata 4-6, 101 R, tel: 517 0030

An authentic Italian – Mediterranean restaurant, also offering a good menu of tapas plates. A great selection of wines and cocktails. Make yourself at home. Great honest food, snazzy Italian design and a relaxed Nordic-meets-Mediterranean atmosphere – your search for the perfect Reykjavik restaurant stops right here. This stylish new kitchen, with a fabulous view, has been wowing discerning diners who are in the know for a few months. Now the secret’s out. Joyful plates for sharing The success of Essensia and its gorgeously Italian menu is all about a love of food, friends and full-on flavours. The dishes combine an Icelandic purity – a simple selection of fresh local ingredients – with the warmth and confidence of Mediterranean cuisine. Perfect by design Essensia is the bambino of head chef and owner Hakon Örvarsson, an award-winning chef (“Bocuse d’Or” no less!) with a vision. He has set out to create a comfort zone, where people come together to talk, eat and relax. Where Icelandic ingredients meet the flavors, simplicity and style of Italian Cuisine.

Fish. Photo by Olga

Kitchen & Wine at 101 Hotel

Hverfisgata 10, 101 R, tel: 580 0101

The restaurant is one of the trendiest places in town and serves great food, combining modern Icelandic and international cuisine. The lounge offers the opportunity to relax with a drink from a wide selection of cocktails, wine and spirits

Lobster House

Amtmannstígur 1, 101 R, tel: 561 3303

Gourmet nouvelle cuisine with exquisite courses, specializing in delicious lobster dishes. The historical premises create an ambience of warmth and elegance.If you want to enjoy gourmet French cuisine with a Nordic touch, then The Lobsterhouse is the right place for you. Our langoustine, is widely known for it’s great taste and is one of our most favored dishes. Dining with us is an experience full of warmth and history. The Lobsterhouse seats over seventy people and has banquet rooms available for smaller groups. Saved by the hippies: The Lobsterhouse was built in 1838 and is located at Bernhöftstorfa in down town Reykjavík. The house was built by Stefán Gunnlaugsson, a State Treasurer. By 1970, the houses in Berntöftstorfa were scheduled to be demolished for government offices. Before this came to be, a battle began for the preservation of the buildings. Customers say “Lovely spot, fine dining, excellent service. Food was amazing! We had the horse, puffin, and pork belly. It was all outstanding! Ambiance is fabulous. I am super happy to review this place.” (Trip Advisor). “Absolutely wonderful place, food was amazing. I had lobster and was cooked perfectly. Service was excellent. Highly recommend.”(Trip Advisor)

Seafood Grill

Skólavörðustígur 14

tel: 571 1100

An upmarket restaurant specializing in delicious fish dishes. Boasts an award- winning chef who serves up delicacies with ease. It was in 2010 that a young lad from Húsavík, a little fishing town in the north, was awarded the title “Chef of the year 2010”. The young chef, Gústav, and Master chef, Lárus Gunnar Jónasson spent months traveling around Iceland looking for the real taste of Icelandic food. Along the way they found a few things that are now key items decorating their new restaurant. An old freezing plant from Ísafjörður in the West Fjords, now serves as a backdrop for the bar at Restaurant Sjávargrillið. All around the restaurant you will find driftwood that the two friends, Lárus and Gústav, found on their travels. On the road Gústav came up with a menu like no other: Gústav’s Interpretation of the collective grill taste of his homeland, Iceland. Take a look at our menu. It will be our pleasure to fire up the old grill when you honor us with a visit. After years of study, strings of awards and having led kitchens of some of Reykjavík’s most esteemed restaurants, Gústav still sees him self as a kid from up north, with a life long passion for fish.

Skólabrú

Pósthússtræti 17, tel: 511 1690

Situated next to the Icelandic parliament in a charming old building. Specializes in Icelandic and international cuisine. Offers a variety of Icelandic lamb and seafood courses among other delicious dishes. Come enjoy the fuscious food based on the Icelandic cultural heritage and local culinary traditions.

Fish Company / Fiskfélagið

Grófartorg, Vesturgata 2a, tel: 552 5300

Variety of meat and fish courses with emphasis on the fish.

Geiri Smart

Hverfisgata 30, tel: 528 7050

Upmarket restaurant with a creative menu in a sophisticated environment.

Grillmarkaðurinn

Lækjargata 2a, tel: 571 7777

Offers a menu based on locally sourced Icelandic ingredients.

Kol Restaurant

Skólavörðustígur 40, tel: 517 7474

Kol offers trendy fresh food, made of quality produce.

Lækjarbrekka

Bankastræti 2

tel: 551 4430

Icelandic cuisine, most popular for their seafood and lamb.

ROK Restaurant

Frakkastigur 26a

tel: 544 4443

ROK offers classic Icelandic food, such as fish pie and cured lamb.

Local Food and Gourmet and the Countryside

Many visitors to the countryside are astounded by the quality of restaurants in the tiny villages and farms. In fact, many have been praised for their world-class meals and personal service.

Fresh rivers, nearby farms and fertile hillsides are the treasure chest from which country chefs get their ingredients.

Freshly-picked berries and herbs just add to the excellence of country catering.

Stríkið in Akureyri has an award-winning chef who serves up local delicacies such as duck and goose from nearby islets. Local food is often marketed under logos such as “Food Chest Skagafjörður” in the north-west of Iceland, guaranteeing that produce comes straight from the farm or a local fishing boat. “Vestfirðir – Local Food“ in the west fjords is the mark for fresh ocean products and in East Iceland where reindeer and goose make its way to the table, there is a movement called “Austfirskar Krásir”, guaranteeing freshness and quality. South Iceland is the most fertile area in the country, famous for its dairy products. Here, geothermal energy has made greenhouse farming possible, producing the majority of Icelandic organic vegetables. Rich fishing grounds have given rise to seafood restaurants such as Fjöruborðið in Stokkseyri, famous for its delicious lobster feast. In Eyrarbakki, Hafið Bláa and Rauða Húsið are also popular seafood restaurants. Salthúsið in Grindavík offers delicious seafood dishes, with salted cod, bacalao, being a firm favourite.