Casual Dining in Iceland

Casual Dining in Iceland

Casual dining is a more informal dining experience that generally offers a lower price than restaurants in the find dining category. These restaurants still offer good service, delicious meals, a good wine selection and comfortable seating. The category includes bistros and family restaurants.

73 Restaurant

Laugavegur 73, tel: 555 7373

A family-owned and operated restaurant with a laid back cozy atmosphere. It has as a good menu full of delicious choices at reasonable prices. Come enjoy the sun in its backyard.

Apotek

Austurstræti 16, tel: 551 0011

The restaurant is casual-smart, offering delicious food in a vibrant atmosphere and stylish surroundings. The menu is a fun mix of Icelandic and European cuisine with a smoking hot Argentinean grill. Dishes are designed to share and enjoy together. The home of icelandic seafood and lamb, Apotek Kitchen+Bar is a casual-smart restaurant located in one of Reykjavíks most historical buildings. It specializes in fresh seafood, lamb and local ingredients prepared with a modern twist. Icelandic Gourmet Menu – 7 course dinner menu starts with a “refreshing“ shot of the national snaps Brennivín PUFFIN – Goats cheese, dill oil, berry gel, rye bread crumble. OCEAN PERCH – Slow cooked ocean perch, beetroot purée, spicy butter, serrano ham, beetroot. MINKE WHALE – Shallot vinaigrette, crispy Jerusalem artichokes. SEA TROUT – Yuzu mayo, tru‘e mayo, crispy quinoa, apple. PLAICE – Samphire, green asparagus, citrus beurre blanc. RACK OF FREE RANGE ICELANDIC LAMB – Grilled lamb fillet, leeks, pickled shallots, carrots, baked celeriac, dill-spinach, mustard sauce. Dessert – SKYR FANTASIA. Skyr fromage, Skyr mousse, strawberry & lime gel, lime sponge cake.

Argentina

Baronstígur 11, tel: 551 9555

The classic steakhouse downtown, Argentina offers a succulent steak menu in a southern, rustic atmosphere. Famous for its grilled beef steaks, seafood and organic lamb as well as the wide variety of desserts.

An Icelandic Cafe. Photo by Olga

Caruso

Austurstræti 22, tel: 562 7335

A well-established family-run Italian restaurant situated in a restored historical building. Delicious Italian cuisine pasta dishes, pizzas and other meat dishes are offered in a cosy, romantic atmosphere. Live music every weekend.

El Santo

Hverfisgata 20, tel: 5197579

A Mexican restaurant and bar located in Reykjavik city centre. El Santo’s inspiration is straight from the heart of the Mexican kitchen, where everything is made in house with the freshest ingredients available. El Santo is “vegan-friendly” and offers gluten-free options.

Geysir Bistro Bar

Aðalstræti 2, tel: 517 4300

An ideal place to sit down in a cozy environment and watch the bustling life rushing by while enjoying quality food at a reasonable price.

Ghandi Restaurant

Pósthússtræti 17, tel: 511 1691

An aromatic Indian restaurant serving delicious dishes with fresh Icelandic ingredients and spices personally imported from India. The results are fabulous. We’ve come a long way!

Grillhúsið

Tryggvagata 20, – Sprengisandur, – Kringlan, tel: 527 5000 – Borgarnes (West Iceland)

One of the city’s favourite Rock‘n’Roll Steakhouses. We offer a diverse menu ofsteaks, burgers, Tex Mex food and more at affordable prices. Try out our different locations.

Hereford Steakhouse

Laugavegur 53b, tel: 5113350

This renowned steakhouse offers a comprehensive grill menu of lamb, beef and chicken as well as delicious seafood. Our ambitious cooks use high quality ingredients to create the perfect meal.

Íslenski barinn

Ingólfsstræti 1a, tel: 551 0100

The menu consists of traditional Icelandic dishes, with a twist, along with unusually good burger meals and other gastro pub food at reasonable prices. Icelandic through and through.

Jómfrúin

Lækjargata 4, tel: 517 4300

In the heart of Reykjavík, this restaurant has been serving their famous Danish sandwiches for over 20 years. During summer, the back patio is a popular venue for jazz lovers.

Restaurant Reykjavík

Vesturgata 2, tel: 552 3030

Seafood buffet every evening and a menu with a perfect range of Icelandic specialities.A great location in the town centre with a great outdoor area.

Sushi Social

Þingholtsstræti 5, tel: 568 6600

Just off the main shopping street, Sushi Social offers a fusion of Icelandic, Japanese and South American cuisine and exotic cocktails. Icelandic Seafood makes world’s best sushi : The best of Icelandic produce with a nod to Japan and South America. Modern Icelandic flavours, share plates and award winning cocktails. Favorite Icelandic dishes: Icelandic Scallop Ceviche; Icelandic brambleberry Leche De Tigre, red onion, chervil, dill; Smoked puffin; Blueberries, croutons, goat cheese, beetroot; Icelandic roll – Gravlax roll with Brennivín (Icelandic traditional Snaps) and dill; Avocado, mango, cucumber, dill mayo, rye bread crumble; Icelandic Bacalao from Eyjafjörður Slow cooked Bacalao with salt-baked celeriac, mussel-yuzu foam, dill and burned soy. Free range icelandic lamb Onion purée, slow cooked leeks, chimichurri, baked carrot.

Sæta Svínið

Hafnarstræti 1-3, tel: 555 2900

A gastropub in the heart of the city specializing in local food and beer. Live events such as Party Karaoke and Party Bingo make this pub a fun place to visit. Drop by for lunch, late lunch, dinner or drinks in a casual and fun atmosphere.

Tapas Barinn

Vesturgata 3b, tel: 551 2344

Ideally-located downtown, Tapas offers the tradition of Spain mixed with Iceland’s finest ingredients. Delicious Icelandic Gourmet Feast and group menus. Popular place among Icelanders.Tapasbarinn a local favorite – Experience tapas the Icelandic way, made with the freshest local ingredients in an energetic and vibrant atmosphere.

The Steak House

Tryggvagötu 4-6, tel: 561 1111

This classic steakhouse in the Old Harbour area serves juicy steaks and delicious starters. Serves locally-brewed beer.

Viking Village

Strandgata 55, 220 Hafnarfjörður,tel: 565 1213

Viking feast with food, drinks and live music, served in a hall resembling those of the middle ages. The Viking Village is not only a restaurant; it plays a role in many cultural events as well. 15-minute drive from Reykjavík. The viking village is a unique place and it is the only viking theme hotel and restaurant in Iceland. It offers hotel accommodation and viking houses that are good for families and groups. Most nights there are viking singers walking around singing and playing guitar in the restaurant while guests enjoy their dinner. Fisherman’s village resort is a newest accommodation and restaurant and it is only few minutes drive from the viking village.there are 19 rooms in the fisherman’s village all with sea view. It is a very good place to see the northern lights. The restaurant is open for groups in the evenings.

Bergsson Mathús

Templarasund 3, tel: 571 1822

Vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurant that offers healthy and tasty food.

Bio-Borgari

Vesturgata 12.

Totally organic. Beef and veggie burgers equally delicious. Homemade potato snacks.

Forréttabarinn

Nýlendugata 14, tel: 517 1800

Offers a new spin on traditional Icelandic cuisine.

Mar

Geirsgata 9, tel: 519 5050

Mar is a seafood restaurant at the Old Harbour. Focus is on fresh Seafood.

Mat Bar

Hverfisgata 26, tel: 788 3900

Restaurant bar and deli. Fresh, creative meals and a trendy atmosphere.

Matwerk

Laugavegi 96, tel: 555 1550

Located on Laugavegur, Matwerk is a trendy New-Nordic restaurant, serving a selection of experimental dishes. They offer meat, fish, and creative vegetarian dishes. The restaurant has a focus on fine dining while still creating a casual, homely atmosphere.

Messinn

Lækjargata 6b, tel: 546 0095

Icelandic seafood restaurant with cozy, warm atmosphere in the heart of Reykjavík. Messinn specializes in fresh fish every day for lunch and dinner.

Public House

Laugavegur 24, tel: 555 7333

A Gastro Pub restaurant that puts emphasis on fun dining along with quality ambience. They use Icelandic ingredients but add some Japanese flair to their dishes.

Smurstöðin

Austurbakki 2, tel: 519 9750

Light meals and open faced sandwiches with Icelandic ingredients.

Snaps Bistro Bar

Þórsgata 1, tel: 511 6677

Snaps is a bistro-style restaurant influenced by Scandinavian cuisine.