14 Best Restaurants in Reykjavík, Iceland

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.

The plokkfiskur (fish stew) at this local favorite is the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold night. The restaurant also hosts a Champagne happy hour that includes a bottle of bubbly, licorice, and cantaloupe every day between 4 and 7 pm.

Located in the Hlemmur Mathöll food hall, Skál! offers elegant Icelandic platings in a casual setting. The best part is that prices are much more reasonable than you'd see in most restaurants around the city, but you really aren't giving up any quality when it comes to the food.

A port in all weather (especially for local professionals and tourists), this hotel bistro-bar—which also hosts the Reykjavík Bar Summit—has played a key role in reviving the heart of the Old Harbor. It’s especially popular on weekends when it pumps out a contagious flow of good vibes to go with its filling brunch, legendary cocktails, and highly addictive licorice-flavored popcorn. The menu features top-notch dishes at fair prices: don't hesitate to order the sensational seafood platter or the superlative Omnom chocolate cake. The bar, managed by cocktail wizard Ásgeir Björnsson, is stacked to the hilt with glass jars containing experimental infusions with labels like Cherry Blossom Bourbon and Duck-Washed Cognac, and waiters serve drinks from chemistry-set beakers that reinforce the scientific approach here.

Always bustling, this popular bistro bar is famous for its weekend brunch and attracts a lively group of locals, whose musical inflections mingle nicely with the chatter of out-of-towners. Standouts on the French-inspired menu are many, but you can't go wrong with the fish of the day or the beef tenderloin. Tables are arranged around an elevated open kitchen and central bar. One side of the bistro features large windows with dangling vines, and vintage Icelandic newspapers engage diners on the other. Service is swift, informative, and delivered with a genuine smile. If you have room for dessert, the crème brûlée is pure velvety vanilla heaven.

Led by Michelin-starred chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason, this cozy restaurant nestled inside the Reykjavik EDITION Hotel is a fantastic spot for a celebration dinner. There is a set menu available, but the friendly staff will also help you choose from the many à la carte seafood dishes, cocktails, and wines on offer.

"Fire and Ice" does two things really well: ice cream and crepes. You can choose from the menu they've put together, or you can make up your own crepe creation.

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.

Located inside of Harpa Concert Hall, Hnoss is the newest endeavor from Fanney Dóra, the chef behind local favorite Skál! Naturally this is a great spot for a pre-show meal, but the focus on local ingredients and freshly caught seafood make it worth a trip to Harpa on its own.

You'll find a line full of locals winding out the door of this ice-cream shop during the summertime. They offer two kinds of ice cream: "old" and "new," both of which describe the recipes used to make the soft serve (the older recipe is creamier). Choosing which toppings to get will be your hardest decision of the day.

This is a name you'll see all over Reykjavík—Kaffitár is where Icelanders grab a coffee on their way to work. Some might call it a Nordic Starbucks, but this coffee shop chain is known for paying careful attention to where its beans come from.

With a name that means "copper" in Icelandic, Kopar is known for its harborside location and intriguing cocktail menu that brings locals and travelers alike to its bar and tables. Try the Stand by Me if you're looking for a delicious cocktail made with Iceland's favorite schnapps (Brennivin).

Set in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavík (built in 1834), this restaurant serves a wide range of dishes, from salads and soups to meat and fish options. Among the menu's treats are the Icelandic lobster and the mountain lamb. The restaurant's interior features antique furniture and lace curtains.

Head to Reykjavík Röst to enjoy a harborside coffee. If caffeine isn't your thing, opt for the well-loved hot chocolate.