Best Restaurants in Reykjavík: Our Top Picks
Fine Dining
Dill — Þingholtsstræti 5 Iceland’s most acclaimed restaurant. Nordic tasting menu (9 courses) using Icelandic foraged and farmed ingredients with restraint and genuine creativity. Approximately ISK 19,900 per person for the tasting menu as of 2026. Book at dillrestaurant.is — months ahead for weekend tables.
Óx — Behind an unmarked door near Bankastræti A 12-seat restaurant serving a single fixed menu to a fixed group each evening. Óx is the ‘shadow restaurant’ of Dill — less formal but equally ambitious. Approximately ISK 22,000+ per person. Check for current booking arrangements.
Grillmarkaðurinn (The Grill Market) — Lækjargata 2a The most approachable fine dining in Reykjavík. Premium Icelandic lamb, langoustine, and Arctic char cooked over lava rocks. Dramatic interior. Mains approximately ISK 4,500–8,000. Book at grillmarkadurinn.is. More accessible for groups and special occasions.
Mid-Range
Matur og Drykkur — Grandagarður 2 (Grandi harbour) Modern Icelandic cooking from traditional recipes. Fermented shark on toast, lamb neck soup, and cod with browned butter. Mains approximately ISK 4,200–6,500. The most interesting food for the money in Reykjavík. Book ahead.
Snaps Bistro — Þórsgata 1 A French-inspired bistro with good local ingredients. Popular with locals. Mains ISK 3,200–5,500.
Stofan Café — Vesturgata 3 Not primarily a restaurant but a relaxed café with soups, sandwiches, and pastries that locals actually use daily. Good coffee.
Café Loki — Lokastígur 28 (by Hallgrímskirkja) Traditional Icelandic food for tourists but genuinely good — kjötsúpa (lamb soup), smoked lamb on rye bread, hákarl for the brave. Mains ISK 2,500–3,800.
Seafood
Sægreifinn (Sea Baron) — Geirsgata 8 (harbour) Famous for lobster soup (skúmaskot, approximately ISK 1,600–2,000 per bowl). An institution on the Old Harbour. Low-key, crowded, worth queueing for.
Fiskfélagið (Fish Company) — Vesturgata 2 Modern takes on Icelandic fish — Arctic char sashimi, smoked salmon, langoustine risotto. Mains approximately ISK 4,000–7,000.
Breakfast and Brunch
Brauð & Co — Frakkastígur 16 Sourdough bakery with Iceland’s best croissants and cinnamon buns. From approximately ISK 500–800 each. Queue forms on weekends.
Bergsson Mathús — Templarasund 3 One of Reykjavík’s most popular breakfast spots. Excellent eggs, avocado toast, and coffee. Dishes approximately ISK 1,800–3,200.
Coocoo’s Nest — Grandagarður 23 (Grandi) Brunch institution in the harbour area. Eggs Benedict, pancakes, good coffee. Dishes approximately ISK 2,800–3,800.
Budget and Street Food
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur — Tryggvagata (harbour) Hot dog ISK 650. Open until 1am weekends. The only restaurant in Reykjavík that a president, a pop star, and a construction worker have all eaten at this week.
Hlemmur Food Hall — Hlemmur bus terminal Multiple stalls covering Asian noodles, sushi, Mexican, and Nordic options. Dishes approximately ISK 1,500–2,800. Good weekday lunch stop.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best restaurant in Reykjavík?
- Dill is consistently considered Reykjavík's top restaurant — a Nordic tasting menu using Icelandic ingredients with genuine culinary ambition. Grillmarkaðurinn is the top choice for high-quality Icelandic ingredients (lamb, langoustine, char) cooked over lava rock. Both require advance booking.
- Where do locals eat in Reykjavík?
- Icelanders eat at home mostly, but regular dining-out spots include Bergsson Mathús (breakfast/lunch), Café Loki (traditional food), and the Hlemmur Food Hall for casual weekday lunches. The Bonus supermarket hot counter is the lunchtime staple for many office workers.
- What is the cheapest good meal in Reykjavík?
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (hot dog, ISK 650) is the iconic budget eat. Hlemmur Food Hall has various stalls with dishes from ISK 1,500–2,800. Supermarket sushi from Krónan or Bónus is approximately ISK 800–1,500 per pack.