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Best Restaurants in Reykjavik (2026)

Eating out in Reykjavik ranges from a hot dog on the street to some of the most creative tasting menus in the Nordic countries. Seafood is the obvious speciality, and lamb, skyr, rye bread and wild herbs appear on many menus. Dill, the first Icelandic restaurant to receive a Michelin star, and Matur og Drykkur both reinterpret Icelandic food traditions for a special evening, while Grillmarkaðurinn cooks farm produce over charcoal and Fiskmarkaðurinn gives local fish an Asian twist. Apótek and Snaps Bistro are reliable central choices for brunch, lunch or dinner.

For simpler, more affordable meals, try the fish pans at Messinn, traditional plates at Café Loki opposite Hallgrímskirkja, or breakfast and home cooking at Kaffivagninn by the harbour, which describes itself as Iceland's oldest restaurant. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur's hot dog stand is a Reykjavik ritual and one of the cheapest meals in town. Prices are high by European standards, so lunch menus and casual places help balance the budget. Book ahead for dinner at the more popular restaurants, especially at weekends and in summer, and expect to pay by card almost everywhere. Service is included in the bill.

10 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 restaurants in Reykjavik

  1. Dill New Nordic tasting menu, LaugavegurPioneering New Nordic restaurant on Laugavegur, opened in 2009 by Gunnar Karl Gíslason and the first restaurant in Iceland to win a Michelin star.
  2. Matur og Drykkur Modern Icelandic cooking, Vesturbær / Old HarbourRestaurant reinventing traditional Icelandic food with a seasonal menu of local produce, wild herbs and seaweed, named after a classic Icelandic cookbook and recognised by the Michelin Guide.
  3. Grillmarkaðurinn Icelandic grill restaurant, Lækjargata / MiðborgCentral Reykjavik grill restaurant cooking produce bought directly from Icelandic farms over charcoal and wood, with steaks, reindeer, Arctic char and a chef's tasting menu.

Restaurant

1. Dill

New Nordic tasting menu$$$$Laugavegur

Pioneering New Nordic restaurant on Laugavegur, opened in 2009 by Gunnar Karl Gíslason and the first restaurant in Iceland to win a Michelin star.

View details — Dill

Restaurant

2. Matur og Drykkur

Modern Icelandic cooking$$$$Vesturbær / Old Harbour

Restaurant reinventing traditional Icelandic food with a seasonal menu of local produce, wild herbs and seaweed, named after a classic Icelandic cookbook and recognised by the Michelin Guide.

View details — Matur og Drykkur

Restaurant

3. Grillmarkaðurinn

Icelandic grill restaurant$$$$Lækjargata / Miðborg

Central Reykjavik grill restaurant cooking produce bought directly from Icelandic farms over charcoal and wood, with steaks, reindeer, Arctic char and a chef's tasting menu.

View details — Grillmarkaðurinn

Restaurant

4. Fiskmarkaðurinn

Icelandic seafood with Asian influences$$$Aðalstræti / Miðborg

Modern Icelandic seafood restaurant with an Asian twist on Aðalstræti in the old town, with an omakase menu, a private room and the Uppi wine bar upstairs.

View details — Fiskmarkaðurinn

Restaurant

5. Apótek Kitchen + Bar

Icelandic-European restaurant and cocktail bar$$$Austurstræti / Miðborg

Smart-casual restaurant and cocktail bar on Austurstræti blending Icelandic and European cooking with an Argentinian charcoal grill, plus weekend brunch and inventive cocktails.

View details — Apótek Kitchen + Bar

Restaurant

6. Snaps Bistro

French-Danish bistro and bar$$$Óðinstorg / Þingholt

Warm French-Danish bistro and bar on Óðinstorg serving daily brunch and classic dinner dishes with a carefully chosen wine list, a short walk from Hallgrímskirkja.

View details — Snaps Bistro

Restaurant

7. Messinn

Icelandic seafood and fish pans$$Lækjargata / Miðborg

Central seafood restaurant on Lækjargata known for its sizzling fish pans, served straight from the kitchen with butter-fried potatoes and vegetables.

View details — Messinn

Restaurant

8. Kaffivagninn

Traditional harbourside restaurant$$Grandi / Old Harbour

Iceland's oldest restaurant, founded in 1935 as a coffee truck for fishermen and still serving breakfast, Icelandic home cooking and fresh fish by the Old Harbour.

View details — Kaffivagninn

Restaurant

9. Café Loki

Traditional Icelandic home-style café$$Skólavörðuholt

Home-style Icelandic café across the street from Hallgrímskirkja, serving traditional plates on rye bread, rye bread ice cream and skyr pancakes from morning to evening.

View details — Café Loki