Wining and Dining

 

If you like dining on inspired cuisine created with fresh, local ingredients - you have a lot to look forward to in Iceland! The opportunity to eat some of the world’s freshest seafood and tastiest lamb is one that should not be missed while visiting. These local specialties, as well as organically grown vegetables, game, and wholesome dairy products are served in creative ways across the country. After dinner, cruise for coffee and cocktails in the nexus of pulsating nightclubs and cozy pubs, as Reykjavik has one of the liveliest nightlife scenes in the world.

Dining

For those in the know, Iceland is an up and coming foodie destination and the capital city is seeing a culinary explosion of new and exciting restaurant openings where chefs are continually inspired by incredibly fresh local ingredients.

Iceland takes great pride in its fresh fish and lamb, but there is also a growing local food movement with a strong emphasis on seasonal, organic ingredients. Visitors are amazed at the range of restaurants available in Reykjavik. You could take an epicurean tour of the world without leaving the downtown area, including sushi, tapas, Indian, French, Mexican, Italian, Thai and American.

Whether you’re dining on international fare or traditional Icelandic cuisine it’s always purely natural food imaginatively served to delight the most discerning of diners. Outside Reykjavik, you’ll find plenty of well-priced restaurants that serve a hearty meal with local produce, like Fimm Fiskar in Stykkisholmur and Vid Fjorubordid in Stokkseyri.

Typical dining hours begin at 8pm and menus always include all taxes and gratuities. Dress is usually smart casual to formal and it is strongly suggested that you make dinner reservations.

There are more than 200 restaurants in the greater Reykjavik area, with several imaginative and exciting restaurants leading the charge in Reykjavik. Just to name a few:

Apotek Restaurant:

Apotek Kitchen + Bar is an exciting restaurant located on one of the most beautiful street corners of Reykjavík. 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 be shared and enjoyed together. Apotek is located at Austurstræti 16, one of the first large concrete buildings in Iceland. The building is known as “Apotekið” or “the pharmacy” because it housed Reykjavíkurapotek from 1930 to 1999.

Austur-Indíafjélagið:

Austur-Indíafjelagið is located on Hverfisgata 56, an unassuming street in downtown Reykjavík that lies parallel to the main street, Laugavegur. The signature blue doors of Austur-Indíafjelagið mark the spot. Once you step inside, you will enter the world of Austur-Indíafjelagið and experience what critics and guests have called "a hidden gem". Since 1994 they have taken delight in serving authentic, upscale Indian food. 

Austurlandahraðlestin/The Indian Express:

The Indian Express is a high-quality Indian restaurants chain in Reykjavík with a charming and relaxed Bollywood décor. Some of the most popular dishes are the Western/Indian combinations of gunpowder masala, sweet potato fries and chicken tikka pizzas. 

Bryggjan Brugghus / Bryggjan Brewery:

Why not embrace the Icelandic atmosphere and have dinner at Reykjavik’s harbour. Bryggjan is a new restaurant and brewery, the only one of its kind in Iceland!  The dishes are made with high quality local products, and they’ll recommend a beer that goes with each of them, either their own “home” brewed beer or other delicious beers from micro-breweries around the world. The design is simple and elegant, focusing on open spaces but still maintaining a warm and cosy atmosphere. The cherry on the pie is the charming view over the harbour. The restaurant opened in October 2015.

Dill Restaurant:

The chefs at Dill try to use what surrounds them and embrace old Icelandic traditions in their own way. Their ingredients shine in their own simplicity without all accessories but most importantly they try to have fun while they're at it. Dill restaurant is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM. 

Fiskfélagið/Fish Company:

The Fish Company is an eclectic restaurant located in the city centre. They offer a trip through a world of culinary adventures, which, as most good adventures do, begins under a bridge. Since it opened in 2010, the Fish Company has become the most popular restaurant in Reykjavik, whether it be for groups or individuals, and is very popular with visitors and Icelanders alike. This is fine dining at its best.

Fiskmarkaðurinn/The Fish Market:

Salmon skin–wrapped railings, backlit bamboo walls, low banquettes, and romantic lighting make The Fish Market one of Reykjavik's most chic restaurants. In the kitchen, Chef Hrefna plays with Asian and American flavors, and creative presentations making the dining a true experience. Voted by Condé Nast Traveler one of the Hot Tables in 2008, the restaurant draws on locally caught seafood and Icelandic traditions. 

Fjörukráin/Viking Village:

A genuine Viking feast restaurant, something to be remembered. Lively folk music and real Vikings to serve groups. Fjorukrain, also known as the Viking Village easily seats 350 guests. The emphasis is on the Viking Era and as you enter, you step into a world of the past. The décor is in the Viking style and they offer a true Viking feast with traditional meals served in old-fashioned Viking-style trays. During these famous feasts there is never a dull moment and the guests can expect various treats and surprises offered by our singing Valkyries and Vikings. 

Geiri Smart:

Downtown Reykjavík is all about throwing a good, old-fashioned soirée. Making allowances for eccentricities in chic sophistication is the essence of Geiri Smart Restaurant. On a culinary level, it´s simply implementing a good idea whenever it presents itself. There are no fixed rules and they play it by ear depending on what their farmers have to offer at any given moment. However, Iceland is an island and a little outside help is needed now and then. No matter the origins, quality produce is what sets the pace. Geiri Smart sets the path.

Grill Market / Grillmarkadurinn:

There’s much buzz about top chef Hrefna Rosa Saetran’s newly-opened Grill Market located on Lækjartorg Square in the heart of the city. A cosmopolitan crowd complements the dramatic bi-level space uniquely decorated with Icelandic moss, dried fish skin, and black lava stones. A custom-made, ultra-high-temperature grill plays a prominent role and ensures a juicy result. The tasting menu is highly recommended.

Grillid:

Rising eight stories above street level and providing breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the warm and intimate surroundings of Grillid restaurant provide diners with a culinary experience created by award-winning master chefs. This famous restaurant in Reykjavik combines incredible food with fine wine and excellent service, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the most dramatic views in the city.

Jamie's Italian Hotel Borg:

Located right at the heart of downtown Reykjavik, our first Jamie's Italian in Iceland is the perfect place for any occasion. Stop by for a morning breakfast or coffee, taste one of our artisan pizzas or a three-course Italian experience, all made with the best seasonal ingredients and served in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

Kolabrautin:

This latest addition to Reykjavik’s burgeoning food scene takes inspiration from Icelandic ingredients and Mediterranean traditions. Situated on the fourth floor of newly opened Harpa Concert Hall, guests enjoy magnificent views of the downtown harbor area through the striking glass facade built by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.

Kopar:

Kopar is a restaurant situated by the harbour. They specialize in exciting dishes with new and old methods. The recipes blend traditional ingredients with surprising ones. Furthermore, Kopar is the first restaurant in Reykjavík to serve Icelandic rock crab. They are famous for their tasty and exciting cocktails and you can enjoy your drink on their terrace by the old harbour.

Lækjarbrekka:

Situated in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavík, right in the centre of the old town, Lækjarbrekka restaurant is very Icelandic with a cozy atmosphere. During reconstruction in 1980, every effort was made to preserve the original appearance. Step into the Icelandic 19th century and enjoy traditional dishes.

Marshall Husid /Marshall House:

Marshall restaurant + bar is situated in Marshallhusid a New center for modern art in Reykjavik. A kitchen inspired by the Mediterranean honest approach to food and cooking. Enjoy the warm atmosphere, Icelandic fish, vegetarian dishes, pasta, and meat.

Matarkjallarinn:

Food Cellar is a Grill & Cocktail bar situated in a 160 year old building in the centre of Reykjavík. The food is in the Icelandic brasserie style, elegantly prepared by their skilled and enthusiastic chefs, using the finest Icelandic ingredients. Experience the secret menu which will take you to heaven and back. The bar has a superb selection of fine cocktails, put together by the outstanding bartenders.

Restaurant Reykjavik:

Restaurant Reykjavik is a large and spacious combination of restaurant, café and a piano bar. It is located in the very centre of Reykjavík in a 3- floor 19th century former warehouse, which has recently been renovated. The Brasserie, on the ground floor, is open for lunch, coffee and dinners. The Rainbow rooms are on the second floor and the Cabaret room is on the third floor. The restaurant offers a wide range of menus but specialises in fish. This is also a possible venue for meetings in different surroundings.

Saffran:

A popular restaurant or take away that serves healthy, fresh and exotic food.  The menu is mostly based on Indian and Persian cuisine with a mix of French, Italian and Icelandic cooking.

Seafood Grill / Sjavargrillid:

Located on the charming Skolavordustig shopping street, this newly opened gem features wonderful seafood and grill tasting menus with influences from northern Iceland.

Steikhúsið/The Steak House:

The Steak House is a restaurant located in the up-and-coming downtown harbor district in Reykjavik. Highly recommended is their “Butcher's pride” - beef tendered and treated for 28 days. Their specialty derives from a rare coal oven from MIBRASA which perfectly blends modern technology and ancient traditions to deliver the juiciest steaks imaginable. Although passionate about their steaks, they also offer delicious seafood and vegetarian dishes.

Sumac:

Led by Chef Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson and culinary partner and Head chef Hafsteinn Olafsson Chef of the year 2017, together creating an Icelandic cuisine seduced by flavors and flair from the coastline of North Africa to Lebanon – yet with the quintessential Reykjavik mood. The restaurant´s interior is inspired by the nostalgic atmosphere of the city of Beirut, Lebanon. Where muted colors and deteriorated texture of today's Beirut meets the finesse of elegance of the city's past, formerly nicknamed: Paris of the the East.

Torfan Lobsterhouse:

If you want to enjoy gourmet Scandinavian food with a French fusion twist, then Torfan Lobsterhouse is the right place for you. Our langoustine, Icelandic lobster, is widely know for it’s great taste and one of our most favourable dishes. Dining at Torfan is an experience full of warmth and history. Torfan Lobsterhouse seats over seventy people and has banquet rooms available for smaller groups.

Vox restaurant:

Located at the splendid Hilton Reykjavik Nordica Hotel, Vox overlooks Faxafloi Bay and the magnificent Mount Esja. The culinary team at Vox emphasizes the New Nordic style of cooking, while focusing on quality Icelandic ingredients.

 

Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants

Gló:

The best vegetarian restaurant in town that takes pride in using fresh ingredients and buying as much possible from Icelandic farmers. Located on the second floor of Laugarvegur20B, walk in from the side street. Gló offers vegan, chicken, gluten free and raw food. Gló also offers coffee, tea and dessert.

Vínyl:

Vínyl is a café, bar, restaurant and record shop located on Hverfisgata in central Reykjavik. The first Vegan kitchen in Reykjavik, Vínyl has a relaxed atmosphere, live Dj's and a good vibe.