Must-see restaurants in Iceland

  • Slippurinn

    Heimaey

    Lively Slippurinn fills the upper storey of a beautifully remodelled old machine workshop that once serviced the ships in the harbour and now has great…

  • Café Flóra

    Café Flóra

    Reykjavík

    Sun-dappled tables fill a greenhouse in the Botanic Gardens and spill onto a flower-lined terrace at this lovely cafe specialising in wholesome local…

  • Tjöruhúsið

    Ísafjörður

    Set in a building from 1781, warm, rustic Tjöruhúsið offers some of the best seafood around. The set-course, serve-yourself dinner includes soup, catches…

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    Fiskmarkaðurinn

    Reykjavík

    Dramatic presentations of elaborate dishes fill the tables of this intimate, artistically lit restaurant, where chefs excel at infusing Icelandic seafood…

  • Messinn

    Reykjavík

    Make a beeline to Messinn for the best seafood that Reykjavík has to offer. The speciality here is the amazing pan-fried dishes: your pick of fish is…

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    Sægreifinn

    Reykjavík

    Sidle into this green harbourside shack for the most famous lobster soup in the capital, or choose from a fridge full of fresh fish skewers to be grilled…

  • Matur og Drykkur

    Reykjavík

    One of Reykjavík's top high-concept restaurants, Matur og Drykkur means 'Food and Drink', and you'll surely be plied with the best of both. The brainchild…

  • Randulffs-sjóhús

    East Iceland

    This extraordinary boathouse dates from 1890, and when new owners entered it in 2008, they found it untouched for 80-odd years. The upstairs sleeping…

  • Jón Ríki

    Southeast Iceland

    This fabulous farmhouse restaurant at Hólmur is something of a surprise, with funky decor, a small in-house brewery, and beautifully presented, high…

  • Pakkhús

    Southeast Iceland

    Hats off to a menu that tells you the name of the boat that delivers its star produce. In a stylish harbourside warehouse, Pakkhús offers a level of…

  • Fisherman Kitchen

    The Westfjords

    The fine restaurant at the Fisherman hotel has striking place mats and menu covers made from fish skins. The food though refuses to be upstaged – assured…

  • Minilik Ethiopian Restaurant

    The Golden Circle

    In the most unlikely location, Azeb cooks up traditional Ethiopian specialities in a welcoming, unpretentious setting decorated with African farming tools…

  • Tryggvaskáli

    The South

    Situated in Selfoss' first house (built for bridge workers in 1890), Tryggvaskáli has been lovingly renovated with antiques. Some tables in the intimate…

  • Suður-Vík

    The South

    The friendly ambience, in a warmly lit building with hardwood floors, exposed beams and interesting artwork, helps to elevate this restaurant beyond its…

  • Grillmarkaðurinn

    Reykjavík

    Top-notch dining is the order of the day here, from the moment you enter the glass atrium with its golden-globe lights to your first snazzy cocktail, and…

  • Litlibær

    The Westfjords

    One of the Westfjord's most atmospheric eateries, Litlibær is a 19th century, turf-roofed hut that's crammed with family photos and memorabilia. The…

  • Beituskúrinn

    East Iceland

    A touch of New England in the Eastfjords: this photogenic waterfront shed has been reborn as a cheerfully rustic eatery-bar, with a deck boasting million…

  • Skaftfell Bistro

    Seyðisfjörður

    This fabulous bistro-bar and cultural centre is perfect for chilling, snacking and/or meeting locals and artists. There’s a short menu that changes weekly…

  • Fjallakaffi

    North Iceland

    Folks simply passing through Möðrudalur should stop at Fjallakaffi for coffee and homemade kleina (traditional twisted doughnut) or ástarpungur (love ball…

  • Simbahöllin

    The Westfjords

    Simbahöllin is a cool cafe in a restored 1915 general store with friendly staff serving tasty Belgian waffles during the day and hearty lamb tagines at…

  • Lindin

    The Golden Circle

    Owned by Baldur, an affable, celebrated chef, Lindin could be the best restaurant for miles. In a sweet little silver house, with simple decor and wooden…

  • Vitinn

    Reykjanes Peninsula

    The nautical-themed Vitinn is not to be missed. A friendly team serves heaps of seafood (stored in tanks out back in the courtyard) in marine-fancy…

  • Hafið Bláa

    The South

    Three kilometres west of Eyrarbakki on Rte 34 at the Ölfusá Bridge, this seafood restaurant sits on the water's edge in an ovoid building, with a…

  • Varmá

    The South

    At the Frost & Fire Hotel, this wonderfully scenic restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the stream and gorge. Icelandic dishes are made…

  • Humarhöfnin

    Southeast Iceland

    Humarhöfnin offers ‘Gastronomy Langoustine’ in a cute, cheerfully Frenchified space with great attention to detail: chequerboard tiled floor and herb pots…

  • Kaupvangskaffi

    North Iceland

    It seems everyone passing through town stops here – and with excellent reason. Inside Kaupvangur, you'll find sofas to relax on, plus delicious coffee, a…

  • Sjávarborg

    North Iceland

    Hats off to this stylish restaurant above the Icelandic Seal Centre. Reserve ahead for a table by vast picture windows offering fjord views and a menu…

  • Bjargarsteinn Mathús

    Snæfellsnes Peninsula

    This superb waterfront restaurant on the point in Grundarfjörður is operated by seasoned restaurateurs who have created a lively menu of Icelandic dishes,…

  • Norð Austur Sushi & Bar

    Seyðisfjörður

    Locals rave about this place – and with good reason: the salmon, trout and char come straight off the fishers' boats and into the hands of accomplished…

  • Efstidalur II

    The Golden Circle

    Located 12km northeast of Laugarvatn on a working dairy farm with brilliant views of hulking Hekla, Efstidalur offers tasty farm-fresh meals and amazing…

  • Kaffi Kú

    North Iceland

    Kaffi Kú (11km southeast of Akureyri) is a perfect pit stop in pastoral Eyjafjarðarsveit. Dine above a high-tech cowshed (you can watch the cows queue to…

  • Grandi Mathöll

    Reykjavík

    There's no neater encapsulation of Grandi's rejuvenation than the transformation of this old fish factory into a pioneering street-food hall. Long trestle…

  • Strikið

    Akureyri

    Huge windows with fjord views lend a magical glitz to this 5th-floor restaurant, and the cool cocktails help things along. The menu showcases prime…

  • Kaffi Krús

    The South

    The ‘Coffee Jar’ is a popular cafe and restaurant in a charming, cosy old orange house along the main road. There’s great outdoor space and a large…

  • Við Fjöruborðið

    The South

    This large seafood restaurant sits on the shore, just behind the ocean berm, and is known for making some of the best lobster bisque (langoustine tails…

  • Almar

    The South

    A large, bustling bakery that also serves sandwiches, salads and soup of the day with fresh bread. The cakes here range from enormous Icelandic pastries…

  • Bryggjan

    Reykjanes Peninsula

    Facing the harbourfront, in a block of warehouses, this adorable small cafe is decorated in fishing buoys, sailing memorabilia and framed photos. It…

  • Kaffi Norðurfjörður

    The Westfjords

    Settle at a table overlooking the tiny harbour and let a pair of friendly women transform produce from the fjords and hills – the Icelandic lamb with…

  • Viking Cafe

    Southeast Iceland

    In a wild setting under moodily Gothic Vestrahorn mountain, you’ll find this cool little outpost, where soup, coffee, waffles and cake are served.

  • Dunhagi

    The Westfjords

    Dunhagi delivers a true taste of the Westfjords. A beautifully restored historic house, with rough-hewn wood floors, comfy booths and vintage photographs,…

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