East Iceland
At Blábjörg Guesthouse, this stylish, airy space is an inviting cafe-bar, with a small but pleasing menu that runs from traditional Icelandic plokkfiskur …
East Iceland
At Blábjörg Guesthouse, this stylish, airy space is an inviting cafe-bar, with a small but pleasing menu that runs from traditional Icelandic plokkfiskur …
The South
Fossbúð doesn't have the most glamorous decor, but it does have friendly staff and serves reasonably priced hearty plates. Order soup, hamburgers,…
Seyðisfjörður
At the reception building for Hótel Aldan, coffee and cakes are served all day in a country-chic setting, and lunches feature the likes of goat's-cheese…
West Iceland
Tucked into a verdant valley winding southeast off Hvalfjörður (Rte 461), this welcoming roadside cafe overlooking glittering Meðalfellsvatn offers a…
Akureyri
Part gallery, part furniture store, part restaurant – ‘Noah’s Ark’ is certainly unique, and offers a simple food concept done well. The menu features a…
North Iceland
Behind the N1 is a harbourside restaurant – and it's a cool surprise to find a loungey area, wide-ranging menu, high-quality food and some excellent local…
East Iceland
As befits its location, L'Abri has a slight French accent, showcasing local produce (seafood soup, beef fillet) plus offering lighter, cheaper bistro…
The South
Rose garden, coffee shop and gift shop all rolled into one. Selling plants, cushions, candles and trinkets, cakes and food in an enormous conservatory…
Heimaey
On the ground floor of Hótel Vestmannaeyjar, Einsi Kaldi is Heimaey's highest-end dining experience, with well-crafted seafood recipes and modern mood…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Good oven-cooked pizzas with fun names to honour Norse gods and warriors like the Ingólfr Arnarson (with ground beef, chicken, red onion, Béarnaise sauce…
Greater Reykjavík
Thai, Indian and Mexican flavours jazz up the raw and organic ingredients dished up here to create a wonderland of largely vegetarian wraps, soups and…
East Iceland
There's nothing quite like stumbling across unexpected flavours in small-town Iceland. This small, sweet restaurant (housed at Guesthouse Askja) does a…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Gourmet tasting menus are served in the top part of the Retreat Hotel where guests can gaze at volcanic views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows…
The South
In the same complex as the Icewear store, this modern canteen-style dining room has futuristic lighting (with electric tree-like centrepieces) and serves…
The South
Those looking for a hearty feed should head inside the LAVA Centre, where a large modern dining area serves a decent buffet. Fill up on soup, bread, salad…
Akureyri
The short blackboard at this bustling, casual place highlights piscatorial pleasures: fish and chips is the bestseller, or there's oven-baked salmon,…
The Golden Circle
Serving the best burgers for miles, this simple joint has only four types of flavoursome beef patties. Choose them small, medium or large (like really…
The South
The town pizzeria, one street back from the main road, is a busy, no-frills place with vinyl booths and 20 different pies to try, from mixed seafood or…
Reykjavík
For a budget taste of old Iceland, squeeze into this tiny canteen that just loves showcasing home-cooked food. Owner Unnar has drafted in his grandmother…
The South
Inside Vík's Brydebúð museum, this lively, timber-lined all-rounder is very popular in high season for its crowd-pleasing menu ranging from burgers and…
Southeast Iceland
A new incarnation for the oldest house in Höfn (dating from 1897) has turned it into an elegant space high on Nordic style. The small menu spotlights…
Reykjavík
From Toblerone cupcakes and vegan pastries to four-layer chocolate cake – the daily selection here includes something for every sweet tooth. The name '17…
Southeast Iceland
At a large dairy farm, this new cafeteria-style restaurant is a decent daytime refuelling stop halfway between Jökulsárlón and Höfn – and it's where a few…
Akureyri
Prime people-watching is on offer at this much-loved cafe (the Blue Teapot, in the dark-blue Cafe Paris building) on the main drag. The interior is timber…
Reykjanes Peninsula
In the 1950s, thanks to American-introduced rock and roll, Keflavík was the coolest place in Iceland. This US-style diner transports locals back to the…
Ísafjörður
Although the minimalist decor at Hótel Ísafjörður's restaurant lacks pizzazz, the food more than makes up for it. The strong selection of local cuisine,…
Reykjavík
Burgers, super-fresh salads, energy shots, nutritious smoothies and cold-pressed juices make this the venue of choice for the neighbourhoods health…
Reykjavík
Look for the life-sized fibreglass bull, painted in Spanish yellow and red, then settle down to sample some of the 50 tapas-style nibbles. To olives and…
The South
Located inside the Hótel Örk, this modern dining room serves Icelandic produce in mains like slow-cooked lamb fillet with potato terrine or glazed chicken…
Akureyri
This sleek, seafood-showcasing restaurant has a decidedly Japanese flavour, but also promotes its use of 'rubs' or marinades (along the lines of sweet…
The South
Black volcanic cubes, meant to mimic the nearby black-sand beach Reynisfjara with its famous basalt columns, house this contemporary cafe that serves…
The Golden Circle
The restaurant at the Ion Adventure Hotel serves modern Icelandic fare with a slow-food twist, featuring locally sourced ingredients. Try slow-cooked…
Reykjavík
Icelanders swear the city's best hot dogs are found at this truck near the harbour (patronised by Bill Clinton and late-night bar-hoppers). Use the vital…
North Iceland
Doing exactly what it says on the label, this small window-front on the harbour doles out good-value fish (usually cod) and chips, with a few picnic…
The Westfjords
Malarkaffi, the cafe at Malarhorn guesthouse, serves a super array of Icelandic lamb and just-caught fish on its 2nd-storey verandah overlooking the fjord.
Reykjanes Peninsula
At the Northern Light Inn, Max's Restaurant boasts a smattering of Nordic fare from lamb fillets to fish and traditional Icelandic meat soup. The dining…
Greater Reykjavík
This little cafe-bar is the most cheerful place to eat in town – ladies lunch, kids play chess and half of Hafnarfjörður gathers to gossip about the other…
Reykjanes Peninsula
Small and popular place serving pasta, pizzas, burgers and lunch options like grilled chicken skewers in pita and grilled salmon teriyaki. Spice fanatics…
North Iceland
With a sun-trap terrace overlooking the waterfront, this friendly cafe – owned by North Sailing – has a big cabinet full of baguettes, wraps, muffins and…
The Westfjords
Head to this cool cafe-bar for cakes and punchy espresso or locally landed seafood in the form of fish cakes and lobster soup – best washed down with one…