Iceland’s Best Eats: Dining in Reykjavík and Beyond
From grandiose waterfalls to jaw-dropping glaciers, there is a lot to see in Iceland. Many individuals have differing opinions on what the best way to explore the country is, as chic hotels call to some while campervans in remote towns appeal to others. One thing that all travelers can agree on, however, is that food accounts for a large portion of your travel memories.
Iceland is a destination in which you will want to map out your dining options ahead of time, as it is possible to drive hours without spotting a restaurant. Within this blog, you will find some of Iceland’s best eats for dining in Reykjavík and beyond.
Additional Blogs for Planning Your Trip to Iceland:
How Much Is a Meal Out in Iceland?
Prior to my trip, I had heard some horror stories from previous travelers about the heinous prices they encountered at the Keflavík Airport and even at fast food chains. On my trip there with Travel World Culture, I had already paid upfront for some of my meals at the hand-picked restaurants included in our itinerary. I was already prepping myself for escalated prices I would have to shell out for the meals that were not included in the trip’s price. What I found out, however, is that the rumors of unheard-of prices I had been warned of didn’t quite seem to add up with what I was seeing.
In full transparency, the most I paid for a meal in Iceland was around $24 USD. I consider myself to be a budgeted traveler and will often gravitate towards cheaper items on a menu, but by no means will you catch me at a McDonald’s abroad in order to save money. While there are, undoubtedly, upscale dining options for travelers wanting a more expensive outing, your dining tab in Iceland does not have to reach the equality of a downpayment on a car. You can find plenty of affordable options throughout the entire country.
Is the Food in Iceland Healthy?
Throughout my travels in Iceland, I found a large number of healthy options. We had quite a few vegans mixed in with our travel group who were able to find suitable options for their dietary restrictions at most restaurants we ate at. The ingredients themselves were all locally-sourced, devoid of unhealthy additives or chemicals. I consumed more burgers in this one week than I do in 6 months back home, but they didn’t make me feel nearly as lethargic as those that I’ve eaten in the States. Iceland has a large variety of organic and wholesome foods, making its meals some of the healthiest in the world. You’ll find plenty of suitable options for yourself throughout your travels.
Where Can Visitors Get the Best Food in Iceland?
Eating in Iceland will present you with many opportunities to try exotic foods and meet humble chefs working at family-owned establishments. While you won’t find any dining recommendations for fermented shark or puffin in this guide, I can promise that the following restaurants in Reykjavík and beyond will satisfy your cravings after a long day of exploring.
Reykjavík Rost Bistro
Located across from Exeter Hotel, my place of lodging during my stay in Reykjavík, is a teal-colored coffee house and bar facing snow-covered mountains and docked boats. This little treasure found us at the perfect time, with its extensive menu of caffeinated beverages promising to liven us up a little for a day of exploring. If you want to fight some jetlag once you arrive in the city, Reykjavík Rost Bistro is loaded with the necessary means.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsar
The cheapest meal you will find in Iceland is none other than a signature staple from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsar, an iconic hot dog stand dating back to 1937. Mostly made from lamb, these hot dogs are best savored with all of the available toppings. Enjoy it the Icelandic way by eating this street food outside in the cold. At just around $4 USD, this meal will hold you over for a few hours while barely making a dent in your trip fund.
Íslenski Barinn
Our first group dinner was enjoyed at Íslenski Barinn, a cozy restaurant with an impressive selection of seafood and burgers, thus beginning my personal burger indulgence in Iceland. The low-lit atmosphere created a welcoming environment for us travelers to get to know each other on a deeper level. We were also serenaded by a talented gentleman playing tunes on the piano this evening. This restaurant began our trip on the right note and introduced us to the cordial Icelandic bar scene from night one.
The Laundromat Cafe
Also visited on our first day was The Laundromat Cafe, a casual stop for an afternoon bite. The owners were very accommodating to our large group, which only continued to grow as members of our trip kept trickling in to join the majority. Our group’s orders differed greatly, showcasing the cafe’s diverse menu, with some of us ordering something as small as a croissant to others ordering a full brunch spread and mimosas.
Friðheimar
Friðheimar is the restaurant that began it all for me, inspiring me to visit Iceland with Travel World Culture. After seeing the company’s viral TikTok in this restaurant, I was convinced to book my trip there with them. Friðheimar is an Icelandic greenhouse running off of volcanic energy in order to grow tomatoes year-round in this cold climate. Even going as far as importing bumblebees from Amsterdam to pollinate its flowers, the greenhouse has taken innovative farming to a whole new level.
Our group was treated with a small tour of the grounds, being led towards the ripening tomatoes and having the growth process explained to us. We were able to sample these fresh tomatoes before being escorted to our table. While the restaurant does have a menu to order from, it is most known for its unlimited tomato soup and bread. After filling our bowls, we found our seats and cut off fresh basil to add to our soup. This unique experience is not to be overlooked during your trip, as this sustainable dining scene is a great representation of Iceland’s environmental values.
Skool Beans Cafe
Far outside of the city, in the charming town of Vik, you’ll find a yellow school bus with a stunning backdrop of mountains to one side and a flat, green pasture to the other side. Remodeled on the inside with a tiled floor, chic bar seating, and a rustic furnace, Skool Beans Cafe now invites tourists who are passing through this town to stop in for a caffeinated beverage and breakfast sandwich. After being served my hot chocolate and bagel with hummus, I opted to sit outside, where a fire pit had been set up in front of the bus. A few of us brought blankets supplied by the cafe to sit on the stumps and admire the outdoor scenery while the sunshine made an appearance. Meanwhile, the others in our group enjoyed the warmth provided by the furnace inside the bus.
Smiðjan Brugghús
During our one night in Vik, our travel hosts brought us to one of their favorite restaurants in the area, Smiðjan Brugghús. It was here that my burger indulgence continued, as this eatery serves up this local favorite. If you’re a fan of beer, you’ll also enjoy sampling the brewpub’s craft beer, as it is brewed on the premises. I gave it a try since it was included with my meal, but I’m sadly not a fan of beer in general. However, others in our group had nothing but good things to say about its flavor.
Kröns
Located back in Reykjavík is a homey restaurant known by the name Kröns. Our trip hosts had eaten here earlier in the week and were raving to us about the bread bowls filled to the brim with soup. Dodging the rain as we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by a kind gentleman who runs the restaurant with his wife. After placing a few orders of the soup, although I opted to order the lobster tacos after seeing they were an option, we sat while the owner carefully prepared each item by himself. We had a clear view of him cooking for us the entire time, heating our food in the wood-fired oven, and carefully decorating my tacos with their toppings. This down-to-earth eatery did not disappoint, as its dishes were clear evidence of the intimate care poured into the cooking experience.
Brauð & Co
Brauð & Co is a famous bakery in Reykjavík, constantly brimming with patrons slipping in and out of the shop with pastries and baked goods. While exploring the city, a friend and I popped in to indulge in some sweets. I purchased a cookie and later enjoyed it on the colorful avenues, enjoying exploring the streets I had not yet ventured down.
Le KocK
Attached to our hotel and the location for our daily included breakfasts, Le KocK is a modern eatery with an impressive menu selection. Having returned to our hotel starving and not in much of a mood to go in search of a local hotspot, many of our group members decided to stay close to home and see what Le KocK had to offer. Little did we know that the hidden gem that we were in search of was right under our noses the entire time.
My grand burger tour of Iceland concluded here, as I ordered one with a side of chipotle potatoes. Rather than trying to make this sound grammatically fancy, I’ll settle for saying this: YOU GUYS. THIS WAS THE BEST BURGER AND SIDE OF POTATOES OF MY LIFE. I went to bed with an overly-satisfied stomach that night, wanting to boast to all my followers about this incredible meal.
Prikið
As our group went out on the town to celebrate the birthday of one of the girls on our trip, we decided to begin her celebration at Prikið, a cozy pub best known for its fish and chips. The exterior of this restaurant had caught my eye since day one, so I was happy to check out the interior this evening. This mature eatery has accumulated much attention over the years and is still going strong thanks to its seamless mix of timeless recipes and trendy atmosphere.
Café Rosenberg
On my last morning in Iceland, I took a solo stroll through the streets of Reykjavík once more, priding myself on growing so familiar with the roads. Dining alone has never been appealing to me, but I encouraged myself to try it out in this foreign city, grabbing a small table at Café Rosenberg. This cozy interior had rustic bones to its build, shown in the wooden beams on the ceiling and the hint of brick walls by the counter. The seating selection was a mixture of wooden tables and vintage velvet chairs, giving a communal vibe to the space.
Eventually, the rest of our group ended up meeting up with me here, which made my solo dining experience not so intimidating after all. If I were one of the locals, I could see myself setting up for an afternoon here to get some work done on my laptop. I’ll forever remember our time at Café Rosenberg, as this is where our group began saying our goodbyes after sharing our last meal together.
Gaeta Gelato
Right around the corner from Café Rosenberg is Gaeta Gelato, and if you’ve been following my travels over the past few years, then you know that I have to indulge in gelato any time I’m in Europe. What drew me to Gaeta Gelato, however, was their unique menu selection offering a scoop of gelato in hot chocolate. Given the cold weather outside, I decided there was no better time to try gelato the Icelandic way. If you’re craving some sugar during your stay in Reykjavík, head straight to the city’s center for this novel treat.
Iceland is a truly otherworldly place, and if its food selection hasn’t been enough to convince you to visit, then consider reading my blog post on the best way to see Iceland! The country’s northern lights, massive glaciers, rainbow roads, and natural hot springs are waiting for you.
