Iceland's restaurant scene has developed considerably over the past decade, particularly in Reykjavík but also in towns along the Ring Road and south coast. This guide covers 23 of the best places to eat across the country, organised by region, from the capital to Húsavík in the north and Höfn in the east.
- Discover the island’s food scene on one of these Iceland vacation packages.
Reykjavík
1. Fiskfélagið (Fish Company)
If you’re looking for fresh local seafood, Fiskfélagið is the place to try in Iceland’s capital. The menu includes scallops, langoustines, and other delicacies straight from the North Atlantic Ocean. Ask your waiter for the catch of the day.
For something a little different, try the sushi platter. Whatever you choose, the fish is fresh and locally sourced. You’ll find the restaurant close to Reykjavík’s historic harbor.
Address: Vesturgata 2a, Grófartorg, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Website: Fiskfélagið
Price: $$$$
- Sample the capital’s top restaurants on a multi-day tour from Reykjavík.
2. Grillmarkaðurinn (Grill Market)
Grillmarkaðurinn has a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Reykjavík for eating meat. You’ll find classics from the grill, such as ribeye steaks, or you can try local dishes like reindeer or horse. Vegans and vegetarians should also give it a try, as there are great options for you too.
With stylish interiors and an 8-course tasting menu option, it suits a special occasion meal.
Address: Lækjargata 2a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Website: Grillmarkaðurinn
Price: $$$$
- Related: Best restaurants in Reykjavík.
3. Sæta Svínið
Sæta Svínið (or ‘Sweet Pig’) is where to go if you’re looking for a quality, casual place to eat in Reykjavík. It’s a gastropub, meaning what you drink is just as important as what’s on your plate. The wide variety of local beers is one of the main draws.
Expect a menu of sandwiches, ribs, and other pub classics, alongside fresh fish. It’s a great option for lunch and dinner in Reykjavík’s central Ingólfur Square.
Address: Hafnarstræti, 101 Reykjavík
Website: Sæta Svínið
Price: $$$
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West Iceland
4. Landnámssetrið
Located inside the Borgarnes Settlement Centre, Landnámssetrið is an ideal stop if you’re traveling north from Reykjavík. The restaurant serves Icelandic classics such as lamb and mashed fish, alongside international staples including pasta.
Visit on the weekends for the lunch buffet, or just stop for coffee and cake. Whatever you choose, it is a practical and good-value stop on the drive north.
Address: Brákarbraut 13–15, 310 Borgarnes
Website: Landnámssetrið
Price: $$
Snæfellsnes peninsula
5. Narfeyrarstofa
If you’re traveling through the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Narfeyrarstofa is one of the best places to eat. You’ll find it in the village of Stykkishólmur, on the peninsula’s northern tip.
Visitors and locals come for the lobster soup, seafood, and seasonal meats. It’s also a stylish spot, set in a traditional Icelandic building.
Address: Aðalgata 3, 340 Stykkishólmur
Website: Narfeyrarstofa
Price: $$
- Related: Snæfellsnes peninsula – Ultimate guide.
6. Sjávarpakkhúsið
Another local favourite in Stykkishólmur is Sjávarpakkhúsið, a restaurant overlooking the village harbour.
You can indulge in tasting menus of 4–6 courses or choose between small and large individual plates a la carte. With inventive cocktails and dishes inspired by global recipes, Sjávarpakkhúsið serves up a modern twist on Icelandic seafood.
Address: Hafnargata 2, 340 Stykkishólmur
Website: Sjávarpakkhúsið
Price: $$$$
- Visit Snæfellsnes peninsula on a self-drive tour.
North Iceland
7. North West
Sitting right on the Ring Road – the highway that loops around the country – North West is one of the top restaurants in Iceland.
If you haven’t tried it before, North West makes a tasty Icelandic lamb soup. Or you can choose from burgers, salads, fried fish, and a range of vegan options.
Address: Víðigerði, 531 Hvammstangi
Website: North West
Price: $$$
- Go on your own tour of Iceland with these Ring Road adventures.
8. Rub23
Akureyri’s Rub23 is a restaurant with an unusual concept. You choose a fish or meat – whether Arctic char, lamb, or something else – as well as a ‘rub’ that it comes with. Think of it like a dressing, with flavors such as citrus rosemary, Texas BBQ, or sweet mango chili.
At Rub23, you can also enjoy some of the best sushi in Iceland. Head here for dinner in the centre of Akureyri, Iceland's second city.
Address: Kaupvangsstræti 6, 600 Akureyri
Website: Rub23
Price: $$$
- Related: Top things to do in Akureyri.
9. Eldey (Hótel Laxá)
Close to the shores of Lake Mývatn, Eldey is a restaurant committed to sourcing local ingredients. You can eat vegetables from greenhouses in Hveravellir, fish from Húsavík, and lamb from across North Iceland.
Address: Olnbogaási 660 Mývatn, Mývatn
Website: Eldey
Price: $$$
- Explore North Iceland on a guided group tour.
10. Gamli Baukur (Húsavík)
Perched on the Húsavík harbor, Gamli Baukur is one of Iceland’s most distinctive restaurants. Even the building itself stands out. It’s made entirely of driftwood found across the north coast.
The menu covers fish, lamb, tacos, and pizza.
Address: Hafnarstétt 9, 640 Húsavík
Website: Gamli Baukur
Price: $$
East Iceland
11. Nielsen
Egilstaðir is a main travel hub in East Iceland, and it’s where you’ll find some of the region’s top foodie offerings. Nielsen is one of them, with its bright, airy space and sophisticated seasonal menu.
Choose a set menu or try some of the reindeer dishes. This meat is a speciality of East Iceland.
Address: Tjarnarbraut, 700 Egilsstaðir
Website: Nielsen
Price: $$$
12. Otto Food and Drink
Located by Höfn’s harbor in a beautiful 19th-century house, Otto offers an elegant dining experience. The menu changes regularly, but expect imaginatively prepared fish, meat, and vegetarian options.
Address: Hafnarbraut, 780 Höfn í Hornafirði
Website: Otto Matur & Drykkur
Price: $$$
13. Pakkhúsið
Another popular option in Höfn is Pakkhús, which dates back to 1932. It’s a more casual spot, where local dishes share the menu with pizza, burgers, and more. Find it down by the bustling harbor, where you can watch boats come and go.
Address: Krosseyjarvegur 3, 780 Höfn í Hornafirði
Website: Pakkhus
Price: $$
- See Iceland at your own pace with a private guided tour.
South Iceland
14. Kjarr
If you’re traveling in South Iceland, Kjarr is a popular option just outside Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The restaurant has an ever-changing, seasonal menu featuring pastas and dishes based on foraged ingredients.
But it’s good to know that Kjarr is only open in summer, and they don’t take reservations.
Address: Klausturvegur 2, 880 Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Website: Kjarr
Price: $$$
15. Smiðjan Brugghús
You’ll be spoiled for choice for places to eat in the coastal town of Vík. But if you want something casual, Smiðjan Brugghús comes highly recommended.
The diner specializes in burgers, wings, and ribs. And given it’s a brugghús, or ‘brewhouse’, expect lovingly brewed craft beers too.
Address: Sunnubraut 15, 870 Vík
Website: Smiðjan Brugghús
Price: $$
16. Halldórskaffi
Another top place to eat in Vík is Halldórskaffi. You’ll find Icelandic classics, including lamb and Arctic char, on the menu, alongside pizza and burgers. It’s a laid-back and family-friendly spot for lunch and dinner.
Address: Víkurbraut 28, 870 Vík
Website: Halldórskaffi
Price: $$
17. Tryggvaskáli
Head into the center of Selfoss, and you won’t miss Tryggvaskáli. It’s a pale green building on the banks of the river Ölfusá. Inside, you’ll find inventive variations on local dishes.
If you’re in town on the weekend, don’t miss Tryggvaskáli’s well-known brunch.
Address: Tryggvatorg, 800 Selfoss
Website: Tryggvaskáli
Price: $$$
- Tour the south coast on an Icelandic summer vacation.
- Related: Best things to see and do on Iceland's south coast.
18. Eldstó Art Café
As its name suggests, Eldstó in Hvolsvöllur is both a café and an art space. You can come for a bite to eat, a full meal, or just to look at the local crafts and ceramics. All the crockery and glasses you eat and drink from are made in-house too.
Address: Austurvegur 2, 860 Hvolsvöllur
Website: Eldstó
Price: $$
19. Mathöll Suðurlands
The food hall, or ‘mathöll’ in Icelandic, has become a staple of local dining in recent years. You’ll find most of these street food destinations in Reykjavík, but Mathöll Suðurlands in Hveragerði is one of the best outside the capital.
It solves your problem of deciding where to eat in Iceland by bringing many cuisines together under one roof. Choose from pizza, tacos, noodles, local food, and more.
Address: Austurmörk 6, 810 Hveragerði
Website: Mathöll Suðurlands
Price: $$
- Related: Food halls and street food in Reykjavík.
20. Ölverk Pizza and Brewery
Just up the road from Mathöll Suðurlands is Ölverk. Combining locally brewed beer and wood-fired pizzas, you won't need to look any further for a relaxing meal in central Hveragerði. The brewery runs on geothermal energy, which is a practical fit for its location in Hveragerði.
Address: Breiðamörk 2, 810 Hveragerði
Website: Ölverk Pizza and Brewery
Price: $$
- Related: The unique history of beer in Iceland.
21. Matkráin
Also in Hveragerði is Matkráin, a café and deli known for its smørrebrød. This is a type of open sandwich from Denmark, typically topped with fish and greens. You’ll find plenty of delicious vegetarian options on the menu too.
Address: Breiðamörk 10, 810 Hveragerði
Website: Matkráin
Price: $$
The Golden Circle
22. Friðheimar
Both a scientific marvel and one of the top places to eat in Iceland, Friðheimar is all about tomatoes. Here they’re grown in greenhouses powered entirely by geothermal energy.
Try salad, soup, pasta, and more, all made with locally grown tomatoes.
Address: Friðheimar 225, 806 Reykholt
Website: Friðheimar
Price: $$
- Visit Friðheimar on a Golden Circle tour.
- Related: Best farms to visit in Iceland.
23. Minilik
Maybe not quite what you’d expect to find in Iceland, Minilik is an Ethiopian restaurant in the village of Flúðir. The food is Ethiopian home cooking, with a range of meat and vegetarian dishes served on injera flatbread.
Savor a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes.
Address: Skeiða-og Hrunamannavegur, 845 Flúðir
Website: Minilik
Price: $$
How to experience Iceland’s restaurant
Browse Iceland vacation packages to find a route that suits your travel dates. Most packages are based in Reykjavík, giving you easy access to the capital's restaurants in the evenings. For restaurants further afield, the regional structure of this guide maps well to the main touring routes. The Ring Road passes through Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Akureyri, and Húsavík, while the Golden Circle route takes in Reykholt and Flúðir.
FAQs about restaurants in Iceland
Iceland's food scene varies considerably by region and price point. Here are answers to the most common questions about eating out across the country.
Most Icelandic restaurants focus on locally sourced fish, lamb, and dairy. Arctic char, langoustine, cod, and skyr appear regularly on menus across the country. In Reykjavík and larger towns, international options are widely available alongside traditional Icelandic dishes. In smaller villages and rural areas, the choice is more limited, though quality tends to be high.
Iceland is generally an expensive country for dining out. A main course at a mid-range restaurant typically costs between 3,000 and 6,000 ISK. Fine dining at places like Fiskfélagið or Grillmarkaðurinn in Reykjavík will cost more. More affordable options include food halls, casual burger and pizza spots in towns like Vík and Hveragerði, and the famous Bæjarins Beztu hotdog stand in Reykjavík.
Akureyri in north Iceland has the strongest restaurant scene outside the capital, with several well-regarded options including Rub23. The south coast towns of Vík and Selfoss have a good range of casual dining options convenient for Ring Road travellers. Húsavík is worth a stop for Gamli Baukur, particularly if you are combining it with a whale watching tour.
Vegetarian options are available at most restaurants in Iceland, particularly in Reykjavík and larger towns. Vegan options are less consistent outside the capital but are increasingly common. Friðheimar on the Golden Circle is a good option for plant-based eating, with a menu built entirely around their geothermally grown tomatoes.
For popular restaurants in Reykjavík, booking in advance is recommended, especially in summer. Outside the capital, reservations are less commonly required but worth making for smaller restaurants in rural areas where capacity is limited. Note that Kjarr near Kirkjubæjarklaustur is summer only and does not take reservations.
