The colorful and compact Icelandic capital of Reykjavik is often seen as a gateway to the country’s imposing waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanoes. Yet, after visiting some of the best restaurants in Reykjavik, I quickly learned that the city center also boasts a thriving food scene.
When I first visited the city, I couldn’t believe how underrated Icelandic food was, so much so that I was inspired to create my Reykjavik food tours. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to showcase the specialties of Icelandic cuisine while also highlighting its international offerings.
These are the best restaurants in Reykjavik that you won’t want to miss on your next visit to this Nordic nation!
Photo credit: Reykjavik Kitchen
Reykjavik Kitchen was among the first restaurants I dined at in the city, and it certainly set the bar high for what was to come. It’s situated on a side street of the busy Laugavegur thoroughfare, and I couldn’t help but be drawn in by its stylish interior.
With its wooden features, grayscale walls, and golden hanging lights, Reykjavik Kitchen blended industrial-style furnishings with homely finishes. This place was awash with customers, but I was lucky enough to have only a ten-minute wait to get a table.
When I arrived, sampling some seafood was at the top of my priority list. Although cod tends to be an Icelandic favorite, the lightly cured Arctic char sounded particularly alluring. The generous serving of fish came with baby potatoes, caramelized pineapple, and carrot puree.
If you combine trout’s nutty notes with salmon’s fattiness, you’ll get Arctic char. Like its pink-hued counterparts, the Arctic char had a delicate yet firm texture. Both the pineapple and carrot added the right amount of sweetness, while the potatoes served as a mild side dish.
Reykjavik Kitchen (€€€)– Rauðarárstígur 8, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland – Open every Monday to Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and every Thursday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Photo credit: Grillmarkaðurinn
In the heart of Reykjavik’s central district is Grillmarkaðurinn, right around the corner of the quirky Icelandic Punk Museum. Everyone from the hotel staff to my friends who’d previously visited Reykjavik had recommended Grillmarkaðurinn, so I was confident I’d be in for a treat.
I was grateful I made a reservation, as there didn’t seem to be an empty seat in the house when I got here. The host quickly showed my buddy and me to our kitchen-front table. The vibe was sophisticated and sleek from the muted lighting to the dark and contemporary decor.
As it’s among the top fine dining restaurants in Rekjavik, we contemplated going for the tasting menu, but instead, we both opted for the acclaimed grilled puffin. Prior to this trip, I’d never tried puffin before, so I was eager to try this Icelandic delicacy for myself.
When the waiter arrived with our plates, I was taken aback by how similar the puffin meat looked to the liver. Despite its dark color and beef-like texture, the flavor was relatively gentle and slightly smoky. It was a little gamier than chicken and had a hint of saltiness.
Accompanied by acidic bilberries and earthy thyme, this dish had a host of perfectly-balanced flavors. After this meal, I don’t think Grillmarkaðurinn is far from earning its first Michelin star.
Grillmarkaðurinn (€€€) – Lækjargata 2a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland – Open every Sunday to Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm and every Friday and Saturday from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Photo credit: Sjávargrillið
I popped into Sjávargrillið as I made my way through Downtown Reykjavik from Hallgrímskirkja and ended up having one of the most memorable dining experiences of my visit. For innovative Icelandic takes on international staples, I’ve yet to find anywhere quite like Sjávargrillið.
Sjávargrillið’s design aesthetic is fabulous. It feels like a cross between a cozy cabin and a modern eatery. Some of my favorite features were the thick wooden pillars and plush green couches, which made it an even more inviting place to escape the bitter Reykjavik chill!
This menu had something for everyone, including seafood delights like scallops and prawn pasta or salmon sushi. Their langoustine tacos seemed to be a big hit among customers, so I had to try them for myself. On the side, I ordered a serving of their fermented shark pieces.
I’d heard a lot about fermented sharks before visiting Iceland, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. It had a consistency similar to hard cheese and a super pungent, ammonia-like taste. While it was certainly unusual and unlike anything I’d tried before, it was a must for any visit to Reykjavik.
The langoustine tacos stole the show. Langoustine has a beautifully fleshy texture and a soft, sweet flavor on its own, but the airy, crispy batter took it to the next level. What made it even better was the fruity parmigiano, juicy red onions, and warm, chewy tortilla wraps.
Sjávargrillið (€€€) – Skólavörðustígur 14, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland – Open every Monday to Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, every Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Photo credit: Íslenski Barinn
Íslenski Barinn is a gorgeous haunt that I spotted just around the corner from the city’s famous Rainbow Street. While I was walking down towards the seafront to the Harpa building, I started to feel a bit peckish, so I headed inside to grab a bite.
Instantly, I loved the rustic decor, as the vintage wallpaper and retro light fittings contrasted with the trendier bar area. Each staff member was so friendly and smiley, which added to Íslenski Barinn’s already welcoming and wholesome atmosphere.
The menu consisted of a collection of local delicacies, including reindeer, fin whale, and sheep’s head. I was curious to try each of them, but I had a niggling craving for something nourishing and hearty, so I couldn’t look past the gratinated fish pie.
Although it looked small when it arrived in a hot skillet, this pie was rather filling. On top of the subtly fishy haddock were layers of aromatic onion, sharp cheese, and buttery bearnaise sauce. Combined with a side of malty rye bread, this dish was the ultimate comfort food.
Íslenski Barinn (€€) – 43W8+QP5, Ingólfsstræti 1a 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland – Open every Sunday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 1:00 am and every Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am to 3:00 am (kitchen closes daily at 10:00 pm)
Photo credit: Funky Bhangra
Funky Bhangra is a superb spot for Indian food, just a few minutes walk from Ingólfur Square. It’s among the many eateries at Pósthús, one of the most exciting food halls in Reykjavik. When I fancied something other than Icelandic food, I found myself craving some Indian fare.
This square-shaped stand is tucked amongst the many stalls in the food hall, but it’s easy to spot thanks to its moody purple lighting and vibrant orange flowers. Even though it was pretty busy when I arrived, there were a couple of empty seats near the counter available.
It’d been quite a while since I’d had Indian food, which made it even more difficult to choose just one dish to order. The vindaloo and dhal sounded incredible, but I couldn’t help but go for a tried-and-tested classic, the butter chicken.
Rich and dense with a subtle kick from the spiced tomatoes, this dish had the perfect blend of flavors, made even better by the floral hues of the coconut rice. Better still, the chicken chunks were succulent and tender, while the bright pickled cabbage gave the dish some crunch.
Funky Bhangra (€€) – Pósthússtræti 5, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (located in Pósthús Food Hall) – Open every day from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm
Photo credit: Snaps Bistro
Snaps Bistro is a charming French-inspired restaurant in Hotel Odinsve in the Downtown district. As fond as I became of the skyr and oatmeal-based breakfast offerings, I began to long for something a little different after a few days. During my late morning stroll, I came across Snaps.
The cute red-and-white wicker chairs out front caught my eye, but it was far too cold for al fresco dining, so I headed inside instead. Luckily, there were some open tables in the plant-covered conservatory area, so I could enjoy the sunshine without braving the chilly temperatures!
I was more than happy to sample some of their brunch items at Snaps Bistro since I wasn’t overly hungry, but they do have main courses for anyone after something more substantial. In keeping with the French theme, I opted for the croque monsieur.
I’m a sucker for these ham and cheese-filled sandwiches, and this one had all the essential components. From the honeyish ham and creamy Gruyère cheese to the indulgent eggy bread and tangy Dijon mustard, this had a medley of intense, indulgent flavors.
Snaps Bistro (€€€) – Þórsgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (located in Hotel Odinsve) – Open every day from 7:00 am to 11:30 pm
Photo credit: Skál
Located on the prominent Laugavegur, where many of Reykjavik’s main restaurants are, Skál is a classic tavern that may look pretty basic from the outside. But on the inside, it’s every foodie’s dream: a funky eatery with a fantastic take on traditional Icelandic dishes for a fair price.
When I first walked into Skál, it reminded me of the diners we have back home in the States with the neon red-lit signs, counter seating area, and vintage aesthetics.
Initially, I was amazed that there were only three main courses on the menu, but I soon found out that the quality of each plate was where their unique selling point lay.
The guy sitting beside me at the bar was really pushing me to try the beef skirt steak; he seemed to be pretty impressed, so I gave it a shot.
The steak was delivered in less than 15 minutes from the time of order; I was impressed at how fast the service was. The dish’s presentation made it so hard to touch; the leafy greens covered the sizzling sliced meat as the juices dripped onto the crushed potatoes and charred onions.
As I took a bite of the steak, I couldn’t get over how tender and salty it was, with herbal notes. Adding a piece of onion gave it a sharp sweetness. On the side came a herbal mayo dip, adding some creamy and tangy flavors to the crushed potatoes.
Skál (€€) – Laugavegur 107, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland – Open every Sunday to Wednesday, 11:30 am to 10:00 pm, and every Thursday to Saturday, 11:30 am to 11:00 pm
When you’re not unwinding in the Blue Lagoon or searching for the Northern Lights, why not treat your tastebuds to some delightful fare at some of the best restaurants in Reykjavik?
Between traditional Icelandic food and high-quality takes on global cuisines, Reykjavik is quickly moving up the ranks as a culinary capital.
The post The 7 Best Restaurants In Reykjavik appeared first on Eating Europe.
