Reykjavik is Reykjavik's food culture combines heritage hot dogs + Iceland's first Michelin star + unique adventures like fermented shark tasting. Dill (chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason) was Iceland's first Michelin star in 2017 — modern Nordic using only Icelandic ingredients (lamb, Arctic char, sea birds, foraged herbs). Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (since 1937, $5) is the iconic hot dog Bill Clinton + Anthony Bourdain both featured. Sægreifinn (Sea Baron) at Old Harbour serves the canonical lobster soup ($17). Iconic dishes: Plokkfiskur (mashed fish), Icelandic lamb, Skyr yogurt, Hákarl (fermented Greenland shark) + Brennivín ('Black Death' caraway spirit) chaser at Café Loki. Iceland is among the world's most-expensive food countries — bakery breakfast + Bæjarins Beztu lunch + grocery dinner saves significantly. We've organized 19 restaurants across 6 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
ReykjavikFood Map
Click pins to see restaurant info · 19 restaurants
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (1937 — Iceland's most-famous hot dog)
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur · Old Harbour (Tryggvagata)
5
#1
MUST TRY
Pylsa (Icelandic hot dog) ordered 'eina með öllu' (one with everything) — ketchup + sweet brown mustard + fried onions + raw onions + remoulade
Since 1937 — Iceland's most-iconic hot dog stand. Bill Clinton ordered one (his table is marked). Anthony Bourdain featured it. kr700 ($5). Lamb-pork-beef blend Icelandic pylsa. The canonical Reykjavik snack. Located at the Old Harbour.
$5-6
(kr700-800)
10:00-01:00 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. No reservations. Lines move fast. Say 'eina með öllu' (ay-na meth UH-lloo) — 'one with everything'. Open until 1 AM.
Reykjavik's iconic submarine sandwich chain since 1986 — Hlöllabátar 'Hlölli's boats' was the late-night fuel before Bæjarins Beztu became universal. Hot-pressed subs in homemade dough, generous fillings, dipping sauces on the side. Open until 5 AM weekends — the canonical post-club Reykjavik meal.
Humarsúpa (lobster soup) — Reykjavik's canonical bowl + grilled fish skewers + Old Harbour atmosphere
Sea Baron Humarsúpa lobster soup — the iconic creamy, garlicky, Icelandic-lobster bowl that put Reykjavik on the soup map. Run since the 1990s by the late Kjartan Halldórsson 'the Sea Baron'. Casual + atmospheric Old Harbour setting with shared communal tables.
$17-25
(kr2,200-3,200)
11:30-22:00 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. No reservations. Walk-up only. Outdoor + indoor seating. Combine with Bæjarins Beztu hot dog for full Old Harbour budget lunch.
Tasting menu + lagoon view — at the luxury Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Reykjavik's most-luxurious dining setting — at the 5-star Retreat at Blue Lagoon Hotel. 2 Michelin-recommended (not yet starred). Modern Nordic with the iconic blue geothermal pool view from the dining room. Michelin-quality tasting menus.
$120-300
(kr15,000-28,000)
18:00-22:00 daily
Local tip: Book 1+ month ahead. Smart-casual dress. Combine with Retreat Spa or hotel stay. 40 min from Reykjavik central.
Modern Nordic tasting menu — chef Þráinn Vigfússon
Modern Nordic restaurant, Michelin-recommended (alongside Dill, Moss). Located in a converted 1916 post office building in central Reykjavik. Refined Icelandic-Nordic tasting menus. Less heritage atmosphere than Dill; more contemporary minimalist setting.
$95-180
(kr13,000-24,000)
18:00-22:00 Tue-Sat
Local tip: Book 1+ month ahead. Smart-casual. Closed Sun + Mon.
Modern Nordic with Middle Eastern flavors — fusion that works surprisingly well with Icelandic lamb. Bib Gourmand-level pricing in a city of expensive restaurants. The cocktail program is particularly strong.
$35-75
(kr4,500-10,000)
17:00-23:00 Tue-Sun
Local tip: Book 1+ week ahead. Cash + card. Closed Monday.
Matur og Drykkur, Grillmarkaðurinn, Fish Market, Messinn — modern + traditional Icelandic lamb + seafood
Matur og Drykkur (Modern Traditional)
Matur og Drykkur · Grandagarður (Saga Museum building)
8
#1
MUST TRY
Plokkfiskur (Icelandic fish stew) + slow-roasted lamb + skyr panna cotta — modern takes on Iceland's grandma recipes
'Food and Drink' in Icelandic. Chef Gísli Matt elevates traditional Icelandic comfort food (plokkfiskur fish stew, slow-cooked lamb, smoked Arctic char) with modern technique. Located at the Saga Museum building near Old Harbour. The best-value Modern Icelandic restaurant.
$60-110
(kr8,000-15,000)
12:00-22:00 daily
Local tip: Book 1+ week ahead. Cash + card. Smart-casual.
Hidden 30-year heritage traditional Iceland restaurant on Baldursgata — small dining room, paper menus, locals + repeat tourists. Pan-fried puffin breast (May-Aug) + minke whale steak (sustainably quota-caught) + plokkfiskur are the signature controversial-meat dishes you won't find at modern Reykjavik kitchens. Cash-friendly + reservations strongly recommended.
$50-95
(kr6,500-12,500)
17:30-22:30 daily
Local tip: Book 1+ week ahead. Small + popular. Cash + card. Whale + puffin are controversial — Icelandic ethics around sustainable quotas worth researching first.
Pan-fried fish 'in a pan' — choice of cod, char, salmon, plaice with potatoes + lingonberries
Casual Icelandic seafood — pan-fried fish 'in a pan' (literally served in a cast-iron pan) at moderate prices. Lunch dagens deal is excellent value. Two locations: Lækjargata (central) + Grandi (Old Harbour district).
$25-65
(kr3,500-8,000)
11:30-22:00 daily
Local tip: Book 1+ week ahead for dinner. Walk-in works for lunch.
Casual all-day restaurant with Iceland's most-acclaimed Sunday brunch buffet (kr5,200 / $40, 11:30-15:00). Weekday lunch dagens excellent value. Skip the touristy spots and walk 5 min from Hallgrímskirkja here for lunch.
The iconic spot for trying hákarl (fermented Greenland shark — pungent acquired taste). Tasting plate $20 includes a hákarl cube + Brennivín 'Black Death' shot chaser + traditional sides. Also serves plokkfiskur fish stew + iconic rye bread ice cream. Across from Hallgrímskirkja.
$15-35
(kr2,000-4,500)
08:30-21:00 daily
Local tip: Reservations recommended. Hákarl is genuinely acquired — most foreigners try once + dislike. The Brennivín shot is mandatory part of the ritual.
Since 1920 — Reykjavik's most-iconic historic bakery. 100+ years of operation by the same family. Sourdough breads + Icelandic pastries + breakfast bowls with skyr + fresh berries. The default Reykjavik breakfast spot.
$11-30
(kr1,500-3,500)
07:00-18:00 daily
Local tip: Walk-up only. Cash + card. Queue forms by 09:00 weekends. Café seating + take-away.
Brauð & Co · Frakkastígur + Laugavegur (2 locations)
15
#2
MUST TRY
Cinnamon buns (the cult favorite) + sourdough loaves
Modern artisan bakery (2016) — cinnamon buns + cardamom rolls + sourdough loaves that have a near-cult local following. More minimalist + design-forward than heritage Sandholt. Two locations.
$7-22
(kr1,000-3,000)
06:30-18:00 daily
Local tip: Walk-up only. Cash + card. Get there by 11:00 for cinnamon buns — they sell out.
Reykjavík Roasters · Kárastígur + Brautarholt (2 locations)
16
#3
MUST TRY
Single-origin specialty coffee + skyr pastry
Reykjavik's leading specialty coffee roaster. Single-origin beans + careful brewing + minimal modern setting. Multiple locations across central Reykjavik. The canonical coffee stop.
Friðheimar · Reykholt (Golden Circle route, near Geysir)
18
#1
MUST TRY
Unlimited tomato soup buffet (kr3,200 with fresh bread + Bloody Mary) — inside a working tomato greenhouse
Working tomato greenhouse + restaurant on the Golden Circle route between Þingvellir and Geysir. Unlimited tomato soup buffet ($28) is the iconic visit. The whole restaurant is inside the greenhouse — surreal Iceland experience. Bloody Mary made with on-site tomatoes.
Pakkhús Restaurant · Höfn (East Iceland, near Jökulsárlón)
19
#2
MUST TRY
Höfn langoustine (the iconic East Iceland langoustine) + Icelandic lamb
East Iceland's iconic lobster restaurant in Höfn — the langoustine capital of Iceland. Operates only May-September when fresh langoustine arrives. Requires Vík overnight or full Jökulsárlón day-trip from Reykjavik.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur $5 hot dog + Sægreifinn lobster soup + Sandholt Bakery breakfast + grocery store dinners. Iceland is among the world's most-expensive countries.
Mid-Range
$70-150/day
Matur og Drykkur modern Icelandic + Grillmarkaðurinn grill + Reykjavik Roasters coffee + Friðheimar tomato greenhouse on Golden Circle.
Luxury
$300+/day
Dill 1-Michelin (kr18,500-28,000) + Moss at Retreat Blue Lagoon + Brut + Sumac fusion tasting menus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Reykjavik.
Is Bæjarins Beztu really the world's best hot dog?
Locals + Bill Clinton + Anthony Bourdain say yes. Since 1937, kr700 ($5). Lamb-pork-beef blend Icelandic pylsa. Order 'eina með öllu' (one with everything) — ketchup + sweet brown mustard + fried onions + raw onions + remoulade. The canonical Reykjavik snack. Old Harbour walk-up, open until 1 AM.
Dill Michelin — really worth it?
Iceland's first + only Michelin-starred restaurant (since 2017). kr18,500-28,000 ($130-200). Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason. 7-10 course tasting using only Icelandic ingredients. Book 1-2 months ahead. Closed Sun + Mon. Smart-casual dress. The canonical Iceland fine-dining experience.
Where to eat lobster soup?
Sægreifinn (Sea Baron) at Old Harbour — Iceland's iconic lobster soup since the 1990s. kr2,200 ($17) bowl, casual + atmospheric. Pakkhús in Höfn (East Iceland) is the historic langoustine restaurant but requires multi-day trip + May-September only. Sægreifinn is the go-to Reykjavik version.
Should I try Hákarl (fermented shark)?
Yes if adventurous — it's the iconic acquired-taste Icelandic food. Café Loki (across from Hallgrímskirkja) serves tasting plates kr2,000-4,500 with Brennivín 'Black Death' shot chaser. Pungent ammonia smell + chewy texture + intense flavor. Most foreigners try once + dislike. Locals eat at Þorrablót (mid-winter feast) ceremony.
What's the food cost?
Bakery breakfast $10-25. Bæjarins Beztu hot dog $5 (the budget hero). Sit-down lunch $25-50. Mid-range dinner $50-90. Dill Michelin tasting $130-200. Beer $10-15 at restaurants. Wine $80-200 per bottle. Save money: cook at Airbnb, Bonus + Krónan supermarkets, Bæjarins Beztu + Sægreifinn lunch combo.
Iceland heritage cafés + skyr?
Sandholt Bakery (1920 — heritage) for sourdough pastries + breakfast bowls with Icelandic skyr. Brauð & Co for cinnamon buns. Reykjavik Roasters for specialty coffee. Skyr (Icelandic yogurt) is available at every supermarket kr200-400 ($1.50-3) — try Ísey or Skyr.is brands.
Friðheimar tomato greenhouse worth it?
Yes — it's a unique Golden Circle experience. Working tomato greenhouse + restaurant near Geysir. Unlimited tomato soup buffet $28 with fresh bread + Bloody Mary. The greenhouse atmosphere is the actual draw. Pre-book at fridheimar.is — sells out months ahead. Lunch only.
What's the tap water situation?
Reykjavik tap water is among the world's cleanest — sourced from glacial springs + filtered through lava bedrock. Never buy bottled water (it's a tourist trap — $4-6 per bottle for what's literally the same water as the tap). Carry a refillable bottle. The slight sulfur smell in hot tap water is geothermal — the cold tap is sulfur-free and excellent.
How expensive is Reykjavik dining really?
Significantly above Western European prices. Budget $30-50/day self-catering (Bonus/Krónan supermarkets) + Bæjarins Beztu + Sægreifinn lunch combo. Mid-range $80-150/day with one restaurant dinner. Luxury $200-400/day with Dill Michelin tasting or Moss at Retreat. Beer at restaurant $10-15. Wine $80-200/bottle. Cocktails $18-25. Iceland's 25.5% VAT included in menu prices — no tipping expected.
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Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
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Iceland