20 casual dining worth the trip across Iceland, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Iceland guides.
2 Guys ★ 4.4 · Reykjavik
101 · Laugavegur 105, 101 Reykjavik
2 Guys on Laugavegur has won the Grapevine's best Reykjavik burger several years running, a smashburger counter with a short menu and thin patties.
Tip: Grapevine best burger four years in a row. There is a second branch on Gnodarvogur if downtown is full.
Flatey Pizza ★ 4.4 · Reykjavik
101-grandi · Grandagardur 11, 101 Reykjavik
Flatey Pizza at Grandi fires Neapolitan pies in a 500-degree oven on Grandagardur, San Marzano tomatoes on a soft, blistered base locals rank highly.
Tip: The Grandi room by the harbour is the original. There is a second outlet in the Hlemmur food hall.
BakaBaka ★ 4.4 · Reykjavik
101 · Bankastraeti 2, 101 Reykjavik
BakaBaka on Bankastraeti is a 1834-house bakery by day and wood-fired sourdough pizzeria by night, central Reykjavik's busiest crossover room steps off Laugavegur.
Tip: Cardamom buns by day, natural wine and sourdough pizza by night in one of central Reykjavik's oldest houses.
Hradlestin ★ 4.3 · Reykjavik
101 · Hverfisgata 64a, 101 Reykjavik
Hradlestin on Hverfisgata makes Chennai-style dosas and Punjabi bhatura in Reykjavik, the Grapevine's pick for best brunch and a rare South Indian kitchen.
Tip: The fast-casual sibling of a longer-running Indian kitchen. Brunch is the meal worth booking.
Tommi's Burger Joint ★ 4.2 · Reykjavik
101-grandi · Geirsgata 1, 101 Reykjavik
Tommi's Burger Joint, known locally as Bullan, grills no-nonsense cheeseburgers by the Old Harbour on Geirsgata, a Reykjavik name that went international.
Tip: Founder Tommi Tomasson exported the brand to London and beyond. The harbour branch is the original feel.
Yuzu ★ 4.2 · Reykjavik
101 · Hverfisgata 44, 101 Reykjavik
Yuzu on Hverfisgata flips Asian-influenced burgers on house-baked buns, a small Reykjavik counter where Japanese-Nordic touches lift a fast-casual order beyond the chains.
Tip: Bun, patty and sauce all made in-house. The weekday lunch deal is the best-value way in.
Grandi Matholl ★ 4.2 · Reykjavik
101-grandi · Grandagardur 16, 101 Reykjavik
Grandi Matholl on Grandagardur is a 2018 food hall in an old fish factory at the Old Harbour in Reykjavik, with seven counters of Icelandic seafood and global street food.
Tip: Casual harbour-side eating with industrial windows over the fishing fleet. Open daily 11:00 to 21:00.
Salka Valka Kitchen ★ 4.1 · Reykjavik
101 · Skolavordustigur 23, 101 Reykjavik
Salka Valka on Skolavordustigur runs a relaxed, meat-free Reykjavik kitchen with a daily-changing half-vegan menu of soups, bagels and comfort plates below Hallgrimskirkja.
Tip: Fully meat-free with vegan options every day. Counter service, no reservations needed.
Ban Thai ★ 4.1 · Reykjavik
105 · Laugavegur 130, 105 Reykjavik
Ban Thai has cooked from a tiny Laugavegur room in Reykjavik for over two decades, repeatedly named Iceland's best Thai, with hot curries and big portions.
Tip: Small and popular, so reserve or get takeaway. Voted Iceland's best Thai by local press for years.
Uppi Wine Bar ★ 4.1 · Reykjavik
101 · Adalstraeti 12, 101 Reykjavik
Uppi sits above Fish Market on Adalstraeti, a casual Reykjavik wine bar running the same kitchen for sushi and small plates at a lighter price.
Tip: The relaxed way into the Fish Market kitchen without the full tasting commitment. Good for a quick stop.
Public House Gastropub ★ 4.0 · Reykjavik
101 · Laugavegur 24, 101 Reykjavik
Public House on Laugavegur runs a Japanese-leaning gastropub of shareable small plates and cocktails, one of central Reykjavik's busier mid-range tables.
Tip: Happy hour at the bar is one of the better downtown deals. Loud and lively most nights.
Mama Kitchen ★ 4.0 · Reykjavik
101 · Laugavegur 84, 101 Reykjavik
Mama Kitchen on Laugavegur cooks the Vietnamese classics in generous bowls, a fragrant pho and crisp spring rolls that draw a loyal crowd to the main shopping street in Reykjavik.
Tip: Open every day from 11:00 to 22:00. Portions are large for the price, value beats the downtown average.
Saeta Svinid ★ 4.0 · Reykjavik
101 · Hafnarstraeti 1-3, 101 Reykjavik
Saeta Svinid, the Sweet Pig, on Hafnarstraeti is a casual Reykjavik gastropub of burgers, lamb and small plates at fair prices, with a long daily happy hour.
Tip: Happy hour runs 15:00 to 18:00 daily, and karaoke and bingo nights keep it lively.
Apotek Kitchen + Bar ★ 4.0 · Reykjavik
101 · Austurstraeti 16, 101 Reykjavik
Apotek on Austurstraeti pairs an all-day Icelandic-European menu with one of downtown Reykjavik's best happy hours, set in the old first-pharmacy building.
Tip: Open from 11:30 for lunch, with a long bar that fills early for the discounted hour.
Bryggjan Brugghus ★ 4.0 · Reykjavik
101-grandi · Grandagardur 8, 101 Reykjavik
Bryggjan Brugghus is a harbourside brewpub and bistro on Grandagardur, brewing its own beer in Reykjavik and pairing it with mussels and hearty bistro plates.
Tip: Live jazz some evenings and big windows onto the harbour. Brewery tours run on request.
Chuck Norris Grill ★ 3.9 · Reykjavik
101 · Laugavegur 30, 101 Reykjavik
Chuck Norris Grill on Laugavegur runs a Texas-Ranger-themed diner in central Reykjavik, open late for burgers, milkshakes and an all-day American breakfast.
Tip: Open into the small hours, so it doubles as a late-night feed after the bars. Cash and card both fine.
Mandi ★ 3.9 · Reykjavik
101 · Veltusund 3b, 101 Reykjavik
Mandi on Ingolfstorg square serves halal shawarma, kebab and falafel from a fast counter in central Reykjavik, a reliable cheap feed in a pricey city.
Tip: Fully halal and open late around the square. Good value when the sit-down rooms feel out of budget.
Krua Thai ★ 3.9 · Reykjavik
101 · Skolavordustigur 21, 101 Reykjavik
Krua Thai on Skolavordustigur is a casual Thai kitchen in central Reykjavik with generous plates and strong takeaway deals, a dependable budget option.
Tip: Takeaway is the cheaper way to order. Open through the day and into the evening.
Hlollabatar ★ 3.8 · Reykjavik
101 · Ingolfsstraeti 3, 101 Reykjavik
Hlollabatar has built hot Icelandic-style subs since 1986, a local sandwich chain whose loaded baguettes are a Reykjavik late-night and lunch standby.
Tip: Branches dot the city and some open late. The original recipe has barely changed since the 1980s.
Devito's Pizza ★ 3.7 · Reykjavik
105 · Laugavegur 126, 105 Reykjavik
Devito's Pizza has sold no-frills pies near Hlemmur on Laugavegur since 1994, a Reykjavik late-night staple for cheap, fast slices after the bars close.
Tip: Open late and beloved by the after-hours crowd. Order at the counter; do not expect a sit-down meal.