9 hidden gems worth the trip across Iceland, editor-ranked by TableJourney. All Iceland guides.
Ox ★ 4.7 · Reykjavik
101 · Laugavegur 28, 101 Reykjavik
Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson's 17-seat Michelin-starred counter behind a Laugavegur graffiti door, four-hour tasting at the kitchen with retro cocktail bar.
Tip: You book weeks ahead and enter through the Sumac grill. Two seatings a night, eleven seats only.
Froken Reykjavik Kitchen and Bar ★ 4.3 · Reykjavik
101 · Laekjargata 12, 101 Reykjavik
Froken Reykjavik Kitchen and Bar (Modern European) in Reykjavik: Dinner runs 18:00-22:00. Smart-casual room with a long bar; book for the winter-garden seats.
Tip: Dinner runs 18:00-22:00. Smart-casual room with a long bar; book for the winter-garden seats.
Hosilo ★ 4.3 · Reykjavik
101 · Hverfisgata 12, 101 Reykjavik
Tiny side-street restaurant on Hverfisgata 12 from three friends, Asian sharing plates with langoustine, yuzu and miso glazes; Michelin-recognised plate.
Tip: The menu changes every week, so no two meals match. Book ahead, the room is genuinely small.
Vinstukan Tiu Sopar ★ 4.3 · Reykjavik
101 · Laugavegur 27, 101 Reykjavik
Vinstukan Tiu Sopar is a wine bar room in 101. The kitchen punches above a wine bar's weight; the halibut and burnt broccoli are worth ordering.
Tip: The kitchen punches above a wine bar's weight; the halibut and burnt broccoli are worth ordering.
Saegreifinn ★ 4.3 · Reykjavik
101-grandi · Geirsgata 4a, 101 Reykjavik
Green fisherman's hut by the old harbour on Geirsgata since 1992, world-famous lobster soup plus grilled fish and lamb skewers; Sea Baron of Reykjavik.
Tip: Seating is communal on barrels and benches. The langoustine soup with bread is the only order you need.
Mikki Refur ★ 4.2 · Reykjavik
101 · Hverfisgata 18, 101 Reykjavik
Natural-only wine bar on Hverfisgata across from the National Theatre, Ragnar Kjartansson mural; bistro plates, Icelandic beer on tap, micro-roast coffee.
Tip: Tue-Sun from 17:00 for the wine-bar shift.
Cafe Loki ★ 4.2 · Reykjavik
101 · Lokastigur 28, 101 Reykjavik
Family-run Icelandic kitchen across from Hallgrimskirkja on Lokastigur serving meat soup, fermented shark and rye-bread ice cream from 8am to 10pm daily.
Tip: The easiest place to try rye bread with mashed fish and rye-bread ice cream. Walk-in only.
Kaffivagninn ★ 4.1 · Reykjavik
101-grandi · Grandagardur 10, 101 Reykjavik
Iceland's oldest restaurant, founded 1935 by the Grandi harbour; Axel Oskarsson now serves fish and chips, fish soup and breakfast in the green wooden hut.
Tip: The catch of the day, eaten where the fishermen eat, is the order. Open from 08:00 by the water.
Forrettabarinn ★ 4.1 · Reykjavik
101 · Nylendugata 14, 101 Reykjavik
Chef Robert Olafsson's appetiser bar by the old harbour on Nylendugata since 2011, small plates with Icelandic produce and Southern European influences.
Tip: Build a meal from four or five starters. The harbourside location keeps it quieter than the centre.