Eat well in Reykjavik without overpaying: the locals'-budget edition.
Eat well in Reykjavik for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur on Tryggvagata is Reykjavik's cheapest famous meal, a lamb hot dog with everything for under ISK 900 from a kiosk going since 1937.
Try: Icelandic hot dog
Tip: At under ISK 900 it is the single best-value bite in a steep city. Ask for one with everything.
Jomfruin on Laekjargata has served Danish smorrebrod open sandwiches for 25 years, a budget-friendly central Reykjavik counter for a one-plate lunch downtown.
Try: Danish open sandwiches
Tip: A single smorrebrod with a beer is a filling lunch for the price. Open daily 11:00-22:00.
Yuzu on Hverfisgata flips Asian-influenced burgers on house-baked buns, a central Reykjavik counter whose lunch deal pairs a burger with fries for under ISK.
Try: Asian-influenced burger lunch
Tip: The weekday lunch burger plus fries plus mayo costs ISK 1,990, one of the better-value mid-day fills in 101.
Mandi on Ingolfstorg fills a cheap halal shawarma or falafel wrap for well under restaurant prices, a Reykjavik budget staple open late on the square.
Try: Shawarma wrap
Tip: The falafel plate is the cheapest filling option. Fully halal and central, good for a fast budget feed.
Dirty Burger and Ribs on Austurstraeti runs a small-print menu of cheap burgers and BBQ ribs in central Reykjavik, a budget feed steps from the main square.
Try: Burgers and ribs
Tip: A burger with fries runs under ISK 2,200. Counter service, daily 11:00-22:00, ideal mid-day stop.
Salka Valka on Skolavordustigur runs a meat-free, half-vegan kitchen of soups, salads and sandwiches, a cheap healthy Reykjavik option a few doors below.
Try: Vegetarian and vegan plates
Tip: Vegan options daily and a small but filling lunch menu. Bagels and soups are the value picks.
Krua Thai on Skolavordustigur serves generous Thai plates with strong takeaway deals, a dependable budget meal in the centre of Reykjavik for under ISK 3,000.
Try: Thai curry and rice
Tip: Takeaway is the cheaper option here. A green curry with rice is the value pick.
Mama Kitchen on Laugavegur sets generous bowls of pho and Vietnamese rice plates on a fast counter, a central Reykjavik budget meal on the main shopping.
Try: Pho and Vietnamese rice plates
Tip: Open 11:00-22:00 daily. Pho or a stir-fry plate is the value pick for a quick filling lunch.
Hlollabatar has filled cheap hot Icelandic subs since 1986, a reliable budget sandwich chain whose loaded baguettes still undercut a sit-down Reykjavik meal.
Try: Hot subs
Tip: Several branches, some open late. The loaded baguettes are filling enough to skip a second meal.
Saegreifinn on Geirsgata serves its famous langoustine soup far cheaper than the restaurants, a budget taste of Icelandic shellfish at the Reykjavik harbour.
Try: Lobster soup
Tip: The soup with bread is a full meal for the price. Small and casual, with barrel seats.
Deig near the Old Harbour on Tryggvagata sells cheap doughnuts and filling bagel sandwiches, a low-cost Reykjavik breakfast or quick lunch by the water.
Try: Doughnuts and bagels
Tip: A bagel sandwich here costs far less than a cafe brunch. Open early for a takeaway start.
Hradlestin on Hverfisgata serves fast, affordable South Indian dosas and bhatura, a budget-friendly Reykjavik option the Grapevine rates for value.
Try: Masala dosa
Tip: A masala dosa is a big, cheap plate. One of the better-value sit-down meals downtown.