BakaBaka is a sourdough pizza restaurant in 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.
Signature dishes: Wood-fired sourdough pizza, Cardamom buns
Must order: A wood-fired Bianca mushroom pizza in the evening, or a cardamom bun by day.
Tip: Cardamom buns by day, natural wine and sourdough pizza by night in one of central Reykjavik's oldest houses.
Address: Bankastraeti 2, 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.
Signature: Bao buns, Japanese small plates
Order: A spread of bao and small plates, built to share across the table.
Tip: Happy hour at the bar is one of the better downtown deals. Loud and lively most nights.
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.
Signature: Soup of the day, Open bagel sandwiches
Order: Whatever soup is on the chalkboard, or an open bagel sandwich from the case.
Tip: Fully meat-free with vegan options every day. Counter service, no reservations needed.
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.
Signature: Shawarma, Falafel wrap
Order: A chicken shawarma wrap, or the falafel plate for a meatless option.
Tip: Fully halal and open late around the square. Good value when the sit-down rooms feel out of budget.
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.
Signature: Yuzu cheeseburger, Asian-spiced fries
Order: A signature cheeseburger with the spiced mayo fries.
Tip: Bun, patty and sauce all made in-house. The weekday lunch deal is the best-value way in.
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.
Signature: Late-night pizza
Order: A simple pepperoni; this is fuel pizza, not an artisan project.
Tip: Open late and beloved by the after-hours crowd. Order at the counter; do not expect a sit-down meal.
Public House on Laugavegur runs a Japanese-leaning gastropub of shareable small plates and cocktails, one of central Reykjavik's busier mid-range tables.
Signature: Bao buns, Japanese small plates
Order: A spread of bao and small plates, built to share across the table.
Tip: Happy hour at the bar is one of the better downtown deals. Loud and lively most nights.
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.
Signature: Soup of the day, Open bagel sandwiches
Order: Whatever soup is on the chalkboard, or an open bagel sandwich from the case.
Tip: Fully meat-free with vegan options every day. Counter service, no reservations needed.
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.
Signature: Shawarma, Falafel wrap
Order: A chicken shawarma wrap, or the falafel plate for a meatless option.
Tip: Fully halal and open late around the square. Good value when the sit-down rooms feel out of budget.
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.
Signature: Yuzu cheeseburger, Asian-spiced fries
Order: A signature cheeseburger with the spiced mayo fries.
Tip: Bun, patty and sauce all made in-house. The weekday lunch deal is the best-value way in.
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.
Signature: Curries, Pad thai
Order: A proper Thai curry, ordered as spicy as you can stand.
Tip: Small and popular, so reserve or get takeaway. Voted Iceland's best Thai by local press for years.
