Indian$$101Mon-Fri 11:00-21:00; Sat-Sun 17:00-21:00
Hradlestin on Hverfisgata makes Chennai-style dosas and Punjabi bhatura in Reykjavik, the Grapevine's pick for best brunch and a rare South Indian kitchen.
Signature: Masala dosa, Bhatura
Order: A crisp masala dosa, or the bhatura with kheema for something richer.
Tip: The fast-casual sibling of a longer-running Indian kitchen. Brunch is the meal worth booking.
Neapolitan Pizza$$101-grandiDaily 11:30-22:00
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.
Signature: Margherita, San Marzano pizza
Order: A simple margherita to judge the dough, then branch out.
Tip: The Grandi room by the harbour is the original. There is a second outlet in the Hlemmur food hall.
Sourdough Pizza$$101Mon-Sun 08:00-17:00 (bakery); Sun-Thu 17:30-22:00 (pizzeria); Fri-Sat 17:30-23:00 (pizzeria)
BakaBaka on Bankastraeti is a 1834-house bakery by day and wood-fired sourdough pizzeria by night, central Reykjavik's busiest crossover room steps off.
Signature: Wood-fired sourdough pizza, Cardamom buns
Order: A wood-fired Bianca mushroom pizza in the evening, or a cardamom bun by day.
Tip: Cardamom buns by day, natural wine and sourdough pizza by night in one of central Reykjavik's oldest houses.
Pizza$$105Sun 11:30-01:00; Mon-Wed 10:30-01:00; Thu 10:30-02:00; Fri 10:30-06:00; Sat 11:30-06:00
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 established by the after-hours crowd. Order at the counter; do not expect a sit-down meal.
Asian-fusion Gastropub$$$101Daily 11:30-01:00
Public House on Laugavegur runs a Japanese-leaning gastropub of shareable small plates and cocktails, one of central Reykjavik's busier mid-range tables.
Signature: Bao buns, Japanese small plates
Order: A spread of bao and small plates, built to share across the table.
Tip: Happy hour at the bar is one of the better downtown deals. Loud and lively most nights.
Vegetarian and Vegan$$101Daily 10:30-21:00
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.
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.