Mimir is a modern icelandic fine-dining restaurant in 107, Reykjavik.
Mimir at Hotel Reykjavik Saga on Hagatorg works a head-to-tail Icelandic menu, a recently renovated fine-dining room run with the Farmers Association of Iceland.
Signature dishes: Lamb head-to-tail plates, Seasonal tasting menu
Must order: The seasonal tasting menu, built from the Farmers Association's producer roster.
Tip: Owned by the Farmers Association of Iceland, with menus from local producers. Lunch and dinner.
Address: Hagatorg, 107 Reykjavik
Fish Company, Fiskfelagid in Icelandic, cooks Reykjavik's most awarded seafood in the 1884 Zimsen house, a five-course menu of local fish landed that day.
Signature: Five-course seafood menu
Order: The five-course gourmet menu, which changes with the day's catch.
Tip: Voted the Grapevine's best seafood for over a decade. The downstairs room under the bridge is the one to book.
Grillmarkadurinn, the Grill Market, works fire and smoke over Icelandic produce on Austurstraeti, a reliable Reykjavik room for lamb and aged beef.
Signature: Dry-aged rib eye, Salted cod with lobster
Order: The dry-aged rib eye, or the Trip to the Countryside tasting if you want range.
Tip: Adventurous diners can find reindeer and whale on the menu. Dinner only from 17:30.
Fish Market, Fiskmarkadurinn, gives Icelandic seafood a Japanese turn on Adalstraeti in Reykjavik, with a sushi counter and robata grill that made its name.
Signature: Sushi, Robata-grilled fish
Order: The sushi, or the tasting menu that runs the grill and raw-bar both.
Tip: The upstairs Uppi wine bar pours from the same kitchen if you want a lighter sitting. Dinner from 17:00.
Apotek Kitchen + Bar fills the old first-pharmacy building on Austurstraeti in Reykjavik, cooking Icelandic-European small plates and an open Argentine grill.
Signature: Argentine-grill plates, Small plates
Order: The shareable small plates and anything off the open Argentine grill.
Tip: The happy hour at the long bar is one of downtown's better deals. Open from 11:30 for lunch.
Matur og Drykkur revives old Icelandic recipes in a former salt-fish factory at Grandi, named for a classic cookbook and Michelin Guide listed in Reykjavik.
Signature: Cod head, Old Icelandic recipes
Order: The slow-cooked cod head, the dish that put the kitchen on the map.
Tip: It shares the building with the Saga Museum down at the old harbour. Open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner.
Sumac Grill + Drinks brings North African and Lebanese flavours to Icelandic produce on Laugavegur in Reykjavik, the sister venue that hides the Ox counter.
Signature: Mezze, Charcoal-grilled meats
Order: The mezze spread and the charcoal-grilled lamb; share across the table.
Tip: Sister to the Michelin-starred Ox, which sits behind it. Cocktails here are among the city's best.
