Day-by-day eating plans for Reykjavik. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Reykjavik weekend: the classics, done right ★ 4.6

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A weekend built around the dishes Iceland actually eats: the hot dog, the fish pan, the lamb soup and one New Nordic dinner, with coffee and bakeries between.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: bakery morning, harbour seafood, New Nordic dinner

    Morning
    Start at Braud and Co on Frakkastigur for a warm cinnamon roll, then walk to Reykjavik Roasters on Karastigur for the city's best coffee.
    Afternoon
    Head to the Old Harbour for langoustine soup at Saegreifinn, then browse the Kolaportid flea market for fermented shark if you are brave.
    Evening
    Book dinner at Dill on Laugavegur, Iceland's first Michelin-starred restaurant, for the full New Nordic tasting menu with wine.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: brunch, fish pan lunch, hot dog finish

    Morning
    Queue early for the Truck at Grai Kotturinn on Hverfisgata, the classic loaded Reykjavik breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs.
    Afternoon
    Lunch on a fish pan at Messinn, the buttery skillet of fresh catch with potatoes that half of Reykjavik orders.
    Evening
    End where the city eats latest, a lamb hot dog with everything at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur down by the harbour kiosk.

Reykjavik on a budget: three days, ISK stretched ★ 4.3

Budget traveller, three days3 days

Iceland is expensive, but you can eat well for little if you lean on soups, hot dogs, subs and bakery counters. Three days of the city's best cheap eats.

  1. Day 1: Day one: bagels, smorrebrod and a hot dog

    Morning
    Grab a cheap bagel and coffee at Deig near the Old Harbour on Tryggvagata to start the day under ISK 2,000.
    Afternoon
    A single Danish smorrebrod with a beer at Jomfruin on Laekjargata, one of central Reykjavik's better-value sit-down lunches.
    Evening
    Finish with the iconic lamb hot dog at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, the cheapest famous bite in the city.

  2. Day 2: Day two: bowls, shawarma and burgers

    Morning
    Coffee and a pastry at Mokka Kaffi on Skolavordustigur, the 1958 cafe where little has changed.
    Afternoon
    A meat-free soup or bagel at Salka Valka on Skolavordustigur, or a halal shawarma wrap at Mandi on Ingolfstorg square.
    Evening
    A budget Asian-influenced burger at Yuzu on Hverfisgata, with the lunch deal stretched into early dinner.

  3. Day 3: Day three: bakery, dosa and harbour soup

    Morning
    A sourdough breakfast at Sandholt on Laugavegur, the 1920 family bakery, before exploring downtown.
    Afternoon
    A crisp, cheap masala dosa at Hradlestin, the Grapevine's value and brunch pick.
    Evening
    Round off with a bowl of langoustine soup at Saegreifinn down at the harbour, a budget taste of Icelandic shellfish.

Reykjavik for food lovers: two days of the best tables ★ 4.7

Serious eater, two days2 days

For travellers who came to eat, two days spanning the Michelin counters, the natural-wine bars and the harbour seafood rooms that define modern Reykjavik dining.

  1. Day 1: Day one: seafood lunch, natural wine, Michelin counter

    Morning
    Coffee and a roast at Reykjavik Roasters on Karastigur, then a wander up Skolavordustigur to Hallgrimskirkja.
    Afternoon
    A harbour-view seafood lunch at Kopar on Geirsgata, leaning on local langoustine and cod.
    Evening
    Dinner at the eleven-seat Ox counter behind Sumac on Laugavegur, one of Iceland's Michelin-starred tasting rooms.

  2. Day 2: Day two: market browse, grill dinner, wine nightcap

    Morning
    Browse Kolaportid for dried fish and fermented shark, then a fish pan lunch at the harbourside Fish Company.
    Afternoon
    Rest with coffee and an inventive scoop at Valdis ice cream over at Grandi by the old harbour.
    Evening
    Dinner over fire at Grillmarkadurinn, then a natural-wine nightcap at Vinstukan Tiu Sopar on Laugavegur.
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