Reykjavik: Guided Foodie Walking Tour with 6 Tastings
Learn about the culture of Reykjavik and Iceland through its tasty food on a guided walking tour. Visit 5 different Icelandic eateries as you explore the Icelandic cap...
40 mid-range places in Reykjavik, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in Reykjavik, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All Reykjavik food.
Reykjavik Roasters ★ 4.7
101 · Karastigur 1, 101 Reykjavik
Reykjavik Roasters started as Kaffismidja Islands in 2008 and is the city's defining specialty roaster, roasting single origins for its Karastigur cafe.
Tip: The Brautarholt site holds the roastery; Karastigur is the cosy original. Whole beans sold at both.
Ox ★ 4.7
101 · Laugavegur 28, 101 Reykjavik
Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson's 17-seat Michelin-starred counter behind a Laugavegur graffiti door, four-hour tasting at the kitchen with retro cocktail bar.
Tip: You book weeks ahead and enter through the Sumac grill. Two seatings a night, eleven seats only.
Kaffibrugghusid ★ 4.5
101-grandi · Fiskislod 59, 101 Reykjavik
Kaffibrugghusid is a Grandi micro-roastery on Fiskislod founded by Sonja Bjork Grant in 2014, roasting origin-led coffee and running barista classes.
Tip: A wholesale roastery rather than a cafe, open to the public on Wednesdays for beans and brewing kit.
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur ★ 4.5
101 · Tryggvagata 1, 101 Reykjavik
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur on Tryggvagata keeps its hot dog window open into the small hours, the post-bar institution feeding Reykjavik since 1937.
Tip: Open until the early hours, later on Friday and Saturday. The classic end to a Reykjavik night out.
2 Guys ★ 4.4
101 · Laugavegur 105, 101 Reykjavik
2 Guys on Laugavegur has won the Grapevine's best Reykjavik burger several years running, a smashburger counter with a short menu and thin patties.
Tip: Grapevine best burger four years in a row. There is a second branch on Gnodarvogur if downtown is full.
Flatey Pizza ★ 4.4
101-grandi · Grandagardur 11, 101 Reykjavik
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.
Tip: The Grandi room by the harbour is the original. There is a second outlet in the Hlemmur food hall.
BakaBaka ★ 4.4
101 · Bankastraeti 2, 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.
Tip: Cardamom buns by day, natural wine and sourdough pizza by night in one of central Reykjavik's oldest houses.
RVK Brewing Co ★ 4.4
105 · Skipholt 33, 105 Reykjavik
RVK Brewing Co pours its own beer from a former cinema on Skipholt, one of Reykjavik's first independent craft breweries with 22 taps and house ales.
Tip: The taproom opened in 2024 in the old Tonabio cinema. Closed Sunday to Tuesday, busiest on weekend evenings.
Kastrup ★ 4.4
101 · Hverfisgata 6, 101 Reykjavik
Kastrup on Hverfisgata won the Grapevine's best Reykjavik brunch for 2025, a Danish-Nordic bistro of open sandwiches, well-poached eggs and weekend mimosas.
Tip: Brunch runs only on weekends from 11:45. Book ahead; the win made the small room busier than ever.
Sandholt ★ 4.4
101 · Laugavegur 36, 101 Reykjavik
Sandholt on Laugavegur serves an all-day bakery brunch in Reykjavik, with shakshuka, sourdough toasts and savoury waffles by the pastry counter.
Tip: The pastries come straight from the bakery in the same room. Arrive early at weekends to beat the queue.
Hradlestin ★ 4.3
101 · Hverfisgata 64a, 101 Reykjavik
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.
Tip: The fast-casual sibling of a longer-running Indian kitchen. Brunch is the meal worth booking.
Mokka Kaffi ★ 4.3
101 · Skolavordustigur 3a, 101 Reykjavik
Mokka Kaffi on Skolavordustigur has roasted its own beans since 1958, the first cafe in Reykjavik to serve espresso and still grinding its in-house roast.
Tip: The roasting is part of the heritage here, unchanged for decades. Come for the waffles, stay for the espresso.
Froken Reykjavik Kitchen and Bar ★ 4.3
101 · Laekjargata 12, 101 Reykjavik
Froken Reykjavik Kitchen and Bar (Modern European) in Reykjavik: Dinner runs 18:00-22:00. Smart-casual room with a long bar; book for the winter-garden seats.
Tip: Dinner runs 18:00-22:00. Smart-casual room with a long bar; book for the winter-garden seats.
Hosilo ★ 4.3
101 · Hverfisgata 12, 101 Reykjavik
Tiny side-street restaurant on Hverfisgata 12 from three friends, Asian sharing plates with langoustine, yuzu and miso glazes; Michelin-recognised plate.
Tip: The menu changes every week, so no two meals match. Book ahead, the room is genuinely small.
Vinstukan Tiu Sopar ★ 4.3
101 · Laugavegur 27, 101 Reykjavik
Vinstukan Tiu Sopar is a wine bar room in 101. The kitchen punches above a wine bar's weight; the halibut and burnt broccoli are worth ordering.
Tip: The kitchen punches above a wine bar's weight; the halibut and burnt broccoli are worth ordering.
Saegreifinn ★ 4.3
101-grandi · Geirsgata 4a, 101 Reykjavik
Green fisherman's hut by the old harbour on Geirsgata since 1992, world-famous lobster soup plus grilled fish and lamb skewers; Sea Baron of Reykjavik.
Tip: Seating is communal on barrels and benches. The langoustine soup with bread is the only order you need.
Hradlestin ★ 4.3
101 · Hverfisgata 64a, 101 Reykjavik
Hradlestin on Hverfisgata serves South Indian dosas, appams and bhatura for brunch, the Grapevine runner-up bringing Chennai tiffin to central Reykjavik.
Tip: A genuine break from the egg-and-toast brunch template. The crisp masala dosa is the order.
Grai Kotturinn ★ 4.3
101 · Hverfisgata 16a, 101 Reykjavik
Grai Kotturinn on Hverfisgata is the classic Reykjavik breakfast den, a tiny basement famous for the Truck, a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs.
Tip: Only a handful of tables, so a queue is likely. Mornings only, closing mid-afternoon.
Snaps Bistro ★ 4.3
101 · Thorsgata 1, 101 Reykjavik
Snaps Bistro on Thorsgata runs a busy French-Danish brunch in its glassed-in Reykjavik room, with eggs benedict and pastries served until late afternoon.
Tip: Brunch runs to 16:00 daily and the room fills at weekends. Book a table to be safe.
Kaffivagninn ★ 4.2
101-grandi · Grandagardur 10, 101 Reykjavik
Kaffivagninn on Grandagardur has fed harbour workers since 1935, billed as Iceland's oldest restaurant, where the catch of the day is the meal in Reykjavik.
Tip: Started as a coffee cart on the docks in 1935. Open from 08:00 for breakfast by the water.
Tommi's Burger Joint ★ 4.2
101-grandi · Geirsgata 1, 101 Reykjavik
Tommi's Burger Joint, known locally as Bullan, grills no-nonsense cheeseburgers by the Old Harbour on Geirsgata, a Reykjavik name that went international.
Tip: Founder Tommi Tomasson exported the brand to London and beyond. The harbour branch is the original feel.
Yuzu ★ 4.2
101 · Hverfisgata 44, 101 Reykjavik
Yuzu on Hverfisgata flips Asian-influenced burgers on house-baked buns, a small Reykjavik counter where Japanese-Nordic touches lift a fast-casual order.
Tip: Bun, patty and sauce all made in-house.
Grandi Matholl ★ 4.2
101-grandi · Grandagardur 16, 101 Reykjavik
Grandi Matholl on Grandagardur is a 2018 food hall in an old fish factory at the Old Harbour in Reykjavik, with seven counters of Icelandic seafood.
Tip: Casual harbour-side eating with industrial windows over the fishing fleet. Open daily 11:00-21:00.
Mikki Refur ★ 4.2
101 · Hverfisgata 18, 101 Reykjavik
Natural-only wine bar on Hverfisgata across from the National Theatre, Ragnar Kjartansson mural; bistro plates, Icelandic beer on tap, micro-roast coffee.
Tip: Tue-Sun from 17:00 for the wine-bar shift.
Cafe Loki ★ 4.2
101 · Lokastigur 28, 101 Reykjavik
Family-run Icelandic kitchen across from Hallgrimskirkja on Lokastigur serving meat soup, fermented shark and rye-bread ice cream from 8am to 10pm daily.
Tip: The easiest place to try rye bread with mashed fish and rye-bread ice cream. Walk-in only.
Salka Valka Kitchen ★ 4.1
101 · Skolavordustigur 23, 101 Reykjavik
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.
Tip: Fully meat-free with vegan options every day. Counter service, no reservations needed.
Ban Thai ★ 4.1
105 · Laugavegur 130, 105 Reykjavik
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.
Tip: Small and popular, so reserve or get takeaway. Voted Iceland's best Thai by local press for years.
Olstofa Kormaks og Skjaldar ★ 4.1
101 · Vegamotastigur 4, 101 Reykjavik
Olstofa on Vegamotastigur is a established Reykjavik beer bar pouring ten taps heavy on Borg Brugghus, the closest the brewery comes to a downtown home.
Tip: A locals' institution rather than a tourist stop. The Borg taps make it the de facto brewery tap in the centre.
Kaffivagninn ★ 4.1
101-grandi · Grandagardur 10, 101 Reykjavik
Iceland's oldest restaurant, founded 1935 by the Grandi harbour; Axel Oskarsson now serves fish and chips, fish soup and breakfast in the green wooden hut.
Tip: The catch of the day, eaten where the fishermen eat, is the order. Open from 08:00 by the water.
Forrettabarinn ★ 4.1
101 · Nylendugata 14, 101 Reykjavik
Chef Robert Olafsson's appetiser bar by the old harbour on Nylendugata since 2011, small plates with Icelandic produce and Southern European influences.
Tip: Build a meal from four or five starters. The harbourside location keeps it quieter than the centre.
Cafe Paris ★ 4.1
101 · Austurstraeti 14, 101 Reykjavik
Cafe Paris on Austurstraeti faces Austurvollur square in central Reykjavik, an all-day French-American brunch room of eggs Benedict, omelettes and crepes.
Tip: Brunch from 08:30 daily, on the main square. Good for a late breakfast after the early-morning sights.
Cafe Babalu ★ 4.1
101 · Skolavordustigur 22a, 101 Reykjavik
Cafe Babalu on Skolavordustigur is a quirky two-floor Reykjavik brunch cafe of crepes, grilled sandwiches and soups, with vegan options and a sunny balcony.
Tip: A cosy, low-key brunch on the climb to Hallgrimskirkja. The upstairs balcony is the seat in summer.
Mama Kitchen ★ 4.0
101 · Laugavegur 84, 101 Reykjavik
Mama Kitchen on Laugavegur cooks the Vietnamese classics in generous bowls, a fragrant pho and crisp spring rolls that draw a loyal crowd to the main.
Tip: Open every day from 11:00-22:00. Portions are large for the price, value beats the downtown average.
Bryggjan Brugghus ★ 4.0
101-grandi · Grandagardur 8, 101 Reykjavik
Bryggjan Brugghus brews on the old harbour at Grandi, a Reykjavik microbrewery and bistro pairing its own tank beer with mussels and live music.
Tip: One of the few breweries actually brewing in Reykjavik proper. Brewery tours run on request between meals.
Bastard Brew & Food ★ 4.0
101 · Vegamotastigur 4, 101 Reykjavik
Bastard Brew & Food on Vegamotastigur is a downtown Reykjavik brewpub serving its own beers brewed with Malbygg and Aegisgardur alongside a dozen guest taps.
Tip: Open until 1am most nights with food to match the beer. The house collaboration brews are the ones to try.
Kaldi Bar ★ 4.0
101 · Laugavegur 20b, 101 Reykjavik
Kaldi Bar on Laugavegur is the Reykjavik home of Kaldi, Iceland's first microbrewery, pouring the brand's Czech-style lagers with a long happy hour.
Tip: The brewery itself is up north in Arskogssandur, but this is its Reykjavik taproom. The happy hour is generous.
Prikid ★ 4.0
101 · Bankastraeti 12, 101 Reykjavik
Prikid on Bankastraeti runs late as a hip-hop bar with diner food, a 1951 Reykjavik institution where the hangover breakfast waits at the end of the night.
Tip: Open until the small hours at weekends. The greasy breakfast is the morning-after cure.
Apotek Kitchen + Bar ★ 4.0
101 · Austurstraeti 16, 101 Reykjavik
Apotek on Austurstraeti offers a smarter Reykjavik brunch in the old first-pharmacy building, Icelandic-European plates and grill dishes with cocktails.
Tip: A more grown-up brunch than the cafes, with cocktails. Open from 11:30 in the heart of the centre.
Chuck Norris Grill ★ 3.9
101 · Laugavegur 30, 101 Reykjavik
Chuck Norris Grill on Laugavegur runs a Texas-Ranger-themed diner in central Reykjavik, open late for burgers, milkshakes and an all-day American breakfast.
Tip: Open into the small hours, so it doubles as a late-night feed after the bars. Cash and card both fine.
Mandi ★ 3.9
101 · Veltusund 3b, 101 Reykjavik
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.
Tip: Fully halal and open late around the square. Good value when the sit-down rooms feel out of budget.
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