Heimaey
Lively Slippurinn fills the upper storey of a beautifully remodelled old machine workshop that once serviced the ships in the harbour and now has great…
Must-see restaurants in Iceland
Reykjavík
Sun-dappled tables fill a greenhouse in the Botanic Gardens and spill onto a flower-lined terrace at this lovely cafe specialising in wholesome local…
Ísafjörður
Set in a building from 1781, warm, rustic Tjöruhúsið offers some of the best seafood around. The set-course, serve-yourself dinner includes soup, catches…
Reykjavík
Dramatic presentations of elaborate dishes fill the tables of this intimate, artistically lit restaurant, where chefs excel at infusing Icelandic seafood…
Reykjavík
Make a beeline to Messinn for the best seafood that Reykjavík has to offer. The speciality here is the amazing pan-fried dishes: your pick of fish is…
Reykjavík
Sidle into this green harbourside shack for the most famous lobster soup in the capital, or choose from a fridge full of fresh fish skewers to be grilled…
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Reykjavík
One of Reykjavík's top high-concept restaurants, Matur og Drykkur means 'Food and Drink', and you'll surely be plied with the best of both. The brainchild…
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East Iceland
This extraordinary boathouse dates from 1890, and when new owners entered it in 2008, they found it untouched for 80-odd years. The upstairs sleeping…
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Southeast Iceland
This fabulous farmhouse restaurant at Hólmur is something of a surprise, with funky decor, a small in-house brewery, and beautifully presented, high…
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Southeast Iceland
Hats off to a menu that tells you the name of the boat that delivers its star produce. In a stylish harbourside warehouse, Pakkhús offers a level of…
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The Westfjords
The fine restaurant at the Fisherman hotel has striking place mats and menu covers made from fish skins. The food though refuses to be upstaged – assured…
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The Golden Circle
In the most unlikely location, Azeb cooks up traditional Ethiopian specialities in a welcoming, unpretentious setting decorated with African farming tools…
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The South
Situated in Selfoss' first house (built for bridge workers in 1890), Tryggvaskáli has been lovingly renovated with antiques. Some tables in the intimate…
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The South
The friendly ambience, in a warmly lit building with hardwood floors, exposed beams and interesting artwork, helps to elevate this restaurant beyond its…
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Reykjavík
Top-notch dining is the order of the day here, from the moment you enter the glass atrium with its golden-globe lights to your first snazzy cocktail, and…
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The Westfjords
One of the Westfjord's most atmospheric eateries, Litlibær is a 19th century, turf-roofed hut that's crammed with family photos and memorabilia. The…
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East Iceland
A touch of New England in the Eastfjords: this photogenic waterfront shed has been reborn as a cheerfully rustic eatery-bar, with a deck boasting million…
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Seyðisfjörður
This fabulous bistro-bar and cultural centre is perfect for chilling, snacking and/or meeting locals and artists. There’s a short menu that changes weekly…
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North Iceland
Folks simply passing through Möðrudalur should stop at Fjallakaffi for coffee and homemade kleina (traditional twisted doughnut) or ástarpungur (love ball…
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The Westfjords
Simbahöllin is a cool cafe in a restored 1915 general store with friendly staff serving tasty Belgian waffles during the day and hearty lamb tagines at…
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The Golden Circle
Owned by Baldur, an affable, celebrated chef, Lindin could be the best restaurant for miles. In a sweet little silver house, with simple decor and wooden…
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Reykjanes Peninsula
The nautical-themed Vitinn is not to be missed. A friendly team serves heaps of seafood (stored in tanks out back in the courtyard) in marine-fancy…
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The South
Three kilometres west of Eyrarbakki on Rte 34 at the Ölfusá Bridge, this seafood restaurant sits on the water's edge in an ovoid building, with a…
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The South
At the Frost & Fire Hotel, this wonderfully scenic restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the stream and gorge. Icelandic dishes are made…
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Southeast Iceland
Humarhöfnin offers ‘Gastronomy Langoustine’ in a cute, cheerfully Frenchified space with great attention to detail: chequerboard tiled floor and herb pots…
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North Iceland
It seems everyone passing through town stops here – and with excellent reason. Inside Kaupvangur, you'll find sofas to relax on, plus delicious coffee, a…
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North Iceland
Hats off to this stylish restaurant above the Icelandic Seal Centre. Reserve ahead for a table by vast picture windows offering fjord views and a menu…
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Snæfellsnes Peninsula
This superb waterfront restaurant on the point in Grundarfjörður is operated by seasoned restaurateurs who have created a lively menu of Icelandic dishes,…
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Seyðisfjörður
Locals rave about this place – and with good reason: the salmon, trout and char come straight off the fishers' boats and into the hands of accomplished…
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The Golden Circle
Located 12km northeast of Laugarvatn on a working dairy farm with brilliant views of hulking Hekla, Efstidalur offers tasty farm-fresh meals and amazing…
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North Iceland
Kaffi Kú (11km southeast of Akureyri) is a perfect pit stop in pastoral Eyjafjarðarsveit. Dine above a high-tech cowshed (you can watch the cows queue to…
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Reykjavík
There's no neater encapsulation of Grandi's rejuvenation than the transformation of this old fish factory into a pioneering street-food hall. Long trestle…
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Akureyri
Huge windows with fjord views lend a magical glitz to this 5th-floor restaurant, and the cool cocktails help things along. The menu showcases prime…
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The South
The ‘Coffee Jar’ is a popular cafe and restaurant in a charming, cosy old orange house along the main road. There’s great outdoor space and a large…
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The South
This large seafood restaurant sits on the shore, just behind the ocean berm, and is known for making some of the best lobster bisque (langoustine tails…
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The South
A large, bustling bakery that also serves sandwiches, salads and soup of the day with fresh bread. The cakes here range from enormous Icelandic pastries…
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Reykjanes Peninsula
Facing the harbourfront, in a block of warehouses, this adorable small cafe is decorated in fishing buoys, sailing memorabilia and framed photos. It…
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The Westfjords
Settle at a table overlooking the tiny harbour and let a pair of friendly women transform produce from the fjords and hills – the Icelandic lamb with…
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Southeast Iceland
In a wild setting under moodily Gothic Vestrahorn mountain, you’ll find this cool little outpost, where soup, coffee, waffles and cake are served.
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The Westfjords
Dunhagi delivers a true taste of the Westfjords. A beautifully restored historic house, with rough-hewn wood floors, comfy booths and vintage photographs,…
