Must-see restaurants in The South

  • Tryggvaskáli

    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…

  • Suður-Vík

    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…

  • Hafið Bláa

    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…

  • Varmá

    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…

  • Kaffi Krús

    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…

  • Við Fjöruborðið

    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…

  • Almar

    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…

  • Rauða Húsið

    The South

    This elegant and romantic white-linen restaurant fills a red house (hence the name) and has cheery staff and great fresh seafood prepared to perfection…

  • Eldstó Art Café

    The South

    Eldstó serves fresh-brewed coffee, homemade daily specials (such as traditional Icelandic flatbread with smoked lamb, and hot chocolate, for 1350kr) and…

  • Gamla Fjósið

    The South

    Built in a former cowshed that was in use until 1999, this charming eatery’s focus is on farm-fresh and grass-fed meaty mains, from burgers to Volcano…

  • Skyrgerðin

    The South

    This chilled-out cafe-cum-restaurant incorporates rough wood furniture, antiques and vintage photos. Creative meals are crafted from fresh Icelandic…

  • Dalakaffi

    Dalakaffi

    The South

    This little hut cafe near the start of the trail to Reykjadalur serves homemade soups, flatbread with smoked lamb or salmon, cakes and coffee. Gluten free…

  • Ölverk, pizza and brewery, exterior

    Ölverk

    The South

    This minimalist pizzeria and microbrewery is a fine combination of bar and restaurant. Pizza toppings are creative (ever had banana on a pie?) and the…

  • Fossbúð

    The South

    Fossbúð doesn't have the most glamorous decor, but it does have friendly staff and serves reasonably priced hearty plates. Order soup, hamburgers,…

  • Rósagarðurinn

    The South

    Rose garden, coffee shop and gift shop all rolled into one. Selling plants, cushions, candles and trinkets, cakes and food in an enormous conservatory…

  • Ice Cave Restaurant

    The South

    In the same complex as the Icewear store, this modern canteen-style dining room has futuristic lighting (with electric tree-like centrepieces) and serves…

  • Katla Restaurant

    The South

    Those looking for a hearty feed should head inside the LAVA Centre, where a large modern dining area serves a decent buffet. Fill up on soup, bread, salad…

  • Gallerí Pizza

    The South

    The town pizzeria, one street back from the main road, is a busy, no-frills place with vinyl booths and 20 different pies to try, from mixed seafood or…

  • Halldórskaffi

    The South

    Inside Vík's Brydebúð museum, this lively, timber-lined all-rounder is very popular in high season for its crowd-pleasing menu ranging from burgers and…

  • HVER

    The South

    Located inside the Hótel Örk, this modern dining room serves Icelandic produce in mains like slow-cooked lamb fillet with potato terrine or glazed chicken…

  • Black Beach Restaurant

    The South

    Black volcanic cubes, meant to mimic the nearby black-sand beach Reynisfjara with its famous basalt columns, house this contemporary cafe that serves…

  • Surf & Turf

    The South

    Sleek American-style joint with hardwood floors, stripped-back minimalist decor and designer-cool chipboard walls. It serves up various burgers (like blue…

  • Restaurant Árhús

    The South

    Set on the river bank of the Rangá, Árhús serves tasty pasta, meat and fish dishes, plus burgers and pizzas. In nice weather the terrace overlooking the…

  • Kjöt og Kúnst

    The South

    Icelandic dishes (soup, fish and lamb), plus an array of sandwiches and pizzas. Loads of mega-cakes, vegan options and geothermal bread, too. When the…

  • Víkurskáli

    The South

    Grab a booth and a burger at the old-school grill inside the N1 petrol station with a view of Reynisdrangur. Daily specials from casserole to traditional…

  • Ströndin Bistro

    The South

    Behind the N1 petrol station is this semi-smart wood-panelled option enjoying sea-stack vistas. Go local with lamb soup or fish stew, or global with…

  • Fiskverslun Hveragerðis

    The South

    This fishmongers sells the freshest morsels from the sea, plus one cooked dish only – tasty fish and chips. Pick your battered fish from the catch of the…

  • Bókakaffið

    The South

    This independent bookshop (with both new and secondhand books) serves coffee and cake.

  • Bónus

    The South

    Giant supermarket on the eastern edge of town.

  • Krónan

    The South

    Large grocery store on the main road.

  • Seljalandsfoss Shop

    The South

    In the parking lot of Seljalandsfoss, 50ft from the waterfall, is this convenient food trailer where you can get an enormous slab of cake, a hot chocolate…

  • Hótel Skógafoss Bistro-Bar

    The South

    The bistro-bar at Hótel Skógafoss is in a very convenient location, and rather tempting with its large windows looking onto the nearby falls. However,…

  • Vefjan

    The South

    For a good low-cost eating option try this little red food truck in a parking lot off the main street. It serves tasty chicken wraps and salads, with a…

  • Bjork Restaurant

    The South

    It has no frills and zero atmosphere, but if you're looking for a quick fix, Bjork Restaurant is undoubtably one of the cheapest eating options in town…

  • Mia's Country Kitchen

    The South

    Mia's red-and-while polka-dotted food truck sells one thing only – fresh fish and chips, with crunchy wedges and sauce (choose Icelandic tartar, sweet…

  • Heimamenn Cafe & Minimart

    The South

    This small cafe serves hot dogs, soup, sandwiches, pizza, hot drinks, cakes and pastries. It also has a teeny mini-mart selection and some camping…

  • Skógakaffi

    The South

    Skógakaffi is inside the Transport Museum at the Skógar Folk Museum complex and offers basic snacks, like salmon sandwiches, cakes and soup.

  • Kjarval

    The South

    Local supermarket with bakery and liquor store attached.

  • Kjarval

    The South

    Groceries. On the main road.

  • Bonus

    The South

    Groceries.