Where to eat in Reykjavík: seafood, lamb and a famous hot dog
Reykjavík eats seafood and lamb, with a hot dog stand that has become a landmark. It is an expensive city, so lunch, bakeries and food halls are the better value. Dinner at the best rooms should be booked, because the city is small and the tables are few.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- Miðborg around Laugavegur, with the Old Harbour and Grandi for food halls.
- Order this
- A hot dog with everything, fish stew or plokkfiskur, and lamb soup.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 11:30, dinner from 18:00. Kitchens often close by 22:00.
- Book or walk in
- Book dinner at Dill and Þrír Frakkar. The hot dog stand and food halls take everyone.
- Tipping
- Service is included. Tipping is not expected.
What to eat in Reykjavík
- PlokkfiskurA comforting baked or mashed mix of white fish, potato and onion in a white sauce, often with cheese, served with dark rye bread.
- Icelandic hot dogA lamb-based sausage in a steamed bun, ordered with everything: raw and fried onion, ketchup, sweet mustard and remoulade.
- KjötsúpaLamb soup with root vegetables and herbs. A warming lunch on a cold day, found in cafes and traditional restaurants.
- SkyrA thick, tart dairy product eaten like yoghurt, plain or with berries. A common breakfast.
- Arctic charA freshwater fish related to salmon, usually pan-fried with butter and potatoes.
- HumarIcelandic langoustine, usually served grilled with garlic butter. The dearest of the common seafood dishes.
- KanilsnúðurA cinnamon roll, soft and sticky, from a bakery. Eat it warm.
- HákarlFermented Greenland shark, cut into cubes. Strong in smell and taste, tried once by many and chosen again by few.
Where to eat in Reykjavík, by neighborhood
Miðborg and Laugavegur
The densest choice of restaurants, bakeries and bars, from the hot dog stand to tasting menus. Prices are highest on the main street, so check menus before you sit.
Old Harbour and Grandi
Fish restaurants and a food hall beside the water, with views of the boats. Good for seafood and for an easy, casual lunch.
Hlemmur and Skólavörðuholt
A food hall in the former bus station and small cafes on the hill. Better value than the main street, a short walk or a bus ride away.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
krHot dog stand · Old Harbour
OrderA hot dog with everything
The city's best-known stand, open since 1937 and still queuing. A cheap, quick meal, and open late.
- Book
- Walk up and queue
Confirmed open: visitreykjavik.is
-
Þrír Frakkar
krkrkrTraditional restaurant · Miðborg
OrderPlokkfiskur or the fish of the day
A small, long-running room serving Icelandic fish and traditional dishes since 1989. The kitchen is known for fish, and the room is small.
- Book
- Book by phone or on the website
Confirmed open: visitreykjavik.is
-
Dill
krkrkrkrNew Nordic restaurant · Laugavegur
OrderThe tasting menu
The first restaurant in Iceland to win a Michelin star, with a set menu built on Icelandic seasonal ingredients. Come for an evening, not a quick meal.
- Book
- Book well ahead on the website
Confirmed open: visiticeland.com
-
Brauð & Co
krBakery · Frakkastígur
OrderA warm cinnamon roll and sourdough
A small bakery known for its cinnamon rolls and bread. Expect a queue and very little seating.
- Book
- Walk in
Confirmed open: tripadvisor.com
Food markets in Reykjavík
- Hlemmur MathöllA food hall in the former Hlemmur bus station, with stalls for fish, burgers, bakery goods and coffee. Good for a casual, cheaper meal.Daily, from morning for bakery and coffee and from late morning for most food stalls, until eveningSource: reykjavikattractions.is
- Grandi MathöllA food hall in the old harbor district, with stalls for fish, pasta, Korean street food and sushi.Daily, 11:00 to 21:00Source: visitorsguide.is
How Reykjavík eats
- Meal timesLunch from 11:30 and dinner from 18:00. Many kitchens close by 22:00, so don't plan a late dinner.
- TippingService is included in the price. Tipping is not expected, though a round-up is welcome.
- ReservationsBook dinner at the best-known restaurants, especially at weekends and in summer.
- WaterTap water is cold, safe and excellent. Ask for tap water and you won't be charged.
- PricesEating is dear. Lunch menus, bakeries and food halls are the best value, and alcohol is expensive in restaurants.
Signs of a place to walk past
Menus with whale on them aimed at tourists. Most locals don't eat whale, and many visitors regret it.
Photo menus and staff calling people in on the main street.
Puffin and shark offered as a dare. Try hákarl once at a proper place, if you must.
Eating in Reykjavík: questions people ask
What food is Reykjavík known for?
Seafood, lamb and the Icelandic hot dog. Plokkfiskur, a fish and potato dish, is the classic comfort food, and skyr is eaten for breakfast.
Where is the best place to eat in Reykjavík?
For a hot dog, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. For traditional fish, Þrír Frakkar. For a tasting menu, Dill. For a cinnamon roll, Brauð & Co.
Do you need to book restaurants in Reykjavík?
Yes for dinner at Dill, Þrír Frakkar and similar rooms, especially at weekends and in summer. Food halls and the hot dog stand take everyone.
Is Reykjavík expensive for food?
Yes. Eat lunch rather than dinner out, use the food halls and bakeries, and drink tap water to keep costs down.
Do you tip in Reykjavík?
No, service is included. It is not expected.
Where can vegetarians eat in Reykjavík?
Hlemmur Mathöll and Grandi Mathöll have vegetarian stalls, and most restaurants offer a vegetarian dish. Check the menu before you sit.