- ROK – This is my favorite restaurant in Reykjavik. It is located in a small house near the landmark Hallgrims Church. The model is shared or small plates with Icelandic flavors. Some favorites include their tomato soup, steak with chimichurri sauce, and the cold cured reindeer. The cocktails are delicious too! Please note that ROK is small and books up, so you need a reservation. M’s TIP – If you have time before your reservation and it is a clear day out, buy a ticket and go up in the church’s small elevator to the bell tower for a great view over the city! You can book via Dineout | ROK or they also book via email sent to them; address found on their website. Rok Restaurant
- Messinn – This is a good place affectionately known as “fish in a pan.” They specialize in fish fried in individual skillets in a house near the pond downtown. Recommend booking in advance. Messinn Reykjavík
- Reykjavik Harbor
- More fish! If you want a fish restaurant in the harbor, Hofnin is cute. Höfnin Restaurant
- Seabaron offers a unique dining experience (shark (!), among other fish options) in a casual setting also in the harbor. Seabaron often has a queue out the door – it is a small place with walk up order at the counter service. Seabaron/Sægreifinn | Reykjavík
- La Primavera Marshall House – If you’re looking for something fancier and just a bit off the beaten path in Reykjavik, head down to the Grandi area to this Italian restaurant. The food is really good, but know that there is a very limited menu and it is $$$. Marshallhúsið – La Primavera Ristorante
- Sumac – This is a super great Middle Eastern restaurant (but I’m guessing you don’t go to Iceland for falafel!). Sumac Grill+Drinks – Restaurant in Downtown Reykjavik Iceland
- Tides – This is a gorgeous, stylish, and really fancy restaurant in the new Reykjavik Edition Hotel next to Harpa downtown. For a special meal! We recently went and there was a duck confit special that was delicious. Icelandic specials often include reindeer tartare and cod. Tides Restaurant, Reykjavik M’s TIP – See if the restaurant will give you an invitation to the hotel’s speakeasy, Tolt, for a post-dinner glass of wine or cocktail. TÖLT | EDITION Hotels
- Sky Lagoon Cafe – If you are visiting the Sky Lagoon for its pools, rituals, and the view, consider visiting their small cafe. There are daily soup/bread specials which are very reasonably priced and yummy! Sky Lagoon Iceland | Sky Café on-site near Reykjavík
- Apotek – This long-standing restaurant on a prime corner downtown also has a small bar. The menu looks to have classic fare, but I’ve only ever been to the bar. M’s TIP – Try their gin, mango, dill cocktail! Apotek Kitchen + bar
- Matbar – This is another restaurant specializing in small and shared plates. MAT BAR
- The owners also have a nearby dumpling spot, Dragon Dim Sum. Dragon Dim Sum
- Foodhalls – These have erupted recently in Iceland and are all the rage. Everytime I visit, it seems a new one has popped up! These can be a good choice as a casual way for everyone to have what they want. Depending on where you stay, there is likely to be one nearby.
- I took visiting family to the Hlemmur food hall at the Reykjavik bus station and it worked well for a vegan, a seafood lover, and tacos! http://www.hlemmurmatholl.is/english
- There is now a new food hall in the Hafnartorg Gallery near The Edition hotel downtown next to Harpa. This one has what look like more upscale outposts. Restaurants – Hafnartorg
- The Old Post Office in downtown has also been converted into a food hall. https://posthusfoodhall.is/en
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