5 Top Places to Eat and Drink in Reykjavík

Iceland is full of surprises: breathtaking views at every turn, majestic horses, and picturesque landscapes that photos cannot portray adequately. However, the price of food is another surprise. Even though you’re warned before arrival, it’s not real until you experience it for yourself. The prices are high for good reason - it’s expensive to import food! Despite this, we promise the food you’ll eat will be fresh and delicious. To no surprise, the seafood is top-notch and Icelandic butter is beyond addictive. What’s their secret? It’s always organic and comes from 100% grass-fed cows.

1. Seabaron
Lobster soup. Grilled fish skewers. Bread.
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This quaint unassuming restaurant is so delicious and reasonably priced. We always eat here during our visits to Reykjavik, sometimes twice in one trip. The lobster soup warms the soul and the fish skewers are as fresh as they come. Choose from halibut, salmon, and the catch of the day. Round out your meal with a skewer of potatoes and vegetables. The front area is super small, but don’t worry, there’s more seating in the back!

2. Íslenski barinn
Fish & chips. Beer. Cozy tavern atmosphere. Vegan options.
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A perfect spot for dinner and to experience an Icelandic tavern with traditional food. You’ll find fermented shark, reindeer meatballs, fin whale, and puffin for the adventurous eaters. For those with more conservative taste buds, try the beef burger or their famous fish and chips, which is probably their most popular menu option. There’s also vegan burgers for our plant-based diet friends and a full bar with a wide selection of local beer.

3. Bergsson Mathús
Breakfast or brunch. Adorable. Budget-friendly. Bread & butter.
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If you like cozy, delicious, and healthy, this place is for you. Open only for breakfast and lunch hours, you order at the counter and find yourself a table. Bergsson brunch is always a favorite amongst the group. It’s often described as hearty, balanced, unique, and cute. Fill up on warm, toasted bread, and of course, butter. Again, we can’t stress the butter enough. It’s always organic, grass-fed, and there’s just something about it that makes it so delicious. Make sure you order a cup of coffee (since it’s probably chilly and overcast). The vegan and vegetarian options are equally as tasty.

4. Valdís
Ice cream. Ice cream. Ice cream.
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It’s never too cold for ice cream. Valdís offers an impressive variety of flavors, plus there’s vegan options too! If you’re feeling adventurous, try salted licorice or rye bread. You obviously can’t go wrong with vanilla, chocolate chip, or pistachio. The original location is near the maritime museum and although it’s a slight trek from downtown, the cute row of restaurants and shops make for a nice walk while you eat your waffle cone.

5. Reykjavík Roasters
Coffee.
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Coffee lovers don’t need to search far and wide for a good cup of coffee. Reykjavík Roasters has three locations, all within a 15 minute walk from each other. Order your favorite espresso drink, from lattes to flat whites. Our preference is a perfectly pour-over’d cup from their brew bar. Their beans come from all over the world and its roasted in-house. They’ll even ship it worldwide for their monthly coffee subscribers. After long chilly days on the Laugavegur Trail, likely drinking instant coffee, it’s a refreshing contrast to sip on a hot freshly brewed cup of joe from Reykjavík Roasters.

Bonus tip: If you’re in a group and want to save money, buy some beer at the airport before heading to downtown. There’s a wide selection and it’s significantly cheaper than at the bars.

Reykjavík is an ambitious foodie’s paradise. As much as there is to love about Reykjavik’s quaint restaurants, one of our favorite meals was along the Laugavegur Trail at the Álftavatn hut restaurant. This super small, cozy restaurant serves dinner for those who want to treat themselves to a hot meal (and probably a glass of wine) as an alternative to typical freeze-dried backpacking meals. We promise to try a couple of these spots during our 9-day epic adventure to Iceland. Join us!