Reykjavik is Iceland's capital and northernmost capital city of a sovereign state, set on the Faxaflói bay with mountains and glaciers on the horizon. Known for the Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, geothermal swimming pools and a compact, colourful old town, it is the base for the Golden Circle, the South Coast and northern lights tours.
Reykjavik's food scene is built on North Atlantic seafood, lamb and dairy such as skyr, along with a small New Nordic fine-dining scene that includes Michelin-starred Dill and ÓX. Traditional dishes include plokkfiskur fish stew, kjötsúpa lamb soup and hot dogs from harbourside kiosks, while the Hlemmur and Grandi food halls offer a wider range under one roof. Menus lean on cod, haddock, Arctic char, langoustine and lamb, and prices are high by European standards.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Reykjavik.
Plokkfiskur (fish stew)
Mashed fish, potato and onion in a white sauce, served with rye bread; an Icelandic comfort dish.
Where to try: Café Loki, Messinn, Þrjár Frænkur
Price: ISK 2,400-4,500 (~$19-36)
Kjötsúpa (lamb soup)
Lamb and root vegetable soup, often served in a bread bowl with refills.
Where to try: Icelandic Street Food, Svarta Kaffið
Price: ISK 2,400-3,600 (~$19-29)
Pylsa (Icelandic hot dog)
Lamb-based hot dog ordered 'eina með öllu' with raw and fried onion, ketchup, sweet mustard and remoulade.
Where to try: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Price: ISK 650-1,100 (~$5.2-8.8)
Arctic char and cod
Pan-fried or oven-baked local fish, often served with butter and potatoes.
Where to try: Messinn, Fiskmarkaðurinn, Kopar
Price: ISK 3,900-8,900 (~$31-71)
Icelandic lamb
Free-ranging mountain lamb, grilled or slow-cooked, a staple of fine-dining menus.
Where to try: Grillmarkaðurinn, Kol, Matur og Drykkur
Price: ISK 5,500-9,800 (~$44-78)
Skyr
Thick, high-protein strained dairy product eaten plain or with berries and as a dessert base.
Where to try: Matur og Drykkur, supermarkets
Price: ISK 450-1,800 (~$3.6-14)
Rye bread ice cream
Ice cream with crumbled dark rye bread and caramel, a local dessert.
Where to try: Café Loki
Price: ISK 1,500-2,200 (~$12-18)
Hákarl (fermented shark)
Cured Greenland shark served in small cubes, traditionally with brennivín; a strong acquired taste.
Where to try: Café Loki (tasting plate)
Price: ISK 1,900-3,200 (~$15-26)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Bakery
Burgers
Café Brunch
Gastropub
Ice Cream
Icelandic Gastropub
Icelandic Home Cooking
Icelandic Soups
Icelandic Street Food
Modern Icelandic
Pizza
Soups And Coffee
Spanish
Specialty Coffee
Food tours & tastings in Reykjavik
Eat your way through Reykjavik with a guide.
Browse food experiences in ReykjavikWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Hot dogs from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Find it at: Tryggvagata 1, Old Harbour
Bread-bowl soups
Find it at: Lækjargata 8 and Laugavegur 54
Hlemmur Mathöll stalls
Find it at: Laugavegur 107, Hlemmur
Grandi Mathöll stalls
Find it at: Grandagarður 16, Grandi Harbour
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Hlemmur Mathöll
Food hall in the former Hlemmur bus station with Icelandic, Asian and European counters and a bar.
Hours: Typically daily from about 11:00 to 21:00; individual stalls vary
Grandi Mathöll
Harbour-district food hall in a former fish-processing building with soup, fish, burger and dessert counters.
Hours: Typically daily from about 11:00 to 21:00; individual stalls vary
Kolaportið Food Section
Flea-market food corner selling dried fish (harðfiskur), lamb-based products and baked goods.
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 11:00-17:00
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is the cheapest time for a sit-down meal: soups and fish dishes cost about ISK 2,400-3,900 (~$19-31) against ISK 5,000-9,000 (~$40-72) for dinner mains.
Tap water in Iceland is safe and free; ask for 'kranavatn' instead of buying bottled water.
Tipping is not expected; service is included in the bill.
Michelin-listed restaurants such as Dill and ÓX need bookings weeks ahead, especially from June to August.
Alcohol is heavily taxed: a glass of wine is about ISK 1,700-2,400 (~$14-19) in restaurants.
- Vegetarian
- Widely available at Hlemmur and Grandi food halls and in most restaurants, though traditional dishes centre on fish and lamb.
- Vegan
- Vegan options exist at food hall stalls and several cafés; fine-dining restaurants should be told when booking.
- Gluten free
- Understood in most restaurants; ask for 'glútenlaust' and notify tasting-menu restaurants when booking.
- Halal
- Limited; check with individual venues to confirm halal preparation.
- Kosher
- Not widely available; contact venues in advance.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ISK 1,500-3,000 (~$12-24) per meal | A hot dog, bread-bowl soup or food hall counter meal. |
| Mid-range | ISK 4,000-7,000 (~$32-56) per meal | A main course at Messinn, Public House or Sæta Svínið with a drink. |
| Upscale | ISK 24,000-40,000 (~$192-320) per person | Tasting menus at Dill or ÓX, drinks extra. |