Dinner
Sea Food Grill (Sjávargrillið) is a Reykjavík favorite, blending Icelandic tradition with modern flair. Celebrated for its creative seafood dishes, grilled specialties, and warm, rustic atmosphere, it offers a true taste of the ocean and land. With seasonal ingredients and bold flavors, Sjávargrillið delivers an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of downtown.
The Food Cellar is an elegant brasserie-style restaurant set in a historic 19th-century building in downtown Reykjavík. Known for its seasonal Icelandic ingredients, creative cocktails, and lively atmosphere with live piano music, it offers a refined yet cozy dining experience where fine cuisine meets unforgettable charm beneath the city streets. And the live piano music elevates the experience.
The Fish Market is one of Reykjavík’s premier dining destinations, blending Icelandic ingredients with Asian influence in a stylish, intimate setting. Known for its fresh seafood, creative sushi, and innovative tasting menus, it delivers bold flavors and refined presentation, making every visit a memorable culinary journey in the heart of downtown.
Fiskfélagið is a renowned Reykjavík restaurant offering adventurous seafood and world-inspired dishes with Icelandic roots. Set in a charming historic cellar, it blends cozy atmosphere with refined dining. From creative tasting menus to beautifully crafted plates, Fiskfélagið delivers a vibrant culinary journey that celebrates both local tradition and global flavors.
The Grill Market is a stylish Reykjavík hotspot, famed for its fire-kissed flavors and farm-to-table philosophy. Using seasonal Icelandic ingredients, from tender lamb to fresh seafood, every dish is grilled to perfection in a lively, elegant setting. A true culinary experience where rustic tradition meets modern fine dining creativity.
Von Mathús is a charming seaside restaurant in Hafnarfjörður, just minutes from Reykjavík, known for its fresh Icelandic ingredients and creative seasonal menus. With elegant yet relaxed dining, it highlights local seafood, tender lamb, and inventive flavors. Perfect for food lovers seeking a refined culinary experience with a warm atmosphere. Just by the
Sumac in Reykjavík is a true gem, bringing the vibrant flavors of the Middle East and North Africa to Iceland in a stylish, welcoming setting. The menu is a perfect balance of bold spices and delicate touches, with dishes that feel both exotic and comforting. The cocktails are creative, refreshing, and complement the food beautifully. Service is attentive without being intrusive, making the whole experience relaxed yet refined. Whether for a casual evening or a special night out, Sumac offers an unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Reykjavík.
Monkeys brings playful energy to Reykjavík’s dining scene with bold flavors and colorful flair. Blending Asian and South American influences, the menu bursts with creative small plates, fresh seafood, and inventive cocktails. Stylish décor, lively music, and a fun atmosphere make Monkey’s a go-to spot for unforgettable nights in the city.
The Steak House is a premier Reykjavík dining spot for meat lovers, serving tender cuts grilled to perfection over charcoal. With rich flavors, locally sourced ingredients, and an extensive wine list, it offers a warm yet stylish setting. A perfect choice for an indulgent dinner in Iceland’s vibrant capital.
Why Would You Want to Eat the Same Food in Reykjavík as at Home?
One of the greatest joys of travel is tasting the unfamiliar. In Reykjavík, surrounded by the North Atlantic and volcanic landscapes, food is more than sustenance—it is a reflection of place, history, and resilience. Yet many visitors still choose the comfort of the familiar, ordering dishes they could just as easily find at home. The question is: why?
Reykjavík’s dining scene has flourished over the past two decades, blending old traditions with bold innovation. Chefs draw on Iceland’s elemental ingredients—freshly caught fish, free-roaming lamb, foraged herbs, wild berries, and geothermal-grown vegetables—to create dishes that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. These flavors carry the story of Iceland itself: a nation shaped by its climate, isolation, and resourcefulness.
To eat the same pizza, burger, or pasta you might order in your own neighborhood is to miss this opportunity. Instead, imagine a meal where fish is served within hours of leaving the ocean, where lamb tastes of wild thyme and heather, or where desserts showcase berries ripened under endless summer light. Each dish speaks of the land, the sea, and the ingenuity of people who have always lived close to nature.
Choosing local food in Reykjavík is not just about eating differently—it is about discovery. It transforms dinner into a cultural experience, a way to connect with Iceland’s traditions while savoring the creativity of its modern kitchens. After all, travel is too short, and evenings too few, to eat the same food you could have had at home.
