16 Best Restaurants in Reykjavík, Iceland

This bistro has a truly unique location inside the botanic gardens of Reykjavík. Of course, much of what you'll find on the menu is grown in the gardens, and you can learn all about the sustainable practices of the kitchen.

This food hall features eight vendors loved by locals: Brauð & Co., Fuego, SKÁL!, Micro Roast Te & Kaffi, Flatey Pizza, Kröst, Fjárhúsið, and Báhn Mí. It's a great place for groups and kids.

Sipping on a refreshing "Donkey" cocktail will add a spicy warmth to your cheeks while you take in this friendly spot's sights, sounds, and aromas, which intensify as the evening progresses. Each dish is carefully paired with wine and delivered with a detailed narrative by well-informed staff. Send your senses into overdrive with dishes like fruits de mer, charred salmon, or an assemblage of popular desserts aptly titled "Simply the Best."

This bright and sophisticated eatery caters to guests and locals alike. Owned by the Farmers Association of Iceland, the restaurant works with local fishermen and farmers to bring the freshest ingredients to the table.

This rotating restaurant, atop Reykjavík's geothermal water distribution tanks on Öskjuhlíð Hill, has spectacular panoramic views (one revolution takes about two hours). The international menu emphasizes quick, fresh dishes like salted cod, fish and chips, pizza, and lamb soup.

The plokkfiskur (fish stew) at this local favorite is the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold night. The restaurant also hosts a Champagne happy hour that includes a bottle of bubbly, licorice, and cantaloupe every day between 4 and 7 pm.

Located in the Hlemmur Mathöll food hall, Skál! offers elegant Icelandic platings in a casual setting. The best part is that prices are much more reasonable than you'd see in most restaurants around the city, but you really aren't giving up any quality when it comes to the food.

The menu at Apotek is much the same as those at other upscale spots in Reykjavík—tons of fish, some sort of take on a tasting menu of traditional dishes (often with whale and puffin), and a few turf additions here and there—but the care and attention to detail is obvious here. It's a great splurge for those looking to get in one last memorable meal before heading home.

Although Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar has a similar menu to other eateries around the city (burgers, fish-and-chips, cod, catch of the day, etc), what's really intriguing about this restaurant is the private garden area. Dining in this dreamy oasis in the middle of the city's main shopping street is a real pleasure.

Attached to a guesthouse offering dorm-style and private rooms, Kaffi Lækur is open to nonguests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don't miss the daily happy hour from 4 to 7 pm and 10 to 11 pm.

The atmosphere is the real crowd-pleaser here—especially if you're looking for a romantic restaurant with low lighting for date night or a hip dinner with perfectly fine food. As the name suggests, the surroundings skew toward stone and offer the cozy kind of vibes only a cellar can provide.

It's hard to tell what stands out more at Matur og Drykkur: the accommodating staff or the A+ dishes. Located in an old salt fish factory, the views of the harbor overlook the perfect scene for a post-dinner walk. Vegetarians, take note: they have separate tasting menus just for you.

Burgers, fish soup, lobster, mussels, deep-fried Camembert, garlic bread—these are just some of the ample nourishment you can find here after a day of swimming at the nearby geothermal beach. This is a also great spot to take a break from walking Ægisíða and its water views.

If your ideal dinner consists of eating on a patio with a good beer in hand, you won't be disappointed by this lively pub. You can even mingle with the locals for a rousing game of bingo on Sunday night. Keep an eye out for the burger of the month—they can get pretty inventive.

If you're interested in trying some of the more traditional dishes of Iceland (think puffin or whale), pay Tapas Barinn a visit. Here you can pass small plates among your group or opt for the more substantial Icelandic Gourmet Feast, which includes smoked puffin, minke whale, and a shot of Brennivín.