Eating in Iceland and trying the local foods was an interesting part of my recent road trip. While Icelandic cuisine might not rival Mediterranean flavors (partially due to the climate and limited availability of fresh local fruits and vegetables), food lovers will definitely appreciate Icelandic fish soup, as well as bread and bakery offerings! Here’s a list of all the cafes and restaurants I have personally tested in Iceland, along with my personal opinions.

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Best Places for Eating in Iceland

My Week in Iceland: Map of Foodie Places

During my week in Iceland, I tried to explore the most popular food spots, and now I’m excited to share my experiences with you. Some of these places truly made my stay in Iceland more enjoyable, while others didn’t quite live up to my expectations, despite their high rankings online. You can check out list of all the cafes and restaurants I have visited on the map below:

Best Food Tours in Reykjavik

Taking a food tour in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is a great way to explore local culinary traditions in a company of the local guide. Here are a few top-rated options:

More Food Tours in Iceland

What to eat in Iceland

Icelandic cuisine is deeply rooted in its natural resources and traditional preservation methods. The most typical local foods include lamb, various fish dishes (such as soups and dried fish snacks), skyr (a creamy, yogurt-like dairy product), Icelandic rye bread, fermented shark, and brennivin (a type of schnapps made from fermented grain or potatoes).

Unique Restaurants in Iceland

Vogafjos Farm Resort

Vogafjos Farm Resort is a fantastic restaurant that focuses on homemade local foods, including smoked trout, mozzarella, and Geysir rye bread. It was a delightful discovery; everything was fresh, and the service was excellent. This place is committed to sourcing ingredients from local farms, making the dining experience feel truly farm-to-table.

Address: Vogafjos Vegur, Lake Myvatn 660 Iceland

Eating in Iceland organic farm to table
Vogafjos Restaurant in Iceland

Old Iceland

Old Iceland in Reykjavik offers what is probably the best fish soup I’ve ever had. The service was incredibly friendly, and the meals were delicious. It’s a popular spot, often completely full during dinner service, but we visited for lunch and found it pleasantly quiet, with only two other tables occupied besides ours. The cozy atmosphere, combined with the exceptional flavors of their dishes, made for a memorable dining experience. If you’re in Reykjavik, I highly recommend stopping by to savor their fish soup and explore their other delightful menu offerings.

Address: Laugavegur 72, Reykjavik 101 Iceland

Best restaurant old iceland reykjavik
That’s how you really should serve a fish course
fish soup Eating in Iceland
Fish soup in Old Iceland

Sjavarpakkhusid

During our visit to the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, we stumbled upon this amazing restaurant with a complicated name: Sjavarpakkhusid. Nestled in the picturesque fishing village of Stykkisholmur, it offers a delightful selection of fresh and delicious dishes that truly showcase Icelandic seafood. Despite its small menu, every dish was amazing – we were particularly impressed by the mussels and the fish soup, both of which were incredibly flavorful and perfectly cooked. The fact that such a high-end restaurant was set in a cozy atmosphere within a tiny village, away from the capital, definitely added to its charm.

Address: Hafnargata 2, Stykkisholmur 340 Iceland

A Foodie Guide to Eating in Iceland delicious restaurant
Sjavarpakkhusid
Eating in Iceland Sjavarpakkhusid restaurants
Mussels at Sjavarpakkhusid

Fridheimar

Fridheimar consistently appears on the list of the most unique lunch spots in Iceland. This tomato farm was one of the stops I was most looking forward to on my foodie itinerary. I had read plenty of great reviews about Fridheimar, highlighting that everything on the menu featured tomatoes cultivated right on the farm. So, I was really excited to visit.

While the food was decent and the staff seemed friendly, they appeared to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of visitors, which made the lunch service eternal. We ordered a dessert that never arrived. After waiting 40 minutes and politely reminding our waiter about it, we still had no update. Frustrated, we ultimately decided to pay and leave without our dessert. I think Fridheimar could still be a nice place to eat in Iceland if you visit during the off-season. Unfortunately, our experience in August didn’t live up to expectations.

Fridheimar What to eat in iceland
Fridheimar tomato farm

Fjoruhusid

Despite its serene appearance in the photo, Fjoruhusid was quite packed with visitors, all drawn in by the beautiful views and peaceful location in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The food was decent, and while the menu was small, everything looked homemade. The service was average though. It’s only worth visiting when the weather is good so you can sit outside. The interior was incredibly tiny – I felt like a Viking in there, seriously!

Address: 365 Snaefellsnes, Hellnar Iceland

Food Oceanside Fjoruhusid Iceland
Fjoruhusid

Coffee and Snacks in Iceland

Baejarins Beztu Pylsur

Eating in Iceland can be quite expensive, especially when dining at restaurants. However, there’s a famous hot dog stand in Reykjavik, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, that offers more affordable options (so popular that even Bill Clinton made a stop there during his visit to Iceland). These days everyone from Kardashians to bloggers, backpackers, and family travelers make it a must-stop for a quick bite in Iceland’s capital. There are only a few places to sit, and the line can get long, but it moves fairly quickly. We waited about 20-30 minutes to get our hot dogs. This is probably the cheapest, yet still tasty, food option in Reykjavik.

Address: Tryggvagata 1, Reykjavik 101 Iceland

Famous hotdog to try in iceland
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur

Blomasetrid Kaffi Kyrrd

We stumbled upon this lovely place while traveling from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to Reykjavik. Blomasetrid Kaffi Kyrrd is a family-owned café located in the village of Borgarnes, featuring a cozy design, homemade quiches, and a variety of delicious cakes – perfect for a snack or a coffee break. I really enjoyed this charming spot!

Address: Skulagata 13 Kaffi Kyrrd, Borgarnes, Borgarbyggd 310 Iceland

Eating in Iceland homemade cakes
Blomasetrid Kaffi Kyrrd

Brunja

I’m usually not an ice cream eater when it’s rainy and cold outside, but you can’t miss Brunja ice cream. This is a popular spot for ice cream lovers in Iceland. They offer three classic flavors: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. You can customize your ice cream by adding a variety of toppings like chocolate, caramel, and more, creating your own unique treat. For me, the pure vanilla ice cream was absolutely the best – simple yet delicious.

Address: Adalstraeti 3, Akureyri 600 Iceland

Eating in Iceland best icecream
Brunja Ice-cream

Kaffi Ilmur

Kaffi Ilmur in Akureyri is a charming spot, perfect for a coffee break, snacks, or even a light lunch. Although it takes a few steps to reach, the café feels wonderfully quiet and cozy, tucked away from the relative bustle of the town. The warm and inviting atmosphere makes it an ideal place to take a break from sightseeing (in our case, after whale watching). One of the highlights of Kaffi Ilmur for us was its selection of homemade cakes, and their strong espresso was fantastic – especially since much of Iceland tends to serve the longer, American-style coffee, and we’re more into the bold, European kind.

Address: Hafnarstraeti 107 B, Akureyri 600 Iceland

Eating in Iceland cute cafes
Kaffi Ilmur

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