Discover the Best of Iceland: 25 Top-Rated local and popular food restaurants to Visit
Welcome to Iceland. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we have a list of 25 top local and popular food restaurants you must see. Discover 25 hidden local and popular food restaurants gems to experience Iceland like a local. Get ready to be amazed by 25 incredible local and popular food restaurants that will leave a lasting impression.
Information about Iceland
Iceland is one of the European island countries and is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world, located specifically between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik. The total area of the country is 103,000 square kilometers. It is one of the countries with a low population density, with a population of about 320 thousand people, and there are several reasons for the existence of a low population density, including the coldness of the country throughout the year, and because it is a relatively new country that became inhabited only in the ninth century when it was inhabited by the Vikings from Norway. It is a truly distinctive country, as despite its coldness, there are many things that make it worth visiting, including its stunning natural features. You will find waterfalls, mountains, rivers, and best of all, the amazing aurora borealis lights that appear at specific times of the year and dazzle everyone who looks at them. The country is also distinguished by the fact that most of the year the sun sets after 12 am. It is a truly developed country, as it is the first country in the world to elect a woman president, as it is the first European country to form a parliament, and that was precisely in the year 930 AD.
A list of the best Local and popular food restaurants in Iceland
Looking for the best local and popular food restaurants in Iceland? Look no further than our carefully curated list, selected by our team based on visitor ratings and reviews to help make your trip planning a breeze.
1- Islenski barinn
Islenski barinn – wonderful restaurant in which you will hear only local Icelandic music, and you will also not eat in it other than traditional Icelandic dishes, and this made the restaurant one of the main destinations for tourists wishing to taste delicious authentic dishes. Among the dishes it serves there are smoked lamb, shrimp cocktail, grilled shark, grilled salmon, and others. Although the dishes in the restaurant are traditional, the decorations are modern and contemporary, and this contrast gives the place a distinctive environment that everyone loves.
Place address: Íslenski barinn, 1a Ingólfsstræti, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
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2- Krain
Krain – Karen Restaurant is a suitable destination and an ideal stop to enjoy dining in a comfortable environment, with fast service and low prices, in addition to that it enjoys elegant decorations with luxurious black colors and comfortable seating. Customers can order light sandwiches or various burgers, served with chicken nuggets, fresh salads, crispy fries, fried cheese sticks and refreshing drinks.
Place address: Bárustígur 1, Vestmannaeyjabær, Iceland
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3- SLIPPURINN
SLIPPURINN – The Sliporine Restaurant, which opened in 2012, is located in the historic Magna House, which is the oldest concrete house on the island. Its business owners are keen to provide a unique experience for everyone who wishes to dine in it, and it is also distinguished by its beautiful décor, comfortable atmosphere and exceptional service. When visiting this restaurant, you can choose from many seafood, European and local dishes prepared using available natural ingredients, fresh herbs and various spices, which means that its menu changes almost weekly.
Place address: Strandvegur, Vestmannaeyjabær, Iceland
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4- Naustið Restaurant
Naustið Restaurant – Nausti Restaurant is one of the best seafood restaurants in the city of Husavik in northeastern Iceland, and it is characterized by its warm interior atmosphere, with bright colors, artifacts and paintings that decorate the walls in a distinctive way. The restaurant offers its dishes in a modern and innovative way, as seafood soups, salads, grills and appetizers are made from fresh seafood ingredients.
Place address: Ásgarðsvegur, Húsavík, Iceland
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5- Bjargarsteinn Mathús
Bjargarsteinn Mathús – The old building of Bejarartsten Mathews Restaurant was built in 1908 AD, as a home for a local family, and in 2008 AD when it was decided to establish the restaurant, this historic building was chosen to be home to the restaurant, which enjoys an authentic heritage atmosphere with a kind of spirituality and warmth that takes you on a tour through ancient times . The restaurant offers a rich local and European menu with distinctive authentic flavors, with a variety of seafood dishes of fish and meat, and some healthy items that suit some tastes.
Place address: Sólvellir, Grundarfjörður, Iceland
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6- Mulaberg Bistro
Mulaberg Bistro – restaurant that must be pre-booked before going to it, as it is always crowded with customers due to the splendor of the dishes served in it. They are dishes that combine Icelandic cuisine with other international cuisines in their components, and all dishes are presented in a very beautiful modern artistic way. Among the dishes on the menu are grilled lamb short ribs, braised carrot tartare, oyster soup, roasted broccoli, beef tenderloin, and more. This restaurant is also distinguished by the presence of outdoor sessions in which customers can enjoy the open air while eating their dishes.
Place address: Mulaberg Bistro & Bar, Hafnarstræti 89, Akureyri, Iceland
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7- Salka Restaurant
Salka Restaurant – Salka Restaurant is a family restaurant that serves steaks, seafood, pizza, pasta and burgers, along with many seafood specialties made with passion. The dishes here are homemade and fresh, and the restaurant serves typical Icelandic dishes such as lamb, cod or catfish in a modern and fresh style. And in the summer, it would be nice to sit outside in the courtyards and enjoy delicious food, snacks and cocktails.
Place address: Garðarsbraut 640, Húsavík, Iceland
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8- Krua Siam
Krua Siam – restaurant that resembles warm Icelandic homes with its decoration, as there are drop-down curtains and beautiful simple decorations, and the restaurant’s decorations are reflected in the dishes served, as the restaurant serves authentic Icelandic dishes that are prepared by strictly following traditional methods. Among the dishes on the menu are meat curry, fried shrimp served with rice and french fries, fried chicken covered with cashew nuts, and many more.
Place address: Krua Siam, Strandgata 13, Akureyri, Iceland
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9- Cafe Berlin
Cafe Berlin – small cafe in the city where people who want to spend a comfortable time away from the hustle and bustle of the city come to, as the place is suitable for activities that require exclusivity such as reading, writing and studying, but this does not mean that you will not be able to spend a beautiful time with your friends and loved ones, as the place is suitable for that as well. The place offers snacks from a variety of international cuisines, including a burger dish, an egg sandwich with bacon, grilled salmon, fried chicken wings, and many more.
Place address: Cafe Berlin, Skipagata 4, Akureyri, Iceland
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10- Bryggjan
Bryggjan – wonderful restaurant with beautiful wooden ceilings and floors that make the place an intimate environment suitable for gatherings with friends and loved ones. It is one of the restaurants that offer a variety of dishes from different international cuisines. Among the dishes on the menu are burgers served with french fries, pepperoni pizza, chicken pieces, grilled ribs with barbecue sauce, penne with white sauce, and many more. This restaurant also provides open lunch buffets every day from twelve to one thirty in the evening.
Place address: Bryggjan, Strandgata 49, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
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11- Restaurant Sudur
Restaurant Sudur – Sodor is a small restaurant in the style of old pubs, and it is considered one of the favorite restaurants for many customers, locals and tourists alike, as it enjoys an intimate atmosphere filled with live music, excellent service and prices that are suitable for everyone, in addition to that it offers many delicious food options such as Italian pizza and steaks Grilled, fried chicken, prawn salad, and more. This restaurant provides the opportunity for its customers to enjoy the stunning views while dining in the open air, as it is located on top of a slightly elevated hill.
Place address: Suðurvegur 1 870, Vík, Iceland
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12- Strikid
Strikid – distinctive restaurant located on the second floor of a high-rise building with a balcony that offers majestic panoramic views of the city and its landmarks. The place provides a long menu with many delicious options from local Icelandic and Asian cuisine, but the restaurant adds a distinctive modern touch to the dishes. Among these dishes are oyster soup with coconut sauce, beef tartare, meat salad, sushi, grilled duck breast, and more.
Place address: Strikið, Skipagata 14, Akureyri, Iceland
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13- Laekjarbrekka
Laekjarbrekka – restaurant in which you will find everything you might want, there are delicious grill dishes, many vegetarian dishes, many delicious Italian dishes, great pizza prepared on wood, and many more. It is a very spacious restaurant with outdoor and indoor courtyards. Among the dishes it serves there are grilled crabs, fried shrimp rings, shrimp pasta, steak with mushrooms and potatoes, and many more.
Place address: Bankastræti 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
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14- Hamburgarfabriken
Hamburgarfabriken – This restaurant offers burger dishes, but the burger served here is not any traditional burger, as the restaurant added a modern touch to it and added some different ingredients in order to give the restaurant’s visitors and customers a unique and distinctive tasting experience. In addition to burgers, the restaurant also offers grilled ribs with BBQ sauce, steak, nachos, popcorn chicken, and more. This restaurant provides its customers with fast professional service provided by friendly staff.
Place address: Hamborgarafabrikkan, Hafnarstræti, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
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15- Halldorskaffi
Halldorskaffi – Halderscafe Restaurant offers a distinguished assortment of American dishes, various European specialties, and local cuisine prepared with great precision and care, which is represented by grilled fish, delicious pizza, burgers, some types of pasta, light sandwiches, chicken breast rich in spices, fresh herbs, etc., in addition to its elegant interior decoration with a historical character. And its warm atmosphere, competitive prices and exceptional service.
Place address: Víkurbraut, Vík, Iceland
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16- Gamli Baukur
Gamli Baukur – Cemli Bokor Restaurant is located in the heart of Husavik, with a stunning view of the sea and the port. The restaurant has a warm interior, with old shipwrecks and brass lanterns creating a relaxing and calming atmosphere. The menu consists of dishes from various sources and ingredients are always fresh from local suppliers, beer and wine lists are varied, coffee drinks are available in a selection along with desserts. In the evening, a relaxed pub atmosphere is created, with a large selection of drinks adorning the bar and you can order snacks or play cards.
Place address: Hafnarstétt 9, 640 Húsavík, Iceland
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17- Rub23
Rub23 – wonderful restaurant for seafood dishes in the heart of the city, and the dishes offered by the place vary, as there are Icelandic seafood dishes and some Japanese dishes. Among the dishes served there are appetizers such as Japanese tempura with unagi sauce, grilled crab with herbs and garlic, salmon tartare, sashimi, and main dishes such as salmon with avocado and mango, asparagus tempura, grilled chicken breast, and others.
Place address: Rub23, Kaupvangsstræti 6, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
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18- Restaurant Reykjavík
Restaurant Reykjavík – This restaurant has many visitors because it has been able to create a good reputation for the quality of its dishes and the beauty of their presentation. The place offers on the menu a variety of dishes to ensure that all tastes are satisfied, including seafood dishes such as delicious oysters and smoked salmon slices, soups such as chicken soup and meat stew, and grill dishes such as grilled veal and bacon rolls, and many more.
Place address: Vesturgata 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
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19- Meze
Meze – The most delicious grill dishes await you in this luxurious restaurant in the heart of Reykjavik, and it is distinguished because it uses the best types of meat in the market to prepare the delicious dishes, and it also prepares the meat in a professional way that you will not find anywhere else in the country. Although the dishes are expensive, they are irresistible, and you will want to try them again. Among the dishes they serve are delicious steak, burgers and roast beef. The restaurant also offers mezze dishes such as hummus, falafel, tabbouleh and many others.
Place address: 42,, Laugavegur 32, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
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20- Ströndin Bistro and Bar
Ströndin Bistro and Bar – The Beach Bistro & Bar is a modern pub opened near the beach in Reykjavik, where you can come and relax after a long day exploring beautiful Iceland. And due to the restaurant’s wonderful location just meters from the world famous Black Sand Beach, you can watch the sunset, while enjoying a delicious meal prepared from local sources, accompanied by a refreshing drink.
Place address: 1, Vík, Iceland
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21- Tanginn
Tanginn – Tangin Restaurant is located near the port of the island, and it offers charming views of the water and the distant horizon, in addition to that it offers a distinguished group of fresh seasonal seafood options, burgers, grilled steaks in a wonderful way, 3 types of hot soup, delicious salads and various drinks, in addition to Western desserts which are irresistible.
Place address: Básaskersbryggja 8, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
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22- Bautinn Restaurant
Bautinn Restaurant – grill restaurant that you will want to return to again because the dishes served are exceptional and are prepared from the best types of fresh and dried meat, and the restaurant’s secret sauces are added to each dish. Among the dishes it serves are steak, grilled fish, burgers, unique meat and potato pizza, and many more. This restaurant also distinguishes that all dishes are served at medium prices that suit everyone.
Place address: Bautinn Restaurant, Hafnarstræti 92, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
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23- Black Beach Restaurant
Black Beach Restaurant – Black Beach Restaurant & Café is located in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the South Iceland region, within walking distance of the basalt formations and the Hallsängevler Cave. The restaurant was built in 2014 AD and it is a distinctive architectural formation where the building blends with the terrain and rocks from the beach were used as building materials in the walls. The café serves hot soup, cakes, fresh sandwiches and local discs such as pancakes with local ice cream, soft drinks, coffee and tea. It also serves some traditional Icelandic food such as lamb, beef and fresh local fish with rich flavors and recipes.
Place address: Islandia, Reynishverfisvegur, 871 Vík, Iceland
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24- Saffran
Saffran – Contemporary restaurant with amazing decor in the heart of Icelandic city Reykjavík. You will find walls covered with modern paintings and comfortable youthful furniture. It is a very spacious restaurant suitable for large groups of individuals, as it is comfortable and suitable for families. The place provides a long menu with many delicious options carefully selected from the local and oriental cuisines, and the restaurant is supervised by professional chefs with decades of experience in the field of cooking. Among the dishes offered, you will find many seafood dishes such as black and white shrimp and raw tuna salad, some famous oriental dishes such as shish tawook and kebabs, and many vegetarian dishes such as chili biscuits, and many others.
Place address: Álfheimar 74, 104 Reykjavík, Iceland
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25- Berg Restaurant
Berg Restaurant – Berg is one of the high-end restaurants that many customers go to, especially those with good taste, as it is characterized by a warm atmosphere, elegant modern décor with dazzling colors, and exceptional fast service, in addition to that it offers a selected assortment and an eclectic list of local specialties and distinctive European cuisine, as its menu contains slices Grilled meat and salmon with mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, steamed shrimp, seafood pasta and more, and for dessert there are chocolate muffins and chocolate chips served with blueberries, ice cream and premium drinks.
Place address: Klettsvegi 1-5, 870 Vík, Iceland
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Conclusion
We hope our guide has inspired you to explore the wonders of Iceland. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in this amazing region. From stunning natural landscapes to rich cultural heritage, Iceland has it all. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us and tag us on social media using #ExploreIceland. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!