The land of fire and ice, Iceland is known for its breathtaking landscapes and equally vibrant culinary scene. A country that is renowned to be a Nordic paradise, the cuisine of Iceland often gets overlooked amidst the stunning coastlines, steaming geysers and dramatic waterfalls. A country that boasts of a truly unique gastronomy, dining in Iceland is sure to be an unforgettable experience during your trip.
With a variety of rapidly growing eateries, Iceland’s best restaurants offer you a selection of the various local delicacies, as well as options for you to choose from- fine dining to casual spaces. Featuring a diverse and one-of-a-kind culinary landscape, the traditions of authentic Icelandic cuisines lie in the techniques of fishing, farming and preservation.
As a result, seafood makes for an integral part of the dining scene here. With the thriving landscape of emerging restaurants that seamlessly blend creativity and traditional flavours, Iceland is now home to some of the finest dining spaces that offer an impeccable dining experience worth savouring.
Check out these top restaurants in Iceland that are absolutely worth visiting
Skal, Reykjavik
A popular spot in Reykjavik that serves as a restaurant, and wine bar as well as a place for community hangout, the food offered at this top Iceland restaurant is the biggest draw. A renowned restaurant in Iceland that is always buzzing with people, this place started out in the Reykjavik food hall and has eventually turned into a friendly space on Njalsgata Street. Serving the most delicious natural wine and lip-smacking food, do try out their cod wing slathered in hot sauce while you are here.
Location: Njálsgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Price range: ISK 650- 2350
OX, Reykjavik
A hidden cocktail bar, OX is a great place for dining in Iceland that takes you back in time. Featuring interiors that replicate an atmosphere similar to an Icelandic living room and lounge from the 70s, OX is the brainchild of chef Prainn Freyr Vigfusson. A Michelin-starred restaurant in Iceland, their unique multi-course cuisine is the highlighting factor of this place. Serving high-quality food using the freshest produce, the seafood served here is also great.
Location: Laugavegur 55, 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Price range: ISK 66,000 per person
Hipstur, Hveragerdi
Located in the food hall reception of The Greenhouse Hotel, although the menu at this place to eat in Iceland is limited, the quality is great. A space that is especially popular for their seafood cuisines, they also have some great options for beef and baked dishes. Among Iceland’s top restaurants, Hipstur is especially known for the ribeye, which is the signature dish here. Their fish soup and tiger prawns on bread are also great options worth trying.
Location: Austurmörk 6, 810 Hveragerði, Iceland
Price range: ISK 2,000-4,000
Slippurinn, Vestmannaeyjar
The brainchild of head chef Gisli Matthias Audunsson, this popular place to eat in Iceland first opened in 2012 on the Westman Islands. Considered among Iceland’s top restaurants that started out much simpler, Slippurinn serves some of the most exceptional dishes that you can get your hands on during your time in the country. This place serves food on the island and every ingredient is fresh and locally sourced. A casual and family-friendly place, you can choose from their a la carte menu or even try out their three-course and eight-course menus. Serving lots of fresh and delicious seafood dishes, Slippurinn is open seasonally during the four months a year in the summer season.
Location: Strandvegur 76, 900 Vestmannaeyjabær, Iceland
Price range: ISK 6,000-7,000
Nielsen, Egilsstadir
A renowned place for dining in Iceland, Nielsen is a restaurant started by Karo Thorsteinsson. An extremely charming place to eat in Iceland, Nielsen is a two-storey restaurant that was originally an old house before being transformed. With the main dining room situated upstairs, the restaurant is filled with cookbooks and interiors feature fried flowers hanging from the ceiling.
A truly aesthetic place to dine at, the menu at Nielsen features dishes prepared from seasonal ingredients. Considered to be among Iceland’s top restaurants, this place perfectly blends in the best of regional and seasonal produce, preparing the most innovative dishes.
Location: Tjarnarbraut, 700 Egilsstaðir, Iceland
Price range: ISK 2790
Dill, Reykjavik
Your Iceland food trail is definitely incomplete if you don't pay a visit to Dill. Unarguably the most famous restaurant in the country, this place is also a renowned Michelin-star restaurant and the first of its kind. One of the best places to eat in Iceland that highlights the authentic food culture of the country, Dill aims at preserving the age-old traditions of Iceland through its cuisine.
With their main focus being on sustainability, Dill serves some of the most unique and exceptional dishes that are absolutely worth indulging in. Their wine pairings are also natural, and the kombuchas are locally produced. Do try out their dung-smoked trout while here, which is among the standout dishes at this place.
Location: Laugavegur 59, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Price range: ISK 8,000-15,000
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