With its rugged coastline, shimmering glaciers and magnificent fjords, Iceland scores some serious points when it comes to natural wonders and it’s no surprise that most travellers opt to spend much of their time in the great outdoors. With action-packed days spent hiking, horse riding and Northern Lights chasing, it’s only a matter of time before tummies begin to rumble, and thoughts turn to food. While Iceland isn’t considered one of Europe’s foodie hot spots, the cuisine is fresh and healthy, the dishes are inventive (fermented shark, anyone?) and the seafood is second to none, with everything from cod and salmon to lobster and halibut. Whether you're looking for a cosy pub or a fine-dining experience, here are nine of the best restaurants in Iceland that you won't want to miss.
Dill Restaurant
Reykjavik
Iceland's first Michelin-star restaurant, Dill, serves inventive Icelandic cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients. The mission here is to create a culinary experience that goes beyond just food. By combining traditional techniques with innovative modern cooking methods, the chefs create unique and timeless dishes that are inspired by the Icelandic landscape. The menu at Dill changes seasonally and often reflects what's available locally at any given time, but you can expect some staples like smoked lamb (a signature dish), fish soup with homemade dill bread, and organic wine. Reservations are recommended so make sure to ask our Concierge to book you a table in advance.
Fish Market (Fiskmarkaðurinn)
Reykjavik
Set in one of the oldest buildings in Reykjavík, Fiskmarkaðurinn is an atmospheric restaurant with Japanese-inspired décor and romantic mood lighting. The owners - who are also the chefs - have won multiple awards for their food, which is crafted around seasonal ingredients from local producers and inspired by Icelandic and Asian cuisines. If you’re struggling to decide on a dish, request the tasting menu and speak to your server for the perfect wine pairing.
Perlan
Reykjavik
At Perlan, prepare yourself for a unique dining experience that combines breathtaking views with delicious Icelandic cuisine. Set in a revolving restaurant atop the Perlan building, this fine-dining establishment offers sweeping panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Make sure to try the Perlan tasting menu, which showcases culinary highlights from around the world, and wash it down with a curated selection of Icelandic and international wines.
Sudur
Vik
If you’re visiting Vik, don't miss Sudur's delicious Icelandic cuisine. The restaurant, housed in a restored turf-roofed building, has a rustic and cosy atmosphere and a menu featuring traditional Icelandic dishes and bold flavours that are sure to excite your taste. Once you’ve recovered from your food coma, set off to discover Vik's surrounding natural beauty that continues to inspire some of the best restaurants in Iceland. The picturesque town looks out over the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, famous for its dramatic basalt columns and Reynisdrangar sea stacks - said to be the remains of two trolls who were caught by the sunrise and turned to stone.
Bryggjan Cafe
Grindavik
If you're looking for a laid-back dining experience with beautiful views and scrumptious cake, then Bryggjan Cafe in Grindavik is the place to go. This charming café is set in a restored herring station on Grindavik's harbour and offers a menu designed around fresh local produce. After a day of exploring Reykjanes peninsula's natural wonders, this charming cafe is the ideal spot for a quick bite of lunch or an indulgent dessert that is sure to appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth.
Rub 23
Akureyri
Nestled in the heart of Akureyri's charming centre, Rub 23 is a top-notch restaurant with an inventive menu featuring fresh seafood dishes and locally-sourced ingredients. Pull up a chair, loosen your belt and indulge in some of the best-tasting dishes in town. For the ultimate indulgence, order 'the ultimate food festival' tasting menu.
Randulf’s Sea House
Eskifjordur
Where the mouth of the Eskifjordur Fjord meets the ocean, you’ll find Randulf’s Sea House. The rustic shore building, which dates back to the late 19th century, has been beautifully preserved, retaining a charming historic atmosphere. Stepping inside - or outside, if you choose to sit on the terrace - you will be transported back in time, surrounded by carved wood and stone walls that look just like they did when this place first opened. Shark meat and dried fish specialities produced in Eskifjörður have made Randulf’s Sea House one of the most celebrated restaurants in Iceland.
Tjöruhúsið
Ísafjörður
Located in the charming town of Ísafjörður, on the western coast of the Westfjords - one of the most remote and unspoiled regions of Iceland, lies Tjöruhúsið. There is no menu here and the chefs cook everything from scratch with local ingredients and seafood caught fresh in the local waters. Expect to dine on wolffish, cod, halibut, bacalao, redfish, and spotted catfish accompanied by live music in the evening and jaw-dropping views of the fjord.