One of my favorite parts about traveling is getting to try new-to-me restaurants, cafés, and street food. Here, I share a few of my favorite places to eat dinner at in Reykjavík. Originally, this post only talked about where I ate dinner at on my first visit to Iceland. I’ve updated this post to reflect some of my favorite dinner spots I’ve ate at over my multiple trips to Reykjavík.
Íslenski Barinn
Íslenski Barinn (The Icelandic Bar) is a casual pub-like spot that offers extreme coziness, good food, and a large bar menu.
This is where we go when we’re in the mood for burgers, fries, and beer. Does that sound underwhelming to you? Hear me out. These aren’t your everyday burgers. From their vegan burger to their reindeer burger, Íslenski Barinn’s offerings are anything but boring. If burgers aren’t your thing, have no fear. Their menu is extensive. Perhaps you want to try their Icelandic Lobster “dog”, which is deep fried langoustine in a hotdog bun, topped with bell pepper jam, lettuce, and garlic mayo. Seriously, their menu will likely have something that piques your interest. *Updated* We’ve now gone to Íslenki Barinn multiple times, and we continue to enjoy the cozy ambiance of the eatery as well as the yummy food.
The Fish Company
One of my absolute favorite places to eat dinner at in Reykjavïk is The Fish Company (Fiskfélagið), and oh my goodness I love everything about this place. I’ve written about our Engagement Dinner there as well as the New Year’s Eve Dinner we had there. The dinners were during different trips and seasons (a great test in the consistency of the food and service), and we had a perfect experience each time. The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable, and the ambiance was so cozy and comfortable. For me, eating dinner at The Fish Company when in Reykjavík is a must-do.
boiled fish soup with langoustine, coconut jelly, and Icelandic seaweed
fried salted cod and tiger prawns with Asian potato salad, lime wasabi granita, bok choi, and lobster dashi
slow-cooked Haddock with roasted pear purée and fried broccolini, havgus and mussel sauce, pickled grapes, fresh pears, and dill oil
amuse bouche of charred salmon, mango, and red onion
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
If you are looking for a quick bite that is unbelievably delicious but is also economical, head to the walk-up hotdog spot, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. I wish I had a photo of these hotdogs, but I always get way too excited when I get them, and I end up eating them before remembering to take a photo. So, what makes these hotdogs so special? They are lamb-based and topped with fried onions, raw onions, remoulade, ketchup, and mustard. (Although, you can get them with as little or as many condiments as you’d like.) These dogs are truly such satisfying meals after a day or night (they close at 4:30 a.m. on Saturdays!) of fun. In fact, the first time I ever ate one of these dogs was after we spotted the Northern Lights one night at Thingvellir National Park. After we got back to our apartment around midnight, we walked from our apartment at Black Pearl to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur to grab a couple of hotdogs. It was quite the perfect night.
Get in Touch
If you’re interested in reviews of other restaurants I dined at while in Reykjavík, you can check out my post on great breakfast spots in Reykjavík. Have questions, feel free to email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com.
Emily Keen Photography 