REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
LAVA RESTAURANT
After a long day of relaxation in one of the 25 wonders of world, the Blue Lagoon, what better way to cap it off than going to a fantastic place for dinner without having to leave the facility?! The Lava Restaurant is located within the Blue Lagoon itself. A reservation comes with the purchase of a premium and above ticket. You will be greeted and served by an extremely friendly staff and have a beautiful view of the Lagoon. A complimentary glass of Champagne is included with lunch/dinner.
Link to website: https://www.bluelagoon.com/restaurant/lava
PUBLIC HOUSE GASTROPUB
Looking for some asian fusion food in Iceland but you don't want to eat too much? Public House Gastropub is the place for you! This modern and vibrant space offers some of the countries best asian fusion tapas, including spicy octopus and pork belly bao buns. They have an array of terrific drinks to pair with the tasty tapas, one of which the servers light on fire upon being served! Yes you heard that right! You have my word a disappointing time wont exist after a night at the Gastropub.
Link to website: https://www.publichouse.is/
KRÖST
Kröst is a seafood joint inside of the Hlemmur Mathöll food hall. The hall has a number of diverse food vendors which culminate into a wonderful mix of cuisines. Kröst has a marble countertop bar with comfy seats. I ordered the fresh cod which was caught the morning of. The staff is really accommodating and down to earth. We had a conversation with one of the waiters for about 20 minutes just learning where he was from and likewise.
Link to website: https://krost.is/
ÍSLENSKI BARINN
Íslenski Barinn serves Icelandic classics in the pristine downtown of Reykjavik. I went my first day there and immediately felt immersed in the local culture. The locals were all congregated together to watch the Danish soccer team play. They were all enjoying each other's company and had some drinks. I ordered the reindeer burger and seafood chowder with bread on the side. It was an amazing meal. The staff were all so friendly and they were happy to see foreigners trying some of their best food.
Link to website: https://islenskibarinn.is/
SÆGREIFINN
Sægreifinn borders the harbor in the capital city and serves some fresh seafood for hungry locals and tourists. I ordered the shrimp skewers and a warm, hardy bowl of lobster bisque to cap off a two hour whale watching trip. After being in the brisk, cool air for an extensive amount of time, going here was a great move. They have indoor and outdoor seating. I recommend possibly getting a reservation as the line can be out of the door sometimes.
Link to website: https://www.saegreifinn.is/
RAMEN MOMO
Ramen in Iceland? Ramen Momo is the first ramen restaurant in the whole country. They serve up some really flavorful options including a tofu and pork belly ramen. You can view the process over the counter as the staff makes every bowl with love and detail. I ordered the pork belly with a side dish of spicy kimchi. The place itself isn't large and there's only a few spaces at the "L" shaped bar. However, it's such a popular spot and for good reason. If you're visiting the Sun Voyager along the harbor, I recommend walking over a few minutes to Ramen Momo!
Link to website: https://ramenmomo.is/
ELDUR OG ÍS
The main street of Reykjavik which faces the Cathedral contains a countless amount of culinary gems. Eldur Og Ís is known for their homemade crepes and ice cream. The wait is well worth as they offer so many delicious flavors. The best way to experience your time there is to order a crepe with ice cream on the inside. The combination of a fresh, warm crepe and the cold ice cream makes for such a satisfying taste. Link to website: https://www.facebook.com/eldurogis/
SANDHOLT
Sandholt serves a fantastic brunch. The space is inviting and has a unique setup. When. you walk in there is a section where you can order freshly baked pastries and bread. The dining room is full of modernized art. If you're not feeling the indoor dining experience, they created a lovely space out in their courtyard. The food consists of salads and savory sandwiches. I ordered some tea and received a whole pot of it. I also ordered a pulled pork sandwich which surprisingly went really well with the tea.
Link to website: https://sandholt.is/
HARRY'S SEAFOOD AND GRILL
Upscale dining in Reykjavik? Harry's is a local favorite and known for their fresh seafood. On either side of the restaurant, there are unbelievable pictures of the Icelandic terrain. When I went here I ordered the salmon with sweet potato, onions and broccoli. For the appetizer I decided to try the egg rolls which were out of this world. If you want a nice date night, you should make time in your schedule for Harry's.
Link to website: https://www.facebook.com/harrysreykjavik/
SKÚBB ÍSGERD
If you have a sweet tooth please keep on reading. Just outside of downtown Reykjavik Skúbb serves some outstanding ice cream. You can grab a cup or cone and sit outside by the picnic tables and just enjoy your surroundings. Try the black licorice flavor, it's kind of unorthodox in comparison to traditional flavors but it is actually one of my favorites now!
Link to website: https://skubb.is/en
CAFE LOKÍ
Cafe Lokí is just outside of the most famous cathedral in the country of Iceland. Their menu is limited but often times that means the food has better quality. They're famous for their herring and scrambled eggs on gluten free bread. After your eat these two delicious combinations, cleanse your palette with their unique rye bread ice cream with caramel sauce and whipped cream on top. I recommend eating on the top floor where you can get unobstructed views of the main circle in the downtown.
Link to website: https://loki.is/
