Guidebook for Reykjavík
Food Scene
A cozy and authentic café in a beautiful old house. A great place to read books or chat with a friend over a glass of red wine (or hot chocolate with whipped cream!)
47 locals recommend
Stofan Café
A cozy and authentic café in a beautiful old house. A great place to read books or chat with a friend over a glass of red wine (or hot chocolate with whipped cream!)
Fiskmarkaðurinn
Excellent fish restaurant.
Best Italian restaurant in town, on Harpa Concert House's 4th floor, overlooking Reykjavík harbour.
12 locals recommend
Kolabrautin Ristorante
2 AusturbakkiBest Italian restaurant in town, on Harpa Concert House's 4th floor, overlooking Reykjavík harbour.
Has been chosen best brunch/lunch in town. I tend to agree with that.
182 locals recommend
The Coocoo's Nest
23 GrandagarðurHas been chosen best brunch/lunch in town. I tend to agree with that.
Famously delicious (and cheap) lobster soup is served in this small and popular restaurant, as well as all sorts of fish dishes (and whale meat for the curious).
104 locals recommend
Sægreifinn
Famously delicious (and cheap) lobster soup is served in this small and popular restaurant, as well as all sorts of fish dishes (and whale meat for the curious).
Excellent locally-caught fish served in a pan (and at a decent price too).
78 locals recommend
Messinn
Excellent locally-caught fish served in a pan (and at a decent price too).
Both a café and restaurant, Kaffihús Vesturbæjar (or Kaffi Vest as locals call it) is a popular little place serving good coffee and meals (and a delicious brunch on weekends). Right across from the café is the brilliant Vesturbæjarlaug Swimming Pool.
218 locals recommend
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
20 MelhagiBoth a café and restaurant, Kaffihús Vesturbæjar (or Kaffi Vest as locals call it) is a popular little place serving good coffee and meals (and a delicious brunch on weekends). Right across from the café is the brilliant Vesturbæjarlaug Swimming Pool.
Valdís
GrandagarðurBest Ice-cream shop in town, everything made on premises.
A popular french bistro with buzzing atmosphere. Excellent steaks and confit du canard at reasonable prices. Also recommended are the oysters and downstairs cocktail bar.
288 locals recommend
Snaps Bistro
1 ÞórsgataA popular french bistro with buzzing atmosphere. Excellent steaks and confit du canard at reasonable prices. Also recommended are the oysters and downstairs cocktail bar.
Top vegetarian restaurant serving delicious dishes which come with 3 salads of your choice.
161 locals recommend
Gló
Top vegetarian restaurant serving delicious dishes which come with 3 salads of your choice.
Kaffifélagið
10 SkólavörðustígurGREAT Italian espresso bar, authentic and original.
Eldsmiðjan
81 LaugavegurSuperb pizza place.
If the Michelin guide would include Iceland in their listings, this place would most probably be listed as No 1 in the country. But you need to book a table with some notice - sometimes some weeks in advance.
103 locals recommend
Dill Restaurant
If the Michelin guide would include Iceland in their listings, this place would most probably be listed as No 1 in the country. But you need to book a table with some notice - sometimes some weeks in advance.
Excellent fish dishes and lunch/Brunch in Reykjavík's Nordic House, famous for its unique architecture.
12 locals recommend
AALTO Bistro
11 SæmundargataExcellent fish dishes and lunch/Brunch in Reykjavík's Nordic House, famous for its unique architecture.
Shopping
Búrið
35 GrandagarðurDelicious gourmet shop.
Arts & Culture
Harpa Concert House opened in 2011 and is among the world's greatest concert houses. It is also something of an architectural gem with it's famous, prize-winning glass exterior.
535 locals recommend
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
2 AusturbakkiHarpa Concert House opened in 2011 and is among the world's greatest concert houses. It is also something of an architectural gem with it's famous, prize-winning glass exterior.
Reykjavík's modern art museum, very close by our house.
350 locals recommend
Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus
17 TryggvagataReykjavík's modern art museum, very close by our house.
i8 Gallery
16 TryggvagataReykjavík's leading contemporary art gallery.
Reykjavík art museum dedicated to and named after Kjarval, the Icelandic painter. The museum also puts on different exhibitions featuring art from 19th century and into modern times.
276 locals recommend
Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir
24 FlókagataReykjavík art museum dedicated to and named after Kjarval, the Icelandic painter. The museum also puts on different exhibitions featuring art from 19th century and into modern times.
Essentials
Bónus
Cheap but good grocery store nearby our house.
24/7 grocery store, with great selection of organic food. And quite vegan friendly! Affordable and nice.
96 locals recommend
Nettó
3 Fiskislóð24/7 grocery store, with great selection of organic food. And quite vegan friendly! Affordable and nice.
The Laundromat Cafe
9 AusturstrætiA nice laundromat/restaurant.
Landsbankinn
11 AusturstrætiThe downtown branch for Iceland's national bank.
Sundlaug Seltjarnarness
8 HrólfsskálavörBrilliant swimming pool and gym.
Drinks & Nightlife
Kaffibarinn
Reykjavík's No 1 hipster bar.
Excellent happy hour cocktails and wine/beer, very nearby our house.
142 locals recommend
Forettabarinn
14 NýlendugataExcellent happy hour cocktails and wine/beer, very nearby our house.
Kaldi Bar
20a LaugavegurExcellent selection of Icelandic beer.
Arguably the finest selection of beer you will find in Reykjavík. A bit pricey but worth it.
99 locals recommend
Skúli Craft bar
9, 101 AðalstrætiArguably the finest selection of beer you will find in Reykjavík. A bit pricey but worth it.
A great pub with a fancy selection of beer. Also in the same house is one of the best pizzerias in town, with some adventurous/artistic combinations of toppings available.
43 locals recommend
Mikkeller & Friends
12 HverfisgataA great pub with a fancy selection of beer. Also in the same house is one of the best pizzerias in town, with some adventurous/artistic combinations of toppings available.
Getting Around
Reykjavík's coach terminal (for long distance trips and the airport).
120 locals recommend
BSI Coach Terminal
Reykjavík's coach terminal (for long distance trips and the airport).
Parks & Nature
Reykjavík's city pond is a must. Make sure not to miss the legendary sculpture 'Memorial to the Unknown Bureaucrat' by artist Magnús Tómasson.
140 locals recommend
Tjörnin
Reykjavík's city pond is a must. Make sure not to miss the legendary sculpture 'Memorial to the Unknown Bureaucrat' by artist Magnús Tómasson.
Wonderful place to visit is Grótta lighthouse and its inspiring surroundings. It's only a 5 min drive from hour house but when there, it feels like you're not in Reykjavík anymore.
118 locals recommend
Grótta
8 SuðurströndWonderful place to visit is Grótta lighthouse and its inspiring surroundings. It's only a 5 min drive from hour house but when there, it feels like you're not in Reykjavík anymore.
Reykjavík's botanical gardens are a very nice place to take a walk. Also recommended is Café Flóra, a little café in the garden.
165 locals recommend
Grasagardur Botanical Garden
105 HverfisgataReykjavík's botanical gardens are a very nice place to take a walk. Also recommended is Café Flóra, a little café in the garden.
OK, it's quite cold to swim in the Atlantic ocean but many Icelanders still do! In all sorts of weather. However, there is also a part of the beach that is warmed up for those of us who are not wishing to freeze to death. And there is a very nice hot sitting pool as well. Showers and changing rooms available.
434 locals recommend
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
OK, it's quite cold to swim in the Atlantic ocean but many Icelanders still do! In all sorts of weather. However, there is also a part of the beach that is warmed up for those of us who are not wishing to freeze to death. And there is a very nice hot sitting pool as well. Showers and changing rooms available.