Guidebook for Reykjavík
Food Scene
“the best in Town” The World famous Icelandic hot dogs. These are a must try.
191 locals recommend
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
1 Tryggvagata“the best in Town” The World famous Icelandic hot dogs. These are a must try.
The best Pizza in town. You can either eat there or have the pizza delivered home Tel.: +354 562 3838
95 locals recommend
Eldsmiðjan
81 LaugavegurThe best Pizza in town. You can either eat there or have the pizza delivered home Tel.: +354 562 3838
Búllan (the Burger Joint) – Latest trend in Icelandic Burgers. Made famous by David Beckham. 2 minutes walking distance.
Bullan
5 BankastrætiBúllan (the Burger Joint) – Latest trend in Icelandic Burgers. Made famous by David Beckham. 2 minutes walking distance.
A fusion of Japanese and South-American cuisine, be sure to check out Sushi Samba. Hipster decorations, entrance filled with flower pots, handmade dolls from the Amazon hanging down from the ceiling, lights within birdcages. This is where you go to have an exciting Icelandic sushi experience.
143 locals recommend
Sushi Social
5 ÞingholtsstrætiA fusion of Japanese and South-American cuisine, be sure to check out Sushi Samba. Hipster decorations, entrance filled with flower pots, handmade dolls from the Amazon hanging down from the ceiling, lights within birdcages. This is where you go to have an exciting Icelandic sushi experience.
Tapasbarinn has been running for the past 13 years and is always as popular. The food is obviously Spanish and the décor is matching: Spanish cellar, whitewashed walls, dark wood, colorful tiles on floor, stained glass lanterns, large chunks of hanging meats and Latin music.
83 locals recommend
Tapas barinn
3b VesturgataTapasbarinn has been running for the past 13 years and is always as popular. The food is obviously Spanish and the décor is matching: Spanish cellar, whitewashed walls, dark wood, colorful tiles on floor, stained glass lanterns, large chunks of hanging meats and Latin music.
Sjávargrillið feels like you’re inside a homely alpine cabin with a fine dining luxury twist. The restaurant has an Icelandic design with its thick driftwood logs, old wooden skis on the walls, old hobs, pots, pans, wooden wine racks and candles lighting up beautiful but simple glass jars. On the outside veranda there are wooden benches and fairy lights in the trees. A hipster touch is the bow-ties on the green, velvet sofa.
119 locals recommend
Sjávargrillið
14 SkólavörðustígurSjávargrillið feels like you’re inside a homely alpine cabin with a fine dining luxury twist. The restaurant has an Icelandic design with its thick driftwood logs, old wooden skis on the walls, old hobs, pots, pans, wooden wine racks and candles lighting up beautiful but simple glass jars. On the outside veranda there are wooden benches and fairy lights in the trees. A hipster touch is the bow-ties on the green, velvet sofa.
Snaps is the ‘it’ place in Reykjavík at the moment. There have been various restaurants in the same location previously but Snaps is the only one that has ever become popular. The restaurant has only been around for 1 year and in that time they’ve changed their menu three times.
The menu is a mix of French, Danish and Icelandic cuisine and is rather small. The ingredients are Icelandic but the dishes are French (such as bouillabaisse) and you also have the option of ordering Danish smörrebröd.
288 locals recommend
Snaps Bistro
1 ÞórsgataSnaps is the ‘it’ place in Reykjavík at the moment. There have been various restaurants in the same location previously but Snaps is the only one that has ever become popular. The restaurant has only been around for 1 year and in that time they’ve changed their menu three times.
The menu is a mix of French, Danish and Icelandic cuisine and is rather small. The ingredients are Icelandic but the dishes are French (such as bouillabaisse) and you also have the option of ordering Danish smörrebröd.
Opened in summer 2011 it has earned its place as one of the most popular restaurants in Reykjavík, both among locals and visitors. Tucked behind shops right in the middle of downtown Reykjavík but unseen from the bustling Austurstræti, the second you walk in you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a hidden secret. The décor is made up of natural elements such as lava, fishscales, column basalt and wood and feels somewhat raw but highly sophisticated at the same time.
336 locals recommend
Grillmarkaðurinn
Opened in summer 2011 it has earned its place as one of the most popular restaurants in Reykjavík, both among locals and visitors. Tucked behind shops right in the middle of downtown Reykjavík but unseen from the bustling Austurstræti, the second you walk in you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a hidden secret. The décor is made up of natural elements such as lava, fishscales, column basalt and wood and feels somewhat raw but highly sophisticated at the same time.
Drinks & Nightlife
Kex Hostel Reykjavik
28 SkúlagataShopping
The main shopping street in Reykjavik, located in the city center, 10 minutes’ walk.
Laugavegur starts from Bankastraeti in the west and joins Kringlumyrarbraut in the east. Shops, cafés, bars, clubs, hotels, and service companies can be found there as well as residential apartments.
Plenty of old houses with interesting history can be found on Laugavegur.
328 locals recommend
Laugavegur
LaugavegurThe main shopping street in Reykjavik, located in the city center, 10 minutes’ walk.
Laugavegur starts from Bankastraeti in the west and joins Kringlumyrarbraut in the east. Shops, cafés, bars, clubs, hotels, and service companies can be found there as well as residential apartments.
Plenty of old houses with interesting history can be found on Laugavegur.
Only 10 min away (in a car). This is one of two “big” shopping malls in Reykjavik. Here you´ll find a variety of shops and restaurants as well as a movie theater.
The Kringlan shuttle is a convenient way to get to Kringlan from the city center. Jump on board and you ́re at Kringlan in minutes for a great day of shopping, food and fun. And it ́s absolutely free!
Departures from Tourist Information Center, adalstraeti 2, every hour between 10 AM and 5 PM.
528 locals recommend
Kringlan
Only 10 min away (in a car). This is one of two “big” shopping malls in Reykjavik. Here you´ll find a variety of shops and restaurants as well as a movie theater.
The Kringlan shuttle is a convenient way to get to Kringlan from the city center. Jump on board and you ́re at Kringlan in minutes for a great day of shopping, food and fun. And it ́s absolutely free!
Departures from Tourist Information Center, adalstraeti 2, every hour between 10 AM and 5 PM.
This is the 2nd of the two “big” shopping malls in Reykjavik, located 15 minutes away (in a car). Same as in Kringlan, here you´ll find a variety of shops and restaurants as well as a movie theater.
314 locals recommend
Smáralind
1 HagasmáriThis is the 2nd of the two “big” shopping malls in Reykjavik, located 15 minutes away (in a car). Same as in Kringlan, here you´ll find a variety of shops and restaurants as well as a movie theater.
Essentials
Only a couple of minute walk around the corner. Here you can shop for the bare necessities. Open all days until 1130 PM
46 locals recommend
Pétursbúð
15 RánargataOnly a couple of minute walk around the corner. Here you can shop for the bare necessities. Open all days until 1130 PM
Bónus, Iceland’s biggest supermarket chain is located close to the water front, only approx. 8 minutes’ walk away (3 min in a car). Here you will be able to do all your grocery shopping. Many say here are the lowest prices offered by a supermarket.
512 locals recommend
Bónus
Bónus, Iceland’s biggest supermarket chain is located close to the water front, only approx. 8 minutes’ walk away (3 min in a car). Here you will be able to do all your grocery shopping. Many say here are the lowest prices offered by a supermarket.
Nettó is located just across the street from Bonus. This one is open 24/7, but the prices are a little higher.
96 locals recommend
Nettó
3 FiskislóðNettó is located just across the street from Bonus. This one is open 24/7, but the prices are a little higher.
Bárugata
BárugataHQ
Entertainment & Activities
The biggest one in Iceland and my preferred one. Big screens and comfortable seats. Only downside is it is located in Reykjaviks suburbs approx 20-25 min drive.
46 locals recommend
Egilshöll
1 FossaleynirThe biggest one in Iceland and my preferred one. Big screens and comfortable seats. Only downside is it is located in Reykjaviks suburbs approx 20-25 min drive.
Sambíóin Kringlunni
4 Kringlanlocated in the Kringlan mall.
Located in the same area as Laugardalslaug is World Class Laugar Spa, Icelands biggest and probaby most popular gym. Here you can do a massive workout and then get spoiled in the Laugar Spa and healthclub. A day pass in the spa will grant you access in the gym and the simming pool
74 locals recommend
World Class
Located in the same area as Laugardalslaug is World Class Laugar Spa, Icelands biggest and probaby most popular gym. Here you can do a massive workout and then get spoiled in the Laugar Spa and healthclub. A day pass in the spa will grant you access in the gym and the simming pool
Vesturbæjarlaug
Hofsvallagata13 minutes walking (4 minutes in a car). In and outdoor
Laugardalslaug
105 SundlaugavegurAbout 10 minutes in a car.
Getting Around
BSI Coach Terminal
The main Bus Terminal in Reykjavik
Hreyfill
26 FellsmúliTaxi
Go Iceland Car Rental
20 FlugvellirEverything Else
Lyf og Heilsa
1, 107 FiskislóðPharmacy - 7 minutes walking distance – open until midnight
Lyfja
Pharmacy - Approx 15 min walking distance
ATM - The closest one is at Islandsbanki (close to Bonus, the supermarket) about 9 minutes walking.
You will also find them downtown as well as in both shopping malls.
Íslandsbanki
10 FiskislóðATM - The closest one is at Islandsbanki (close to Bonus, the supermarket) about 9 minutes walking.
You will also find them downtown as well as in both shopping malls.