Guidebook for Reykjavík
Food Scene
Just around the corner in Odinsgata you have Sjávargrillið which is one of the trendy restaurants in Reykjavik (the head chef was Iceland’s 2010 chef of the year), but it’s menu is still pretty approachable: the primary theme of Sjávargrillið is “Icelandic Seafood”, with a nice variety of fresh and smoked seafood dishes, but they also offer several “Feasts”, including their “Grill Party” (basically a chef’s choice multi-course special), a lobster feast, and a “Taste of Iceland” feast (puffin, shag, and minke whale).
119 Einheimische empfehlen
Sjávargrillið
14 Skólavörðustígur Just around the corner in Odinsgata you have Sjávargrillið which is one of the trendy restaurants in Reykjavik (the head chef was Iceland’s 2010 chef of the year), but it’s menu is still pretty approachable: the primary theme of Sjávargrillið is “Icelandic Seafood”, with a nice variety of fresh and smoked seafood dishes, but they also offer several “Feasts”, including their “Grill Party” (basically a chef’s choice multi-course special), a lobster feast, and a “Taste of Iceland” feast (puffin, shag, and minke whale).
Te & Kaffi
11 SkólavörðustígurBrauð & Co.
16 FrakkastígurThe best bakery in Reykjavík
Small and cute vegetarian restaurant, one dish of the day and soup available. Can get a half or full. Ideal for lunch
26 Einheimische empfehlen
Garðurinn
37 KlapparstígurSmall and cute vegetarian restaurant, one dish of the day and soup available. Can get a half or full. Ideal for lunch
This is the perfect brunch place, but you can also have a delicious lasagna
71 Einheimische empfehlen
Bergsson Mathús
3 TemplarasundThis is the perfect brunch place, but you can also have a delicious lasagna
Austur-Indíafélagið
56 HverfisgataIf you want Indian this is the place
Fiskmarkaðurinn
Highly recommend this place
Snaps is very lively restaurant especially at weekends - great food as well and close to my apartment
288 Einheimische empfehlen
Snaps Bistro
1 ÞórsgataSnaps is very lively restaurant especially at weekends - great food as well and close to my apartment
Hannesarholt is located in one of the most beautiful houses in the Þingholtin the old down-town area.
The house is one of the oldest stone buildings in Reykjavík, built in 1915 following the great Reykjavík fire of 1915. The house was built by Hannes Hafstein, who was a celebrated poet, Member of Parliament and one of the heroes of the Icelandic struggle for independence.
It serves a great breakfast and lunch menues and concerts and musical performances at night. The food is both simple and honest, made with fresh ingredients. You should stop by for a breakfast of Icelandic skyr with homemade muesli or lunch for traditional Icelandic fish stew. If you are walking around down-town looking fo
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Hannesarholt
10 GrundarstígurHannesarholt is located in one of the most beautiful houses in the Þingholtin the old down-town area.
The house is one of the oldest stone buildings in Reykjavík, built in 1915 following the great Reykjavík fire of 1915. The house was built by Hannes Hafstein, who was a celebrated poet, Member of Parliament and one of the heroes of the Icelandic struggle for independence.
It serves a great breakfast and lunch menues and concerts and musical performances at night. The food is both simple and honest, made with fresh ingredients. You should stop by for a breakfast of Icelandic skyr with homemade muesli or lunch for traditional Icelandic fish stew. If you are walking around down-town looking fo
Floran is located in the Reykjavík Botanical Garden in the Laugardalur valley. Café Flóran is a beautiful small café with a excellent brunch and lunch menu, inside and outside seating, which is lovely when the weather is nice. - Recommend only for summertime
66 Einheimische empfehlen
Flóran Garden Bistro
GrasagarðinumFloran is located in the Reykjavík Botanical Garden in the Laugardalur valley. Café Flóran is a beautiful small café with a excellent brunch and lunch menu, inside and outside seating, which is lovely when the weather is nice. - Recommend only for summertime
If you want to try Reykjavik's famously fresh seafood, Kol and its standalone Fish Menu is a good place to begin. Also notice the art work an the wall one of my friend painted the wall
103 Einheimische empfehlen
Kol Restaurant
40 SkólavörðustígurIf you want to try Reykjavik's famously fresh seafood, Kol and its standalone Fish Menu is a good place to begin. Also notice the art work an the wall one of my friend painted the wall
Reykjavik Roasters is a roastery and a coffeeshop. Their coffee is excellent, highly recommended. Probably the best coffee in Reykjavik!
245 Einheimische empfehlen
Reykjavik Roasters
1 KárastígurReykjavik Roasters is a roastery and a coffeeshop. Their coffee is excellent, highly recommended. Probably the best coffee in Reykjavik!
Secret spa and a restaurant combined. I recommend you start with the spa and then have a dinner in Isafold restaurant. Perfect for romance.
Ísafold Restaurant
5, 101 ÞingholtsstrætiSecret spa and a restaurant combined. I recommend you start with the spa and then have a dinner in Isafold restaurant. Perfect for romance.
Gastropub where you can have a delicious grilled hamburger
65 Einheimische empfehlen
Sæta Svínið Gastropub
HafnarstrætiGastropub where you can have a delicious grilled hamburger
Sightseeing
Hallgrímskirkja
Grótta is the site of a nice lighthouse and sits at the westernmost end of Reykjavik city. This place is very easy and cheap to get to. From downtown Reykjavik it is very possible to walk to Grotta by the shoreline. This will take 40 to 50 minutes at a leisurely pace. Easier still is hop on board bus number 11 from downtown and get off at Lindargotu road. From there a five minute walk and you are done. I recommend a walk and since Grotta is not an island in the normal sense you can often walk right over on a small sandy bank.
Be aware the islet is closed off for all traffic in June while birds are nesting but at other times, tide permitting, one should have good access. A tide information
138 Einheimische empfehlen
Grótta Island Lighthouse
Grótta is the site of a nice lighthouse and sits at the westernmost end of Reykjavik city. This place is very easy and cheap to get to. From downtown Reykjavik it is very possible to walk to Grotta by the shoreline. This will take 40 to 50 minutes at a leisurely pace. Easier still is hop on board bus number 11 from downtown and get off at Lindargotu road. From there a five minute walk and you are done. I recommend a walk and since Grotta is not an island in the normal sense you can often walk right over on a small sandy bank.
Be aware the islet is closed off for all traffic in June while birds are nesting but at other times, tide permitting, one should have good access. A tide information
Shopping
Skólavörðustígur
SkólavörðustígurGeysir
16 SkólavörðustígurPenninn Eymundsson Skólavörðustíg
11 Skólavörðustígur Bookstore with a café inside
A bizarre market if there ever was one, Kolaportið has it all; antiques, toys, clothes, food, candy and much, much more. This market is located by the famous Old Harbor in Reykjavik. It is open during the weekends, and it is very entertaining to search through the mountains of objects and find a unique treasure.
183 Einheimische empfehlen
Kolaportid
A bizarre market if there ever was one, Kolaportið has it all; antiques, toys, clothes, food, candy and much, much more. This market is located by the famous Old Harbor in Reykjavik. It is open during the weekends, and it is very entertaining to search through the mountains of objects and find a unique treasure.
Essentials
Bónus
Cheap supermarket
Drinks & Nightlife
Crowned the ‘Best Place To Start The Night’ by the Reykjavik Grapevine, Kaldi Bar is a small bar with a welcoming atmosphere, where visitors can try one of the many Iceland-brewed Kaldi beers and chat comfortably with their friends before heading off to another of the exciting bars on this list. They have created their own line of beers less laden with additives than the more renowned, international varieties.
262 Einheimische empfehlen
Kaldi Bar
20a LaugavegurCrowned the ‘Best Place To Start The Night’ by the Reykjavik Grapevine, Kaldi Bar is a small bar with a welcoming atmosphere, where visitors can try one of the many Iceland-brewed Kaldi beers and chat comfortably with their friends before heading off to another of the exciting bars on this list. They have created their own line of beers less laden with additives than the more renowned, international varieties.
ROK
26a FrakkastígurKex Hostel Reykjavik
28 SkúlagataVery raw but nice aatmosphere and often live music
If you like beer this is the place to go. There is always a live music on sunday evenings
100 Einheimische empfehlen
Bryggjan Brugghús
8 GrandagarðurIf you like beer this is the place to go. There is always a live music on sunday evenings
This is the perfect place to sit outdoor on the roof of Gamla Bio to have a glass of white wine during summer with amazing wiew. Bistro menu
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Gamla Bíó
2a IngólfsstrætiThis is the perfect place to sit outdoor on the roof of Gamla Bio to have a glass of white wine during summer with amazing wiew. Bistro menu
Is situated in one of the city’s best cultural hotels, the Reykjavik Hotel Marina. If you want a tasty cocktail this is the place
136 Einheimische empfehlen
Slippbarinn
2 MýrargataIs situated in one of the city’s best cultural hotels, the Reykjavik Hotel Marina. If you want a tasty cocktail this is the place
Sport bar with live music almost every night. Great place for pint of beer.
49 Einheimische empfehlen
The English Pub
12 AusturstrætiSport bar with live music almost every night. Great place for pint of beer.
Getting Around
Air Iceland Connect
Domestic flights
Hlemmur Square
Busstation
Arts & Culture
Isländisches Phallusmuseum
2 Kalkofnsvegurinteresting ;)
Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús
17 TryggvagataWhales of Iceland
Amazing Museum ideal for families
MUST SEE
I recommend that you go inside. This building is designed by Olafur Eliasson artist. You can have coffee or plan a dinner
535 Einheimische empfehlen
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
2 AusturbakkiMUST SEE
I recommend that you go inside. This building is designed by Olafur Eliasson artist. You can have coffee or plan a dinner