Reykjavik Food Guide: What to Eat and Where to Order

Local tip

1. **Pylsa ordering:** Order "ein með öllu" (one with everything) for the authentic experience. 2. **Lunch culture:** Restaurants are very expensive. Gas-station grills and bakery soup-of-the-day combos are how locals actually eat lunch. 3. **Coffee:** Icelanders take their coffee very seriously; find high-quality roasts at local independent cafes. 4. **Freshness:** Because of the volcanic soil and clean water, the dairy and lamb are exceptionally clean and flavorful.

Best Pylsa (Hot Dog) in Reykjavik

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Pylsuhúsið

IngólfstorgA small shop rather than a stand, located on the busy Ingólfstorg square. Great for a quick bite while sitting on the square's benches.

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Íslenski Barinn

DowntownA cozy pub that offers a slightly more "gourmet" take on the hot dog, served on a plate in a traditional sit-down setting. Great for trying it with a local IPA.

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Grandakaffi

GrandiAn old-school harbor cafe where you can get a hot dog alongside more substantial fish dishes. It has a great local, salty-air atmosphere.

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Orkan Bústaðavegur

BústaðavegurA great spot for a quick, cheap hot dog before or after visiting the Perlan museum and observation deck.

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Krónan

GrandiThe supermarket deli counter here serves hot dogs that are among the cheapest in the city.

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Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

HarborThe most famous hot dog stand in the world. It has been serving its lamb-based dogs since 1937. The queue is long but moves fast. Order "one with everything."

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Pylsuvagninn á Lækjartorgi

City CenterA classic green hot dog wagon that has been a fixture of the city center for decades. It offers a slightly different, more "old school" vibe than the Bæjarins chain.

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Pylsuvagninn

BSÍLocated inside the main bus terminal, this stand serves the standard Icelandic dog to travelers arriving or departing for the countryside.

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N1 Hringbraut

VesturbærGas station hot dogs are an Icelandic institution. N1 serves high-quality dogs with the full array of toppings in a bright, clean convenience store setting.

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Reykjavík Street Food

TryggvagataA casual, indoor street food spot that serves a great version of the Icelandic hot dog alongside other local staples. Perfect for when you want to sit down but keep it cheap.

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Icelandic Street Food

LaugavegurWhile famous for its soup in bread bowls, they also serve a solid Icelandic hot dog as a quick snack for shoppers.

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Olís Álfheimar

GlæsibærOlís is N1's main competitor. Their hot dog combo deals are a staple of Icelandic road culture.

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Kaffi Lækur

LaugarnesA cozy neighborhood cafe that sometimes features a "fancy" hot dog on its rotating menu. Very local vibe.

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Bullan

Old HarbourWhile primarily a burger joint, Tommi's often has a hot dog option. The vibe is classic 80s diner.

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Hlemmur Mathöll

HlemmurThe classic Pylsuvagninn has a presence here, offering a slightly more "boutique" feel in the trendy food hall environment.

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Vitabar

DowntownA dark, local neighborhood pub that serves a very honest and cheap hot dog as part of its classic bar menu.

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Bæjarins Beztu

KEFThe perfect final stop before leaving the country.

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Best Plokkfiskur in Reykjavik

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Sægreifinn

Old HarbourWhile famous for lobster soup, this rustic harbor shack also serves excellent fish dishes. Their plokkfiskur is simple, fresh, and perfectly fits the salty atmosphere.

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Hagkaup Deli

SkeifanTheir hot food counter is a reliable place to find plokkfiskur during lunch hours. Great for a quick and very cheap local meal.

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Bónus

DowntownFor travelers with a kitchen, buying a chilled pack of plokkfiskur here is the absolute cheapest way to eat this dish.

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Reykjavik Fish Restaurant

Old HarbourA reliable, casual restaurant focusing on fresh Icelandic fish. Their plokkfiskur is generous and consistently good.

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101 Reykjavík Street Food

SkólavörðustígurA small, casual spot that specializes in traditional Icelandic "home cooking" style dishes at street-food prices. Their plokkfiskur is creamy, satisfying, and very authentic.

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IKEA Garðabær

GarðabærA local secret for budget dining. The IKEA cafeteria serves a very respectable plokkfiskur at a fraction of downtown prices. It's where many locals go for a cheap family lunch.

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Café Loki

LokastígurA quintessential stop for traditional Icelandic food. Their "Loki's Plokkfiskur" is a menu highlight, served with their famous homemade rye bread and butter.

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Messinn

LækjargataMessinn is famous for its "fish pans," and their plokkfiskur is served in the same style—hot, bubbling, and incredibly rich. One of the best sit-down versions in the city.

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Þrír Frakkar

VesturbærA legendary institution that has been serving authentic Icelandic cuisine for decades. Their plokkfiskur is a refined, classic version that remains true to its roots.

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Matur og Drykkur

GrandiThey take traditional recipes and elevate them with modern techniques. Their plokkfiskur is often part of a tasting menu and is a revelation in texture and flavor.

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Grandi Mathöll

GrandiVarious stalls in this trendy food hall offer local specialties. Look for the traditional Icelandic stall for a quick and fresh plokkfiskur bowl.

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Old Iceland

LaugavegurA warm, inviting restaurant that takes great pride in Icelandic ingredients. Their plokkfiskur is a sophisticated version of the home classic.

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Sjávargrillið

SkólavörðustígurAn upscale seafood restaurant where the plokkfiskur is treated with the same respect as their lobster and scallops.

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Krónan Deli

GrandiThe deli counter here often has "ready-to-eat" traditional Icelandic meals including fish stew. It’s the cheapest way to eat it in the harbor area.

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University of Iceland Canteen

VesturbærThe university canteens (Háma) often serve plokkfiskur as their traditional "dish of the day." It is open to the public and offers excellent value.

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Kaffivagninn

GrandiA historic harbor cafe with a no-nonsense atmosphere. Their plokkfiskur is a staple of their traditional lunch menu, popular with both fishermen and tourists.

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Best Kjötsúpa in Reykjavik

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Svarta Kaffið

LaugavegurA cozy, dimly lit upstairs cafe that specialized in bread bowl soups before it was trendy. One choice is always a meat soup, usually a high-quality lamb version.

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Old Iceland Restaurant

LaugavegurThey focus on Icelandic ingredients and herbs. Their lamb soup is a more sophisticated version than the street food variety.

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BakaBaka

BankastrætiWhile primarily a bakery and pizzeria, they often have a high-quality "soup of the day" which is frequently a rich lamb broth.

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Reykjavik Kitchen

RauðarárstígurA family-run restaurant that focuses on high-quality Icelandic ingredients. Their lamb soup is a standout appetizer.

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Best Hangikjöt in Reykjavik

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N1 Gas Station

HringbrautGas station sandwiches in Iceland are high-quality. The hangikjöt flatbread is the most quintessential Icelandic road-trip meal.

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Sandholt

LaugavegurA top-tier bakery that elevates the humble hangikjöt sandwich. Perfect for a slightly more "gourmet" version of this local staple.

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Olís Gas Station

ÁlfheimarA reliable spot for a quick hangikjöt snack while traveling between neighborhoods or heading out of the city.

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Brauð & Co.

FrakkastígurWhile famous for sweets, their savory sandwiches often include traditional smoked lamb. The quality of the bread makes it a standout.

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Bónus Supermarket

LaugavegurThe absolute cheapest way to try hangikjöt. Buy a pack of pre-sliced smoked lamb and a pack of flatkaka (flatbread) for a DIY local picnic.

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Kolaportið Flea Market

Old HarbourThe food section of the weekend market is where you can buy traditional hangikjöt directly from producers. Often they have small samples to try.

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Kaffi Ó-le

DowntownA modern cafe that sometimes features a "traditional twist" on their food menu, including high-quality hangikjöt on flatbread.

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BSÍ Bus Terminal

BSÍFamous for serving sheep's head, this terminal cafeteria also does a very traditional and cheap hangikjöt platter for travelers.

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Krónan Supermarket

GrandagarðurLike Bónus, Krónan is where locals buy their hangikjöt. Check the deli section for freshly made sandwiches on flatbread.

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Best Harðfiskur in Reykjavik

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Hagkaup

SkeifanOne of the largest selections of harðfiskur in the city. You can find everything from small snack packs to large family-sized bags.

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Best Hákarl in Reykjavik

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Bjórgarðurinn

FosshótelA great place to try hákarl as a bar snack. The ammonia flavor is a unique pairing with some of the more intense craft beers on tap.

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Grillmarkaðurinn

DowntownWhile mostly focused on grilled meats, their Icelandic tasting platters almost always include a small portion of premium hákarl.

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Fiskfélagið

DowntownThey often feature hákarl in their multi-course tasting menus, prepared in a way that respects the tradition but fits a fine-dining setting.

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Slippbarinn

Old HarbourThey often have hákarl on their bar menu. It's a fun challenge to do with a group of friends while enjoying their excellent cocktails.

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Kopar

Old HarbourThey offer a high-quality hákarl experience with a great view of the harbor where the sharks were traditionally brought in.

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Best Rúgbrauð in Reykjavik

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Lauga-ás

LaugardalurA very local restaurant that prides itself on traditional recipes. Their rúgbrauð is as authentic as it gets.

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Reykjavik

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Eat Hangikjöt at Sandholt

Eat Hákarl at Grillmarkaðurinn

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