Dining out in Reykjavik

Best restaurants guide for Iceland weekend breaks

The Perlan is one of Reykjavik’s proudest monumental buildings during the day and one of the finest restaurants to choose by night for your city breaks stay. The Pearl is a magnificent structure, designed by the architect Ingimundur Sveinsson and provides amazing panoramic views over the capital. If the Icelandic specialities, such as reindeer and herring tartar don’t impress you, then, the five story artificial geyser, erupting every five minutes, should do the trick. This architectural masterpiece also boasts a revolving restaurant floor, exhibits works of modern artists and provides space for musical concerts of all genres. If you can budget for the extra expense to experience the supreme dining atmosphere of the Perlan, then we highly advise you to do so. It’s the perfect location for a romantic weekend break and corporate incentive galas. One of Iceland most exciting restaurants is The Seafood Cellar, located in the oldest cellar, which notably won the Condé Nast Traveler award for 2004 - Hot Tables. The young & innovative head chef, Lárus Gunnar Jónasson, is celebrated for his in genius seafood dishes and his unique preparation style. Without a doubt, The Seafood Cellar is a premier place to dine. We highly recommend to our Iceland city breaks clients that can afford to dine here, to do so, and enjoy the culinary luxuries that will be served. Also renowned for their sea dishes is Vid Tjornina, a novel fish restaurant found by the lake in the heart of the city. The owner, Chef Runar Marvinsson, is a respected Icelandic cooking personality and is well known for his innovative seafood dishes. After a great meal, customers are usual given bread crumbs to feed the ducks on the Lake.

Tjarnarbakkinn, known in English as The Lake Front Restaurant, is located on the second floor of one of the cities oldest buildings and has played a major role in cultural life. The Tjarnarbakkinn restaurant not only offers delicious food and outstanding service, it also houses works by some of Iceland’s finest artist. This elegant & airy Restaurant will add that subtle charm to your Iceland weekend break evening. On the third floor is a lounge bar, where guest can relax with a drink and enjoy the lovely view of the lake. Tjarnarbakkinn is certainly a good choice for your adventure holiday. Kaff-Reykjavik is known as the restaurant within a restaurant. It has many different rooms; all decorated differently and offers a unique feel, perfect for corporate functions, intimate spaces for romantic breaks couples and larger party rooms for families & groups. The food is always outstanding and the service is professional and attentive. The mixture of modern & traditional influences create an atmospheric setting, just perfect for those on short breaks in Iceland. One of the main tourist attractions to the Kaffi, is its permanent Ice bar and is a must stop whilst on a city breaks holiday in Reykjavik. The interior is kept at a below zero temperature -5°C all year round. All of the interior fittings, including the glasses, are made of pure, clear ice from the glaciers of Iceland. If this sounds too cold, then the Kaffi offers another comfortable lounge style bar, called the cognac living room. This bar can be found downstairs, with exclusive cognac liqueurs and large cigars seats. It’s a great place for cocktail & corporate parties and dinner drinks. Contact the Iceland holiday travel specialist about dining out during your stay.

Lækjarbrekka is an old and famous restaurant, situated in the heart of the city, focusing on Icelandic seafood, mountain lamb and other traditional dishes. The menu is diverse from lunchtime to evening, seven days a week and the service is impeccable. On the upper floor there is a dining room, comfortable bar and cognac room. This restaurant has always received great feedback from our clients, so we continue to recommend dining here, on your weekend holiday in Reykjavik. Apótek Bar Grill Restaurant is a fine restaurant located in a renovated building in an old pharmacy in the centre. Apótek's owners have created a restaurant that reflects the newest and best developments in international cuisine, with a stylish atmosphere and professional service. The cooking is characterized by the ‘fusion style,’ which combines Western and Oriental cuisine in a pleasing and exciting way. The long room is divided by a central banquette & features a glass wall looking into the kitchen, which makes for lively conversation. Apotek has both a romantic & relaxing atmosphere and is a city breaks recommendation.

For years, enthusiastic diners have traveled from all over the world to enjoy the delicious meals, lively music at The Viking Village. Located in one of Iceland's most beautiful towns, Hafnarfjordur, sometimes called ‘the town in the lava’, the Viking Village is a mere ten-minute drive from the capital and is only 30 minutes by car from Keflavik International airport. Don’t miss an evening here, if your having a city break in Iceland. Eating here will be like nowhere else you have ever dined on any other short breaks holiday. Stepping inside this authentic restaurant is like travelling back in time, into the World of the Vikings. This restaurant offers a fantastic night out, full of surprises, entertainment and traditional Viking food. If you want to try something different from your normal dining reservations, then we suggest you experience the Viking Village, it will certainly add some colourful pictures to your holidays scrap book. Located midway between the airport and Rekjavik is the Blue Lagoon, which has an excellent restaurant that never fails to impress, with its quality of food and service. The menu is orientated around seafood dishes, where the fish is brought daily from the nearby fishing village of Grindavik. We advise all our clients to spend a few indulgent hours in the Blue lagoon and enjoy its healing silica mud. Why not finish the afternoon off with a superb meal and enjoy the views over the Blue Lagoon with a glass of chardonnay.

Einar Ben is located at Ingólfstorg at the heart of the city centre, in the liveliest area by the main square, in a typical turn of the century timber-house. When one chooses somewhere to eat out, it is impossible to pick poorly by reserving a table at Einar Ben. It is one of the finest tables to choose. The restaurant is named after the famous poet Einar Benediktsson who in the 19th century made his mark on the nation. Many Icelandic idioms and phrases are derived from his poems which are his greatest legacy. The menu is drawn from classic French/British cuisine with an Icelandic twist. Great emphasis is put on the quality of the ingredients and food preparation. The fish is always fresh daily, caught by local fishermen, and the Icelandic lamb with herbs is mouth-watering succulent. The atmosphere is something you can’t afford to miss during your holiday in Iceland. Naust restaurant is the oldest restaurant on the Island, established in 1954. Today, its charming nautical decor, romantic atmosphere, outstanding meals and reputation for unforgettable evenings have made Naust a part of Iceland's cultural heritage and it is well worth dining here. Café Opera is in the very centre within walking distance from of Laugavegur, Iceland's main shopping avenue. It’s a great restaurant with attentive service and the food is always of a high standard, priced very reasonably.

A naestu grosum is a vegetarian restaurant which only uses organic or choice materials whenever possible. A naestu grosum is a very cosy and friendly place to dine and serves the most delicious Indian cuisine on the weekends. The prices are low, considering the quality & preparation of the food and the menu is always been adapted and changed, making it exciting for regular customers. For vegetarians, this is an excellent city breaks top table choice for none meat cuisine in Iceland. Another, great vegetarian restaurant is Graenn Kostur, in downtown Reykjavik, offering high quality vegetarian cuisine at a low cost. Restaurant Galileo is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria, situated in the Falcon house, one of Reykjavík´s oldest houses, right in the city centre by Inghólftorg squre. This attractive establishment was named after the Italian philosopher Galileo Galilee, an astronomer and physicist, who was among the first scientists to claim that the earth was round and orbited around the sun. No expense was spared to make Galileo one of the most beautiful restaurants in Iceland and it serves the food which matches its elegance. La Primavera is a contemporary restaurant that has its most notable influences from Northern Italian cooking and the local Icelandic produce. The unique menu that results from this combination features homemade pastas, risotto, gnochi, polenta and a wide variety of the freshest vegetables, fish poultry, meat and game available. The menu, the atmosphere and a comprehensive, exclusively Italian wine list has made La Primavera a favorite among the locals and visitors on short break to Reykjavik.

The Argentina is a dark & rustic restaurant and is one of cities best. Argentina was selected restaurant of the year in 2000 the same year that the capital was designated as one of the nine European cities of culture. Meat and fish, grilled Argentinean style, is the restaurants main fare and the outstanding skill and creativity of the chefs emerge in their presentation as well as in the wide selection of starters and desserts. The soothing and comfortable atmosphere and the excellent food allow for an exceptional dining experience. The impressing selection of cognac, whiskey, port and liqueurs as well as the finest cigars are a finishing touch to a night of where fire meets with ice. The varied dishes are expertly crafted, with passion, experience and perfect flavoring. The restaurant is described as Iceland luxury break dining and will be a real treat on a holiday in Reykjavik. Café Victor is on the Ingólfstorg square, which is an important site for Icelandic culture and history. The restaurant offers reasonable priced meals, from an exciting and varied menu featuring fresh Icelandic ingredients with a Mexican flair. The Café is unique, in the way it offers many different functions throughout the day and week. It transforms into a popular bar during the evenings and a discotheque on the weekends.