Wining and Dining in Reykjavík - IST's Recommended List

Restaurants

First Class

Sjavárkjallarinn (Seafood Cellar) - Aðalstræti 2. Tel 511-1212.
Located in the oldest cellar in Reykjavík Sjavárkjallarinn is one of the city's newest and most exciting restaurants. It is already known for its inventive cooking and cheeky presentation. Fish in all different variations is at the forefront of the menu but just as appetizing are the lamb and vegetarian options on offer. Excellent wine list.

Humarhúsið (The Lobster House) - Amtmannsstígur 1, Tel. 561-3303. Great for dinner or a business lunch, the lobster is outstanding.

Þrír Frakkar (Three Frenchmen) - Baldursgötu 14, Tel. 552-3939. Perfect and romantic for a delicious seafood lunch or dinner.

Lækjarbrekka - Bankastræti 2, Tel. 551-4430. Excellent international cuisine and quiet, cozy, atmosphere.

Við Tjörnina - Templarasund 3, Tel. 551-8666. One of Reykjavík's favorite seafood restaurant in an old home by the lake in downtown Reykjavík.

Gallery Restaurant at Hótel Holt - Bergstaðastræti 37, Tel. 552-5700. One of the best and most elegant restaurants in the City! .

Siggi Hall at Hótel Óðinsvé - Óðinstogi, Tel. 552-5090. an award-winning and creative first class eatery with outstanding seafood dishes. Meet Siggi, the Icelandic TV personality and chef at Óðinsvé.

Perlan (The Pearl) - Öskjuhlíð, Tel. 562-0200. A place to celebrate a special occasion or take in the sites of Reykjavík as you revolve around at this large gourmet restaurant.

Apótek - Austurstræti 16, Tel. 575-7900. A modern, well located Eurasian fusion cuisine eatery with Icelandic specialties, tapas and suchi.

Domo Restaurant - Thingholtsstraeti 5, Tel. 552-5588.  The new "in" place to eat at Hótel Thingholt, a wonderful international menu with a lively bar.

Á Næstu Grösum - Laugavgur 20a, Tel. 552-8410. The top Vegetarian restaurant with an International selection.

La Primavera - Austurstræti 9, Tel. 561-8555. Top Italian restaurant above the Rex nightclub with a nice Einar Ben - Ingólfsorg, Tel. 511-5090. Classic upstairs restaurant in excellent location with very good international meat and fish dishes. Check out the bar (Rauði barinn- The Red Bar) on the top floor.

Tver Fiskar - Geirsgata 9, Tel. 511-3474.  One of Reykjavík's top seafood restaurants, located at the harbor in easy walking distance from all downtown hotels. 

Grillið - At Hotel Saga, Tel. 525-9960. An exclusive French and international restaurant on the top floor of the hotel with magnificent views of the city and mountains in the distance.

Grillið - At Hotel Saga, Tel. 525-5033. An exclusive French and international restaurant on the top floor of the hotel with magnificent views of the city and mountains in the distance.

Cafe Solon - Bankastræti 2, Tel. 562-3232. An excellent restaurant/bistro with a reasonable and broad menu, located downtown.

Carpe Diem - Rauðarárstígur 18, Tel. 552-4555. Romantic, comfortable restaurant next to Hótel Lind with excellent fish and lamb dishes.

Café Opera - Lækjargata 2, Tel. 552-9499. Centrally located upstairs restaurant with wonderful selections, try cooking your own meal of meat or seafood at your table on a hot rock stove.

In Hafnarfjörður

A Hansen - Vesturgata 4, Tel. 565-1130. A first class restaurant on the harbor in a museum like house with excellent fish and meat courses.

Fjörukráin - Strandgata 55, 565-1890. Viking Age style building and restaurant with live entertainment and traditional Icelandic meals, great for groups.

Cafes and Family Restaurants

Caruso - Þingholtsstræti 1, Tel. 562-7335. Relaxed and romantic atmosphere with Icelandic and Italian dishes at reasonable prices

Sticks 'n' Sushi - Aðalstræti 12, Tel. 511-4440. New in-restaurant featuring sushi and other Japanese specialties.

Galileó - Hafnarstræti 1, Tel. 552-9500. A family Italian restaurant with reasonably prices meals.

Tapas Barinn - Vesturgata 3b, Tel. 551-2344. Enjoy a combination of Spanish and Icelandic cuisines at the downtown restaurant.

Grillhúsið Tryggvagötu - Tryggvagata 20, Tel. 562-3456. Diner-like restaurant close to the harbor with good fish and meat dishes including fried fish and chips and burgers. Excellent service.

Vegamót - Vegamítstigur 4, Great lunch and inexpensive dinner bistro with soups, sandwiches and grilled dishes. Live entertainment after dinner.

Café Paris - Austurstræti 14, Tel. 551-1020. A lively, coffee house centrally located with good snacks and pastries.

Kaffi Reykjavík - Vesturgata 2, Tel. 562-5530. Great lunches and busy place after dark for night crowd. (See below)

Súfistinn Book Café - Laugavegur 18, Tel. 515-2500. A fun, literary hangout for coffee, cakes or a light lunch upstairs at the largest bookstore in Reykjavík.

Bars and Nightclubs

Dubliner - Hafnarstræti 4, Te. 511-3233. Great Irish pub in ideal location downtown.

Gaukur á Stöng - Tryggvagata 22, Tel. 551-1556. Popular live music nightclub every night in downtown in the "oldest pub in Reykjavík."

Broadway - At Park Ísland Hotel,Tel. 533-1100. Large in-nightclub featuring live music and a variety of shows.

Kaffibarinn - Bergstaðastræti 1. Reykjavík's most popular jet set nightclub.

Skuggabarinn - At Hótel Borg, Tel. 551-1440. Hot place decorated in art deco style adjacent to the hotel.

Nasa - Austurvollur, Tel. 511-1313. Cool nightspot, Reykjavík's largest nightclub, in the middle of the action downtown

Kaffi Brennslan - Pósthússtræti 9, Tel. 561-3600. Lively café and bar next to Hótel Borg with great sandwiches and big beer selection.

Prikið - Bankastræti 12, a good place to start the evening off in a bar/café setting.

Kaffi Reykjavík - Vestrugata 2, a large downtown bar and night club with great weekend dancing for the 35-55 age group.

Nelly's - Þingholtsstræti 2, a wild late night hangout with moderately priced beer.

Kaffi Thomsen - Hafnarstræti 17. One of the most popular nightclubs in the center of town.

Glaumbar - Tryggvagata 22, upstairs. Popular with the younger generation and sports enthusiasts.

Astro - Austurstræti 22, Tel. 552-9222. Cool nightspot in the middle of the action downtown.
Note: There are bars and nightclubs that cater to all interest from gay to soul, jazz, techno, disco and erotic.