Reykjavík has a reputation for being one of the more expensive cities for travelers. As a result, dining out can be a concern for some visitors to Iceland. While it’s true that Iceland does boast many fantastic fine dining restaurants that are more on the pricey side, that’s not to say that you can’t eat like a king in Reykjavík at an affordable price! Many restaurants in the capital city offer excellent value for money, whether you’re looking for international cuisine, fast food, or local Icelandic dishes.
To help you plan your culinary experiences in Iceland, we’ve put together a list of the most affordable restaurants in Iceland, ensuring there’s something for everyone’s tastes… even the children! We hope you’re hungry - get ready to learn all about the best value and top family restaurants in Reykjavík!
Best Street Food and Fast Food in Reykjavík
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
No trip to Reykjavík would be complete without sampling the nation's favorite meal – the hot dog! That’s right – Icelanders love eating hot dogs, and the best can be found at this little hot dog stand in Reykjavík. Here, you can eat a delicious classic hot dog with a soft drink for about 900ISK (or about $7).
Bio Borgari
This fast food restaurant offers a healthy twist on the world’s favourite fast food item – the burger. They offer delicious hamburgers made with organic and healthier ingredients, making them a less guilty option. Restaurants like this allow you to eat on a budget without having to feel like you’re making an unhealthy choice. Depending on what you order, expect to pay up to 2,500ISK (£16 or $20) for your meal.
The Deli
This is one of the most popular stops for fast Italian food. Serving Pizza (including by the slice), pasta, and paninis, it’s the perfect place to get a quick meal at an affordable price. They also provide vegetarian options. A single slice of their homemade pizza is 550ISK (£3.50 or $4.50), while no other item on their menu is more than 2,500ISK (£16 or $20), so you can expect to eat well affordably at the Deli.
Top Cheap Reykjavík Cafés
Kaffibrennslan
Cafes are always a fantastic choice for dining when you’re traveling, as they serve an array of foods, often including breakfast. Thankfully, Reykjavík’s top-rated café is also quite affordable! Kaffibrennslan serves excellent coffees, sandwiches, and croissants. They even have a selection of beers, wines, soft drinks, and desserts available. With each item on their menu costing less than 2,000ISK (£13 or $17), Kaffibrennslan is a great option for an affordable meal in comfortable surroundings.
Reykjavík Rost
This delightful and welcoming café on the waterfront is one of Reykjavík’s greatest gems. Not only do they serve some of Reykjavík’s best coffee and hot chocolate, warming soups, delicious sandwiches, and amazing cakes, but they also offer happy hour deals on beer, wine, and their homemade snaps. With only one item on their menu costing more than 2,000ISK (£13 or $17), there’s no better café in the city to enjoy wonderful food, an excellent atmosphere, and unforgettable views of the old harbor.
Cafe Babalu
This quirky and homey café is full of bargains. They offer an extensive range of hot drinks, including coffees and hot chocolates, as well as sandwiches, hot meals, sweet crepes, and other desserts. Cafe Babalu is known for its great atmosphere, funky vibe, and affordable yet tasty food. It’s perfect for a quick bite to eat or a slow afternoon enjoying coffee. With most items on the menu costing in the region of 1,500ISK (£9.50 or $13) or less, this café offers excellent value for money.
Affordable Finer Dining
Reykjavík Kitchen
If you’re looking for a proper sit-down meal without having to pay hefty prices, Reykjavík Kitchen is an excellent, moderately priced restaurant in Reykjavík. Reykjavík Kitchen serves European cuisine and seafood. It has rave reviews, and food that is as beautiful as it is delicious in a trendy, modern setting. Set menu prices are available, and typical main courses cost between 3,000ISK (£19 or $25) and 5,000ISK (£30 or $40).
Kröst
This is another fantastic, moderately priced restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere in Reykjavík’s Hlemmur Food Hall. They are known for their burgers, including vegan options, as well as an extensive wine selection. Their menu also has options including fish, beef, lamb, soups, and salads. Menu items tend to cost somewhere in the region of 2,000ISK (£13 or $17) and 3,000ISK (£19 or $25).
Burro Tapas & Steaks
For great value food in a lively, welcoming atmosphere, this tapas restaurant in Reykjavík is a must-visit. The décor is cheerful and stylish and the menu offers something to everyone, including small tapas dishes, tacos, steaks, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. They also have a variety of cocktails on offer. There are also set menu options. The price of the items on the menu can vary widely depending on what you order, but they range between 1,200ISK (£8 or $10) and 3,000ISK (£19 or $25), with some speciality items costing a fair amount more.
Best Value Sweet Treat Spots, Reykjavík
Valdis
Ice cream is a very big deal in Iceland, and Reykjavík is home to many incredible ice cream parlors. Valdis offers excellent value for money and a wide range of items. Whether you’re looking for simple ice cream, incredible combinations, or even ice cream with waffles, there’s something for everyone here. Enjoy delicious, cold treats ranging from 500ISK (£3 or $4) to 900ISK (£6 or $7.50).
Braud & Co
This amazing bakery in Reykjavík produces delicious pastries, cakes, and breads that will make your mouth water. With multiple locations across the city, you’re never far from a hot, delicious sweet treat like cinnamon buns, muffins, and so much more. For two pastries, expect to pay about 1,000ISK (£6 or $8).
Eldur og Is
This dessert café in Reykjavík is the ultimate destination for sweet crepe lovers. Whether you’re after ice cream, crepes, or a combination of the two, there are endless items on the menu to satisfy your sweet tooth. With tasty treats ranging from 500ISK (£3 or $4) to 2,000ISK (£13 or $17), you can easily afford to indulge!
Family Restaurants
Reykjavík has a thriving restaurant scene with something for everyone, including kids. If you’re planning a trip to Reykjavík with your family, you’ll want to make note of the top family-friendly restaurants on our list.
Best Family Breakfast Spots in Reykjavík
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Reykjavík provides hungry families with plenty of options. From light bites and pastries to hearty meals, these are the best family-friendly restaurants to grab breakfast in Reykjavík.
Sandholt Reykjavík
Providing baked goods, toasted sandwiches, yogurts, waffles, and egg dishes, this is a great family-friendly restaurant if you want a substantial breakfast to start the day. Sandholt is widely praised for its quality of food and its fresh ingredients, and the varied menu will mean that everyone in your family will be able to find something delicious to eat.
This is another very popular breakfast spot in Reykjavík, so make sure to arrive early to avoid waiting.
Address: Laugavegur 36, Reykjavík 101 Iceland
Hours: 7:30 am - 6 pm daily
Cafe Loki
If you and your clan are eager to try some local Icelandic delicacies with your breakfast, Cafe Loki is the perfect restaurant. Sample local delicacies like smoked fish, rye bread, and of course, skyr! However, you can still play it safe with bagels and pancakes if your family includes eaters who are not so adventurous.
Address: Lokastigur 28, Reykjavík 101 Iceland
Hours: 8 am - 10 pm daily
Best Family Restaurants for Lunch in Reykjavík
With so much to enjoy on a busy day in Reykjavík, you may want to opt for a quick and easy option for lunch. There are plenty of fast food and quick local delights to take advantage of, while still having some amazing quality and delicious eats.
Subway
Traveling with children can sometimes mean you need some safe food options they’re familiar with. Children aren’t always the most adventurous when it comes to food, so if you want something familiar and that you know your kids will eat and enjoy, we recommend Subway. There are a handful of locations across Reykjavík so you won’t struggle to find one near you in the city.
Locations:
Bankastræti 14, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (open 10 am - 9 pm daily)
Hringbraut 12, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (open 10 am - 11 pm daily)
Sudurlandsbraut 46, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland (10 am - 10 pm daily)
Hlemmur Food Hall
If your family enjoys street food, this is the lunch spot for you. This is an indoor food market offering a variety of cuisine types, as well as fresh produce and even flowers. The benefit of Hlemmur Food Hall is that your family can all choose different types of food for whatever best suits each person, or you can try lots of different dishes from multiple stalls and share.
Enjoy everything from American-style fish tacos to pizzas and even Vietnamese street food, as well as local Icelandic delicacies.
Address: Laugavegur 107, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland
Hours: 11 am - 11 pm
Best Dinner Restaurants for Families in Reykjavík
After a busy day enjoying the sights and activities that the Icelandic capital has on offer, you’ll want to draw your evening in with a satisfying meal. Here are some of the best places in Reykjavík to enjoy dinner with your family.
Eldofninn
What better way to end a day of new experiences with your family than with pizza? Eldofninn offers a varied menu to satisfy the whole family, and each dish is made with the highest quality ingredients and cooked to perfection in authentic brick ovens. From a simple margarita or pepperoni or something a bit different like surf and turf, you’ll experience a pizza you’ll never forget at Eldofninn.
Address: Efstaland 26 Grímsbær by Bustaðaveg, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland
Hours: Tuesday - Friday 11:30 am - 9 pm, Saturday & Sunday 5 pm - 9 pm, closed Mondays
Saegreifinn
Located on Reykjavík’s picturesque harbor is this delicious seafood restaurant. You can try everything from Icelandic delicacies like hákarl - fermented shark! - to other more palatable options, like the famous lobster soup, grilled fish skewers with plenty of sauces, and grilled vegetables.
Address: Geirsgata 4a, Reykjavík 101 Iceland
Hours: 11:30 am - 4 pm, 6 pm - 10 pm daily
Yuzu Burger
If you’re looking for something satisfying and familiar but with an Icelandic spin, check out Yuzu Burger. The menu offers elevated versions of your favorite cheeseburger or chicken burger, but they also have burgers with an Icelandic twist, consisting of unique seasonings and toppings. While the kids enjoy their burgers, the adults can also sample local beers.
If you find your family can’t get enough of Yuzu Burger, there are three locations across Reykjavík so you can find one close to hand if you’re spending a few days in the city!
Locations:
Kringlan, 103 Reykjavík, Iceland (open Monday - Friday 11:30 am - 9 pm and Saturday & Sunday 12 pm - 9 pm)
Borgartún 29, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland (open Monday - Friday 11 am - 9 pm and Saturday & Sunday 12 pm - 9 pm)
Pósthússtræti 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (open 11:30 am - 10 pm daily)
Whatever you and your family have planned for your trip to Iceland, be sure to make the most of your time! Our rental cars allow you the flexibility to see the sights at your own speed and get outside of the city to see the true flavors of Iceland. We offer a variety of 4x4s and vans so there’s room for everyone, no matter how big your family!