Guidebook for Reykjavík
Food Scene
For a treat yourself night Mat Bar is the perfect spot. Make sure to make a reservation
56 locals recommend
MAT BAR
26 HverfisgataFor a treat yourself night Mat Bar is the perfect spot. Make sure to make a reservation
A hamburger joint with very good burgers. Get the offer of the century with chocolate milkshake and “kokteilsósa”.
169 locals recommend
Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar
Geirsgötu 1 GeirsgataA hamburger joint with very good burgers. Get the offer of the century with chocolate milkshake and “kokteilsósa”.
The most Icelandic thing to do is to have a "Bragðarefur". It's similar to McFlurry but way better. You get to choose not one but three sweets to put in it (I recommend cookie dough, lúxus dýfa and þristur). Then get ready for the food coma that follows.
118 locals recommend
Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
HagamelurThe most Icelandic thing to do is to have a "Bragðarefur". It's similar to McFlurry but way better. You get to choose not one but three sweets to put in it (I recommend cookie dough, lúxus dýfa and þristur). Then get ready for the food coma that follows.
The closest cafe and restaurant. It's very popular with the locals, especially after having a swim in next door Vesturbæjarlaug. The food is good but pricy.
218 locals recommend
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
20 MelhagiThe closest cafe and restaurant. It's very popular with the locals, especially after having a swim in next door Vesturbæjarlaug. The food is good but pricy.
The best pizza in town. They don't accept reservations, you just show up and the pizza's take only 3 minutes in the oven. My favourite is Umberto.
78 locals recommend
Flatey Pizza
11 GrandagarðurThe best pizza in town. They don't accept reservations, you just show up and the pizza's take only 3 minutes in the oven. My favourite is Umberto.
My favourite restaurant in Reykjavík. They have probably 200 things on their menu and every single dish I've tried has been amazing. Beware that the service there is not the best and sometimes it takes way to long to actually get the food. But when it gets there its all worth it.
69 locals recommend
Ban Thai Restaurant
130 LaugavegurMy favourite restaurant in Reykjavík. They have probably 200 things on their menu and every single dish I've tried has been amazing. Beware that the service there is not the best and sometimes it takes way to long to actually get the food. But when it gets there its all worth it.
Everyday the have lunch offers for 1500 isk of different curry dishes. It's very good and quick.
10 locals recommend
Mai Thai Market and Bistro
116 LaugavegurEveryday the have lunch offers for 1500 isk of different curry dishes. It's very good and quick.
Down on the harbour where the fishermen come to eat. It's open 7 am until 4pm. I highly recommend "plokkfiskur" which is fish mixed with potatoes and cheese, baked in the oven. And for dessert one "pönnukaka með sykri". It has a great view over the harbour.
59 locals recommend
Kaffivagninn
10 GrandagarðurDown on the harbour where the fishermen come to eat. It's open 7 am until 4pm. I highly recommend "plokkfiskur" which is fish mixed with potatoes and cheese, baked in the oven. And for dessert one "pönnukaka með sykri". It has a great view over the harbour.
Drinks & Nightlife
Röntgen Bar
My favorite bar. The crowd is 25-35 years old
Ölstofa
VegamótastígurMy uncles bar. Very popular with 45-65 year olds.
The end of the night bar. It closes at 5am on weekends so people usually arrive around 2/3am after the other bars close. They often play house music. Crowd is 23-45 years old.
240 locals recommend
Kaffibarinn
The end of the night bar. It closes at 5am on weekends so people usually arrive around 2/3am after the other bars close. They often play house music. Crowd is 23-45 years old.
The only club in Iceland. I've never been and I understand there are mostly 20 year olds that party there so I don't really recommend it but since it's the only proper cluv I figured I would add it to the list.
AUTO
The only club in Iceland. I've never been and I understand there are mostly 20 year olds that party there so I don't really recommend it but since it's the only proper cluv I figured I would add it to the list.
Arts & Culture
Very interesting and simple museum where you get the sense of Iceland in the old days
86 locals recommend
The Settlement Exhibition
16 AðalstrætiVery interesting and simple museum where you get the sense of Iceland in the old days
Bíó Paradís
54 HverfisgataThey often have Icelandic movies with english subtitles
Entertainment & Activities
Only place on earth where you can go inside a volcano and it is just amazing. It only operates May-October
Inside the Volcano - Meeting Point
Blafjallavegur 1Only place on earth where you can go inside a volcano and it is just amazing. It only operates May-October
It's a very icelandic thing to go to the swimingpool. Not to swim but to relax in the hot tubs. It has some kind of magic power to it.
458 locals recommend
Vesturbæjarlaug
HofsvallagataIt's a very icelandic thing to go to the swimingpool. Not to swim but to relax in the hot tubs. It has some kind of magic power to it.
Float over lava, swim between large volcanic canyons and discover the crystal clear waters that flow between the North American and Eurasian continents. I haven't done it myself but everyone who I know who have loved it.
14 locals recommend
Silfra Snorkeling Pond
VallarvegurFloat over lava, swim between large volcanic canyons and discover the crystal clear waters that flow between the North American and Eurasian continents. I haven't done it myself but everyone who I know who have loved it.
On a clear day it's very popular for people in Reykjavík to hike up on Esjan. It's the mountain across the bay. The hike up takes about an hour and a half. It's steep but the view is amazing up there.
Esjan, 162, Iceland
On a clear day it's very popular for people in Reykjavík to hike up on Esjan. It's the mountain across the bay. The hike up takes about an hour and a half. It's steep but the view is amazing up there.
Getting Around
Take the Reykjavík Excursion flybus to BSÍ and then catch a taxi (around $17) to the apartment. Or take the Reykjavík Excursion flybus+ to Oddsson hostel and walk from there 5 minutes to the apartment.
35 locals recommend
Keflavík International Airport
Take the Reykjavík Excursion flybus to BSÍ and then catch a taxi (around $17) to the apartment. Or take the Reykjavík Excursion flybus+ to Oddsson hostel and walk from there 5 minutes to the apartment.
BSI Reykjavik station
Here you can get on/off the flybus
Hreyfill Taxi
If you need a taxi call (+354) 588 5522
Get the Hopp application. Hopp means “jump” in Icelandic. It’s electric scooters and they’re a very good chose to get around in Reykjavík. There are a few other options for electric scooters but Hopp is the only one owned and run by Icelanders
Hopp
13 SkúlagataGet the Hopp application. Hopp means “jump” in Icelandic. It’s electric scooters and they’re a very good chose to get around in Reykjavík. There are a few other options for electric scooters but Hopp is the only one owned and run by Icelanders
Shopping
My uncles gentlemen's clothing store. It's just beautiful
53 locals recommend
Herrafataverzlun Kormáks og Skjaldar
My uncles gentlemen's clothing store. It's just beautiful
Interested in Icelandic music? This is the place to go to look at some CD's
31 locals recommend
12 Tónar
15 SkólavörðustígurInterested in Icelandic music? This is the place to go to look at some CD's
Andrá Reykjavík
Beautiful women’s wear store in downtown Reykjavík
KIOSK
To shop clothing by Icelandic designers this is the place to go.
Orrifinn
Icelandic jewelry designed and made in the store. Very unique.
Open on Saturday's and Sundays'. It's the perfect place to taste fermented shark, dried fish and get your hands on some hand knitted wool jumpers (lopapeysa). It's a mix between people who are there every weekend and people who want to get rid of some stuff and come for a one of weekend.
183 locals recommend
kolaportid
Open on Saturday's and Sundays'. It's the perfect place to taste fermented shark, dried fish and get your hands on some hand knitted wool jumpers (lopapeysa). It's a mix between people who are there every weekend and people who want to get rid of some stuff and come for a one of weekend.
Sightseeing
Religious or not, it's the best view over Reykjavík city from the tower. You pay around $10 to get up there
743 locals recommend
Hallgrimskirkja
Religious or not, it's the best view over Reykjavík city from the tower. You pay around $10 to get up there