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Restaurants in Reykjavik
Some Suggestions by Hannes H. Gissurarson
The participants in the Mont Pelerin Society Regional Meeting in Iceland will, at the opening dinner, enjoy the food from Vox Restaurant at the Nordica Hotel and they will go to the Perlan restaurant for the closing gala dinner, so they will be able to judge these places for themselves. But there are other good restaurants in Reykjavik, if you have some free time (and a valid credit card with a high limit). Here are a few:
The Lobsterhouse (Humarhusid)
The Lobsterhouse, Amtmannsstig 1, in the very centre of Reykjavik, is one of the best restaurants in Reykjavik, but alas also one of the most expensive. The many foreigners to whom I have recommended it, have been quite satisfied. The Icelandic lobster is in my opinion much tastier than the bigger Maine lobster, served in the U.S. The grilled lobstertails, either with garlic butter or lobster sauce, are a rare delicacy.
Thrir Frakkar (Three Frenchmen)
Thrir Frakkar, Baldursgata 14, close to the city centre, is like a small and intimate Parisian bistro, except that it specialises in Icelandic seafood. It is good and inexpensive and much frequented by foreigners. One interesting dish on offer is cured whale (sashimi style); it is a good starter. I particularly like the hashed fish with black bread which is an Icelandic specialty. But it is a very popular place and fills up easily, so book and arrive early.
Grillid
Grillid is a restaurant at the top of Hotel Saga, close to the city centre, with a wonderful view, overlooking not only the University of Iceland campus, but most of Reykjavik. It has recently improved markedly and is one of the three most elegant restaurants in Reykjavik in my opinion, the other two being the Lobsterhouse and the Sea Cellar. It is very good in fresh fish dishes and Icelandic game (reindeer and mountain lamb). I have enjoyed Grillid the best when I have chosen the surprise menu composed by the chef.
Sea Cellar
The Sea Cellar, Adalstraeti 2, in the very city centre, is a new restaurant which has become very popular with the Icelandic "in" crowd. It certainly deserves its good reputation because the seafood is excellent, both the sushi and sashimi dishes, and the Icelandic specialties like cod and monkfish. The food is always delicate, and never overcooked. It is quite expensive, however.
Primavera
Primavera, Austurstraeti 9, is an Italian restaurant, as the name suggests, in the very centre of Reykjavik. It is a bright, friendly, modern and informal place. I particularly like their tender chicken, but the pasta is also excellent. The restaurant has a lot of good Italian wines, also. It is not cheap, but not as expensive as the Lobsterhouse or Grillid or the Sea Cellar.
The Gallery Restaurant at Hotel Holt
The Gallery Restaurant at Hotel Holt, Bergstadastraeti 37, close to the city centre, is a typical businessmen's restaurant, with good food and impeccable service, except that it also offers an impressive collection of Icelandic paintings, both in the main restaurant and the two bars. What I like there is a typical Icelandic dinner, starting with cured Icelandic salmon, with a rack of Icelandic mountain lamb as a main course. It is very traditional, but never disappointing. The wine list is extensive, but the good French wines are very expensive.
Argentina Steakhouse
Argentina Steakhouse, Baronsstig 11A, close to the city centre, really excels in what it offers which is Icelandic beef, offered by weight, and grilled in the Argentinian way. It is a bit dark and rusty, but quite comfortable. The restaurant has a good selection of Chilean and Argentinian red wines.
Apotekid
Apotekid, Austurstraeti 16, in the very city centre, is a bright, modern restaurant in an old house, frequented by a young well-off crowd. I particularly like their grilled tuna, and the sushi is also very good. It offers many other interesting seafood dishes, like grilled plaice, salted cod and grilled tusk.
Cafe Opera
Cafe Opera, Laekjargata 2, is in the very city centre. It is a large, informal, noisy place with a friendly service. On the menu, there are many light courses, but the place is best-known for the opportunity to grill your own fresh food on hot rocks, at the table. (This is called "Hot Rock Fantasy".) The food is excellent, but I also like the fact that the place stays open longer than most other restaurants in Reykjavik. You can get a meal there at 11 pm on weekdays, whereas most other restaurants do not accept orders after 10 pm.
Laekjarbrekka
Laekjarbrekka, Bankastraeti 2, is a cozy, small restaurant in an old wooden house in the very centre of the city (in fact directly opposite Cafe Opera). It has great atmosphere, and is a pleasant place. The fish dishes are very good, such as the monkfish medallion, the Atlantic trout and the salted cod. I would also recommend their grilled mountain lamb. It is not as expensive as many of the other places mentioned here, but it is by no means cheap.
Italia
As the name makes amply clear, this is an Italian restaurant. It is in the city centre, at Laugavegur 11. While the main room is a bit dark and narrow, the food is plentiful and tasty, and the prices are low by Reykjavik standards. If you are on a budget, this is about the best buy in town.
Vid tjornina (By the Pond)
Vid Tjornina is by the Pond, as the name means in English. It is in the very centre, close to the Parliament Building and the old Cathedral, at Templarasund 3. It specializes in seafood, prepared in a healthy and robust manner, with delicate sauces. Their best dishes are citrusmarinated raw fish (sushimi Icelandic style), the fried plaice with blue cheese and banana, and marinated codchins.
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