The best restaurants Iceland

Timetable

As with many things in Iceland, opening times can vary depending on whether it's low or high season. For some restaurants outside the capital, it's also possible to find a restaurant that was supposed to be open closed. It's not always the case, but it's worth bearing in mind if you don't want to find yourself out of pocket!

In the capital, restaurant opening hours are relatively similar to ours, but some places close early (9pm).

Budget & Tips

Breakfast. Low budget: 500 to 1,500 Kr, unlimited coffee + pastries at a gas station. Medium budget: around 2,000 Kr, hearty breakfast in a simple hotel.

Meals. Low budget: from 1,000 to 2,500 Kr, picnic, shopping at the supermarket, cooking at the campsite or youth hostel, gas station, grill or fast-food restaurant. Medium budget: 2,500 to 3,500 Kr, dish of the day in a café bistro. Big budget: from 5,000 to 9,000 Kr, meal in a traditional restaurant.

Tip: if a restaurant meal is a major expense, it's usually possible to have a soup of the day (lamb, fish or vegetables) accompanied by bread and butter for less than 2,000 Kr. And the dish is often hearty!

What costs extra

Tipping is not compulsory in Iceland, and contrary to urban legend, you won't be frowned upon if you decide to give one (or, conversely, if you don't!).

The bread basket is not systematic, but is often found when you eat soup or a plank meal.

The water carafe is free. To ask for free water, you can ask a member of staff " Bara vatn, takk ".)

The local way

The country's climatic conditions don't allow production to be as varied as in some other countries, but livestock farming is well established. Icelandic gastronomy is full of cooked fish and lamb/sheep, in more or less tempting forms (who wants to try boiled mutton testicles?). Lamb or fish soup is a dish in its own right here, and you can often choose it as a starter or main course. On the sweet side, skyr is world-famous and widely consumed, a protein-rich dairy speciality that can be eaten on its own or in other forms: skyr chocolate mousse, skyr pannacotta, skyr tart...

January-February sees theþorrablót, an Icelandic festival that brings the locals together around a buffet of ancient dishes: ram's testicles, pheasant shark, mutton liver sausage, lamb pudding... It's worth noting that, in the past, mutton was difficult to preserve, which is why it's found in so many different forms (so as not to spoil) in Icelandic gastronomy.

Other specialties, such as smoked puffin or whale steak, can be found in some of Iceland's top restaurants. Let's not forget, however, that these species are endangered, and that these are dishes eaten by tourists. Is it really necessary to eat them to enjoy your visit?

There's acertain fast-food culture in Iceland: the capital's menus often feature tacos in all their forms, and the burger is a regular feature. However, you'll come across very few major international brands in the country, and the last McDonald's closed its doors in 2009. At the Bus Hotel, you can admire one of the last menus bought by Hjörtur Smarason, still in a very good state of preservation!

Kids

Nordic countries are generally family-friendly, so it's particularly pleasant to travel and dine with your children in Iceland without risking displeased looks.

Smokers

No smoking in restaurants in Iceland.