La Primavera

Grandagarður 20

It’s no surprise that the best goddamn restaurants in town would be the stalwarts

Best Place for a Fancy Dill

Laugavegur 59

Now with a green star in addition to their Michelin star, Dill has steadfastly steered the country’s culinary ship towards a future firmly rooted in its traditions. Chef Gunnar Karl’s dedication to sustainable kitchen practices is more than laudable generally, but even more so in the context of fine dining. Utilising vegetables and protein in their entirety, the menu is a celebration of the whole, eschewing dining diktats that no two proteins are repeated in one meal. For a true taste of Icelandic hospitality, Dill is where you need to be, special occasion or not.

Best Value for Money

Skál

Hlemmur Mathöll, Laugavegur 107

With a revamped menu and a drinks programme to match, Skál continues to be the small place with a big heart; its food hall location is no deterrence for their die-hard patrons. This year we’ve enjoyed their ice-cold scallops, served sliced, in their shell. Sometimes, thin slices of rutabaga are tucked between them, others there is crimson granita of tart berries. Always refreshing. Then there are the fried shrimp heads with a punchy aioli. The steadfast beets, and butter bathed trout. A crisp glass of mineral natural wine alongside and you’ve got yourself a banger of a meal each and every time.

Tides

The Reykjavík Edition, Austurbakki 2

The Edition has managed to lure the reclusive Reykjaviking into its fold, proving to be the ‘it’ spot. The gorgeously designed restaurant is more than mere luxury. “The fat was rendered so skilfully in the Iberian ham, and so well cooked, I could taste it long after the meal,” cooed a very satisfied panellist. The mocktails are as good as their cocktails and while the wine menu is priced fairly steep, you’re bound to find a number

Deig Tryggvagata 18

Deig’s “poor man’s offer” has been the offer to beat for some time. They recently upped their price to 1500 ISK for a toasted and filled bagel of your choice, plus a doughnut and drink. Available only on weekdays from 10am onwards, the price rise hasn’t affected the quality on offer. While the offer alone is tempting, the panel urges you to try one of their special bagels for the princely sum of 1700 ISK. It’s a steal on this rocky, windy, expensive as heck island.

Runners-up

Icelandic Street Food Lækjargata 8

A family-run business built on their amma’s recipes, this establishment has been meeting that “taste of Iceland” craving that many travellers have. Unlimited refills of soups — both of the fish and lamb variety are on offer — and that sweet deal is best topped off with a slice of their “happy marriage cake.” Our astute panel does note that seasoning is not always their forte, but a quick sprinkling of salt usually does the trick.

Sumac Grill + Drinks

Laugavegur 28

Walking into Sumac recalls being on food streets in warmer places elsewhere around the world. The open grill lends its smokiness to more than just the food and the buzz of happy guests make for a vibrant evening out that is both fancy yet curiously laid-back. Especially popular with big groups, it’s best to approach the food here as a meze and order a little bit of everything. The flatbreads are the one sore spot in their otherwise flavoursome menu.

Previous Winners

2022: Dill

2021: Dill

2020: Grillið

Flatus Skúlagata 28

It’s undeniable that Reykjavík is expensive. But if you dig a little deeper you’ll find attractive deals like the beer and pizza lunch at Flatus for 2000 ISK. A 10” pizza, frosty beer, views over Esja. What’s not to like?

Previous Winners

2022: Deig

2021: Sægrefinn 2020: Icelandic Street Food