Dining Out
Restaurant Recommendations
Iceland's dining scene has transformed remarkably. These are the places ILE trusts to deliver a meal worthy of your guests — chosen for quality of produce, atmosphere, and the sense of place they create. All reservations can be arranged as part of your ILE itinerary.
Dill
Hverfisgata, Central Reykjavík
Iceland's first Michelin-starred restaurant. Chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason's tasting menus celebrate Icelandic ingredients in their purest form — sea urchin, lamb, arctic char, skyr. Intimate, exceptional, entirely Icelandic.
ILE recommends for special-occasion dinners. Advance booking essential — often weeks ahead in summer.
ÓX
Laugavegur, Central Reykjavík
Iceland's most exclusive dining experience — just 11 seats at a kitchen counter, entered by ringing a brass lion's-head bell. Chef Þráinn Freyr Vigfússon leads a four-hour omakase journey through Icelandic produce, nose-to-tail, from small farms and coastal waters. A Michelin Star and Green Star.
Reservations open months in advance. For guests who want the ultimate Reykjavík table.
Matur og Drykkur
Grandagarður, Old Harbour
Traditional Icelandic recipes reinterpreted with refinement. The salt cod and sheep's head jelly are conversation starters; the lamb dishes are definitive. A wonderful way to introduce guests to the real flavours of Iceland.
Particularly well-suited to guests who want authentic Icelandic culture in a curated setting.
Fiskmarkaðurinn
Aðalstræti, Old Town
The Fish Market blends Icelandic seafood with Asian influences to striking effect. The sushi and sashimi use Icelandic fish caught that morning; the lobster soup is legendary. A reliable, high-quality choice for groups and business dinners.
Good for mixed groups — broad menu, consistently excellent.
Fish Company
Vesturgata, Old Reykjavík
One of Reykjavík's most celebrated tables. The Around Iceland tasting menu takes guests on a culinary journey through the regions — langoustine from the West, lamb from the highlands, Arctic char from the north. Creative, beautifully presented and reliably outstanding. A personal ILE favourite.
Consistently top-ranked in Reykjavík. The tasting menu is the right call.
Messinn
Lækjargata, Central
Cast-iron skillets of perfectly cooked Icelandic fish, fresh from the day's catch. Unpretentious, warm, and reliably good — a favourite with locals and discerning visitors alike. Known for the langoustine and the catch-of-the-day skillet.
Excellent for a relaxed lunch or informal dinner. Queues form — pre-book.
Tides
The Reykjavík EDITION, Old Harbour
The restaurant at one of Reykjavík's most prestigious addresses. Tides merges Nordic ingredients with Japanese technique — clean, precise dishes with outstanding harbour views. The cocktail programme and wine list match the ambition of the kitchen. An excellent choice for guests already staying at the EDITION.
Particularly well-suited for guests in luxury downtown hotels seeking a refined setting with strong views.
ILE Exclusive — Reykjavík
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Kjarval Members Club
Downtown Reykjavík
Once the private studio of Iceland's most celebrated painter, Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval, this intimate members club in the heart of Reykjavík is one of the city's most coveted addresses. Original artwork still hangs throughout. A creative powerhouse where Iceland's artists, politicians, academics and entrepreneurs gather — entirely away from the tourist trail.
ILE holds a membership. Your guests can be welcomed as our personal guests of the club — an evening few visitors to Iceland ever experience.
Friðheimar
Reykholt, South Iceland
Lunch inside a working geothermal greenhouse — surrounded by tomato plants, horses visible through the glass. The tomato soup is Iceland-famous. A truly unique experience that surprises even well-travelled guests.
A Golden Circle highlight. Often included in ILE South day itineraries. Only serves lunch.
Hótel Rangá Restaurant
Rangá River, South Iceland
Arguably the finest restaurant outside Reykjavík. Set in one of Iceland's best Northern Lights lodges, with a kitchen that takes local produce seriously. The five-course tasting menu and wine list hold their own against the capital's best.
ILE recommends for overnight guests at Hótel Rangá, or as a dinner stop on a South Coast day.
Rauða Húsið
Eyrarbakki village
The Red House is a classic: a converted 1789 merchant's home on Iceland's oldest fishing village. Langoustine, lobster and the fresh catch are the stars. Intimate rooms, old-world charm, and food that is quietly exceptional.
A perfect lunch stop on a South Coast or Golden Circle loop.
Guesthouse Fit
Near Þórsmörk
A beloved highland base for South Iceland adventures. The kitchen serves hearty, honest Icelandic farm cooking using produce from the land — lamb soup, pan-fried trout, fresh bread. Simple, warming, and entirely genuine.
Ideal for Þórsmörk / Fimmvörðuháls hiking days. Rustic but memorable.
Strikið
Skipagata, Akureyri
Akureyri's finest table, perched high above the fjord with panoramic views. The menu is modern Icelandic — reindeer, Arctic char, lamb — executed with care. The wine list is among the best in the north. A strong anchor for any North itinerary.
ILE recommends for dinner in Akureyri. Request a window table when booking.
Rub23
Kaupvangsstræti, Akureyri
Consistently rated the top restaurant in Akureyri. Arctic-inspired dry rubs applied to premium fish and meat — langoustine, reindeer, lamb, salmon — cooked over an open grill. The signature rubs are made in-house, the execution is precise, and the atmosphere genuinely warm.
Top table in Akureyri by TripAdvisor and local consensus. Works well for all group types.
Vogafjós
Mývatn Lake
A working farm-restaurant beside Mývatn — guests watch the cows being milked through a glass wall while eating. Freshly made skyr, geothermally cooked rye bread, Arctic char pulled from the lake. An experience as much as a meal.
A genuine highlight of the Mývatn area. Works beautifully for breakfast or lunch.
Gamli Baukur
Old Harbour, Húsavík
A converted 19th-century warehouse on the water in the whale-watching capital of Iceland. Great langoustine, fish of the day, and casual harbour energy. The perfect post-whale-watch dinner stop.
Time the visit after a whale-watching excursion from Húsavík harbour.
Café Margrétar
Austurvegur, Seyðisfjörður
A beloved spot in Iceland's most artistic village — homemade soups, fresh bread, local fish and a welcoming warmth that matches the town's character. Stop here after the Rainbow Street walk. Compact menu; everything is made with intention.
Perfect for a relaxed lunch in Seyðisfjörður. Pairs with the Bláa Kirkjan and local art scene.
Systrakaffi
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
The anchor of Klaustur — a convenient and reliable stop on the long route between Reykjavík and the East Fjords. Good lamb soup, solid fish dishes, and very decent home-baked goods. Exactly what a long-drive stop should be.
Recommended as a scheduled stop on the Ring Road East route — the next proper option is 90 km away.
Hótel Aldan Restaurant
Seyðisfjörður
Set in a restored 1905 guesthouse. The kitchen focuses on local fish, lamb and seasonal produce — simple ingredients treated with real respect. The East Fjords version of fine dining, with atmosphere to match the historic building.
Recommend for multi-night stays in Seyðisfjörður. Reservations strongly advised.
Fjöruhúsið
Hellnar, Snæfellsnes
A small clifftop café in Hellnar village, overlooking the sea stack-studded Snæfellsnes coast. Home-baked waffles, lamb soup, coffee. The setting — waves, lava, the glacier above — is incomparable. A Snæfellsnes essential.
Must-stop on any Snæfellsnes circuit. Cash + card accepted; no reservations taken.
Hótel Búðir
Búðir, Snæfellsnes
Isolated on a lava field with the glacier on one side and the sea on the other, Hótel Búðir's restaurant is a genuine luxury destination. Local seafood, Icelandic lamb and a kitchen that takes its craft seriously. One of the most romantic dining locations in Iceland.
ILE recommends for special overnight guests on Snæfellsnes. Evening reservations essential.
Tjöruhúsið
Old Harbour, Ísafjörður
The most celebrated dining experience in the Westfjords — a communal fish dinner in a 200-year-old boathouse. No menu; whatever was caught that day is cooked and served, buffet-style, to whoever sits down. Raw, honest and deeply memorable.
Dinner only; lunches for groups by arrangement. One of the most authentic dining experiences in all of Iceland.
On the Road
In-Vehicle Culinary Add-ons
Every ILE vehicle is equipped with WiFi and premium refreshments as standard. These optional extras can be pre-ordered for any journey — add them to the enquiry at the time of booking and we'll have everything chilled, warm, or waiting when your guests board.
Everything Ready Before They Step In
Guests shouldn't have to think about food on long drives — they should be watching glaciers glide past. ILE's culinary add-ons mean every journey is catered to exactly the right level: a chilled bottle for a celebration, a warming flask for an early-morning start, a full gourmet hamper for a day in the highlands.
All add-ons are arranged at enquiry stage. For dietary requirements — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher or halal — simply note them on the enquiry form and we'll adapt accordingly.
Welcome Champagne
A chilled bottle of Champagne or Crémant on ice, with crystal flutes. Perfect for celebrations, anniversaries or simply the right start to an extraordinary day. Available for Rolls-Royce, V-Class and Sprinter.
Icelandic Welcome Hamper
A curated selection of Icelandic artisan produce — skyr bars, hand-made chocolate, dried fish, flatbread, local cheeses and a small bottle of Brennivín. A genuine introduction to Iceland's food culture, before the journey has begun.
Hot Drinks Flask Service
Vacuum-insulated flasks of freshly brewed specialty coffee and Icelandic herbal tea, ready on departure. Ideal for early-morning starts, late-night Northern Lights runs, or any Highland day where the temperature drops.
Gourmet Lunch Box
A curated packed lunch prepared by one of our Reykjavík culinary partners: artisan sourdough sandwiches with smoked lamb or gravlax, seasonal salad, fresh fruit, and a sweet treat. Chilled and ready in the vehicle.
Premium Cold Refreshments
Upgrade from standard water to a curated selection: Icelandic spring water, fresh-pressed juices, premium soft drinks, and a selection of natural Icelandic sodas. Restocked at each vehicle collection point.
Bespoke Celebration Package
Proposing? Celebrating a milestone? Tell us what you need and we'll arrange it — from a discrete bottle and roses waiting on the seat, to a full setup with candles, flowers and a personalised note from your team.
Bespoke Experiences
Nature Dining & Private Picnics
The most memorable meals in Iceland happen outside. ILE designs private culinary experiences in the landscape — a picnic on the lava fields, a feast in a canyon, a chef-prepared dinner by the glacier. These are experiences no restaurant can replicate.
The ILE Nature Picnic
A private hamper lunch served in a setting only ILE can access — a sheltered cove on the Snæfellsnes lava coast, a wildflower meadow above the South Coast, or a sun-warmed highland plateau. Your guide selects the spot for the weather and season. The food is Icelandic, locally sourced and beautifully presented.
Add to enquiry
The Highland Table
A helicopter lands on a glacier or beside a hidden highland cave. An ILE chef and waiter are already there. The table is set. Lunch or dinner — Michelin-quality cuisine, in a location no road reaches. This is one of ILE's most talked-about experiences and is available in several versions by request.
Enquire for pricing
Private Chef — Any Location
An ILE private chef, ready to cook wherever the journey takes you. On a glacier. At a waterfall. Inside a lava cave. In a highland meadow visible from no road. Your group's preferences, dietary needs and the freshest Icelandic produce guide the menu. From a casual three-course lunch to a full multi-course dinner, the kitchen comes to you.
Glassware, linen, full table setting and a dedicated waiter are included as standard. Available year-round — including in winter for the right location.
Enquire for pricing
Takgil Canyon Private Lunch
Takgil is one of Iceland's most beautiful hidden canyons — emerald moss, cascading streams, golden basalt walls. ILE arranges a private picnic lunch inside the canyon after a short hike in, with the sound of water and the walls of rock as your dining room. An experience most visitors never reach.
Add to enquiry
Viking BBQ Under the Sky
A full Icelandic barbecue on a lava field or beach — lamb, Arctic char, skyr-marinated chicken over open fire, with traditional flatbread. Your guide leads the feast. Available as a stand-alone evening or woven into a day tour.
Cave Dining
A private dinner in a natural lava cave, candlelit and arranged just for your group. A five-course menu served underground. One of ILE's most dramatic and intimate experiences — unforgettable for any guest.
Private Forest Feast
A secluded lunch in one of Iceland's rare forest clearings — sheltered from the wind, surrounded by birch and pine. A gentler, more intimate option for guests who prefer nature without the drama. Paired with a guided walk.
Internal review notes — remove before publish
- Restaurant list is Harry's draft — Dori to review each entry and remove/replace any restaurant ILE no longer recommends, or that has closed/changed quality.
- Restaurant photos: all Reykjavík and several regional cards use placeholder icons. Drop real photos into photos/web/ and update the src paths — or confirm placeholders are fine for the partner portal.
- In-vehicle add-on pricing: all shown as "on request". Add actual prices once Dori confirms the in-vehicle menu + pricing with operations. Consider whether to show the full menu price list or keep it enquiry-only.
- Highland Table helicopter partner: NEVER name the partner (HeliAir / formerly Reykjavik Helicopters) on this page — just "ILE's helicopter partner." The velvet-rope rule applies here.
- Takgil Canyon Picnic: confirm with Dori whether ILE has exclusive/preferred access or whether this is a general location. Adjust the "ILE Exclusive" badge accordingly.
- Cave Dining: confirm the exact cave partner arrangement and that "five-course menu" is accurate. Adjust details to match what's actually offered.
- Forest Feast: confirm whether this is a current offering or a new idea — photo used is from photos/web/culinary_forest_lunch_web.jpg (from Pics nitro/lunch in foredt.PNG).
- Link the Mockup Overview card once this page is added.