Shruthi Basappa

What can one expect from the world’s northernmost capital that boasts a little over 150,000 people? Well when it is Reykjavik, you can expect a little bit of everything. From a quaint old harbour, to art and leisure districts to a bustling downtown packed with a variety of things to do, Reykjavik has it all. And the plus side of small cities? You are rarely far from any of the action. Couple that with the Reykjavik City Card, and you have free (yes, free!) unlimited access to the public bus, pools and museums. Wherever you choose to rest, here’s our ultimate neighbourhood guide to Reykjavik.  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Reykjavik📍 The best things to do in Iceland🏨 The best hotels in Iceland🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Iceland Shruthi Basappa is a writer based in Reykjavik. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

They say acceptance leads to peace. As soon as you accept that Reykjavik is expensive, it frees one up for the truly delightful culinary experiences that await you this North of life. The once remote island is now a bustling destination that is more than its volcanoes, waterfalls and black sand beaches. If that is all you know about the country, get ready to be blown away by its pristine, high quality produce and ingredients, some of which you can only experience here. The small but mighty capital is fast becoming a magnet for epicures, gourmands and the in-betweens; from one-Michelin starred unforgettable dining experiences at Dill and Óx to near-perfect Indian food at Austur Indíafélagið, eating out in Reykjavik is much more than the hot-dog at Bæjarins Beztu (any pool side hot dog stand will deliver the same dog, sans the lines, you heard us), but you should definitely try those too. Here are the best restaurants in Reykjavik. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Iceland🏨 The best hotels in Iceland🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Iceland This guide was recently updated by Shruthi Basappa, a restaurant critic based in Reykjavik. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.