Hallveig’s Top 5 International Restaurants in Reykjavík

Here is my Top 5 list of restaurants that offer international cuisine in Reykjavík.

5. Thai cuisine Restaurant: Ban Thai

Ban Thai in Laugavegur 130 is an establishment in Iceland. Founded over 30 years ago, it has been a beacon of Thai food in Reykjavík and often lands on lists of the best restaurants.

4. Spanish Cuisine Restaurant: Skreið

Skreið is a niche little restaurant that serves wonderful tapas. It is located on Laugavegur 4 and is especially fun to visit with friends on the weekends. Beware of loud Icelanders! This place is very popular with locals. They are loud but harmless. The name comes from the dried cod we sold to Spain as bacalao.

3. Mexican Cuisine Restaurant: La Poblana

La Poblana is situated on the corner of Laugavegur and Bergstaðastræti, above the popular Karaoke bar Ellý and just below the legendary watering hole Kaffibarinn. It serves amazing authentic Mexican food for a surprisingly good price! No frills, just great tacos, nachos, and margaritas for a really fun night out. The chef and owner, Carlos Guarneros, cooks no-BS food that he learned from his mother and grandmother. Great for a quick bite or to hang around for longer, having a few drinks and some good laughs.

2: Middle Eastern Cuisine Restaurant: Sumac.

One of my all-time favorite restaurants in Iceland, Sumac, is the brainchild of legendary Michelin chef Þráinn Freyr Vigfússon.

Sumac started as the front-of-house for his tasting-menu restaurant ÓX, which later earned a Michelin star. Since then, ÓX has moved to a new location. He traveled to the Middle East and fell in love with the flavors. Since we have the world´s best lamb, I really recommend the lamb chops. They are out of this world.

1. Indian Cuisine Restaurant: Austur-Indía fjelagið

Only one restaurant in Iceland deserves the crown in this category. The majestic Austur-Indía fjelagið has appeared on many lists in the culinary world, and Reykjavík Grapevine named it the best restaurant in Iceland 2026 and the best Indian restaurant in Iceland ever since the magazine started its lists.

The restaurant’s owner, Chandrika Gunnarsson, imports all the spices directly from her family farm in India. Everything is spot on; the food is divine and the service impeccable. You can, of course, find cheaper Indian food in Reykjavik, but this one takes the cake. I recommend eating there and then popping over to the arthouse cinema Bíó Paradís next door for a late-night showing and a drink at their bar.

In closing, I have to add that my husband always needs to be carried out of Austur-Indía fjelagið when we have dinner there. Just wanted you know.