The Best Asian Food in Reykjavik (2026)

Iceland is a fish-and-lamb country. The traditional diet looks inward — to the sea, to the highlands, to the centuries-old techniques of fermentation and preservation. But Reykjavik has changed. A steady influx of immigrants, returning Icelanders who lived abroad, and the sheer volume of international travellers passing through have seeded a surprisingly varied Asian food scene. It is not Bangkok or Delhi. But after three days of plokkfiskur and lamb stew, a properly made Thai curry or a steaming bowl of ramen can feel like a revelation.

The quality is uneven — as you would expect in a city of this size — but the best Asian restaurants in Reykjavik are genuinely good, not just good-for-Iceland. Here is where to find them.

Thai

Thai cuisine has the deepest roots in Reykjavik's Asian food scene. Several Thai restaurants have been operating here for over a decade, and the competition between them has pushed quality upward.

Pad Thai Noodles

Pad Thai Noodles holds the highest rating of any Asian restaurant in Reykjavik, and it earns it. This small, unpretentious spot focuses on what it does best: noodle dishes, curries, and stir-fries executed with the kind of balance and heat that suggests someone in the kitchen knows exactly what they are doing. The pad thai itself is excellent — properly wok-charred, not swimming in sauce, with the right crunch of peanuts and freshness of lime. The green curry is equally strong. Portions are generous and prices are fair for Reykjavik: most mains ISK 2,800-3,800 (EUR 18-25). The space is small, so expect a wait at peak times.

Ban Thai

Ban Thai is the establishment choice for Thai food in Reykjavik — the restaurant that locals have been going to for years when they want reliable, well-executed Thai classics. The menu is extensive, covering the full range from tom yum to massaman curry, and the kitchen handles all of it with consistency. The heat levels are authentic if you ask for it (specify "Thai spicy" and they will oblige). The dining room is comfortable if unremarkable. Mains ISK 3,000-4,200 (EUR 20-28).

Krua Thai

Krua Thai is smaller and more casual than Ban Thai, with a menu focused on the dishes that Thai restaurants do best when they are not trying to be all things to all people. The curries are well-balanced, the som tam (green papaya salad) is sharp and fresh, and the prices are slightly more accessible than the competition. A good everyday option rather than a destination. Mains ISK 2,500-3,500 (EUR 16-23).

Nana Thai

Nana Thai brings street-food energy to the Reykjavik Thai scene. The menu leans towards the quick and casual — noodle soups, stir-fries, and rice dishes that come out fast and hot. It is the closest thing Reykjavik has to a Bangkok street stall, and while the comparison only stretches so far, the food is honest and the prices are among the lowest for a sit-down Asian meal in the city. Mains from ISK 2,200-3,000 (EUR 14-20).

Indian

Austur-Indiafjelagid

Austur-Indiafjelagid — the East India Company — is the fine dining end of Indian food in Reykjavik. The restaurant takes a refined approach, with carefully spiced dishes that balance heat and fragrance with more subtlety than the average curry house. The lamb rogan josh is outstanding, the tandoori dishes are well-executed, and the wine pairings are thoughtful. The setting is upscale, with white tablecloths and attentive service. Expect to pay ISK 4,500-6,500 (EUR 30-43) for mains — this is Indian food priced for a special evening rather than a quick weeknight dinner.

Gandhi Indian Restaurant & Bar

Gandhi is the workhorse Indian restaurant in Reykjavik — the place you go when you want a reliable curry, a cold beer, and generous portions without fine-dining formality. The menu covers the North Indian classics comprehensively: butter chicken, tikka masala, biryanis, naan breads, and a good selection of vegetarian dishes. Nothing will surprise you, but everything is well-made. The lunch buffet, when available, offers excellent value. Mains ISK 3,000-4,500 (EUR 20-30).

Bombay Bazaar

Bombay Bazaar brings a more contemporary and casual approach to Indian food. The menu mixes street food influences — chaat, samosas, bhaji — with more substantial curry dishes, creating a format that works well for sharing. The flavours are bolder and more playful than at Austur-Indiafjelagid, and the atmosphere is livelier. A good choice for groups. Mains and sharing plates ISK 2,500-4,000 (EUR 16-26).

Japanese and Ramen

Ramen Momo

Ramen Momo is the best dedicated ramen spot in Reykjavik. The tonkotsu broth is rich and properly milky, the noodles have the right chew, and the toppings — chashu pork, soft-boiled egg, spring onions — are well-prepared. On a cold Reykjavik evening (which is most evenings), a bowl of ramen here is deeply satisfying. The menu also includes gyoza and rice dishes, all competently done. Bowls ISK 2,800-3,500 (EUR 18-23). The space is small and popular — arrive early or be prepared to queue.

Osushi The Train

Osushi The Train is Reykjavik's conveyor belt sushi spot, and it is better than the concept might suggest. The fish — much of it Icelandic — is fresh, the rice is properly seasoned, and the variety is decent. It is not fine-dining sushi, but as a fun, casual meal it works well, particularly with children. The novelty of the conveyor belt never quite wears off. Plates ISK 500-1,200 (EUR 3-8) each, with a typical meal running ISK 3,000-5,000 (EUR 20-33) depending on appetite.

Vietnamese

Banh Mi

Banh Mi does exactly what the name suggests — Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, pho, and a small selection of rice and noodle dishes. The sandwiches are the star: crisp baguettes filled with well-marinated proteins, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and chilli. It is quick, affordable, and satisfying. One of the better lunch options in central Reykjavik. Sandwiches ISK 1,800-2,500 (EUR 12-16), pho ISK 2,500-3,200 (EUR 16-21).

Pho Vietnam Restaurant

Pho Vietnam Restaurant is a straightforward Vietnamese restaurant serving the classics — pho, bun, spring rolls, and rice dishes — in generous portions. The pho broth is fragrant and well-made, and the fresh spring rolls are a reliable starter. It does not attempt to reinvent anything, which is a virtue when what you want is a comforting bowl of noodle soup. Mains ISK 2,500-3,500 (EUR 16-23).

Noodle Shops

Hi Noodle Reykjavik

Hi Noodle Reykjavik is where Reykjavik's noodle lovers converge. The menu spans East and Southeast Asian noodle traditions — ramen-style broths, stir-fried noodles, laksa-inspired bowls — without committing rigidly to any single cuisine. The result is a menu that reads like a greatest hits of Asian noodle dishes, and the kitchen executes most of them with skill and speed. The dan dan noodles and the spicy miso broth are standouts. Bowls ISK 2,500-3,500 (EUR 16-23). A reliably good option when you cannot decide what you are in the mood for.

Budget Asian Eats

If you are watching your spending — and in Reykjavik, that is a reasonable priority — Asian restaurants generally offer some of the best value in the city. A few tips:

Lunch specials. Several restaurants on this list offer lunch deals between 11:30 and 14:00 that bring the price down significantly. Gandhi, Ban Thai, and Nana Thai all run lunch offers in the ISK 1,800-2,500 (EUR 12-16) range.

Takeaway. Most of these restaurants offer takeaway at the same prices as dine-in, and portions are often slightly more generous. If you have accommodation with a kitchen or a comfortable hotel room, takeaway is a smart strategy. Alternatively, a Reykjavik dining experience tour can introduce you to the international food scene with multiple stops in one evening.

Noodle soups. A bowl of pho or ramen is one of the most filling meals you can get in Reykjavik for under ISK 3,000 (EUR 20). Both Ramen Momo and Pho Vietnam deliver.

For a broader tour of Reykjavik's international food scene — including some Asian spots — consider a Reykjavik food tasting tour that covers multiple cuisines and neighbourhoods.

How We Chose

We assessed each restaurant based on the authenticity and quality of the food, consistency across multiple visits, value for money, and the overall dining experience. We recognise that comparing Thai, Indian, Japanese, and Vietnamese restaurants against each other involves apples-and-oranges judgements, so we have organised this guide by cuisine rather than ranking. Within each section, the order reflects our assessment of quality. We did not accept complimentary meals or payment from any restaurant listed.

Last updated: February 2026.