The Best Street Food in Reykjavik (2026)

Street food in Reykjavik does not look like street food in Bangkok or Mexico City. There are no bustling night markets, no taco trucks lining the avenues, no hawker centres steaming into the tropical air. What Reykjavik has instead is something equally satisfying in its own way: a concentrated cluster of casual, counter-service spots and food stalls serving deeply flavourful Icelandic food at prices that will not empty your wallet — and in a city where a sit-down dinner can easily run ISK 8,000-15,000 (EUR 53-100) per person, that matters.

The street food scene here revolves around Iceland's core ingredients — lamb, fresh fish, hot dogs — served without ceremony but with genuine quality. Add a growing number of food halls and international quick bites, and you have a casual dining scene that can easily carry you through an entire trip.

The Icons

Baejarins Beztu Pylsur

Baejarins Beztu Pylsur is not just the best hot dog stand in Iceland — it is one of the most famous street food stalls in Europe. Operating from its small kiosk near the harbour since 1937, it serves a lamb, pork, and beef sausage in a soft bun, topped with raw and crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade. The combination is absurdly delicious. Order "ein med ollu" — one with everything — and you will understand why Bill Clinton queued here in 2004 and the line has not shortened since.

A pylsa costs around ISK 600 (EUR 4). It may be the best value meal in all of Iceland.

The queue can be long, particularly in summer and during cruise ship arrivals, but it moves quickly. Do not be deterred — this is one of those rare iconic food experiences that genuinely lives up to its reputation. Most Reykjavik food tasting tours include a stop here, which at least saves you the queuing.

Icelandic Street Food

Icelandic Street Food is the place that every local recommends to visitors who want to taste traditional Icelandic food without the fine-dining price tag. The star of the menu is the lamb soup: a hearty, slow-cooked broth packed with tender lamb, root vegetables, and herbs, served in a bread bowl with unlimited refills. Yes, unlimited. For ISK 2,200 (EUR 14), you can eat as much lamb soup as your body will hold. The fish stew and meat soup are equally good.

The space is casual and decorated with Icelandic proverbs and old photographs. It feels like eating at a very generous grandmother's kitchen.

Lamb Street Food

Lamb Street Food takes Icelandic lamb — arguably the best lamb in Europe, raised free-range on mountain pastures — and serves it in accessible, street-food formats: wraps, sandwiches, bowls, and skewers. The slow-cooked lamb shoulder wrap with pickled red cabbage and skyr-based sauce is outstanding. It is a clever concept that bridges the gap between traditional Icelandic ingredients and the way modern travellers actually want to eat — quickly, casually, and affordably. Most items ISK 2,000-3,200 (EUR 13-21).

Fish and Chips

Fish and chips might sound like an odd highlight in a Nordic country, but Iceland has the raw material to make it exceptional. The cod and haddock pulled from Icelandic waters are among the best in the world, and several Reykjavik spots take full advantage.

Fisherman Fish Shop Kitchen

Fisherman Fish Shop Kitchen serves what might be the best fish and chips in Reykjavik. The fish is fresh, the batter is light and crisp (not the heavy, greasy British variety), and the accompanying tartar sauce and mushy peas are well-made. You can choose your fish — cod, haddock, or the catch of the day — and there are excellent fish tacos and grilled options for those who want something lighter. ISK 2,500-3,500 (EUR 16-23) for a generous portion.

Fish & Chips Restaurant

Fish & Chips Restaurant on Tryggvagata keeps things simple and does them well. Sustainably caught fish, a light tempura-style batter, hand-cut chips, and a selection of dipping sauces. The skyr dip is a nice Icelandic twist. It is not reinventing anything, but consistency and quality make it a reliable stop. ISK 2,200-3,000 (EUR 14-20).

Lobster Hut

Lobster Hut is a small, no-frills spot specialising in langoustine — Iceland's "lobster" (actually a type of Norway lobster). The star is the lobster soup: a rich, creamy bisque packed with chunks of langoustine meat. A cup costs around ISK 2,200 (EUR 14), and for that price, it is one of the best seafood experiences in the city. They also serve lobster rolls and grilled langoustine tails for those wanting something more substantial.

Food Halls

Hlemmur Matholl

Hlemmur Matholl is Reykjavik's answer to the food hall trend, and it is a very good answer. Housed in a converted bus terminal at the eastern end of Laugavegur, it brings together a dozen or so food stalls under one roof — Vietnamese, Mexican, Icelandic, Italian, Middle Eastern, and more. The quality varies by stall, but the best offerings are excellent. It is the perfect spot when a group cannot agree on a cuisine, and the communal seating creates a convivial atmosphere. Most dishes ISK 2,000-3,500 (EUR 13-23).

The bar selection is solid too, with craft beer and cocktails available from multiple vendors. A good starting point for a Reykjavik evening.

Quick Bites

Hlolli

Hlolli is Reykjavik's beloved submarine sandwich shop. Think Subway, but actually good — with fresh bread baked daily, quality meats and vegetables, and a loyal following that borders on cult-like. The "Hlolli Special" with everything on it is the go-to order. It is open late, making it a favourite post-bar stop. Subs ISK 1,600-2,500 (EUR 10-16).

Kurdo Kebab

Kurdo Kebab serves the best kebab in Reykjavik — a title with more competition than you might expect. The lamb doner is well-seasoned and properly crisp on the outside, the falafel is freshly made, and the portions are large. It is the kind of reliable, affordable spot that every city needs and Reykjavik is fortunate to have. Kebabs and wraps ISK 1,800-2,800 (EUR 12-18).

Volcano Crepes

Volcano Crepes is a small crepe stand that has built a following with both sweet and savoury crepes made to order. The savoury crepes — filled with ham, cheese, mushrooms, or smoked salmon — make a satisfying quick lunch. The Nutella and banana crepe is the guilty pleasure option. Crepes ISK 1,200-2,200 (EUR 8-14).

Fodurvagninn

Fodurvagninn is one of Reykjavik's food carts, serving hearty, no-frills meals — burgers, hot dogs, and fried foods — from a mobile setup. It is not glamorous, but it is cheap and filling, and there is something about eating from a street cart in the Reykjavik wind that feels like an authentically local experience. Most items ISK 1,200-2,000 (EUR 8-13).

101 Reykjavik Street Food

101 Reykjavik Street Food covers a bit of everything — lamb soup, fish stew, hot dogs, and sandwiches — in a central location that makes it a convenient refuelling stop. The quality is consistent and the prices are fair. A good all-rounder when you want something quick without hunting for a specific spot. Mains ISK 1,800-2,800 (EUR 12-18).

Budget Tips

Eating street food and casual food is the smartest way to manage your budget in Reykjavik. A few strategies:

Hot dogs are your friend. At ISK 600 (EUR 4), a pylsa from Baejarins Beztu or any of the city's other hot dog stands is the most affordable meal in Reykjavik. Two hot dogs and you are sorted.

Soup plus bread. The lamb soup at Icelandic Street Food with unlimited refills (ISK 2,200 / EUR 14) is essentially an all-you-can-eat meal. Hard to beat.

Food halls at lunch. Hlemmur Matholl stalls often have slightly smaller portions at lunch prices. Arrive between 11:30 and 13:00 for the best deals.

Skip drinks. A beer with a meal adds ISK 1,400-1,800 (EUR 9-12) in most places. Water is free and Reykjavik's tap water — glacial and unfiltered — is among the best in the world. Save the beer for happy hour (see below).

Happy hour. Most bars in Reykjavik run happy hour between 15:00 and 18:00, when beer drops to ISK 900-1,200 (EUR 6-8). Plan your street food crawl around this window and save significantly.

For a structured walk through the best of Reykjavik's casual food scene, a walking food tour covers many of the spots on this list and includes enough tastings to count as a full meal. Typically ISK 12,000-15,000 (EUR 80-100) per person, including all food.

How We Chose

Street food is subjective — one person's perfect hot dog is another's guilty afterthought. Our criteria focused on quality of ingredients, value for money, consistency, and the distinctiveness of what each spot offers. We weighted Icelandic-specific foods (lamb soup, pylsur, fresh fish) more heavily than international options, because that is what makes eating street food in Reykjavik different from eating street food anywhere else. We did not accept complimentary meals or payment from any establishment listed.

Last updated: February 2026.