Bazilika Reykjavik

Finding good pizza in Reykjavik is easier than it used to be, but finding it at a reasonable price in a central location still requires some knowledge. Bazilika, occupying a spot on Austurstraeti in the heart of downtown, offers one of the better solutions: wood-fired pizza made by a chef who actually trained in Italy, served in a casual setting at prices that do not punish you for being near the tourist trail.

What to Expect

Austurstraeti is one of Reykjavik's main downtown streets, connecting Austurvollur square to Laekjargata and the harbour area. Bazilika sits at number 3, in the thick of the city's busiest pedestrian zone. The interior is casual and unfussy: a working restaurant with functional decor, booth seating, and the centrepiece wood-fired oven that provides both the food and the pleasant smell of charring dough.

The atmosphere is cheerful and no-nonsense. This is a place designed for eating rather than lingering, and the turnover reflects that. Groups, families, and solo diners all fit comfortably, and the service is efficient enough to keep things moving without feeling rushed.

The Menu

Pizza dominates, as it should. The dough is made in-house and cooked in the wood-fired oven at high heat, producing a base with proper char, a good chew, and the subtle smokiness that only a real oven can deliver. Toppings are fresh and applied with restraint rather than excess -- a sign that the Italian training has stuck.

The classic Margherita is the best test of any pizza kitchen, and Bazilika's version holds up well: good tomato sauce, quality mozzarella, fresh basil, and that all-important crust. More elaborate options -- prosciutto, mushroom, quattro formaggi -- are consistently well-executed. The menu is not enormous, which works in Bazilika's favour: a focused selection cooked to a reliable standard.

Beyond pizza, the menu offers burgers, fish and chips, and various platters. These are decent enough -- the fish and chips, in particular, benefits from Iceland's excellent seafood -- but they are clearly the supporting cast. If you are here, you should be eating pizza.

Practical Tips

The Austurstraeti location puts Bazilika within a two-minute walk of Austurvollur square, Harpa concert hall, and the main shopping streets. If you are spending a day exploring downtown Reykjavik and need a convenient, affordable lunch, Bazilika fits the brief.

No reservations are needed for lunch. Dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings can get busier, but tables generally remain available. Takeaway is an option for those who prefer to eat on the move.

For pizza purists arriving from cities with established Italian food cultures, Bazilika will not redefine the art form. But for Reykjavik, where decent pizza at a fair price in a central location is not as common as you might expect, it hits the mark consistently.