Geiri Smart
A smart-casual restaurant inside the Canopy by Hilton on Hverfisgata, serving locally sourced Icelandic dishes with cosmopolitan flair from breakfast through to late evening.
Hotel restaurants in Reykjavik have undergone a quiet revolution in recent years, and Geiri Smart is one of the better examples of the trend. Tucked inside the Canopy by Hilton on Hverfisgata, it manages to feel like a standalone neighbourhood restaurant rather than a hotel dining room -- a distinction that matters more than you might think.
What to Expect
The space is open and inviting, with the kind of contemporary Scandinavian design that the Canopy by Hilton brand does well. Large windows let in natural light, the seating is comfortable without being formal, and the atmosphere encourages lingering. During happy hour -- daily from 15:00 to 18:00 -- the bar area fills with a mix of hotel guests and locals, which is always a good sign.
Service is polished but relaxed. Staff are genuinely knowledgeable about the menu and can guide you through the Icelandic ingredients with enthusiasm. There is no stuffiness here; this is smart-casual dining in the truest sense, equally appropriate for a business lunch and a casual dinner with friends.
The Menu
Geiri Smart builds its menu around Icelandic produce prepared with a cosmopolitan touch. The kitchen sources locally wherever possible, and the results speak for themselves. Cod -- that Icelandic staple -- arrives pan-seared and perfectly cooked. Lamb is tender and flavourful, benefiting from the quality of Icelandic free-range stock. Scallops, duck, and salmon round out a menu that covers enough ground to satisfy varied tastes without overreaching.
The lunch menu is slightly more casual than dinner, with burgers, salads, and lighter options alongside the more composed dishes. Breakfast, served from 07:00, is a solid affair that goes beyond the standard hotel buffet.
The cocktail list deserves a mention. The bar team experiments with Icelandic botanicals and local spirits, and the happy hour pricing makes exploration affordable. If you are in the area during that 15:00-18:00 window, it is one of the better deals in central Reykjavik.
Practical Tips
Hverfisgata runs parallel to Laugavegur, one block north, making Geiri Smart extremely central. Harpa concert hall is a five-minute walk west, and the main shopping streets are even closer. If you are staying anywhere in the 101 Reykjavik postal code, you can reach it on foot.
Reservations are recommended for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings but are not essential during the week. For lunch and breakfast, walk-ins are the norm. The all-day opening hours -- 07:00 to 23:00, seven days a week -- make it a convenient fallback when other restaurants are closed or fully booked.
Geiri Smart will not rewrite your understanding of Icelandic cuisine. What it does offer is a reliably good meal in a central location with professional service and reasonable prices. In a city where finding all four of those qualities in one place is harder than it sounds, that counts for a great deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to be a hotel guest to dine at Geiri Smart?
- No. Geiri Smart is fully open to non-hotel guests. Many locals use it as a regular dining spot, particularly for the happy hour between 15:00 and 18:00.
- What is the food like?
- The menu blends Icelandic ingredients with international technique. Expect dishes like pan-seared cod, lamb with seasonal vegetables, duck, and well-executed salads. The kitchen uses locally sourced produce wherever possible.
- Does Geiri Smart serve breakfast?
- Yes. Breakfast is served daily from 07:00 to 10:00, featuring a mix of Icelandic and continental options. It is available to both hotel guests and outside visitors.
- Is there a happy hour?
- Yes. Happy hour runs daily from 15:00 to 18:00, with discounts on cocktails, wine, and beer. It is one of the better happy hour deals in central Reykjavik.
- Where exactly on Hverfisgata is it?
- Geiri Smart is at Hverfisgata 30, inside the Canopy by Hilton hotel. The entrance is clearly marked from the street, and the location is central -- just a short walk from Laugavegur and Harpa concert hall.
- How much does dinner cost?
- Main courses range from roughly ISK 3,500 to ISK 7,500. A two-course dinner with a glass of wine will cost approximately ISK 10,000-14,000 per person, which is mid-range for central Reykjavik.
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