Harry's Reykjavik
A family-run seafood and grill restaurant on Laugavegur specialising in quality Icelandic seafood and lamb — honest cooking with heart.
Laugavegur is crowded with restaurants competing for your attention, and navigating the options can feel like a lottery. Harry's Seafood & Grill is one of the tickets worth buying — a family-run restaurant that treats Icelandic ingredients with the respect they deserve and charges less than many of its neighbours for the privilege.
The Food
Harry's builds its menu around what Iceland does best — seafood and lamb. The pan-fried cod is beautifully executed, with a crispy skin and flaky interior that shows a kitchen with proper technique. Scallops are seared well, sweet and caramelised. The lamb fillet is tender and flavourful in the way that Icelandic lamb uniquely is — a product of animals that roam free across mountain pastures.
The cooking style is honest rather than flashy. Ingredients are treated as the star, preparation is clean and confident, and portions are generous without being excessive. It is the kind of food that makes you feel looked after.
The Family
Harry's is family-run, and this infuses the entire experience. Service is personal, warm, and attentive without being overbearing. There is a genuine sense that the people feeding you care about whether you enjoy it — a quality that is increasingly rare in the more commercialised stretches of Laugavegur.
The Cocktails
A genuine surprise. Harry's cocktails are well-made and, by Reykjavik standards, reasonably priced. The bar takes its drinks seriously, and starting the evening with a cocktail here is a better use of your money than the craft beer bars charging premium prices nearby.
Practical Tips
Reserve ahead — the restaurant is popular and modestly sized. Dinner only, from 17:00. If the seafood and lamb are both calling to you, the scallop starter followed by a lamb main is a reliable combination. Ask the staff for wine recommendations — they know their list and will match well to your food.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Harry's Reykjavik serve?
- Icelandic seafood (cod, scallops, langoustine) and lamb, grilled and prepared with respect for the ingredient. The menu focuses on quality Icelandic produce cooked simply and well.
- How much does dinner cost at Harry's?
- Main courses ISK 4,000-7,000 (EUR 27-48). Worth the price for the quality of ingredients and preparation.
- Should I make a reservation?
- Yes. Harry's is popular and the space is not huge. Book ahead, especially for weekend evenings.
- Is Harry's a tourist restaurant?
- Despite its Laugavegur location, Harry's has earned genuine loyalty from locals too. The family-run nature and focus on quality keeps it authentic.
- What are the best dishes?
- The scallops, pan-fried cod, and lamb fillet are consistently praised. The cocktails are also noted as among the best value in Reykjavik.
- What are the opening hours?
- Dinner only, opening at 17:00 daily. Closes at 22:30 on weeknights and 23:00 on Friday and Saturday.
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