Ruby Tuesday
A casual neighbourhood restaurant on Skipholti serving burgers, steaks, and comfort food — Ruby Tuesday is an unpretentious local hangout away from the tourist centre.
Ruby Tuesday on Skipholti is not trying to attract tourists, and that is exactly what makes it interesting. This is a neighbourhood restaurant in a residential part of Reykjavik, serving casual food to locals who want a relaxed meal without the downtown premium.
The Food
The menu is built around comfort: burgers, steaks, salads, and rotating daily specials. Nothing revolutionary, but executed with enough care to keep regulars coming back. The burgers are solid — freshly made, properly seasoned, served with decent fries. The steaks are cooked to order and come at prices that undercut most downtown competitors.
What sets Ruby Tuesday apart in the current Reykjavik dining scene is its commitment to sustainability and plant-based options. The vegan-friendly additions to the menu are not afterthoughts but genuinely considered dishes.
The Vibe
This is a place where locals eat. The atmosphere is casual in the truest sense — no carefully curated Instagram aesthetic, no pretension, just a comfortable room where you can have a meal and a drink without feeling like you are performing for anyone. Families, couples, solo diners — it all works here.
The location on Skipholti means you are away from the tourist bustle of Laugavegur. This is Reykjavik as residents experience it. The walk from downtown takes about 10 minutes, or you can take the bus.
The Honest Assessment
The reviews are mixed, averaging around 3.6, which reflects what Ruby Tuesday is: a perfectly decent neighbourhood restaurant that does not try to be more. Some visitors expect more polish, but that is missing the point. This is where you go when you want a good burger, fair prices, and no fuss.
When to Visit
Weekday lunches are the quietest time. Friday and Saturday evenings bring more of a buzz. The kitchen runs continuously through opening hours, so there is no awkward gap between lunch and dinner service.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this the American Ruby Tuesday chain?
- No. This is an independent Icelandic restaurant that happens to share the name. It has no connection to the American casual dining chain.
- What kind of food does Ruby Tuesday serve?
- Casual comfort food — burgers, steaks, salads, and daily specials. The menu is straightforward and unpretentious.
- Where is Ruby Tuesday?
- At Skipholti 19, in a residential neighbourhood about a 10-minute walk from the centre. Not on the tourist trail, which is part of its appeal.
- Is Ruby Tuesday expensive?
- Mid-range for Reykjavik. Mains around ISK 2,800-4,500. Reasonable for a sit-down meal.
- Is it good for vegetarians?
- The restaurant has embraced vegan and sustainable dining options. There are plant-based alternatives on the menu.
- Do I need a reservation?
- Generally not necessary during the week. Weekends can get busier, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Explore Iceland's Food Scene — Reykjavik
Join a guided food tour and discover the best local flavors Iceland has to offer.
Browse Food ToursMore in Reykjavik
See all →101 Reykjavik Street Food
Traditional Icelandic soups and stews served quickly and cheaply on the main street -- the lamb soup alone is worth the visit.
108 Matur
A small, no-frills lunch spot in the 108 district of Reykjavik, beloved by locals for its freshly made daily specials and remarkably low prices.
1919 Restaurant
The dining room at Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel on Posthusstraeti, set in a beautifully restored early 20th-century building in the heart of downtown Reykjavik.