Where to Stay & Eat in Reykjavík
Which neighbourhood fits your trip, and where the good, honestly priced food actually is.
Reykjavík is a genuinely small capital, most of it walkable, and the neighbourhood you choose matters less here than in bigger cities. Here’s an honest breakdown of where to stay, and where to eat once you’re there.
Where to stay, by neighbourhood
101 Reykjavík
Hallgrímskirkja, the Old Harbour and most restaurants and bars all within easy walking distance, the natural choice for a first trip. It’s also the most central, priciest postcode in the city, worth it for the convenience on a short stay.
Hlemmur
A properly local, slightly grittier area a short walk east of the centre, Hlemmur runs noticeably cheaper while staying within easy reach of downtown. Home to Hlemmur Mathöll food hall too, a genuinely good food stop.
Old Harbour district
A properly scenic base near Harpa and the whale-watching boats, this area suits a trip focused on the waterfront and any harbour tours. A short walk from the main centre, and considerably calmer in the evenings.
Vesturbær
A properly residential neighbourhood west of the centre, Vesturbær offers a genuine local feel and easy access to the popular Vesturbæjarlaug thermal pool. A good choice if you’d rather balance sightseeing with a calmer evening scene.
Where to eat
An Icelandic hot dog is genuinely worth trying, a proper local stand costs a fraction of a sit-down meal and remains a widely loved local institution. Fresh fish from a harbour restaurant is worth the splurge too, considerably better value than the tourist-priced menus right on Laugavegur.
Reykjavík’s coffee culture runs strongly through the city, worth exploring beyond the main strip. A grocery store run for skyr, bread and cheese covers a proper budget meal too, given how expensive restaurant dining can get.
A note on getting around and safety
Reykjavík is genuinely one of the safest capitals in the world, low crime across nearly every neighbourhood. The centre is entirely walkable, and a car is only needed for day trips beyond the city itself.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
