5. Strondin Pub Vik
Photo from Strondin Pub
Best for: A casual meal with drinks
Strondin Pub Vik sits right in the middle of Vik, looking out over the Atlantic and the jagged silhouettes of the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks. It’s the kind of place that feels settled — familiar to locals, easy for visitors to slip into. The gastropub draws a mixed crowd, partly because of the generous portions and partly because the setting does a lot of the work for you.
The menu sticks to pub classics done well: crispy fish and chips, lamb burgers, chicken wings. Nothing pretentious, all made with fresh local ingredients. After a morning at Reynisfjara Beach or a walk up at Dyrholaey, it’s a reliable place to land when you want something filling and uncomplicated.
There’s a solid selection of Icelandic beers on tap, wines, and cocktails. The interior leans into warm wood and wide windows — on a stormy evening, watching the weather roll in off the coast while nursing a pint is genuinely hard to beat.
Whether you want a quick bite or a longer dinner with company, Strondin Pub Vik is one of the more honest pub experiences on the South Coast.
4. Halldor Coffee Shop
Photo from Halldorskaffi
Best for: Traditional Icelandic dishes in a historic setting
Halldorskaffi occupies one of Vik’s oldest buildings — Brydebud, put up in 1831 as a merchant shop for local fishermen and farmers. That history hasn’t been scrubbed out; it’s still very much in the walls, and the place feels genuinely rooted rather than themed.
It sits close to the Katla Visitor Center, which makes it a natural stop if you’ve been taking in the volcanic history of the area. The food leans Icelandic: Arctic char, lamb fillet, kjotsupa (lamb soup). Pizzas and burgers round things out, so it works for groups with different appetites.
If you haven’t been inside the Katla Visitor Center yet, it’s worth combining the two — context for the landscape makes the meal feel that much more connected to where you actually are.
3. Smidjan Brugghus
Photo from Smidjan Brugghus
Best for: Burgers and craft beer
Smidjan Brugghus opened in 2018 as Vik’s first craft brewery, and it hasn’t taken long to become one of the town’s most talked-about spots. The setup is straightforward: serious burgers, house-brewed beer, a lively atmosphere that doesn’t try too hard. The bacon burger and blue cheese burger have their fans, and the crispy onion rings tend to disappear fast.
Ten craft beers on tap, all brewed on the premises. If you’re unsure where to start, the tasting platter covers a decent range — hoppy IPAs through to richer stouts. It’s a good place to spend an unhurried evening.
2. Black Crust Pizzeria
Best for: Unique, delicious pizza
Black Crust Pizzeria opened in 2022 and has been generating a steady buzz since. The draw is the charcoal-infused dough — visually striking, and the flavour backs it up. Langoustine with truffle-infused cream cheese is a standout, as is the marinated duck. The sourdough pizzas hold their own too, for those who want something more familiar.
The system is simple: first-come, first-served. Order at the bar, find a seat, wait. No reservations, no fuss — just good pizza.
1. Sudur-Vik
Photo from Sudur-Vik
Best for: A hearty meal with a view
Sudur-Vik is built into the mountainside above town, and the views across Vik to the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks are the real thing — not a backdrop you get tired of. It’s been there since 2013, long enough to have earned a proper reputation rather than just a good run of early reviews.
The menu covers a lot of ground: Thai curry, locally sourced Arctic char, and the Sudur-Vik burger loaded with caramelized onions and Camembert. The ingredients are quality and the kitchen clearly knows what it’s doing. Some diners flag that portion sizes lean modest and prices sit a touch higher than expected — worth knowing going in.
The staff are attentive without being overbearing, and their recommendations are usually worth taking. It’s a comfortable room, and the service matches the setting.
Insider tip: If the weather’s cooperating, go for the outdoor seating — the views of the cliffs and coastline from out there are something else. Book ahead during peak season; this place fills up. A table outside on a clear day is as good as it gets in Vik.
