Hunting for a great steak in Reykjavik? You’re in the right place. Here are five steakhouses worth making a reservation for — whether it’s your first night in the city or a proper treat before you fly home.
Reykjavik has no shortage of creative, boundary-pushing restaurants, and the food scene here genuinely earns its reputation. But sometimes you just want a serious piece of meat cooked well. The city delivers on that too — think beautifully aged beef, Icelandic lamb that puts supermarket cuts to shame, and, if you’re feeling curious, reindeer and horse on the menu as well.
After a long flight into Keflavik Airport or a week on the road self-driving Iceland’s countryside, sitting down to a proper meal makes the whole trip click into place. This list points you toward the best spots for exactly that.
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Right then — here’s where to eat steak in Reykjavik.
The Best Steakhouse Restaurants in Reykjavik
If quality meat, cooked with care, is what you’re after, these are the places to know about in Reykjavik.
Iceland’s sheep are famous for good reason — you’ll spot them grazing across the countryside all summer, and the flavour of the lamb reflects it. That’s worth trying while you’re here. But the beef on offer at these restaurants is equally impressive, and a few of them go well beyond both.
5. Grillmarket
Grillmarket has been a fixture on Reykjavik’s steak scene for years. It’s a sister restaurant to the acclaimed Fish Market — known for seafood — but here the focus shifts firmly to the grill, and it shows.
The beef tenderloin and ribeye are reliably excellent, served with homemade French fries, sautéed vegetables, and a rich mushroom glaze. The Icelandic lamb chops are a strong order if you want something more local. And if you’re the type who likes to tell stories at dinner, the grilled reindeer and horse tenderloin will give you plenty of material.
What makes Grillmarket stand out is its sourcing. The specialty steaks come directly from Miðey, a local farm, where the beef is aged for 35 days. The tomahawk steak is the star of the menu, and for a group of four the Miðey platter — a selection of cuts — is an excellent call. Portions are generous enough that sides are almost optional, though nobody’s judging if you order them anyway.
This is one of Reykjavik’s busiest dining destinations, so book ahead. You’ll find it on Austurstraeti street in the city centre — look for the iron gate that marks the entrance. It carries an average rating of 4.6 stars from over 2,300 reviews, which tells you most of what you need to know.
4. Steikhúsið (The Steak House)
Photo from the Steak House
Steikhúsið does exactly what the name promises. The menu runs through beef tenderloin, T-bone, and ribeye — cuts ranging from 200 to 400 grams — and if you want to go further into Icelandic territory, lamb, horse, and whale are also on offer.
Bring a big appetite, or bring friends: the 2.2-pound steak platter is built for serious hunger. There’s also a dedicated section called the “Pride of the Steakhouse” menu, featuring dry-aged ribeye and skirt steak, and occasionally the black Angus tomahawk when it’s available.
Photo from the Steak House
Beyond the steak, the menu covers chicken, duck, seafood, and a vegetarian option — useful if you’re eating with a mixed group. The wine list is solid, spanning red through to dessert wines, and the spirits selection makes for a decent post-dinner conversation. Located near Reykjavik Harbor, with an average rating of 4.6 stars from over 700 reviews, it’s worth securing a table in advance.
3. Hereford Steakhouse
Photo from the Hereford Steakhouse
Hereford Steakhouse has a relaxed, welcoming feel — the kind of place where the staff actually seem pleased you came in. It suits both a casual dinner and a longer, more indulgent evening.
When you arrive, you’re handed a short questionnaire asking how you’d like your meat cooked. It’s a small touch, but it means your steak arrives exactly as you wanted it. Sides include fries and baked potatoes, with a range of sauces and garlic butter to round things out.
Photo from the Hereford Steakhouse
The beef tenderloin and ribeye are the safe bets, but lamb, puffin, and whale are on the menu for those who want to eat their way through Iceland’s more unusual offerings. For starters, escargots, lobster soup, and foie gras are all worth considering.
After dinner, the lounge area is a comfortable place to sit with a cocktail or a glass of wine. Hereford Steakhouse sits on Laugavegur main street, close to most of the city’s main attractions. It averages 4.4 stars from over 600 reviews — book ahead to avoid disappointment.
2. Pharmacy Kitchen + Bar
Photo from Apotek Hotel
Apotek Kitchen + Bar isn’t a traditional steakhouse, but it earns its place on this list. The ribeye here is among the best in Reykjavik — dry-aged for 30 days and served with baked carrots, smoked mushrooms, and a rich onion broth. The dry-aged T-bone, black angus porterhouse, and tomahawk are all worth your attention if you want something a bit more showstopping.
If beef isn’t your focus, the lamb rump steak and rack of lamb are both strong choices, and the menu has solid seafood and vegetarian options too.
The cocktail programme has won awards — try the Dillagin if you’re not sure where to start. The wine list is extensive enough to find a good match for whatever you order.
Save room for dessert. The pastry work here is genuinely good, best eaten on-site rather than boxed up to go. Apotek is centrally located, a short walk from most of Reykjavik’s main points of interest, and it carries an average rating of 4.6 stars from over 2,600 reviews. Make a reservation.
1. Kol Restaurant
Kol Restaurant sits on Skolavordustigur street near Hallgrimskirkja — a convenient stop if you’re already walking up toward the church, and a good reason to linger in the neighbourhood a little longer.
The menu takes familiar ingredients and does something interesting with them. The steaks are a highlight: choose between a 3.5-ounce (100 grams) or 7-ounce (200 grams) beef tenderloin, or go for the 10.5-ounce (300 grams) ribeye. Reindeer also appears on the menu for anyone who wants to push things further.
The cocktail list is genuinely creative and pairs well with the food. The wine selection is broad, and non-alcoholic options are plentiful — nobody gets left out here, whether they’re driving or simply not drinking.
If you have the time and appetite, the tasting menus are the way to experience Kol properly. The room has a comfortable energy without feeling stuffy. With an average rating of 4.6 stars from over 1,380 Google reviews, it’s consistently one of Reykjavik’s most-loved restaurants — get your reservation in early.
Enjoy the Best Steaks in Reykjavik
Reykjavik’s restaurant scene punches well above the city’s size, and these steakhouses are a big part of why. Each one takes quality ingredients seriously and turns out food that stays with you after the trip is over.
Don’t leave without trying Icelandic lamb — it holds a protected Designation of Origin for good reason, and the flavour reflects the country’s landscape in a way that’s hard to describe until you’ve tasted it. Whatever you order from these five places, it’s likely to be one of the better meals of your trip.
Which of these Reykjavik restaurants are you most excited to try? Will you dare to sample local meats or stick with classic beef? Are there any other spots you think belong on this list? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
