Best Seafood Restaurant in Iceland: Reykjavik to Ísafjörður

Few things taste as clean and briny as seafood pulled from the North Atlantic, and Iceland has built a culinary reputation on that promise. But while Reykjavik snags most of the attention, many locals will point you to a tiny fishing village in the remote Westfjords—Ísafjörður—where a family-run restaurant called Tjöruhúsið serves catch-of-the-day plates that rival anything in the capital.

This guide compares Iceland’s top seafood destinations and explains why venturing beyond Reykjavik might be your smartest meal decision.

Top seafood restaurants in Reykjavik (Tripadvisor): 10 ·
Best fish restaurant per local guide: Tjöruhúsið in Ísafjörður ·
Iceland’s seafood reputation: Premier food destination

Four restaurants dominate the conversation, and each has a distinct profile worth knowing before you book a table.

The crowd-sourced weight of Tripadvisor and official tourism endorsements points to Tjöruhúsið as a standout. But let’s dig deeper into each question you’re likely asking.

Where can I find the best seafood in Iceland?

What are the top seafood restaurants in Reykjavik?

• According to Tripadvisor, Reykjavik features at least 10 top-rated seafood restaurants (Tripadvisor (user review aggregates)). Leading names include MAR Seafood, Sjávargrillið, and Messinn.
• MAR Seafood specialises in fish pans: a hot cast-iron skillet of mixed seafood, butter, and vegetables (Visit Iceland (official tourism board)).
• Sjávargrillið offers fine-dining langoustines and has become a favourite among diners seeking premium service (Tripadvisor (user reviews)).

Which restaurants are recommended by locals?

• Many Icelandic locals steer visitors to Tjöruhúsið in Ísafjörður, a four-hour drive from Reykjavik. A Guide to Iceland post from 2014 titled it “the best fish restaurant in Iceland” (Guide to Iceland (travel guide)).
• The restaurant does not display a menu; the chef prepares whatever is caught that morning—often wolffish, cod, halibut, bacalao, redfish, and spotted catfish (Visit Westfjords (regional tourism authority)).
• Messinn in Reykjavik is also popular with locals for its buttery langoustine and relaxed vibe (Tripadvisor (user reviews)).

The pattern: Reykjavik offers variety and convenience, but the strongest local consensus—and the freshest catch—belongs to Tjöruhúsið, provided you’re willing to make the journey.

What seafood is Iceland known for?

What is the most eaten fish in Iceland?

• Cod is the dominant fish in Icelandic kitchens. It appears in everything from the national dish plokkfiskur (fish stew) to simple pan-fried fillets (Wikipedia (Icelandic cuisine overview)).
• Haddock, halibut, and wolffish also feature heavily, especially in the Westfjords where Tjöruhúsið operates (Visit Westfjords (regional tourism authority)).

Is lobster common in Iceland?

• Langoustine (Nephrops norvegicus)—often called Icelandic lobster—is a prized seasonal catch. It is smaller than American lobster but prized for its delicate sweetness (Visit Iceland (official tourism board)).
• Popular langoustine dishes include grilled tails, lobster soup, and pasta. Sjávargrillið and Messinn are particularly known for their langoustine offerings (Tripadvisor (user reviews)).

The trade-off: Cod is accessible and affordable; langoustine is a premium indulgence. Your choice depends on budget and how much local tradition you want to experience.

Can you get lobster in Iceland?

How much does a lobster cost at Iceland?

• Langoustine dishes typically cost between 4,000 and 7,000 ISK ($30–$50 USD) in Reykjavik restaurants (Wanderlog (user-shared data)).
• Tjöruhúsið’s daily catch specials are notably more affordable, hovering around 3,000–4,000 ISK per plate, but langoustine may not always be available (Dineout Iceland (restaurant booking site)).

Where can I find the best langoustines?

• Sjávargrillið is widely regarded as the top spot for langoustines in Reykjavik, often cited by both food critics and travellers (Visit Iceland (official tourism board)).
• Tjöruhúsið occasionally serves langoustine when local boats land a good catch, according to Visit Westfjords (Visit Westfjords (regional tourism authority)).

The implication: If langoustine is your priority, stick to Reykjavik’s specialist restaurants. If you want a surprise and a bargain, try Tjöruhúsið—but call ahead to ask what’s in the net.

What to be careful of in Iceland?

What food is expensive in Iceland?

• Seafood dining, especially langoustine and fine-dining preparations, pushes main courses into the $30–$50 range (Wanderlog (user-shared data)).
• Tipping is not customary in Iceland (Visit Iceland (official tourism board)). Don’t feel pressure to add extra on top of already high prices.

What time do Icelanders eat dinner?

• Dinner is generally served between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM (Visit Westfjords (regional tourism authority)).
• Restaurants outside Reykjavik may have shorter hours; Tjöruhúsið often opens from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM during season (Tripadvisor (user reviews)).

These considerations are key for a smooth trip.

What is a must eat in Iceland?

What are traditional Icelandic foods?

• Plokkfiskur (fish stew) is the quintessential comfort dish: mashed cod or haddock, potatoes, onions, and béchamel sauce baked together (Wikipedia (Icelandic cuisine overview)).
• Lobster soup and grilled langoustine are signature restaurant dishes that showcase the premium side of the country’s waters (Visit Iceland (official tourism board)).

What is the most popular fish dish?

• Plokkfiskur tops the list as the most popular fish dish, available in nearly every Icelandic eatery (Wikipedia (Icelandic cuisine overview)).
• At Tjöruhúsið, the catch-of-the-day approach means you’ll get whatever local fisherman brought in—be it wolffish, halibut, or redfish—prepared simply with butter and herbs (Visit Westfjords (regional tourism authority)).

What this means: For a full picture of Icelandic seafood, eat plokkfiskur at a local spot, then make the pilgrimage to Tjöruhúsið for an unfiltered, boat-to-table experience. That combination is impossible to replicate in Reykjavik alone.

“Tjöruhúsið is the best fish restaurant in Iceland.” — Guide to Iceland travel guide (Guide to Iceland)

“The restaurant serves catch of the day and does not display a menu. Diners can expect fish such as wolffish, cod, halibut, bacalao, redfish, and spotted catfish.” — Visit Westfjords (Visit Westfjords)

Frequently asked questions