Best Restaurants on the South Coast of Iceland

The Best Restaurants on the South Coast of Iceland

These fantastic South Coast restaurants are sure to offer great culinary experiences during your travels. You will find anything from established classics that have fed Icelanders for decades to trendy and innovative restaurants that opened just in the last few years. Stop by and try interesting and delicious dishes using fresh and local ingredients!

6. Otto Matur & Drykkur (Hofn)

Photo from Otto Matur & Drykkur

If you're traveling along the South Coast to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon with a tour or an affordable rental car, you'll likely be stopping in the town of Hofn. It's an hour's drive from the lagoon and around six hours from Reykjavik, so it's quite convenient to stay a night in Hofn while exploring the region. As a plus, it also provides the opportunity to enjoy a nice meal at Otto Matur & Drykkur!

The town of Hofn is famous for its langoustine, which you'll find on Otto's menu! Try the amazing langoustine soup or any of the other seafood options, as they're really the highlight of the menu. If you prefer other options, don't worry, though! You can expect anything you choose to be delicious. The menu is also updated regularly and sometimes features cuisine from different corners of the world, making every visit interesting and exciting.

Photo from Otto Matur & Drykkur

Otto is located in the oldest residential building in Hofn. It was originally built in 1897 by the founder of the town, Ottó Tulinius, hence the name of the restaurant. The historic charm makes the dining environment very cozy and inviting!

Be aware that Otto is generally closed during the height of winter, so if you're planning a visit between January and May, make sure to check if they're open! Also, Otto doesn't take reservations, but it's worth the wait if possible. It's adored by locals and travelers alike, and it's best to stop by slightly early, just before the regular dinner traffic.

• Learn all about Iceland in Winter

5. Fjöruborðið (Stokkseyri)

Photo from Fjöruborðið

If you're doing a small detour from the Ring Road and exploring the small towns along the coast, consider stopping by Fjöruborðið. This cozy restaurant is located in the small town of Stokkseyri and has quite a cult following among locals. Many make the trip from the Capital Region just to eat here, and you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who has visited Fjöruborðið who doesn't praise the food to the high heavens!

Fjöruborðið is about an hour's drive from Reykjavik and 15 minutes from Selfoss. It's famous for its lobster soup and delicious langoustine, and it's a great place to celebrate a special occasion with friends or family! They also have a tasty lamb dish on the menu along with a vegetarian option, and the dessert menu features a variety of homemade cakes.

Photo from Fjöruborðið

The atmosphere is homey and inviting, and while this restaurant claims that the food is prepared by "handsome cooks who step naked out of the ocean at Stokkseyri with their catch," we make no such promises. The food is well worth it regardless, so make sure to stop by if you're in the area!

It's unlikely that you'll be able to grab a table without a reservation as it's very popular, so it's always best to book a table at Fjöruborðið well ahead of time!

4. Slippurinn (Westman Islands)

Photo from Slippurinn

Slippurinn restaurant has truly placed the Westman Islands on the culinary map of Iceland. It's a family-run business that celebrates the culinary tradition of the islands, creating interesting and unique dishes from local ingredients. It's only open between May and September, but it's a must-stop if you're planning a summer visit, especially if you're staying a night in the Westman Islands!

At Slippurinn, you'll see dishes such as cured halibut, Icelandic lamb, and amazing shellfish soup. The menu is seasonal, so it changes regularly to incorporate the freshest possible ingredients. They even use many native Icelandic flowers and herbs in their dishes, gathered on the islands, such as arctic thyme and sheep sorrel!

We recommend going for their set 8-course menu to experience all the interesting dishes they have to offer. It can even be made pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan if requested! Pair it with a specialty cocktail or some nice wine for the best possible experience.

Photo from Slippurinn

As one of the best restaurants along Iceland's South Coast and a genuine attraction of the Westman Islands, it's important to book a table at Slippurinn with good notice. It's very unlikely that you'll be able to get a table last minute or with a walk-in!

They also run another smaller restaurant just across the street called Næs (a way to say the English word "nice" in Icelandic). It focuses on smaller plates to share, which pair perfectly with their tasty cocktails and natural wines. If you don't manage to grab a seat at Slippurinn, it's worth it to book a table at Næs, as it's also very nice!

• Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar)

3. Fröken Selfoss (Selfoss)

Photo from Fröken Selfoss

As you drive along the South Coast, you'll pass through Selfoss, the largest town in the region. It can be a convenient location for brunch or lunch as it's an hour's drive from Reykjavik, and Fröken Selfoss is a great option for a memorable meal!

Located along the beautiful downtown area of Selfoss, where many historic Icelandic houses have been rebuilt recently, Fröken Selfoss offers delicious Nordic tapas using fresh ingredients. Choose amazing dishes from the sea, such as the tiger prawns and the California lobster, or from land, like the confit duck or lamb tartar!

Photo from Fröken Selfoss

If you're up for a special treat, there are also set 3-course or 7-course menus, which include dishes such as grilled paprika soup, beef tataki, and veal ribeye. If you prefer, there are also larger main courses to choose from which can be served after the tapas.

If you're starting your Sunday from accommodation in Selfoss or simply want to start your trip from Reykjavik with a bang, you can enjoy the brunch menu at Fröken Selfoss. Try the delicious bruschetta with shrimp salad or the brioche with avocado and chuleta. Just make sure to book your table at Fröken Selfoss to ensure availability, whether it's for brunch or dinner.

• Learn more about the Top 8 Things to Do in Selfoss
• Also, check out: Best Brunch in Reykjavik
• See more: The Best Breakfast Places in Reykjavik

2. Friðheimar (Golden Circle)

Photo from Golden Circle Minibus Tour With Visit to Fridheimar & Kerid Crater Lake

If you've ever looked into the selection of restaurants in South Iceland, you've likely come across Friðheimar. It's a bit of a detour from the regular route of South Coast tours as it's a 35-minute drive from the Ring Road, but it's a very popular lunch stop along the Golden Circle. It's even included in some Golden Circle tours!

Friðheimar is a family-run business that specializes in growing eco-friendly tomatoes with the highest taste quality. You can find them in grocery stores around Iceland, but more importantly, they're also made into an amazing tomato soup which you can enjoy at the Friðheimar greenhouse! 

Enjoy the delicious buffet of tomato soup from the freshest possible ingredients, which is paired with a great selection of different breads. On the side, try the cucumber salsa on the bread and add some fresh basil to your soup to taste.

Photo from Golden Circle Minibus Tour With Visit to Fridheimar & Kerid Crater Lake

If you want something different, there are also other dishes on the menu that all highlight the Friðheimar tomato, like the ravioli, tortillas, or mussels. Even the desserts are tomato-themed! To go with the meal, choose from the wide selection of tomato-based drinks, like tomato beer and cocktails.

Once you're ready to leave, you can pick up some of their products in the small shop by the entrance, including the soup! It's important to plan your visit as it's incredibly popular among locals and travelers alike, and they rarely have empty tables for walk-ins.

Make sure to book your table at Friðheimar with very good notice or stop by during a tour, such as this Golden Circle minibus tour, which also includes a visit to the Kerid volcanic crater!

• See also: The Ultimate Guide to Iceland's Golden Circle

1. Black Crust Pizzeria (Vik)

The town of Vik is a great location to break up a day of exploring with lunch or to end your South Coast trip with a delightful dinner. While there are multiple locations to choose from in the town, the best place for a great meal is at Black Crust Pizzeria.

As the name implies, they're famous for their charcoal-infused pizza dough that gives it a characteristic black color, but they also offer more regular sourdough pizzas. The toppings are delicious and rather unique, with options such as marinated duck, date pesto, or a combination of Icelandic cheeses. We especially recommend the langoustine and truffle-infused cream cheese pizza, which also has red onions, rucola, chili, and fresh herbs.

Check out the video below from our visit to Black Crust Pizzeria to see how they're made!

Black Crust Pizzeria is located just by the Ring Road and is an easy stop when doing self-drive tours of the South Coast. It's also very close to the starting point of many ice cave tours to Katla in the Myrdalsjokull glacier, such as this Katla volcano ice caving and glacier hiking tour!

A delicious pizza is a perfect treat after such an excursion before heading back to your accommodation in Vik, towards Reykjavik, or continuing your Ring Road journey. The pizzeria is very casual, and you can't reserve a table. You simply order at the bar and find a seat in the stylish dining area. If you prefer, you can also get takeaway and enjoy your pizza among nature, if the weather allows!

• Learn more about the Best Restaurants in Vik

As you travel along the South Coast and explore natural wonders, don't miss the opportunity to experience these fantastic restaurants. They're a great way to get a feel for the local cuisine and are sure to add something special to your trip!

These restaurants are conveniently located throughout the region and are easy to fit into your travel plans. Enjoying good food is an important part of any adventure, so take the opportunity to enhance your trip with the best meals on the South Coast!

Are you doing a tour of Iceland's South Coast? Will you stop by any of these restaurants? Are there any establishments that deserve a place on this list? Share your thoughts and experience in the comment section below!