The popular Snaps bistro in Reykjavík

Do you know the most happening restaurant in Reykjavík? Do you want to dine where the locals go? Then don't miss out on Snaps, that's where anyone who's anyone will go for post-work drinks or take their dates.

Snaps is a bistro and a bar and became the ‘it’ place in Reykjavík from the moment it opened. 

The menu is a mix of French, Danish and Icelandic cuisine and is rather small. The ingredients are Icelandic but the dishes are French (such as bouillabaisse) and you also have the option of ordering Danish smörrebröd.

The service is efficient, friendly and informal and it’s the perfect place to go out with friends, on a first date or with your family. The food is very tasty and has a ‘no bullshit’ approach – the portions are large and there’s no pretentiousness.

It is like a French bistro with big windows where you can watch the passersby, patchwork quilt hangs in one window, other walls are covered with old newspapers and plants fill the rest of the place. There is no music, just the friendly chattering atmosphere. I especially recommend the Moules mariniére and the Crème Brûlée – as well as any of the smörrebröd (Danish open sandwich). My friend tells me the duck salad is also incredible, so next time I go I'll be sure to check that out.

Check out their cocktail menu as well or order a glass of wine. Lots of people simply come here to have a few drinks and catch up with friends.

At lunch time then the fish of the day is always a good (and the most inexpensive) option. During weekends you can go for brunch between 11:30am to 4pm - which I've yet left to do but plan on doing soon!

And the best thing about coming here at night is that they don't take table reservations after 6:30pm, you just have to rock up and hope they can squeeze you in somewhere without having to wait for long - but they'll never say that it's fully booked :)