Last update: 23th December 2019

Christmas in Iceland is the most important holiday for Icelandic people. Around this time all banks, shops and most of the restaurants shut down so people could spend quality time with their families and friends.

But what if you’re traveling to Iceland around that time and you want to have a pleasant Christmas dining experience?

Don’t worry, there are some restaurants that will be open around that time. The only thing you would have to do is to reserve it ahead of time.

To make it easier for you, we have contacted various restaurants and checked their opening times.

The following list includes those that will be open on Christmas Eve and the first day of Christmas. It also contains the list of restaurants that will be closed – so you won’t waste your time contacting them.

When it comes to food, most of the restaurants will have a special Christmas menu. If you are a vegetarian, it is crucial to let the restaurant know about it beforehand.

If you have already made a decision about which restaurant to go to around Christmas time or New Year’s Eve, make sure that you book it ahead. The closer it gets to the date, the more difficult it will be to find an available table.

This list contains over 50 restaurants. Make sure that you book a table ahead of time!

Hi Noodle

Cuisine: Japanese ramen noodle

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.facebook.com/HiNoodle

Holt Restaurant

Cuisine: French style

Opening: 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, and 1st January – for dinner

There will only be one time available that is at 6 PM. On those dates, they will only serve one set menu.

Website: www.holt.is/restaurant – Menu & booking form: www.holt.dinesuperb.com/reserve/experience

Mathöll Hlemmur

Cuisine: Foodcourt with various options, veggie options

Closed: 24th, 25th, 31st December, and 1st January

Opened: 26th December

Website: www.hlemmurmatholl.is

Bastard Brew & Food

Cuisine: Micro Brewery

Closed: None

Opened: Every day, open on 24th, 25th, and 31st December until 1:00 AM

Website: https://bastard.is/hatidaropnun/?lang=en

Grandi Mathöll

Cuisine: Foodcourt with various options, veggie options

Closed: Dec 24. – 26. and Dec 30. – Jan 02.

Opened: every other day

Website: www.grandimatholl.is

Gott Restaurant

Cuisine: International

Closed: No

Open: 24th, 25th, 31st December, and 1st January – for dinner

Website: www.hlemmurmatholl.is

Hereford Steikhús

Cuisine: Steak and BBQ

Closed: 24th, 31st December

Opening: 25th, 26th December and 1st January

Website: www.hereford.is

Hlemmur Square Restaurant

Cuisine: Icelandic & International, vegetarian-friendly

Closed: 24th – 26th, 31st December (15:00 – 23:00) & 1st January (17:00 – 23:00)

Opening: 25th, 26th December and 1st January

Website: www.hereford.is

Reykjavik Fish

Cuisine: Fish and Chips

Closed: 25th, 31st December

Opening: 24th (11:00 – 15:00), 26th December (11:00 – 22:00) and 1st January (11:00 – 22:00)

Website: www.reykjavikfish.is

Fjallakonan

Cuisine: International, vegetarian-friendly

Closed: 24th & 25th December

Opening: 26th and 31st

Website: www.fjallakonan.is

Bazilika Reykjavík

Cuisine: Icelandic/Fish and Chip and Pizza

Opening: Everyday

They will serve a special Christmas menu.

Website: www.facebook.com/bazilika.reykjavik

Matarkjallarinn (Food Cellar)

Cuisine: Icelandic / International, vegetarian-friendly.

Closed: 24th and 25th December

Opening: 26th & 31st December – for dinner

Website: www.matarkjallarinn.is

Caruso Harbour

Cuisine: Italian

Closed: 24th and 25th December

Opening: 26th and 31st December – for dinner

Website: www.caruso.is/vidhofnina.

Lækjarbrekka

Cuisine: Icelandic seafood and meat. Vegetarian-friendly.

Closed: 24th December

Opening: 25th, 26th, and 31st December

Website: www.laekjarbrekka.is

Sjávargrillið

Cuisine: A la carté (seafood)

Closed: 24th, 25th December

Opening: 31st December & 1st January – for dinner

Website: www.sjavargrillid.is

Pho Vietnamese Restaurant

Cuisine: Vietnamese Food

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.pho.is

Scandinavian Restaurant

Cuisine: Scandinavian

Closed : TBA

Opening TBA

Website: www.scandinavian.is

101 Street Food Reykjavík

Cuisine: Street food

Closed :

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.101streetfood.is

Fiskfélagið (Fish Company)

Cuisine: Seafood / International

Closed: 24th and 25th December

Opening: 26th and 31st December – for dinner

Website: www.fiskfelagid.is

Geiri Smart

Cuisine: Modern Icelandic

Opening: 24th, 25th, and 31 December

Website: www.geirismart.is

Ísafold

Cuisine: Modern Scandinavian

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.isafoldrestaurant.com

Sjávarbarinn

Cuisine: Seafood

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.sjavarbarinn.is

Grillið

Cuisine: Scandinavian

Closed: 24th & 31st December

Opening: 25th 26th December & 1st January – waiting list

Website: www.grillid.is

Bryggjan Brugghús

Cuisine: International

Closed: 24th, 25th, and 31st December

Open: 26th December & 1st January

Website: www.bryggjanbrugghus.is

Haust

Cuisine: American style buffet

Opening: 24-26th, and 31st December

Website: www.hausrestaurant.is

Sky Lounge

Cuisine: International, vegetarian-friendly

Opening: 24th, 25th, and 31st December

Website: www.skylounge.is

VOX

Cuisine: Scandinavian a la carté

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.vox.is

The Lobster House

Cuisine: Seafood

Closed: 24th, 31st December

Opening: 25th December – for dinner

Website: www.thelobsterhouse.is

Snaps

Cuisine: International

Closed: 24th, 25st December & 1st January

Opening: 26th & 31 December – for dinner

On New Year’s Eve they are serving Gala dinner, the house opens at 6 PM.

Website: www.snaps.is

Forréttabarinn

Cuisine: International

Closed: 24th & 25th December

Opening: 26th & 31 December

Website: www.forrettabarinn.is

Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar

Cuisine: International

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.jorgensenkitchen.com

Reykjavik Restaurant

Cuisine: Icelandic style buffet

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.restaurantreykjavik.is

Grillmarket (Grillmarkaður)

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Closed: 24th December

Opening: Open for dinner on 25th and 31st December – for dinner

Website: www.grillmarkadurinn.is

Reykjavík Meat

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Closed: 24th December

Opening: 26th, 31st December and 1st January – for dinner

Website: www.rvkmeat.is

Icelandic Bar (Íslenski Barinn)

Cuisine: Icelandic

Closed: 24th & 25th December

Opening: Open on 26th and 31st December – for dinner

Website: www.islenskibarinn.is

Apótek Restaurant

Cuisine: Scandinavian a la carté

Closed: 24th December

Opening: 25th and 31st December – for dinner

Website: www.apotekrestaurant.is

Steikhúsið

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Closed: 26th December

Opening: 24th, 25th December and 31st December

Website: www.steik.is

Sæta Svínið Gastropub

Cuisine: International

Closed: 24th & 25th December

Opening: 26th, 31st December & 1st January

Website: www.saetasvinid.is

Icelandic Fish and Chips

Cuisine: Seafood

Opening:24th, 25th, and 31st December

Between 11:30 – 18:30 on 31st December

Website: www.fishandchips.is

American Bar

Cuisine: American style

Closed: 24th December

Opening: 25th and 31st December

Website: www.americanbar.is

Kopar Restaurant

Cuisine: International

Closed: 24th & 25th December

Opening: 26th, 31st December and 1st January – for dinner

Website: www.koparrestaurant.is

Café París

Cuisine: French/ Icelandic

Closed: 24th, 25th, and 31st December

Open: 26th December

Website: www.cafeparis.is

Messinn – Lækjargata

Cuisine: Icelandic

Closed: 24th, 25th, and 31st December

Open: 26th December – for dinner

Website: www.messinn.com

Messin – Grandi

Cuisine: Icelandic buffet

Open: Everyday from 11:30 – 17:00

Website: www.messinn.com

Hard Rock Café

Cuisine: American Style

Closed: 25 and 31st December

Opening: 24, 26th and 31st December

Website: www.hardrock.com/reykjavik

Frederiksen Ale House

Cuisine: Pub food

Closed: 24th, 25th, and 31st December

Opening: 26th December

Website: www.frederiksen.is

Tapas Barinn

Cuisine: Spanish tapas/ Icelandic

Closed: 24th, 25th December

Opening: 26th and 31st December

Website: www.tapas.is

Restó

Cuisine: Seafood

Closed: 1st Jan

Opening: 24th, 25th, 26th, and 31st December (Almost fully booked)

Website: www.resto.is

Old Iceland

Cuisine: Icelandic

Closed: 1st January

Opening: 26th December – lunch, 24th, 25th, and 31st December – only for dinner

Due to their small but cozy atmosphere, they can only seat 30 people at a time, which means guests have the option to arrive at either 17:15 or 20:00. Please note that dinner reservations at this restaurant needs to be pre-booked and paid advance. For more info contact: oldiceland@oldiceland.is.

Website: www.oldiceland.is

Höfnin

Cuisine: Icelandic / International

Closed: 24th- 25th December, and 1st Jan

Opening: 26th – 31st December

Website: www.hofnin.is

Fishmarket

Cuisine: Seafood

Closed: 24th & 25th December

Opening: 26th and 31st December & 1st January – only for dinner

Website: www.fishmarket.is

Kol Restaurant

Cuisine: International

Closed: 24th, 25th December

Opening: 26th & 31st December and 1st January – for dinner

Website: www.kolrestaurant.is

Rio Reykjavik

Cuisine: South American

Closed: TBA

Opening: TBA

Website: www.rioreykjavik.is

Sushi Social

Cuisine: Brazilian/ Japanese

Closed: 24th and 25th December

Opening: 26th and 31st December – for dinner

Website: www.sushisocial.is

Út í Bláinn

Cuisine: Scandinavian

Closed: 25th December

Opening: 24th, 26th and 31st December

Website: www.utiblainn.is

Jamie´s Italian

Cuisine: Italian

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.jamieoliver.com/italian/iceland

Slippbarinn

Cuisine: International

Opening: Everyday

Website: www.slippbarinn.is

Geysir Bistro – Aðalstræti

Cuisine: International

Closed: 31st December

Opening: 24-26th & 31st December

Website: www.geysirbistro.is

Geysir Bistro – Laugavegur 96

Cuisine: International

Closed: 24th, 25th December

Opening: 26th & 31st December

Website: www.geysirbistro.is

Reykjavik Kitchen

Cuisine: Icelandic

Closed: 1st Jan

Opening: 24th, 25th, 26th, and 31st December (Pre-booking requested)

Website: www.reykjavikkitchen.is

Scandinavian

Cuisine: Scandinavian dishes

Closed: 24th and 31st

Opening: Every other day

Website: http://scandinavian.is/en/christmas-menu/