There are guides and there are guides. Longevity sets us apart and for 20-plus-years we have dined, wined, ordered takeaways and visited spots once, twice, a dozen times in our quest to find the city’s best burgers, bakeries, brews and more.
The Best of Reykjavík dining category has always reflected reality and nothing warms our hearts more than to see Newcomers graduate to winners as the years go by. Now we have winners who will have the added recognition of being Reykjavík Institutions, a badge of honour to commend establishments that have stood the test of time — so keep an eye out for the *I as you peruse our lists of what’s Best.
Here’s to another year of deliciousness, skál!
Best Ice Cream
Winner
Skúbb
Laugarásvegur 1
Photo by Art Bicnick
Panels may change in their make-up, but year after year one decision remains unanimous, the winner of the Best Ice Cream award. Skúbb may have more shelf presence now than they did in their early days, but they have steadfastly stuck to their guns about making quality ice cream that tastes stupidly good. The portions have started to remind us of monstrous American-sized servings, so you might want to time that treat appropriately. The fruit and liquorice are still their strong suit, with the vegan ice creams as luscious and satisfying as their dairy counterparts. The waffles are crisp and toasty, and the service is always patient and pleasant. Sitting by the window after a long swim in Laugardalslaug, licking an ice cream cone, are reminders of life’s ephemeral pleasures. Just that is more than worth the drive.
RUNNER-UP
Ísbúð Huppu
Alfheimar
Chances are you may betray your outsider status if you didn’t know there was a choice between huppuís and sveitaís (there may be judgement, too, depending on your choice, but hey, we are not here to shame you). Team huppu is for the milk ice cream lover, lighter, not as sweet and a straight forward dairy celebration. Sveitaís or farm ice cream is the old-fashioned, cream-based ice cream that is thicker and, as many are eager to tell you, easier to digest — that’s Iceland for you, give us our fat! Whatever your choice, rest assured that it won’t break the bank — the family offer of two small and two big soft serves costs just 1.000 kr.!
RUNNER-UP
Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
Hagamelur 67
photo by Art Bicnick
Just how good is this neighbourhood soft serve shop? They have branches across the city, in different neighbourhoods, still bearing the name Ísbúð Vesturbæjar. The OG 107 location is the ideal place to kick off your ísbíltur — the Icelandic tradition of driving down to grab a cone in the dead of winter (or summer, this is an all season activity, okay?!). There is one choice here and it is the gamlaís. We don’t make the rules. An old fashioned icecream with no air whipped into it, it is both dense and light as it quickly melts away, making for easy one handed driving as you savour your cone and drive languidly down street after street.
Previous Winners
2024: Skúbb
2023: Skúbb
2022: Skúbb
2021: Skúbb
2020: Skúbb
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