Best Of Reykjavík 2025: Best Late Night Bite

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 Late Night Bite

Joint Winners

Arabian Taste

Laugavegur 87

Art Bicnick/The Reykjavík Grapevine

Whether you walk into Arabian Taste at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., you will be greeted with the same warmth and small talk by the friendly family at the counter. Sharing a taste of Syrian flavours, this establishment has grown from strength to strength satisfying Reykjavík’s love for late-night shawarma. In a sea of Mandi wannabe’s, Arabian Taste stands apart with their chunky babaghanoush, creamy mutabbal, and our panel pick of lamb kibbeh — bulghur wrapped minced meat torpedoes, deep fried to crunchy perfection. But there is something about the Arayes Maria and we are happy to report that Arabian’s green chilli studded lamb version is a cheesy, get-in-my-my-belly-right-now 4 a.m. treat that puts the rest of their menu to shame.

Devito’s Pizza

Laugavegur 126

Entire generations of Icelanders have partied the night away long after bars kicked them out by ending up here for a pie (let’s be serious, no one is ordering just a slice in the wee morning hours) to fuel further escapades. Whether it’s the extra coarse semolina their pizzas crusts are baked on, or the skilful balance of generous toppings that still avoid being wildly Icelandic, this pizza joint doesn’t cut corners just because their customers are too inebriated to notice such nuance.

RUNNER-UP

Corner Market
Laugavegur 20b

For this particular late night treat you need two things — proximity to Corner Market, ideally the one on Laugavegur, and an airfryer, which by now you either bought or were gifted from the regifting pool of 2021 when Icelanders bought record numbers of the cooking gadget as Christmas presents. No one parties quite like chefs, so sit up and take notes: “You buy a frozen pizza, it has to be ‘Ristorante’. Cut into half, air fry for 7 minutes,” the panellist explains, “top with jalapenos, whatever floats your boat.” Finally, stuff it into your face, steaming hot. Times may be hard, but after-party treats don’t have to be. And if after this drops Corner Market is out of frozen pizzas, the chaps working there are nice enough to drive you home as you sob at the missed opportunity.

Previous Winners

2024: Arabian Taste

2023: Arabian Taste