Grillmarkaðurinn, or "The Grill Market" in English, sits on Lækjargata just steps from Lækjartorg square in central Reykjavík. It's one of the city's better-known upscale dining rooms, built around an open grill concept that leans on Icelandic ingredients and old-world cooking methods like lava stone and charcoal. If you're looking for a meal that treats Icelandic lamb, seafood, and foraged ingredients with some theater, this is one of the addresses locals point visitors toward.

The restaurant occupies a building that mixes stone, timber, and birch branches into a kind of modern hunting-lodge look, which fits the menu's emphasis on fire and smoke. It opened as a sister restaurant to Fiskmarkaðurinn, the Fish Market, and the two share a similar philosophy: take Icelandic produce, apply global techniques, and plate it with some flair.

Why Grillmarkaðurinn stands out

Reykjavík has no shortage of places serving lamb and fish, but Grillmarkaðurinn built its reputation on how it cooks things rather than just what it serves. Much of the menu passes through a charcoal grill or a lava stone setup, which gives dishes a char and smokiness that's harder to find elsewhere in the city center. The kitchen also tends to pull in ingredients that read as distinctly Icelandic, think langoustine from the south coast, Arctic char, highland lamb, and skyr worked into both savory and sweet courses.

It's also a restaurant that photographs well without feeling staged. Low lighting, dark wood, and a long open kitchen make it feel like a place built for a special night out rather than a quick bite before catching a flight.

What the kitchen is known for

Expect a menu that rotates with the seasons, but a few through-lines tend to show up. The kitchen has built a reputation for its grilled lamb preparations, often served with root vegetables or a lava-smoked element. Seafood courses, particularly langoustine and Icelandic cod or char, often get similar treatment over open flame. Small bites and starters frequently play with texture and smoke, think puffed skins, charred vegetables, or reduction sauces built around Icelandic herbs and berries.

Tasting menus are common here, giving you a sampling across proteins and courses rather than committing to one plate. If you're undecided, asking your server which grill item is running that week is usually a good move since the kitchen adjusts based on what's fresh.

Atmosphere and setting

The dining room leans dark and textured, stone walls, low beams, and warm lighting that makes it feel suited to colder months, though it works year-round given Reykjavík's climate. Tables are close enough to feel intimate without being cramped, and the open kitchen adds some ambient noise and smell of smoke that's part of the appeal rather than a distraction.

This isn't a casual drop-in spot. It reads more like a destination restaurant where people linger over multiple courses and a bottle of wine.

Service and experience

Staff here tend to be well versed in the menu's Icelandic ingredients, which helps if you're unfamiliar with things like hangikjöt or skyr-based desserts. Service generally moves at a pace suited to a multi-course dinner rather than a fast turnaround, so plan for a couple of hours if you're doing the tasting format.

Reservations and waits

Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during the summer tourist season from June through August and around major holidays. Walk-ins do happen, especially on weeknights or in the off-season, but given the restaurant's popularity with both visitors and locals celebrating something, booking ahead online or by phone removes the risk of being turned away at the door.

Price tier

Grillmarkaðurinn sits in the upscale to fine dining range, in line with its focus on tasting menus and grill-driven technique. This isn't a budget stop, and multi-course menus with wine pairings push it further toward the higher end of what Reykjavík's dining scene offers.

Best time to visit

Dinner is the main event here, and an early evening reservation, around 6 or 7pm, tends to offer a quieter room before things fill in later. Winter visits pair well with the restaurant's darker, firelit interior, though it's a solid choice any season given its central location near other evening activities like a walk along Austurvöllur square or a pre-dinner stop at a bar on Laugavegur.

Good to know before you go

• Located directly on Lækjargata, a short walk from Austurvöllur square and the Alþingi parliament building.
• About 5 to 8 minutes on foot from the main shopping street, Laugavegur.
• Menu changes seasonally, so specific dishes mentioned online may not be currently available.
• Dietary restrictions are generally accommodated if mentioned when booking.
• Dress code leans smart casual rather than strictly formal.

Neighborhood and location context

The restaurant sits right in Reykjavík's historic center, close enough to Lækjartorg square that you could walk from most downtown hotels in under 10 minutes. It's within easy reach of the old harbor, Hallgrímskirkja church, and the shops along Laugavegur, making it a convenient dinner stop if you're spending the day exploring downtown on foot.

Who this is for

Grillmarkaðurinn suits travelers who want a sit-down, multi-course introduction to Icelandic ingredients without venturing far from the city center. It works well for anniversary dinners, a splurge night after a day on a glacier tour, or anyone curious about how Icelandic lamb and seafood taste when run over an open flame. It's less suited to a quick solo lunch or those on a tight food budget, given the price tier and pacing of the meal.

FAQ

Do I need a reservation at Grillmarkaðurinn?
Yes, especially for dinner during peak tourist months. Booking ahead is the safer route.

Is Grillmarkaðurinn good for vegetarians?
The menu leans heavily on meat and seafood, but kitchens in Reykjavík are generally used to accommodating dietary needs if you mention them when reserving.

How far is it from downtown Reykjavík hotels?
Most downtown hotels are within a 5 to 10 minute walk, since the restaurant sits right on Lækjargata near Lækjartorg square.

What's the typical price range?
It falls into the upscale to fine dining category, particularly if you order a tasting menu with wine pairings.