Previously one of the popular starlets of the Hlemmur Mathöll food hall, Skál gained fame by balancing ambitious fine dining with a casual setting and affordable prices. Started by three friends – chef Gísli Matt, Björn Steinar and Gísli Grímsson – their approach bagged them a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019, and in 2024 they shifted the project to a larger 40-seat downtown venue. Led these days by head chef Thomas Lorentzen, the menu adheres to the same concept of innovative Icelandic dishes made from local products, but the setting, courtesy of architect Iris Laxdal, is chic and seductive, mixing up concrete floors and walls with a pink marble bar counter, walnut tables and leather sofas.

Set in Iceland’s first ever foodhall (previously a bus station), Hlemmur Mathöll’s crown jewel is Skál. An Icelandic gastropub, if you will, this is the definitive taste of Iceland: small plates that pack a punch, natural wines that span funky-fruity-minerally, cocktails that highlight foraged-for-the-masses ingredients like pineapple weed and lovage, the whole package delivered at a hard to beat price point. Get the queen scallops served bejewelled with a zippy redcurrant granita and sharp horseradish cream.

Now in the bustling food hall, try some of the following establishments: the artisan bakery Brauð & Co, the famous Danish open-faced sandwich masters at Jómfrúin, authentic Mexican tacos at La Poblana, the experimental SKÁL!. bar, delicious coffee at Te & Kaffi Microroasters, nitrogen frozen ice cream at Ísleifur Heppni, and Vietnamese street food at Báhn Mí.

The best part is that prices are much more reasonable than you'd see in most restaurants around the city, but you really aren't giving up any quality when it comes to the food.

Located inside Hlemmur Mathöll, a food hall in Reykjavík’s Hlemmur neighborhood, this restaurant recently earned a Michelin star—a well earned one, at that. The menu is brimming with dishes large and small, all perfect to share—don’t skip the gratinated goat cheese with fennel crackers, rhubarb jam, and birch syrup—as well as an extensive drinks menu (including their Reykjavík Mule, made with ginger lemonade and lovage instead of ginger beer). Do not leave this restaurant without trying the Loveballs—caramelized whey cheese served in a cardamom sugar sauce.

Located on the prominent Laugavegur, where many of Reykjavik’s main restaurants are, Skál is a classic tavern that may look pretty basic from the outside. But on the inside, it’s every foodie’s dream: a funky eatery with a fantastic take on traditional Icelandic dishes for a fair price. When I first walked into Skál, it reminded me of the diners we have back home in the States with the neon red-lit signs, counter seating area, and vintage aesthetics.

This deservedly repped, good-natured 'gastrobar' in Reykjavik’s first food hall was set up by chef friends Gísli Matt, Björn Steinar and Gísli Grímsson, and does experimental, back-to-nature dishes that make use of a surprising spectrum of foraged ingredients from around Iceland. Imagine Noma takes over your local pub, adds a list of low-intervention wines and doesn’t charge the earth, and you’re close.

Phil meets Instagram legend Chris Burkard, a world-class nice guy too, and a recent transplant to Iceland. They meet at the Hlemmur Food Hall for a few courses at one of Chris's favorite restaurants, Skál. The chefs at Skál whip striking small dishes with local ingredients that leave you wondering, "How did they ever come up with this?" Not only do they taste great, they are perfect for sharing.

continues to bring its signature buzz to Reykjavík’s vibrant food scene. The atmosphere is casual yet stylish, with an inviting space perfect for sharing bold, modern Icelandic dishes. The open kitchen remains a lively focal point, where chefs put a refined twist on familiar favourites like lamb tartare with wild herbs – a must-try that captures the essence of Icelandic cuisine.

is a collaborative effort between Icelandic wonderchef Gisli Matt and ​​Björn Steinar and Gísli Grímsson, the two gentleman behind Saltverk, a high-end Icelandic salt company (more on the salt later). The menu is small but not limited in any way. All the food is carefully created with local ingredients in mind and creative presentations, and the menu changes with the seasons.

Tucked away in a food hall, Skál is a trendy modern gastropub that’s “a must-visit in Iceland,” says Hood. The playful culinary program, which features small plates like savory cod wings and deep-fried spot prawn heads, is overseen by chef Thomas Lorentzen, formerly of Kadeau in Copenhagen, and Icelandic chef Gísli Matthías. Hood recommends the mini-sized martinis.

Located in Iceland’s first food hall, Skal has been set up by three friends Gísli Matt, Björn Steinar and Gísli Grímsson. Even during a global pandemic, the atmosphere on a Friday evening here was safe and buzzing with joy. Sitting at the window watching people coming and going over a glass of natural red I was in my happy place!.

We visited the “most famous hot dog stand in Reykjavik” and honestly, threw our dogs away because we didn’t like them AT ALL. The next day we headed to Skal!. and bought their hot dog and a beer combo and were much more satisfied. Skip the hype at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsurand hot dog stand and head here for your wiener instead.

, a Nordic-inspired gastropub that has gained recognition for its innovative small plates and lively atmosphere. Emphasizing fresh, local ingredients and bold flavors, Skál!. has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award and is a must-visit spot for anyone looking to experience modern Icelandic cuisine in a relaxed setting.

SKÁL: Pull up a seat at the bar just inside Hlemmur Food Hall for the best meal you’ll have in town. Their cheerful staff will tell you exactly which foods to pair with their natural wines. (But don’t leave without trying the spicy cauliflower, or without ordering a dozen different plates to share.)

Price Range: 2 000 ISK (+/- $14.40/ to €13.45) to 4 000 ISK (+/- $28.80/ to €26.85). Skal is yet another dining experience that laughs in the face of traditional restaurant settings. This restaurant is in a food hall (famous for being the first one in Iceland, converted from an old bus station).

The first time I ate at ​Skál, it was still located inside the Hlemmur Mathöll food hall. Known for its innovative approach to traditional Icelandic cuisine, Skal quickly gained recognition, earning the Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2019. In 2024, the restaurant relocated to a dedicated space.

’s reasonable prices and extensive drink options, which include a variety of local craft beers; they are best known for their stunning small plates. Skál, or Cheers in English, is the perfect place to sit, relax, and enjoy the company of your travel mates or new friends you made along the way.

Our favorite restaurant in Reykjavík first opened in 2017 in the least likely location: inside a food hall at a bus stop. After seven years, Skál moved to a permanent venue. The food at the new location is still very much in the same style as before, but slightly more elevated and refined.

The old bus station in Reykjavík is now a food court, and here you can find Skál. Here you will find natural wine they import themselves, with a nice selection of skin contact wines from Europe, pet nats and young, juicy reds. Do not walk away without a sip of Brennivín, the local spirit.

Hlemmur Food Hall is a vibrant culinary destination that brings together a variety of food vendors and restaurants under one roof. However, with so many options, finding a good restaurant offering local cuisine can be tricky. It’s a good thing, then, that you’re reading this article.

Chef Gísli Matthías Auðunsson has made a name for himself with Slippurinn in the Westman Islands, where he forages for native seaweeds and wild herbs while experimenting with traditional techniques like drying, salting, pickling, fermenting, and smoking. In 2017, he opened this…

Skál was founded by three chefs, including the founders of Saltverk, an artisanal salt manufacturer located in Iceland’s Westfjords. But the location is atypical for a fine dining joint: it’s inside the country’s first food hall, a converted bus stop in the center of Reykjavik.

This wine bar, restaurant, and community hangout started in a Reykjavík food hall. Immense popularity pushed the owners to upgrade into a cozy corner space on Njálsgata street, just a short stroll from Laugavegur, the city’s main drag. On a cold Monday night, Skál!

I ate a ton of salmon on my trip, and I loved the cured salmon dish with rye bread crumbs and horseradish cream from Skál!. in the Hlemmur Mathöll food hall. It’s perfect with a cold glass of Snorri beer, one of Iceland’s most popular brews.

Phil meets up with photographer Chris Burkard at one of his favorite places, Skál!. Located in the first food hall ever built in Iceland, Skál!. specializes in classic Icelandic fare prepared in a modern style.

are chef and entrepreneur Gísli Matthías (founder of Slippurinn and Matur og Drykkur) and Björn Steinar Jónsson, founder of the Saltverk saltworks in Reykjanes.

We’re talking about spicy cauliflower, sweet loveballs and crushed potatoes with angelic mayo. An added bonus is that you can get a vegan friendly hot dog.

We could only choose one restaurant due to our limited time in Iceland, so we chose to check out Skal!. (which translates to Cheers!).

The only negative thing is I think the portion are a tiny bit small. The chef can adapt meals to be gluten free.