Grillmarkaðurinn, Reykjavík

Feb 4

A steakhouse I didn’t plan to visit twice — but gladly did

While staying in Reykjavík, I was surrounded by more restaurants than I could realistically try in one trip. Iceland’s dining scene is dense and tempting, but I had one craving: a proper steakhouse. A quick search led me to Grillmarkaðurinn, and by pure luck they were accepting a solo reservation that evening. Traveling alone sometimes makes reservations harder than expected, so I took it as a sign and booked immediately.

Walking in, my first impression was warmth. Not just the lighting or the rustic interior, but the people. I was seated downstairs in a quiet corner, which I honestly preferred. It felt intimate and calm, tucked away from the street noise. The servers were welcoming without hovering, and when I asked for recommendations, they answered honestly. They shared best sellers and personal favorites instead of giving a rehearsed pitch. That kind of transparency always earns trust early.

First Visit

I ordered the crispy duck salad, a green apple breeze mocktail, and their best-selling beef ribeye with fries.

The crispy duck salad ended up being my favorite dish of the entire Iceland trip. Spinach, watermelon, pomegranate, fried shallots, and mint coriander vinaigrette sound unusual together, but the balance was remarkable. The duck was rich and savory, softened by the sweetness of watermelon and sharpened by the bright vinaigrette. Every bite had contrast: crisp, juicy, herbal, and deep. It’s the kind of plate that makes you slow down because you don’t want it to end.

The mocktail was refreshing and clean. The apple flavor was clear without being sugary, with just enough tartness to cut through the richness of the duck. It worked as a reset between bites.

The ribeye was cooked to a textbook medium rare. Tender with a satisfying bite, grilled beautifully, and finished with a mushroom glaze that added depth without masking the beef. It wasn’t flashy, just technically strong. A steak that respects its fundamentals.

Service throughout the meal was attentive and smooth. Iceland is known for its high cost of living, but the experience felt fair for the quality. My first dinner totaled 16,470 ISK (≈ $120 USD), and I left genuinely satisfied.

The Return Visit

The night before my flight home, I found myself thinking about the duck salad again. That’s usually the clearest sign a restaurant did something right. I went back.

I ordered the crispy duck salad again, robata grilled salmon, a cappuccino, and the Grill Market chocolate dessert. Consistency is where restaurants prove themselves, and the salad tasted identical to the first visit. Same balance, same execution, same impact.

The robata grilled salmon was beautifully composed. Miso-marinated salmon sat over potato purée with bok choy, crispy quinoa, and garlic teriyaki. The key is eating everything together. The umami miso, the smooth purée, the crunch of quinoa, and the gentle sweetness of teriyaki landed in one layered bite. It was deliberate and well paced, with a portion size that felt generous without being heavy.

The chocolate dessert, made with mascarpone mousse, warm caramel, and coffee ice cream, leaned sweeter than my personal preference. It wasn’t poorly executed, just richer than I tend to enjoy. A solid house dessert, but not the highlight of the meal.

The second visit totaled 17,660 ISK (≈ $129 USD).

Return Factor

Returning within the same trip wasn’t planned. It was driven by memory. That matters. Restaurants that pull you back through craving rather than convenience earn their place in a travel journal. Grillmarkaðurinn passed that test.

Scoring

Food: 8/10
Strong execution and memorable flavors, especially the duck salad and salmon.

Service: 8/10
Warm, hospitable, and welcoming to solo diners without feeling performative.

Ambiance: 8/10
Rustic and intimate. The downstairs seating adds a cozy, tucked-away calm.

Value: 8/10
Iceland pricing is high, but the experience felt earned.

Overall: 8/10

Final Thoughts

Grillmarkaðurinn stands as one of my most memorable meals in Reykjavík. It isn’t flawless, but it’s thoughtful. The kitchen shows restraint, the service feels genuine, and the atmosphere invites you to stay longer than planned. When I pay for a meal myself, I expect honesty from the experience. This restaurant delivered more hits than misses, and it did so consistently.

If you’re visiting Iceland and want a steakhouse that respects both the food and the guest, this is a reservation worth making. I’d return not out of hype, but out of trust.