The Best Hamburgers in Reykjavik - A Local Guide to Burger Joints

The Top 10 Burgers in Reykjavik

Many, if not most, restaurants in Iceland have a hamburger on their menu, so we've decided to limit our list to restaurants that have a special focus on burgers. Keep reading until the end to see our favorite, and be sure to let us know in the comments if we missed yours!

10. Hamborgarafabrikkan

Hamborgarafabrikkan established itself years ago as one of the most popular spots to get a hamburger in Reykjavik. The restaurant prides itself in being very Icelandic, playing only Icelandic music and having several menu items named after national legends and household names.

The casual atmosphere at Hamborgarafabrikkan makes it a popular spot to visit in a large group and for special occasions. If it's your birthday (you might need to present your ID!), you'll get a special birthday treat and get to choose a song to play for the entire restaurant. Just remember that only Icelandic songs are allowed, so you might need to do some research beforehand!

The hamburgers at Hamborgarafabrikkan are quite iconic and could easily be picked out from a lineup due to their signature square design. The menu consists of popular staples as well as specials and seasonal treats, such as the "Rudolph" reindeer burger for Christmas. Sorry, Santa!

If, for some reason, you decide to visit this restaurant with a name that translates to "The Hamburger Factory" but don't want to get a burger, there are other options on the menu, such as crispy chicken and nachos. Hamborgarafabrikkan remains popular for a good reason, being an excellent place to grab a casual but tasty meal with a group of friends for a special or not-so-special occasion. 

Book your table at Hamborgarafabrikkan now!

9. Gastro Truck

Food carts weren't part of the plan for this list, but seeing as how the Gastro Truck is quite stationary and located indoors, we'll make an exception. It doesn't hurt that their signature burger is absolutely to die for, either!

While most of the entries on our list are beef-centric, the Gastro Truck is all about fried chicken. The menu is compact and mostly a different presentation of the same meal, depending on whether you prefer a hamburger, wrap, or chicken strips.

Obviously, we prefer the burger option, and it is absolutely delicious - crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. It has a slight bit of heat to it while not being overbearing, served with cole slaw and mayo. Factoring in the soft bun, the chicken burger at Gastro Truck is probably the best of its kind anywhere in town. They recommend the orange soda to go alongside the burger, and so do we!

There are at least two trucks we know of, each being found in different food courts in Reykjavik. Gastro Truck proves that simplicity is sometimes the key to success, as is evident by the amount of people who gather in front of the truck to get that juicy chicken.

8. Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar

Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar, also known simply as "Búllan," is Iceland's most iconic hamburger joint. Named after its founder Tommi, who became the godfather of the Icelandic hamburger scene when he opened his first burger joint in the 80s, it is incredibly popular with Icelandic people and visitors alike.  

As you step inside Búllan, you'll be greeted by an easy-going and laid-back vibe. The walls are covered in rock and roll memorabilia as well as hand-drawn pictures by children who have visited the joint. The sizzling of the burgers, the banter in the kitchen, and the delicious smell from the grill make for an incredibly appetizing atmosphere.

The menu is surprisingly large for such a small joint, with options for beef, chicken, pulled pork, and steak. We recommend grabbing the flagship cheeseburger as part of the "offer of the century," which comes with fries and a soda. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more honest burger in town!

While the location depicted above is the original Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar, it has since become a chain of nine restaurants in Iceland. The popularity has extended to other European countries, and Búllan can now be found in the UK, Denmark, and Germany if you want to grab a bit of Icelandic fast food when abroad.

7. Lebowski Bar

When it comes to themed restaurants in Iceland, Lebowski Bar really doesn't have any competition. Obviously themed after "The Big Lebowski," Lebowski Bar is, at its core, a retro American bar paying homage to the Coen brothers' cult classic film.

During the daytime, Lebowski Bar offers a great hamburger menu with burgers named after characters from the movie. In the eveningtime, the bar aspect takes over and during weekends, it's the most reliable place to find a dancefloor blasting classic tunes from the 80's. 

The menu at Lebowski Bar is very popular with the locals as it's very affordable for the quality of the food. While the burgers are pretty simple, the menu is quite diverse, catering to a wide range of cravings you might be having. Aside from the burgers, Lebowski Bar is also known for their milkshakes, which can be served with or without alcohol.

If you're looking for a quick bite in a slightly quirky setting or want to get to know Iceland's nightlife, Lebowski Bar abides. Don't forget to get a White Russian while you're there, as long as you don't get overwhelmed by their 30 or so variants of the drink!

6. Hagavagninn

Hagavagninn sits on a little corner on a bustling street in Reykjavik's west side. Originally, there used to be a small kiosk of the same name serving fast food here, but after it closed down, this smash burger restaurant opened up, which has since carried on the legacy.

Located by the Vesturbaejarlaug swimming pool, Hagavagninn is one of the most popular places for people in the neighborhood to grab a quick bite. The place is small but inviting, ushering passersby in with upbeat tunes and the delicious smell of sizzling burgers.

The menu is simple, with only three types of simple but delicious smash-style burgers on the menu with rather subtle differences between them. The burgers are available as single or doubles, and there are a few options to go for in terms of sides. 

When people visit Iceland, they often want to experience the country the same way locals do, and we can't imagine a better way of experiencing the local life of west side Reykjavik than taking a dip in the geothermal pool next door and then chowing down on a burger at Hagavagninn while your hair dries.

5. Le KocK

Le KocK is a hip and popular restaurant in downtown Reykjavik and a great place to grab a bite or a drink. Despite the laid-back atmosphere and affordable prices, the ever-changing menu at Le KocK is impressive and would not be out of place at a high-end restaurant.

Also located on site are the bar Tail (which pairs into a pun with Le KocK) and the bakery Deig, which specializes in donuts and bagels. The establishment as a whole has a modern and casual vibe, with plenty of puns on the menus to go along with an eco-friendly approach.

But we're here to talk about burgers, and many locals consider the burgers at Le KocK to be the best in town. There are plenty of great burgers to choose from, with the spicy Dirty Harry and the smash-style Trump Tower being popular choices. The sides are well worth a shoutout, as instead of french fries Le Kock opts for artisan potato options topped with ingredients like parmesan cheese, grapes, or guacamole. 

All in all, Le KocK is an excellent choice for a restaurant if you're looking for a good burger in Reykjavik. If the aforementioned atmosphere and food sound appealing, you can plan the ultimate burger getaway by booking a room at the 4-star Exeter Hotel, as Le KocK is located in the hotel's entrance!

4. Sæta Svínið

The best word to describe Sæta Svínið is "happening." This lively little gastropub sits at the heart of Reykjavik and is known for hosting a sleuth of popular live events that range from karaoke nights to bingo parties. On a sunny summer day, you can expect the outdoor area to be absolutely packed, which speaks volumes for the quality of the food.

Indoors, Sæta svínið looks like a classic British pub with a modern vibe. The menu is a higher-end pub fare, and there are plenty of options for drinks as well at the cocktail-serving bar.

On to the burger! There's actually only one burger on the menu, which can be modified a bit to specifications. The signature Sæta Svínið burger, which is a whopping 175 grams, is a premium rump steak with short ribs, beer brioche bun, red onion jam, and cheese. Optional additions include bacon, fried oyster mushrooms, and even foie gras. Ooh la la! 

Served with a generous portion of waffle fries, this burger meal might be the heartiest one on our list. If you somehow have room for more, we recommend trying one of the delicious desserts they have on the menu, like the Icelandic kleina with caramel sauce!

Book a table at Sæta Svínið now!

3. Vitabar

Vitabar is a local pub and one of the more iconic establishments in downtown Reykjavik. This honest little joint harkens back to a time before Iceland exploded in popularity as a tourist destination, and little has changed about the bar throughout the years - and why should it?

Tucked away on a street corner a couple of blocks away from the main street of Laugavegur, Vitabar is quite small and dimly lit. The bar has a steady flow of local regulars who show up for the cozy but somewhat seedy atmosphere and the simple but delicious menu. 

The burgers at Vitabar are old-school. You won't find any aioli or waffle fries here - the burgers are served in the iconic sesame seed buns with options for bacon and cheese. Vitabar does have a signature burger: the forget-me-not, which is served with blue cheese and a garlic & herb sauce. Trust us - it lives up to its name.

If you want to experience a simple but tasty burger at a spot that's a bit of a time capsule, Vitabar is the way to go. For the traditional Icelandic experience, don't forget the cocktail sauce with your fries.

2. Yuzu

Yuzu is a trendy hamburger chain with an Asian twist. Just a few years ago, they had a single spot, but today, Yuzu can now be found in most of the Icelandic food courts and is usually one of the more popular options in those locales. 

The Eastern vibe is immediately apparent in the presentation as the meals are served in bamboo steamers, with options for kimchi on your burger or on the side. If you want to grab a beer along with your meal, you even have the option to get a specially crafted rice lager. On to the burgers themselves, which are some of the best you'll get in Iceland. The steamed buns are incredibly soft, the burgers are well crafted and the variety of sauces and condiments make up for a diverse but delicious menu.

Overall, it's easy to see why Yuzu has become as popular as it has in Iceland. The hip vibe and unique take on burgers is a must-try for any foodie visiting Iceland who should be encouraged to try the most popular option of the "Yuzu Chili." If you want to get a more traditional burger, you should try the "Sjoppu Burger," which accurately emulates the feel of an Icelandic road shop burger. 

1. 2Guys

The name 2Guys might remind you of an international burger brand of a similar name. That's somewhat intentional, as the name 2Guys was meant to be a placeholder but stuck after the name garnered a local reputation for amazing burgers.

The atmosphere at 2Guys is very 90's. The tunes are mostly 90's hip hop, with the burgers being named after legends from that era, such as the Wu-Tang Clan and Notorious B.I.G. There's even an arcade machine where you can rack up some fatalities in the original Mortal Kombat. We recommend choosing Scorpion.

2Guys proves that sometimes, simplicity is best. Their standard burger is a double patty smash burger that's served only with cheese and sauce, but the flavors are out of this world. If you want to spice things up, the "2Pac" burger comes with triple cheese, jalapeno, and crushed Doritos. The burgers are even affordably priced, making them our choice for the best hamburgers in Reykjavik.

Outside of the burgers, the bar has a ridiculously packed cocktail menu and draft beer served in chilled glasses. There are also some dart boards on-site, making it a perfect place to hang out with friends after having a world-class burger.

Best Vegan Hamburgers in Reykjavik

If you're craving a juicy vegan burger, all of the aforementioned restaurants offer great vegan options, and we're especially partial to the options at 2Guys, Yuzu, and Le KocK. If you want to try out a burger from a restaurant that exclusively serves vegan food, you can't go wrong with Junkyard.

Housed in what used to be a gas station, Junkyard prides itself in combining veganism with sloppy burgers, and the results (depicted above) are amazing. With almost twenty burgers on the menu, including a whopping quadruple smash burger, you're guaranteed to find something to sate your hunger in this mecca for plant-based burger lovers. Junkyard takes our prize for the best vegan burgers in Reykjavik.

• See also: The Vegan & Vegetarian Guide to Reykjavik

And those are our favorite hamburgers in Reykjavik. Did we miss your favorite burger? What's your experience with hamburgers in Reykjavik? Let us know in the comments below!