🎄 Planning a Christmas trip to Iceland? Save 10% on tours with code WINTER2025
Updated: December 18, 2025 | Total Restaurants: 50+ | ⏱️ Reading time: 8 min
📞 Reservations: We do not assist with table reservations. Please contact restaurants directly. Book early — tables fill up quickly during the holidays!
✅ The 2025 Christmas opening hours list is being updated regularly. Check back often for new additions!
Christmas is one of the most important holidays in Iceland. During this period, many banks, shops, and restaurants close so locals can spend time with their families and friends. If you’re visiting Iceland during the festive season, don’t worry — we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to restaurants staying open throughout the holidays.
🔍 Quick Navigation
Jump to section: ⭐ Open ALL Holidays | 24 Dec | 25 Dec | 26 Dec | 31 Dec | 1 Jan
Filter by cuisine: 🇮🇸 Icelandic | 🌍 International | 🥢 Asian | 🍝 Italian | 🍔 Fast Food
💰 Price Guide: $ Budget (under 3,500 ISK) | $$ Mid-range (3,500-8,000 ISK) | $$$ Fine Dining (8,000+ ISK)
📍 Restaurant Locations — Find Your Way
Click on any restaurant name to open Google Maps and get directions. Most restaurants are in downtown Reykjavik (101), within walking distance of each other.
📍 Restaurants by Neighborhood
🏙️ Downtown / Austurstræti
Main shopping street — closest to Hallgrímskirkja
- Apótek — Austurstræti 16
- Caruso — Austurstræti 22
- Grillmarkaðurinn — Lækjargata 2a
- Matarkjallarinn — Aðalstræti 2
- Hard Rock Café — Lækjargata 2
- Tapas Barinn — Vesturgata 3b
- Geiri Smart — Hverfisgata 12
⚓ Old Harbor / Grandi
Waterfront dining — near whale watching tours
- Kopar — Geirsgata 3
- Slippbarinn — Mýrargata 2
- Icelandic Fish & Chips — Tryggvagata 11
- Reykjavik Fish — Tryggvagata 8
- Sæta Svínið — Hafnarstræti 1-3
🛍️ Laugavegur Area
Main shopping street — great for bar hopping
- Bastard Brew & Food — Vegamótastígur 4
- Sandholt Bakery — Laugavegur 36
- Snaps Bistro — Þórsgata 1
- Lóa — Laugavegur 28
- Kol Restaurant — Skólavörðustígur 40
- Vegan World Peace — Hverfisgata 98
🏨 Hotel District / East Reykjavik
Near Fosshotel, Hilton & business hotels
- Haust — Þórunnartún 1 (Fosshotel)
- Sky Lounge — Ingólfsstræti 1
- Shanghai — ⚠️ Currently closed
- Hjá Jóni — Austurvöllur (Parliament Hotel)
🚗 Outside Downtown (Drive/Bus)
Worth the trip — 10-15 min from city center
- Volcano Kebab 🆕 — Spöngin 15, 112 Reykjavík
- Perlan Restaurant — Öskjuhlíð (Perlan)
- Nauthóll — Nauthólsvegur 106
⭐ Restaurants Open ALL Holidays (Dec 24, 25, 26, 31 & Jan 1)
These restaurants are confirmed open on ALL key holiday dates — perfect for stress-free planning:
Bastard Brew & Food $$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: Microbrewery / Gastropub | Menu: Regular
Hours:
- 24 Dec: Open
- 25 Dec: Open
- 26 Dec: Open
- 31 Dec: Until 01:00
- 1 Jan: Open
Caruso $$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: Italian | Menu: Regular & set menu
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 17:00–22:00
- 25 Dec: 17:00–22:00
- 26 Dec: 17:00–22:00
- 31 Dec: 17:00–22:00
- 1 Jan: 17:00–22:00
Geiri Smart $$$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: Scandinavian style | Menu: Set menu
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 16:00–20:00
- 25 Dec: 16:00–20:00
- 26 Dec: 12:00–23:00
- 31 Dec: 16:00–20:00
- 1 Jan: 12:00–23:00
Hard Rock Café Reykjavík $$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: American | Menu: Regular
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 12:00–20:00
- 25 Dec: 12:00–22:00
- 26 Dec: 12:00–22:00
- 31 Dec: 12:00–22:00
- 1 Jan: 12:00–20:00
Haust $$$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: Modern Icelandic | Menu: Buffet
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 11:30–13:30, 18:00–20:00
- 25 Dec: 11:30–13:30, 18:00–20:00
- 26 Dec: 11:30–13:30, 18:00–20:00
- 31 Dec: 11:30–13:30, 18:00–20:00
- 1 Jan: 11:30–13:30, 18:00–20:00
Fixed seating times; advance reservations recommended.
Hjá Jóni $$$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: Modern Icelandic | Menu: Set & Regular
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 17:00–21:00
- 25 Dec: 17:00–21:00
- 26 Dec: 17:00–21:00
- 31 Dec: 17:00–21:00
- 1 Jan: 17:00–21:00
Icelandic Fish & Chips $ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: Seafood / Fast casual | Menu: Regular
Hours:
- 24 Dec: Open
- 25 Dec: Open
- 26 Dec: Open
- 31 Dec: 11:30–18:30
- 1 Jan: Open
Kopar Restaurant $$$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: International | Menu: Set menus
Hours:
- 24 Dec: Seatings at 18:00 & 21:00
- 25 Dec: Seatings at 18:00 & 21:00
- 26 Dec: Seatings at 18:00 & 21:00
- 31 Dec: Seatings at 18:00 & 21:00
- 1 Jan: Seatings at 18:00 & 21:00
Lóa $$$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: Modern Icelandic-Iberian | Menu: Set menu
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 18:00–22:00
- 25 Dec: 18:00–22:00
- 26 Dec: 18:00–22:00
- 31 Dec: 18:00–22:00
- 1 Jan: 18:00–22:00
Sky Lounge $$$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: International | Menu: Set menus
Hours:
- 24 Dec: Dinner service only
- 25 Dec: Dinner service only
- 26 Dec: Regular hours
- 31 Dec: Dinner service only
- 1 Jan: Dinner service only
Slippbarinn $$$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: International | Menu: Regular & set
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 18:00–22:30 (dinner only)
- 25 Dec: 18:00–22:30 (dinner only)
- 26 Dec: 15:00–23:00
- 31 Dec: 18:00–22:30
- 1 Jan: 15:00–23:00
Snaps Bistro $$ ⭐ OPEN ALL HOLIDAYS
Cuisine: International | Menu: Set menu
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 07:00–10:00 & 16:00–23:30
- 25 Dec: 07:00–10:00 & 16:00–23:30
- 26 Dec: 07:00–23:00
- 31 Dec: 07:00–10:00 & 16:00–23:30
- 1 Jan: 07:00–10:00 & 16:00–23:30
Vegan World Peace $ ⭐ OPEN 4 OF 5 DAYS
Cuisine: Vegan Asian | Menu: Set menu only | 🌱 100% Vegan
Hours:
- 24 Dec: 11:00–21:00
- 25 Dec: Closed
- 26 Dec: 11:00–21:00
- 31 Dec: 11:00–21:00
- 1 Jan: 11:00–21:00
Volcano Kebab $ 🆕 NEW ⭐ OPEN 4 OF 5 DAYS
Cuisine: Middle Eastern / Kebab | Menu: Regular | Great for: Quick, affordable meals
🏆 Recommended by Restaurant Guru 2024 & 2025 — “Maybe The Most Delicious Kebab in Reykjavík”
Regular hours: 11:00–23:00 (Mon–Sun)
Holiday Hours:
- 24 Dec: 11:00–17:00 ⚠️ (closes early)
- 25 Dec: 11:00–23:00
- 26 Dec: 11:00–23:00
- 31 Dec: 11:00–23:00
- 1 Jan: 11:00–23:00
Location: Reykjavík city center
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