101 Reykjavik Street Food is a casual soup-and-fish counter at Skólavörðustígur 8 in downtown Reykjavík‘s 101 postal district, a few steps from the rainbow-painted street that climbs toward Hallgrímskirkja. The kitchen builds its menu around traditional Icelandic comfort dishes, including kjötsúpa (lamb meat soup), lobster soup, seafood soup, plokkfiskur (fish stew) and fish and chips, all cooked fresh to order. Travelers come for a warm, filling, budget-friendly meal that tastes like Iceland.
What to Expect at 101 Reykjavik Street Food
The restaurant is a small, straightforward eatery rather than a formal dining room, and the formula is simple: pick a soup or stew, order at the counter, and settle in with a bowl made for a cold, wet Reykjavík day. The menu’s backbone is traditional home cooking. Kjötsúpa, the so-called Icelandic grandma meat soup, is a slow-simmered lamb broth with root vegetables, the dish locals cook through the long winter. The kitchen also leans on Iceland’s fishing heritage, with lobster soup (humarsúpa) and a seafood soup built on North Atlantic catch.
Beyond the soups, the menu extends to plokkfiskur, the classic Icelandic fish stew of flaked fish, potato and onion, along with fish and chips and a selection of noodle soups with chicken, beef or vegetables for travelers who want something lighter or familiar. Skyr, the thick Icelandic cultured dairy product, anchors the dessert list. The website describes the concept as convenient, flavourful food at a reasonable price, which is a useful promise in a city where restaurant bills climb quickly.
- Icelandic Lamb Meat Soup (Kjötsúpa): The signature traditional bowl, listed at 2,890 ISK on the venue’s site, with tender lamb and root vegetables in a savory broth.
- Lobster Soup (Humarsúpa): A creamy, shellfish-forward soup at 2,890 ISK, a favorite among visitors after a day of sightseeing.
- Seafood Soup (Sjávarréttasúpa): A hearty bowl built on local fish and shellfish, also priced at 2,890 ISK.
- Traditional Icelandic Fish Stew (Plokkfiskur): The most expensive item among the featured dishes at 3,290 ISK, a rich, comforting mash-style stew of fish and potato.
- Fish and Chips and Skyr Desserts: Fried fish for a quick, familiar meal, followed by skyr-based sweets that showcase Iceland’s best-known dairy product.
101 Reykjavik Street Food at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Skólavörðustígur 8, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Neighborhood / Area | Miðborg (downtown), 101 Reykjavík, at the lower end of Skólavörðustígur |
| Operating Hours | Daily, 11 AM to 10 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $ budget tier; featured soups and stews roughly 2,890 to 3,290 ISK |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Strætó city buses stop around Hlemmur and Lækjartorg; paid street parking and nearby city parking garages |
| Official Website & Phone | 101reykjavikstreetfood.is; +354 655 3818 (the website also lists +354 851 9888) |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
The restaurant is small, so the best strategy is to arrive just before or after the usual lunch and dinner rushes, roughly 11:30 AM or mid-afternoon, when seating is easier to find. The old town is compact and walkable, and most visitors reach Skólavörðustígur on foot from Laugavegur or the harbor. Strætó city buses serve the downtown core, with Hlemmur and Lækjartorg the main hubs a short walk away. Street parking in the 101 district is metered, and the nearest public parking garages sit a few minutes on foot. The street climbs a modest grade toward the church, and older Reykjavík buildings can have a step at the door, so call ahead at +354 655 3818 or check the official site if you need step-free entry.
Pair a meal here with a walk up the rainbow-painted Skólavörðustígur toward Hallgrímskirkja, the concrete church whose tower gives a panoramic view over Reykjavík’s colorful rooftops, about a 5 to 8 minute walk. In the other direction, Laugavegur, the city’s main shopping and dining street, and the harbor area around Harpa Concert Hall are each roughly a 10 to 15 minute walk, making this a convenient fuel stop between sightseeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best time to visit?
101 Reykjavik Street Food is open every day from 11 AM to 10 PM. The quietest windows are typically mid-afternoon and early evening, outside the lunch and standard dinner rushes.
How much does a meal cost and do I need a reservation?
It sits in the $ budget tier. The featured soups cost 2,890 ISK each, and the traditional fish stew is 3,290 ISK, prices that may change, so confirm on the official website. This is a casual counter-style eatery, so walk-ins are the norm and reservations are not typically needed.
How much time should I budget?
Plan 30 to 60 minutes. Orders are cooked fresh, so allow a few minutes at the counter, then enjoy the bowl at an unhurried pace before continuing up Skólavörðustígur.
Are there vegetarian options, and is it family friendly?
The menu includes vegetable noodle soup alongside the meat and seafood options, and the relaxed, no-dress-code setting suits families and groups. Travelers with dietary restrictions should ask about ingredients, since broths in Icelandic soups often use meat or fish stock.
When planning your Reykjavik travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and icelandic restaurant in Reykjavik, pair this stop with standout local spots including Grillmarkaðurinn, Midgardur by Center Hotels, Reykjavík Park and Zoo, and Rainbow Street (nearby).
