Public House Gastropub
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Public House Gastropub on Laugavegur 24 is one of Reykjavik's easier bookings, making it a practical option for groups or flexible occasion dining when the city's tasting-menu rooms are fully committed. The gastropub format suits mixed groups better than a set-menu restaurant, but confirm private dining availability directly before booking for larger parties.
About Public House Gastropub
What to Expect at Public House Gastropub
The name suggests a casual drop-in spot, but Public House Gastropub on Laugavegur 24; Reykjavik's main commercial artery; sits in a part of the city where foot traffic and tourist volume can set the wrong expectations. This is not a locals-only local. It is a gastropub in a high-visibility location, which means it can work well for groups and occasion dining if you know how to approach it, less well if you arrive expecting a hidden neighbourhood haunt.
For a special occasion in Reykjavik, the gastropub format has real advantages: broader menus than the city's tasting-menu-focused fine dining rooms, more flexibility on timing, typically easier bookings than places like DILL in Reykjavík, which requires planning weeks out. If your group includes people with different appetites or price tolerances, a gastropub structure accommodates that better than a set-menu format.
On the private and group dining front, Laugavegur venues at this address range tend to have the physical space to accommodate parties, but specific room configurations, capacity figures, dedicated private dining availability at Public House Gastropub are not confirmed in current venue data. If a separated private space matters for your booking, a business dinner, a birthday with a larger group, call ahead to verify before committing. Do not assume a gastropub name guarantees a bookable private room.
Reykjavik dining in the current season skews toward hearty formats: lamb, seafood, warming preparations that suit the North Atlantic climate. A gastropub is a reasonable frame for that kind of eating. For comparison, Amma Don and Bon Restaurant both offer more documented menus and clearer price positioning if you want to calibrate spend before you arrive. Café Loki is the better pick if traditional Icelandic flavours are your primary interest.
Booking here is classified as easy, which is a practical advantage on a Reykjavik trip where the leading tables fill fast. Walk-in viability depends on the time of year and evening traffic on Laugavegur, but you are unlikely to face the same friction as at Moss in Grindavík or DILL. For broader context on where this fits in the city's dining options, see our full Reykjavik restaurants guide.
Practical Details
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Format | Leading For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public House Gastropub | Easy | Gastropub | Groups, flexible occasions |
| DILL | Hard | Tasting menu | Special occasion fine dining |
| Bon Restaurant | Moderate | À la carte | Mid-range occasion dining |
| Café Loki | Easy | Café/casual | Traditional Icelandic food |
| Amma Don | Moderate | Restaurant | Local dining, documented menu |
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- Our full Reykjavik experiences guide
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Planning details
- Location
- Laugavegur 24, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Website
- publichouse.is
- Phone
- +354 555 7333
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Public House Gastropub sits squarely in Laugavegur’s active pedestrian flow, trading the hush of reservation-only dining for a street-fed energy. The gastropub format keeps things approachable: the space leans toward casual, lively service and a convivial bar-adjacent feel while still delivering kitchen ambition. Rather than trying to be a quiet destination, it embraces the movement of shoppers and early-evening bar crowds, so the room feels animated and immediate. That makes it a pragmatic midpoint between formal multi-course restaurants and bare-bones bars—a place where approachable food and a buzzy urban rhythm drive the character.
Best For
This is a spot built for early-evening moments and relaxed group outings. Because it intentionally occupies the in-between of bars and formal restaurants, it works well for after-work meets, casual group dinners and weekend brunch crowds who want solid food without a long reservation lead time. The writing emphasizes walk-in culture and an energetic street setting, so it’s a good choice when you want respectable cooking in an unpretentious environment. Travelers and locals who prefer spontaneity over planning find it particularly fitting for dinner and social evenings.
Ordering Tips
Expect shareable, bar-friendly plates that reward communal ordering—small bites and fried or grilled items suit the format. The venue’s signature items (tuna tacos, edamame and dumplings) are natural starters or sharing plates to sample across the table. Because walk-in culture is highlighted, arriving early in the evening helps secure seating when the street picks up; the gastropub model favors flexible pacing over formal, multi-course meals. Order a mix of a few small plates to get a rounded sense of the kitchen’s fusion approach.
Venue details
Ambiance
Hip and funky with neon signs, fake animal heads, and rock-and-roll decor creating a lively yet inviting vibe.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- tuna tacos
- edamame
- dumplings
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Amma Don; Notable alternative
- Bon Restaurant; Notable alternative
- Eiriksson Brasserie; Notable alternative
- Hjá Jóni; Notable alternative
- Kröst; Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Against Reykjavik's more documented dining options, Public House Gastropub's main advantage is accessibility. DILL is the city's benchmark for occasion dining; Michelin-starred, tasting-menu only, genuinely hard to book; so if your trip has a single high-stakes dinner, DILL earns the planning effort. Public House is the lower-friction alternative when your group doesn't want a fixed menu or when you're booking closer to your travel date.
Bon Restaurant and Amma Don both sit in a similar mid-range band and offer more transparently documented menus and pricing, which makes pre-trip budgeting easier. If you want to know roughly what you'll spend before you arrive, either of those is a safer call than a venue with limited published data. Hjá Jóni and Kröst are worth considering if you want a more neighbourhood-rooted feel with local clientele rather than a high-street location.
For groups with a private dining requirement, Eiriksson Brasserie is worth a direct inquiry alongside Public House; brasserie-format venues in Reykjavik tend to have better-defined private room infrastructure than gastropubs. The bottom line: book Public House Gastropub when flexibility and booking ease matter most. Book elsewhere when price transparency or a dedicated private space is the deciding factor.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Public House Gastropub guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Public House Gastropub
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Public House Gastropub | Easy | No published awards |
| Amma Don | Unknown | No published awards |
| Bon Restaurant | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Eiriksson Brasserie | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Hjá Jóni | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Kröst | Unknown | No published awards |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Public House Gastropub?
It sits on Laugavegur 24, the main commercial strip running through central Reykjavik, which means foot traffic is high and it draws a mixed crowd of locals and tourists. The gastropub format positions it as a step above a standard bar without the formality or price of Reykjavik's tasting-menu restaurants. Go in with casual expectations and you're unlikely to be disappointed. It's a sensible option if you want something unfussy in a central location after exploring the street.
Is Public House Gastropub good for a special occasion?
Probably not your first call for a milestone dinner. The gastropub format and Laugavegur location read more as reliable everyday dining than destination-occasion territory. For a celebration in Reykjavik, restaurants like Kröst or Bon Restaurant are better calibrated to that register. Public House works well for a low-key birthday meal or a casual group dinner where convenience matters more than ceremony.
Can I eat at the bar at Public House Gastropub?
The gastropub format typically supports bar eating, a venue on a busy street like Laugavegur 24 is set up for drop-in trade. Arriving without a reservation is a reasonable approach, especially for solo diners or pairs. That said, Laugavegur sees heavy foot traffic and the central location means peak hours fill quickly, so earlier sittings or off-peak timing give you more flexibility.
What should I wear to Public House Gastropub?
The gastropub name and central Reykjavik location point clearly toward casual dress. Jeans and a jacket are appropriate; there's no indication this venue demands anything more considered. Reykjavik's dining culture generally skews relaxed even at mid-range restaurants, so this is not a place to worry about dress code.
What are alternatives to Public House Gastropub in Reykjavik?
Hjá Jóni is a good alternative if you want a more local, neighbourhood-focused feel away from the tourist corridor. Amma Don suits those after Icelandic home-cooking in a grounded setting. Bon Restaurant and Kröst step up in ambition and price if you're prepared to spend more. Eiriksson Brasserie sits in a similar casual register and is worth comparing on format and price before booking either.
