Restaurant in Reykjavik, Iceland
Casual gastropub on Reykjavik's busiest street.
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.
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, and 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, and 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, and 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, and 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.
| 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 |
| Venue | Price | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public House Gastropub | Easy | — | |
| Amma Don | Unknown | — | |
| Bon Restaurant | Unknown | — | |
| Eiriksson Brasserie | Unknown | — | |
| Hjá Jóni | Unknown | — | |
| Kröst | Unknown | — |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
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.
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.
The gastropub format typically supports bar eating, and 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.
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.
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.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
