— iceland —

Restaurants

 ÓX RESTAURANT

ÓX Restaurant is one of the latest restaurant addition in Reykjavik and also the smallest, seating only 11 people per night. The man behind ÓX is star chef Þráinn Freyr Vigfússon who also operates Sumac Bar & Grill. The new restaurant offers a unique foodie experience. “The idea behind ÓX came to me around 10 years ago when I was working at Grillið restaurant in Hótel Saga and at the Kjarrá fishing lodge during the summer. My proximity to my guests at Kjarrá was such that it opened a new world to me. At Grillið one was just closed off in the kitchen and never met with the guests.“ ÓX offers kitchen fittings that was made by Þrains grandfather in 1961. “I had kept it for a few years and intended to use it at the small restaurant. The idea was to make a sort of home- kitchen and bar feel where guests would sit. I cook the food, serve the food and chat to guests.” ÓX was awarded The Plate MICHELIN in 2019.

Please note: reservations need to be made in considerable advance.

Address: Laugavegur 28, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 537 9900

Opening hours: Wednesday - Saturday from 19:00

One sitting each evening. Max. 11 guests

DILL

DILL was founded in 2009 with the aim of delivering a unique and memorable experience of Iceland. As an expression of Nordic cooking, at DILL they honor Icelandic ingredients and traditions in their own unique way. Simplicity is key in allowing ingredients to reach their full potential. As genuine and vibrant as the Icelandic countryside, delivery of these ingredients tells stories of Icelandic nature and the farmers whose families have worked the land for generations. DILL offers a selection of organic and provocative wines to match unorthodox cuisine. The menu can be enjoyed with or without the wine experience.

Address: Laugavegur 59, 101 Reykjavík. Tel. +354 552 1522

Opening hours: Wednesday - Saturday 18:00 - 22:00

APOTEK KITCHEN & BAR

Apotek Kitchen + bar is an exciting restaurant located in one of the most beautiful corners of Reykjavík. The restaurant is casual-smart, offering delicious food in vibrant atmosphere and stylish surroundings. The menu is a fun mix of Icelandic and European cuisine with a smoking hot Argentinean grill. Dishes are designed to share and enjoy together.
Stop by the lively cocktail bar where award winning “pharmacists” mix together exciting artisan cocktails to suit every mood; painkillers, stimulants, tranquilizers and even placebos. The building is known as “Apotekið” or “the pharmacy” because it housed Reykjavíkurapotek from 1930 to 1999.

Address: Austurstraeti 16, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 551 0011

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 11:30 - 23:00 Friday - Saturday 11:30 - 00:00 Sunday 12:00 - 23:00

SÜMAC GRILL + DRINKS

Sümac grows in clusters of small deep-red berries, then handpicked and lingered in the sun to dry. The bright fragrant spice brings clean astringency and citrus tang to the dish. Icelandic pristine seasonal ingredients subtly immersed in exotic spices – adding luscious and inspiring influences from Lebanon and Morocco. An eclectically seductive culinary affair brought to the Icelandic dining experience. Where locals and visitors can diversify their drinking repertoire with handcrafted Mediterranean cocktails, enhanced with Icelandic charisma. Interior is inspired by the nostalgic atmosphere of the city of Beirut, Lebanon. Where muted colors and deteriorated texture of todays Beirut meets the finesse of elegance of the citys past, formerly nicknamed: Paris of the the East. Sümac was awarded The Plate MICHELIN in 2019.

Address: Laugavegur 28, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 537 9900

Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday 17:30 - 22:00

THE FISH COMPANY

The Fish Company is an eclectic restaurant located in the city center. They offer a trip through a world of culinary adventures, which, as most good adventures do, begins under a bridge. The restaurant was designed by Leifur Welding and master chef Lárus Gunnar Jónasson. Chefs are drawn to experimentation with contrasts and with Leif’s expertise they created an exciting yet functional venue. Many of the items used in the restaurant, e.g. china and kitchenware, are on display and for sale in the outer hall.

Address: Vesturgata 2a, 101 Reykjavik. Tel: +354 552 5300

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 11:30 - 14:30 & 17:30 - 22:30 Friday 11:30 - 14:30 & 17:30 - 23:30 Saturday 17:30 - 23:30 Sunday 17:00 - 22:30

THE FISH MARKET

The Fish Market is an Icelandic restaurant with Asian influences in taste and style. Drawing on locally caught seafood and Icelandic traditions, the Chef plays with Asian and American flavors and creative presentations. Salmon skin–wrapped railings, backlit bamboo walls, low banquettes, and sexy lighting make this Reykjavik’s chicest hangout. We recommend the tasting menu that the Chef and her team have created from the best that the Fish Market offers. Rather than offering individual starters and main courses, Fish Market serves dishes that are designed for sharing and are brought to the table steadily and continuously throughout the meal.

Address: Adalstraeti 12, 101 Reykjavik. Tel: +354 578 8877

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 11:30 - 14:00 & 17:30 - 23:00 Sunday 17:30 - 22:30

THE GRILL MARKET

After the success of her restaurant The Fish Market, Chef Hrefna Rósa Sætran opened her second restaurant in Reykjavik: Grill Market. Hrefna has published cookbooks, and even had a cooking show in 2010. Icelanders love Hrefna, and her exotic fusion- style cooking. Opened in June 2011, The Grill Market is located downtown, on the main shopping street. The building is brand-new but features traditional Icelandic architecture. Here, the feast is for the eyes as well as your taste buds! The overall design of the restaurant combined with the exquisite food and good service, makes for a truly great experience.

Address: Laekjargata 2a, 1012 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 571 7777

Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday 17:30 - 22:30 Friday - Saturday 17:30 - 23:30

KOL

The design concept is a mixture of warm modern Icelandic feel with international touch wherein furniture of designer Tom Dixon play the main role. The head chef, Sævar Lárusson is a young ambitious chef who has gathered years of experience at Reykjavík‘s best restaurants, working along side many of the country’s most renown chefs. The restaurant centers around a bar where the country‘s best cocktail bartenders serve craft cocktails from the best ingredients available and are offering an ambitious cocktail list. They emphasize on comfort food with a classic twist.

Address: Skolavordustigur 40, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 517 7474

Opening hours: Wednesday 12:00 - 21:00 Thursday - Sunday 12:00 - 22:00

LA PRIMAVERA

La Primavera is located within Marshall House, a new center for modern art in Reykjavík. A kitchen inspired by northern Italian cuisine and Icelandic produce. Owing much to local regulars’ encouragement, La Primavera reopened on their 25th anniversary, after having been closed since 2011 while head chef Leifur focused on alternate restaurants in Reykjavik. Enjoy the warm atmosphere, Icelandic fish, vegetarian dishes, pasta, and meat. Located in a recently converted herring factory is quietly setting the citywide standard in art, architecture and design. It houses the contemporary art museum, Gallerí Kling & Bang, the living art museum and the satellite studio of Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. Beautifully designed 1,800 sq ft space, which is a treat for artists and visitors alike.

Address: Grandagardur 20, 1010 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 519 7766

Opening hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11:30 – 14:00 Thursday and Friday 11:30 – 14:00 / 18:00 – 21:00 Saturdays 18:00 – 21:00

MATARKJALLARINN - FOOD CELLAR

The Food Cellar is a Grill & Cocktail bar, situated in a 160- year old building in the center of Reykjavík. The food is in the Icelandic brasserie style of food, elegantly prepared by skilled and enthusiastic chefs, using the Icelandic finest ingredients. The bar has a superb selection of fine cocktails, put together by restaurant’s outstanding bartenders. Live dinner music on weekends, played on their mahogany grand piano made in 1880 in Vienna by the Bösendorfer Company. As the evening fades out, the Food Cellar turns into cocktail club with an easy lounge feeling and live music. The Food Cellar is an experience that puts Food in your Body and Music in your Soul.

Address: Adalstraeti 2, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 558 0000

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 11:30 - 15:00 & 17:00 - 22:00 Saturday – Sunday 17:00 - 22:00

MATUR & DRYKKUR

Located in the harbor area Grandi, in a building which served as a Salt Fish factory until the late 60s, Matur & Drykkur specialize in classical Icelandic cuisine with a modern twist. Their serve first class, local, and always homemade produce. Matur & Drykkur was awarded The Plate MICHELIN in 2019. At Matur & Drykkur they take the good old traditional recipes and the best Icelandic ingredients to create fun and tasty food. Let tradition surprise you!

Address: Grandagardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 571 8877

Opening hours: Thursday - Sunday 18:00 - 21:00

SUSHI SOCIAL

The Sushi social experience is a unique fusion of Iceland’s freshest produce, elevated by Japanese and South American cuisine. Known for their fusion cooking, using Icelandic flavors with Japanese and South American influences. They offer a wide selection of dishes. Up-beat atmosphere. Young & fresh vibe.

Address: Thingholtsstraeti 5, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 568 6600

Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday 17:00 - 23:00 Friday - Saturday 17:00 - 00:00

KOPAR

Kopar is located by the old harbour in downtown Reykjavik. Surprise and seductive are keywords at the bar. Traditional cocktails meet new waves of the cocktail world. You can enjoy a nice drink on the terrace during happy hour or sit outside after a nice dinner with coffee and cognac. The pride of the bar is the Icelandic fisherman’s Collection, a wall with an incredible selection of cognac and whiskey. In their view, restaurant experience is put together of different things. The food being the most important, followed by service, company and environment. Kopar is influenced by its environment. The old harbour, ships, and vibrant city centre. The old and new in a surprising mix. On the menu, new and old methods and recipes meet, traditional ingredients and surprising ones. Kopar’s brasserie-dishes give guests the opportunity to explore the world of food in one night for a reasonable price. The brasserie-dishes are small dishes that are a delicious addition to traditional courses.

Address: Geirsgata 3b, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 567 2700

Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday 11:30 - 14:00 Thursday – Friday 12:00 - 15:00 & 17:00 - 22:00 Saturday 12:00 - 14:00 & 17:00 – 22:00 Sunday 12:.00 - 15:00

EIRIKSSON BRASSERIE

Eiriksson Brasserie is a new restaurant in downtown Reykjavík, located at a famous redesigned building formerly owned by Landsbanki Íslands. The menu at EIRIKSSON BRASSERIE has a European style with a special emphasis on Italian cooking. The wine cellar, located in an old money vault, creates an atmosphere like no other. There you can find a collection of about 4.000 bottles, many of whom you cannot find on the common market. The money vault also contains a private dining room which can be reserved for special occasions.

Address: Laugavegur 107, 101 Reykjavík. Tel. +354 519 6515

Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday 15:00 - 22:00 Thursday - Friday 12:00 - 22:00

TAPAS BARINN

Enter the world of Tapas Barinn, a place bursting with the delicious smells and flavours of traditional tapas along with the best of Icelandic tapas. Lining the wall are racks of fine wines and sparking glasses. And right in front of you, the hustle and bustle of tasty dishes being served up to a mixed and very loyal clientele. Tapas Barinn is the ideal venue to enjoy great food on good company, in a relaxed atmosphere to complement the happiest of evenings.

Address: Vesturgata 3b, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 551 2344

MESSINN

Rooted far out west in Isafjordur, the head chef brings authentic seafood done right to this cosy, little restaurant in downtown Reykjavik. Opened in July 2016 and already receiving rave reviews as a casual, go-to spot for a fresh and delicious meal. MESSINN speciality is fresh fish served for lunch and dinner every day of the week. We recommend trying one of otheir famous fish pans, where sizzlingly fresh fish served straight from the kitchen, along with butter fried potatoes and mouth watering vegetables. It’s perfect for sharing in a warm and cozy environment.

Address: Laekjargata 6b. 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 546 0095

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 11:30 – 14:00 Friday & Saturday 18:00 – 22:00

HLEMMUR FOOD HALL & SKÁL

Hlemmur Food Hall is inspired by the great European food halls. Here, 10 ambitious vendors provide a sample of the best food Iceland has to offer. All kinds of food, for all kinds of people. Skál is located at the food hall. The place is run by three friends that shared the vision to open a family priced bar with both food and drinks of great quality. Natural wines, local craft beers and cocktails from foraged herbs as well as high quality foods under Nordic influences. Both smaller and bigger plates made with Icelandic produce that are perfect for sharing. Skál was awarded BIB Gourmand in 2019. Please note: they don ́t take reservations. You ́re always welcome to come, you ́ll always get a seat.

Address: Laekjargata 6b. 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 546 0095

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 11:30 – 14:00 Friday & Saturday 18:00 – 22:00

THE SEAFOOD GRILL

In 2010 a young chef from north of Iceland was awarded “chef of the year”. He spent months traveling around the island looking for the authentic taste of the country and along the way collected items now a part of the restaurant’s interior. An old freezing plant from Flatey in Skjálfanda, in the far north of Iceland now serves as a backdrop for the bar at restaurant Sjávargrillið and all around the restaurant you will find driftwood that the two chefs, have found on their travels and dragged to the restaurant on Skólavörðustígur 14. On the road Gústav came up with a menu like no other, Gústav’s interpretation of the collective grill taste of his homeland, Iceland.

Address: Skolavordustigur 14, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 571 1100

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 11:30 – 14:30 & 17:00 - 21:00 Saturday & Sunday 17:00 – 21:00

AUSTUR-INDIAFJELAGID

Once you step inside, you will enter the world of Austur- Indíafjelagið and experience what critics and guests have called “a hidden gem”. Austur-Indiafjelagid has been introducing the wonders of Indian cuisine to Iceland for more than twenty years. The concept is simple: combining fresh and exotic Indian spices, the best natural Icelandic ingredients, authentic preparation, all to be served by friendly professionals in a comfortable ambiance, every single time - without exception. Austur-Indiafjelagid has enjoyed exceptional recognition through the years. However, Austur-Indiafjelagid’s success is owed to all the dedicated locals who continue to love the food, atmosphere and service, visiting again and again.

Address: Hverfisgata 56, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 552-1630

Opening hours: Daily 17:30 - 22:00

PÜNK RESTAURANT

The new PÜNK in town - passionate about serving you excellent food and fabulous cocktails in an atmosphere that you will love. The chefs at PUNK have put the menu together without any limitations or rules, they do what we find desirable, new and flavorful. The outcome is food that is pure and powerful and leaves nothing for the imagination. Japanese fusion, steaks, fish, vegan and so much more. Always served with a great amount of love.

Address: Hverfisgata 20, 101 Reykjavik. Tel. +354 537 7865

Opening hours: Daily 16:00 - 22:00