Old Iceland

Old Iceland is a charming restaurant that strikes the perfect balance between casual and upscale. It offers a wonderful introduction to traditional Icelandic dishes in a relaxed, welcoming setting. We started with the wild mushroom soup and the creamy shellfish soup, both were rich, comforting, and beautifully prepared, with deep flavors that felt both hearty and refined. For mains, we ordered the pan-fried Arctic char, lemon sole, fillet of cod, and lamb ribeye. Every dish was insanely good, but the lamb ribeye truly stood out: tender, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. Everything we ate was beautiful and delicious, and the friendly, attentive service made the experience even better. A wonderful dining experience in Reykjavík.

Phenomenal dishes served by this lovely restaurant. The Creamy Shellfish Soup is perhaps their best dish. It was very rich, full of flavour, and the ingredients were fresh. We wish they gave us more! The Pan Fried Arctic Char was equally amazing. The skin was crispy, but the fish retained its moisture. The sauce that accompanied it was very creative. It was a peanut butter based, and was very viscous. Together with the crushed peanuts and the accompanying vegetables, we thought it was a very well thought out dish. The Fillet of Ling was also delicious. The fish itself was incredibly well cooked and the white wine and tindur cheese sauce was very well paired. Definitely an incredible restaurant, and reservations are recommended as it was perpetually full the whole time we were there.

Walked past this restaurant & saw it was busy but we took a chance and got seated right away for us three. We ordered the lamb, artic fish, salmon tartar and rhubarb cake for dessert and everything was..DELICIOUS! We finished every bite. It felt like a genuine taste of traditional Icelandic food but with a modern and chic taste. Restaurant was lively and although service was between two people, they kept up with the busy atmosphere. Lucky that we stumbled across this place but it was the best dish of the trip!

I recently visited this family owned restaurant and was incredibly impressed with the experience. It's located on one of the main streets in Reykjavik. The ambiance was cozy, casual, and chic, creating a wonderful atmosphere. The food was delicious, from the bread and cod cheek appetizer to the lamb ribeye and filet of cod for the main course. I particularly enjoyed their signature cocktail with Brevinnim, where the caraway was not overpowering; I also noted a subtle caraway flavor in the filet of cod. Additionally, the staff were very friendly.

This was our second dinner in Reykjavik, and we were lucky enough not to need a reservation with a wait time of 5 minutes. Our table was somewhat in the middle of the restaurant, and I felt a bit close to our neighbours, but not the end of the world. The service was quick and the waitstaff seemed genuinely interested in serving and explaining the dish. I especially liked the mushroom soup "magic". To start, I got the mushroom soup and my husband got the cured salmon which came out fantastic looking. My husband said the cured salmon seemed more like sushi to him, but he loved the mushroom soup as it reminded him of his childhood. The soup was delicious and a bit tangy which surprised me. We both got the lamb ribeye for our main. The ribeye was very tender and cooked beautifully. The roasted root vegetables were also good but I wished I had a few more carrots and less potatoes. The sauces on the plate paired well, but the green one got somewhat lost, and I can't recall what it was called. For dessert, I got the rhubarb cake, and he got the kleinur, along with 2 "Icelandic coffees" which is an Icelandic take on an Irish coffee. The Rhubarb cake was delicious, and I preferred it to the kleinur which my husband felt were ok, but not very spectacular. The Icelandic coffees were picturesque and quite strong, but helped you bolster yourself against the cold of going back outside. I definitely think this place should be on any visitors list to try out, especially for authentic Icelandic food.

This restaurant is extremely popular—always full and often with a line out the door during peak hours. Around 6 p.m., we went without a reservation, expecting to wait, but luckily we were seated right away. We ordered the creamy shellfish soup, pan-fried Arctic char, and fillet of cod. The shellfish soup was rich and packed with the deep flavor of seafood, perfectly warming us on a chilly evening. The Arctic char was beautifully cooked—juicy on the inside with crispy skin that added a delightful contrast in texture. The cod was also tender and fluffy, paired wonderfully with a rich, flavorful sauce. The service was quick and attentive, making for a truly pleasant dining experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy authentic Icelandic cuisine.

The seafood chowder was excellent, my wife and I had the lamb and it was very tasty, the side vegetables were also excellent. Had the rhubarb cake for desert and it was refreshingly different a definite recommend. Also all the drinks were top notch The staff was super efficient and at the same time never did we feel rushed Went back the next night to get the rhubarb cake for desert….to quote my wife “I have been dreaming of it all day!!!!” Excellent desert

Our favorite meal of our trip. Everything from soup to dessert was outstanding. You definitely get what you pay for, the quality is noticeable. Staff was super friendly and gave great suggestions. The mushroom soup was AMAZING. All of the entrees were memorable and had great flavor profiles. Go here!!