108 Matur
A small, no-frills lunch spot in the 108 district of Reykjavik, beloved by locals for its freshly made daily specials and remarkably low prices.
The 108 postal district of Reykjavik is not where tourists typically find themselves, and that is precisely what makes 108 Matur worth knowing about. This small, unassuming lunch spot serves the kind of food that Icelanders actually eat on their lunch breaks: home-cooked, filling, and priced for people who eat out five days a week rather than once on holiday.
The Food
The menu is built around daily specials that change with what is available and what the kitchen feels like cooking. Some days it is a rich lamb stew with root vegetables. Other days it is fish with potatoes and a simple sauce. The cooking is unpretentious and competent -- the kind of food that would not look out of place at a family dinner table, which is exactly the point.
Everything is made from scratch, portions are generous, and the food arrives quickly. There is no menu to deliberate over, no wine list to navigate. You eat what is being served, and it is consistently good.
The Prices
This is where 108 Matur distinguishes itself most clearly. In a city where a routine lunch can cost ISK 3,000 to 4,000, the prices here are strikingly low. A full hot meal with a drink comes in at a fraction of what you would pay on Laugavegur, which explains why the small dining room fills up quickly during the lunch hour.
The Atmosphere
The setting is functional rather than designed. Simple tables, basic decor, and the companionable noise of people eating efficiently and returning to work. The clientele is almost entirely local -- office workers, tradespeople, and residents of the neighbourhood who have made 108 Matur part of their weekly routine.
For visitors, this ordinariness is the appeal. This is not a restaurant trying to sell you an experience. It is a place that feeds people well at fair prices, and it has been doing so long enough to earn a devoted following.
Getting There
The Fellsmuli area is about twenty minutes on foot from the city centre, or a short bus ride. It is not a convenient detour for most tourists, and 108 Matur makes no effort to attract passing trade. If you go, you go deliberately, and you are rewarded with a genuinely local dining experience.
The Verdict
108 Matur will not be the most exciting meal of your trip to Iceland. It will, however, be one of the most honest, and almost certainly the cheapest. For anyone interested in how Reykjavik lives and eats beyond the tourist centre, it is a small revelation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of food does 108 Matur serve?
- 108 Matur serves home-cooked daily specials that change regularly. Expect hearty Icelandic-style dishes including soups, meat and fish plates with sides, and simple but well-prepared comfort food.
- Is 108 Matur expensive?
- No. 108 Matur is one of the cheapest places to eat a hot meal in Reykjavik. Daily specials are priced well below typical city centre restaurants, making it excellent value.
- When is 108 Matur open?
- 108 Matur serves lunch only, Monday to Friday, typically from 11:30 to 14:00. It is closed on weekends. This is strictly a weekday lunch destination.
- Where is 108 Matur located?
- 108 Matur is in the Fellsmuli area of the 108 postal district in Reykjavik, east of the city centre. It is about a twenty-minute walk from Laugavegur or accessible by bus.
- Is 108 Matur a tourist restaurant?
- No. 108 Matur caters primarily to local office workers and residents in the 108 district. It is well off the tourist trail, which keeps prices low and the atmosphere authentically local.
- Is it worth travelling from the city centre to eat at 108 Matur?
- If you value authentic local dining and low prices over convenience, yes. The food is honest and homemade, the prices are outstanding, and the experience offers a glimpse of Reykjavik life outside the tourist bubble.
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