Duck & Rose

Duck & Rose occupies some of the most coveted real estate in Reykjavik — right on the corner of Austurvollur, overlooking the parliament building and the city's most photogenic square. The location alone would fill seats, but the kitchen actually backs it up with food worth eating.

The Food

The Italian influence runs deep through a menu that includes pasta, pizza, duck preparations, and a selection of meat and fish dishes. The lemon tagliatelle has become something of a signature — bright, creamy, and properly satisfying. The duck confit lives up to the restaurant's name, and the steak sandwich is a lunch favourite.

Where Duck & Rose stumbles occasionally is consistency. Good nights are very good; off nights can feel like the kitchen is running on autopilot. The simpler dishes tend to be the safest bets — a well-made pasta or a straightforward salad — while more complex plates carry more risk.

The Bottomless Brunch

This has become Duck & Rose's most talked-about offering. Weekend brunch with unlimited prosecco and cocktails, paired with a menu of dishes that work well in that context — rich, indulgent, and designed to sustain a long, lazy morning. It books up quickly and for good reason. If this is your plan, reserve well ahead.

The Setting

The view of Austurvollur is the real luxury here. Whether you are inside by the windows or on the terrace in summer, watching the comings and goings around Iceland's parliament while eating pasta is a distinctly Reykjavik experience. The interior is stylish without being overbearing — comfortable enough for a casual lunch, polished enough for a proper dinner.

Practical Tips

Reserve for the bottomless brunch — it sells out. For dinner, Friday and Saturday need a booking; weeknights are usually fine for walk-ins. The terrace in summer is worth waiting for. Ask for a window seat if eating inside.