FishCo
Reykjavik's celebrated Fish Company, housed in the historic Zimsen building from 1884, serving creative Icelandic seafood with global influences and artistic flair.
The Fish Company -- Fiskfelagid in Icelandic -- has been one of Reykjavik's most talked-about restaurants since it opened in the beautifully preserved Zimsen building on Vesturgata. It is a restaurant that takes Icelandic seafood and sends it on a journey around the world, returning it to the plate transformed but never unrecognisable.
The Building
The Zimsen building, constructed in 1884, is one of the oldest surviving structures in Reykjavik, and the Fish Company has made the most of its character. Low ceilings, exposed stone walls, and atmospheric lighting create a space that feels like eating in a candlelit cellar -- intimate, romantic, and entirely removed from the modern city above. It is one of the most distinctive restaurant settings in Iceland.
The Food
The kitchen takes a global approach to local ingredients. Icelandic langoustine appears with Asian spices. Arctic char meets Mediterranean herbs. Cod is prepared with techniques borrowed from Japanese cuisine. The influences are wide-ranging, but they are wielded with precision rather than randomness -- every dish has a clear point of view and a logical flavour profile.
The tasting menu is the best way to experience the kitchen's range. Over five or six courses, you move through different flavour worlds while remaining firmly rooted in Icelandic produce. The langoustine in particular is memorable -- sweet, tender, and paired with a sauce that has just enough complexity to make you pause and think.
The a la carte menu offers excellent individual dishes for those who prefer to choose. The pan-seared cod is beautifully executed, and the lamb (yes, this is a fish restaurant that also does lamb well) is a worthy departure from the seafood theme.
The Wine
The wine list is ambitious and well-curated, with enough depth to satisfy serious wine drinkers. The wine pairing with the tasting menu is well judged and worth the additional investment, with each glass chosen to complement the specific flavours of its accompanying course.
Practical Notes
Book ahead. The intimate setting means limited seating, and the Fish Company's reputation keeps demand consistently high. Dinner service only, starting at 17:30. Dress is smart-casual. Allow two to three hours for the tasting menu experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is FishCo the same as the Fish Company?
- Yes, FishCo (Fiskfelagid) is commonly known as the Fish Company. It is one of Reykjavik's most acclaimed fine dining restaurants, specialising in creative Icelandic seafood.
- How much does dinner at FishCo cost?
- The tasting menu costs approximately ISK 12,000-15,000 per person. A la carte mains range from ISK 5,000-8,000. With wine pairing, expect ISK 20,000-25,000 per person.
- Do I need a reservation?
- Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner on Thursday through Saturday. The restaurant is consistently popular with both locals and visitors.
- What makes FishCo special?
- The Fish Company combines Icelandic seafood with global culinary influences -- Nordic, Asian, and European techniques merge to create dishes that are creative, flavourful, and beautifully presented.
- Where is FishCo located?
- The restaurant is at Vesturgata 2a in one of the oldest houses in Reykjavik, the Zimsen building dating from 1884. It is in the historic old town, near Grofinntorg square.
- Is there a tasting menu?
- Yes, the Fish Company offers a multi-course tasting menu that showcases the kitchen's range, alongside an a la carte option. The tasting menu with wine pairing is the recommended experience.
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