Kitchen and Wine

Hotel restaurants in small cities can go either way. Some coast on the convenience of a captive audience. Others use the stability of hotel backing to create something genuinely worthwhile. Kitchen and Wine, nestled within the 101 Hotel on Hverfisgata, falls firmly in the second camp -- a refined, wine-focused restaurant that would justify its existence even if no hotel guest ever walked through the door.

The Food

The kitchen works with modern European technique and Icelandic ingredients, a combination that has become something of a Reykjavik standard but which is executed here with more care than most. Fish is the strongest suit: Icelandic cod with brown butter and capers, arctic char with seasonal accompaniments, langoustine prepared with restraint and confidence.

Lamb dishes are equally accomplished, drawing on the exceptional quality of Icelandic lamb -- animals that roam free over mountain pastures and produce meat with a flavour that more intensively farmed sheep cannot match. Vegetable dishes are not afterthoughts; they are thoughtful, seasonal, and often the most interesting items on the menu.

Portions are elegant rather than enormous. This is food designed to be eaten in courses, with wine, over the course of an unhurried evening.

The Wine

This is where Kitchen and Wine earns its name. The list is curated rather than exhaustive, focusing on quality European producers with an emphasis on wines that complement the food. Glasses are available for those who want to explore without committing to a full bottle. The staff are genuinely knowledgeable -- not in a performative, sommelier-certification way, but in the way of people who drink good wine regularly and enjoy sharing their enthusiasm.

The Setting

The restaurant interior is sleek, muted, and elegant. The 101 Hotel has long been one of Reykjavik's more design-forward properties, and the restaurant reflects that sensibility: clean lines, quality materials, and lighting that flatters both the food and the guests. The room is small enough to feel intimate without feeling cramped.

Practical Notes

Book ahead for weekends. The restaurant opens at 17:00 daily, with the kitchen closing at 22:00 on weekdays and 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Non-hotel guests are not only welcome but expected. The location on Hverfisgata puts it a short walk from the main shopping streets. Dress code is smart casual.