NIU Restaurant

Hverfisgata has quietly become one of Reykjavik's most interesting dining streets, and NIU is one of the reasons. This modern Icelandic restaurant takes local ingredients and applies creative thinking without losing sight of what makes those ingredients good in the first place. The result is food that feels distinctly Icelandic and distinctly contemporary — a balance that not every restaurant on this stretch manages to achieve.

The Food

The menu at NIU changes with the seasons, which in Iceland means it changes dramatically. Summer brings lighter preparations — fresh Arctic char, wild herbs, and vegetables from the brief but productive growing season. Winter shifts toward richer, more robust dishes: slow-cooked lamb, root vegetables, and the preserved flavours that have sustained Icelanders for centuries, reinterpreted for a modern palate.

The tasting menu is where the kitchen shows its full range. Courses build logically from lighter to richer, with each plate demonstrating a different technique or flavour combination. The presentation is careful without being precious — dishes look considered but not overdone. The a la carte menu offers the same quality in a more flexible format, with enough options to satisfy different appetites and dietary needs.

Icelandic seafood features prominently and is handled with the confidence you would expect from a kitchen with access to some of the best raw materials in the world. The lamb, too, is treated with respect — tender, well-seasoned, and presented in ways that honour the ingredient rather than disguise it.

The Cocktails

The bar programme at NIU deserves separate mention. Cocktails are creative and well-executed, drawing on Icelandic ingredients — birch syrup, Arctic thyme, local spirits — to produce drinks that are genuinely interesting rather than merely unusual. The bartenders know their craft, and a pre-dinner cocktail at the bar is the best way to start an evening here.

The Space

The interior is modern and understated — clean lines, warm lighting, and enough space between tables to allow conversation without competition. It manages to feel both sophisticated and relaxed, which is the sweet spot for a restaurant at this price point. The Hverfisgata location puts you in the centre of the action without the foot traffic of Laugavegur.

Practical Tips

Reservations are recommended for dinner, particularly on weekends. The restaurant opens at 17:00 for dinner only — there is no lunch service. Pricing is in the upper range for Reykjavik, but below the city's true fine-dining tier. The tasting menu is the best way to experience what NIU does, but the a la carte is equally well-prepared. Come hungry, and consider starting at the bar.