Osushi The Train

Conveyor belt sushi in the middle of the North Atlantic might sound improbable, but Osushi has been making it work in Reykjavik for years. The concept is simple and endlessly entertaining: sit at the counter, watch plates of sushi circle past on a miniature train, and grab whatever catches your eye. It is dining as interactive experience, and it works surprisingly well.

How It Works

If you have never done conveyor belt sushi before, the system is intuitive. Plates of sushi — nigiri, maki, sashimi, and various speciality rolls — travel around the restaurant on a small conveyor belt. Each plate is colour-coded to indicate price. You take what looks good, stack the plates, and the bill is tallied at the end based on what you have accumulated. It is self-paced, self-directed, and entirely pressure-free.

The Food

The quality is solid for what this is. Iceland's proximity to excellent fishing grounds means the raw fish is fresh, and the kitchen keeps the standards consistent. The salmon nigiri is reliable, the maki rolls are neatly constructed, and there are usually a few creative specials circling alongside the classics. Do not expect Michelin-level sushi — expect good, fresh, honestly prepared fish in a fun format.

The variety on the belt at any given time is reasonable. If you do not see what you want, you can also order directly from the menu and have it prepared fresh. This is the better approach for sashimi, which benefits from being sliced to order.

The Experience

Part of the appeal is simply watching the train go around. There is something satisfyingly childish about it — plates of colourful sushi circling endlessly, the gentle temptation of reaching for "just one more." The atmosphere is lively, especially on weekend evenings when the place fills up and the energy lifts.

Practical Tips

There are no reservations at Osushi, and weekend evenings get busy. Arriving before 18:00 for dinner is the smart play. The Tryggvagata location is central and walkable from anywhere in downtown Reykjavik. Tuesday and Sunday are dinner-only, so check the schedule if you are hoping for lunch.

A typical meal runs ISK 3,000 to 6,000 per person, which is moderate by Reykjavik standards. The colour-coded plate system makes it easy to track your spending — or easy to lose track, depending on your self-control around salmon nigiri.