OX

OX occupies a quiet stretch of Laugavegur that most tourists walk past without noticing. Inside, the dining room is small, deliberately pared back, and centred on an open kitchen where the evening's tasting menu takes shape in plain view. It is one of Reykjavik's most assured fine dining restaurants — a place that earns its reputation through precision rather than spectacle.

The Concept

The philosophy at OX is uncomplicated: take the best Icelandic ingredients of the moment and treat them with care, creativity, and restraint. There is no à la carte menu. Instead, the kitchen presents a multi-course tasting menu that evolves with the seasons. In summer, expect lighter compositions built around wild herbs, new-season vegetables, and pristine Arctic char. Winter brings richer, more intense flavours — slow-cooked lamb, fermented vegetables, and broths of remarkable depth.

What sets OX apart from other New Nordic restaurants in the city is the intimacy of the experience. With limited covers per evening, every table feels attended to. The chefs explain each course as it arrives, and the open kitchen layout means you can watch each plate being assembled with quiet, focused intensity.

What to Order

The tasting menu is the only option, and it is a good one. Recent highlights include langoustine with a delicate broth of seaweed and buttermilk, lamb tartare with smoked juniper, and a dessert built around Icelandic skyr and wild crowberries that manages to be both light and deeply satisfying. The wine pairing is thoughtfully curated and leans toward smaller European producers with a preference for natural and biodynamic wines.

The Atmosphere

OX is not a loud or showy restaurant. The lighting is low, the music unobtrusive, and the conversation around you stays at a civilised murmur. It is the kind of place where you find yourself paying closer attention to each bite, partly because the food rewards that attention and partly because the room seems designed to encourage it.

Practical Tips

Book in advance — a week or more for weekend evenings. The counter seats overlooking the kitchen are the most coveted spots; request them when reserving if you want the full experience. Budget ISK 18,000-22,000 for the tasting menu, plus wine pairing if you choose. Allow two and a half to three hours for the full meal.

OX is not the most famous fine dining restaurant in Reykjavik, but it may be the most consistently rewarding. If you have one special dinner to plan during your trip, it belongs on your shortlist.