Matur og Drykkur

The name translates simply as "Food and Drink," but what Matur og Drykkur delivers is far more interesting than that modest title suggests. This is the restaurant that has done more than any other in Reykjavik to rescue traditional Icelandic recipes from obscurity, dust them off, and present them to a modern audience in a way that feels both authentic and genuinely exciting.

The Food

The kitchen at Matur og Drykkur works from old Icelandic cookbooks — recipes that grandmothers knew but that had largely vanished from restaurant menus. Salt cod with brown butter, prepared in the style that sustained Icelandic families for centuries. Lamb head, presented with an elegance that makes even hesitant diners curious. Fermented shark, reimagined as something you actually want to eat. Rye bread, baked underground in geothermal heat, served alongside skyr and local butter.

This is not novelty dining. The kitchen approaches these recipes with genuine scholarship and respect, understanding why they worked in the first place and then applying modern technique to make them shine. The result is food that tells a story — about Iceland's history, its landscape, and the resourcefulness of a people who made extraordinary food from limited ingredients in harsh conditions.

The Setting

The restaurant occupies a beautifully converted fish factory on the Old Harbour, and the industrial heritage of the space is part of its charm — high ceilings, exposed beams, and the harbour visible through large windows. It is a fitting home for food that draws its inspiration from Iceland's maritime and agricultural traditions.

Practical Tips

Come for lunch if you want a lighter introduction — the menu offers smaller plates alongside the full mains. For dinner, reserve ahead and come hungry. The rye bread ice cream is essential ordering — it sounds like a curiosity but tastes like a revelation. The drinks menu includes Icelandic craft beers and a well-chosen wine list.

Matur og Drykkur is the most interesting window into Icelandic culinary heritage in Reykjavik. If you eat at only one traditional restaurant during your trip, make it this one.