ROK
Casual, plant-forward, and fairly priced — ROK is the neighbourhood restaurant every city needs, with creative daily specials and a queue that forms early every evening.
ROK is the kind of restaurant that every neighbourhood wants and few neighbourhoods get. Affordable, imaginative, and consistently good, it has earned a devoted following in Reykjavik through the simple strategy of serving great food at fair prices and not taking reservations — which means the queue that forms before opening is a nightly ritual.
The Food
The menu changes frequently and leans plant-forward without being exclusively vegetarian. Creative salads, excellent burgers, roasted vegetables, and daily specials that make good use of seasonal ingredients form the core. The kitchen is unafraid of bold flavours and interesting combinations, but never at the expense of accessibility. It is food that appeals to curious eaters and cautious ones alike.
Why the Queue
ROK does not take reservations. This democratic approach means everyone competes equally for a table, and the result is a nightly queue that starts forming before the doors open at 17:30. Arrive early, put your name in, and either wait or explore the neighbourhood — Braud & Co and Reykjavik Roasters are both on the same street.
Practical Tips
Arrive before 18:00 for the best chance of a quick table. The wine list is well-chosen and fairly priced. Daily specials are always worth ordering. Come hungry and open-minded — this is a kitchen that rewards trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does ROK serve?
- Creative, plant-forward food with Icelandic ingredients. The menu leans vegetable-heavy without being exclusively vegetarian, with excellent burgers, salads, and daily specials.
- How much does a meal at ROK cost?
- Main courses ISK 2,800-4,500 (approximately €19-31). Wine by the glass from ISK 1,600. Very good value for the quality.
- Is ROK vegetarian?
- Not exclusively, but the menu is plant-forward and vegetarian options are plentiful and creative — not afterthoughts.
- Do I need a reservation?
- ROK does not take reservations — it is first come, first served. Arrive before 18:30 or expect to wait.
- Where is ROK?
- At Frakkastigur 26a, a pleasant side street off Laugavegur. Near Braud & Co and Reykjavik Roasters.
- Why is there always a queue?
- Because the food is excellent and the prices are fair. It is the kind of restaurant where word of mouth keeps the tables full.
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