Best Place for a Fancy Meal
Dill
Laugavegur 59
Photo by Art Bicnick
Now with a green star in addition to their Michelin star, Dill has steadfastly steered the country’s culinary ship towards a future firmly rooted in its traditions. Chef Gunnar Karl’s dedication to sustainable kitchen practices is more than laudable generally, but even more so in the context of fine dining. Utilising vegetables and protein in their entirety, the menu is a celebration of the whole, eschewing dining diktats that no two proteins are repeated in one meal. For a true taste of Icelandic hospitality, Dill is where you need to be, special occasion or not.
Runner-up:
Tides
The Reykjavík Edition, Austurbakki 2
Photo by Art Bicnick
The Edition has managed to lure the reclusive Reykjaviking into its fold, proving to be the ‘it’ spot. The gorgeously designed restaurant, with its eye-catching timber ceilings, alabaster hewn chandelier over the bar and a swanky new ‘counter’ seating, is not mere luxury. “The fat was rendered so skilfully in the Iberian ham, and so well cooked, I could taste it long after the meal,” cooed a very satisfied panellist. The mocktails are as good as their cocktails and while the wine menu is priced fairly steep, you’re bound to find a number you wouldn’t elsewhere.
Runner-up:
Sumac Grill + Drinks
Laugavegur 28
photo by Art Bicnick
Walking into Sumac recalls being on food streets in warmer places elsewhere around the world. The open grill lends its smokiness to more than just the food and the buzz of happy guests make for a vibrant evening out that is both fancy yet curiously laid-back. Especially popular with big groups — which we do recommend so you can try more of the menu items — it’s best to approach the food here as a meze and order a little bit of everything. The flatbreads are the one sore spot in their otherwise flavoursome menu.
Past Winners:
2022: Dill
2021: Dill
2020: Grillið
2019: Grillið
2018: Dill
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