Ólafur Elíasson & Victoria Elíasdóttir Bring SOE Kitchen Project To Reykjavík

Ólafur Elíasson’s famous SOE Kitchen is making its way to Iceland as a 3 month pop-up project.

Known for its colourful and playful dishes, communal seating arrangements, and organic and vegetarian cuisine, the SOE Kitchen in Berlin at Ólafur Elíasson’s studio has gained quite the reputation for being an innovative experiment on communal eating. Now, Ólafur Elíasson, known for designing the beautiful lightshow and facade of Harpa, and his sister, Victoria Elíasdóttir are venturing out of their home base of Berlin to experiment with their love of cuisine, community, and art in Reykjavík.

Culinary experiments

This experimental culinary space will be hosted by the Marshall House Restaurant and Bar, and will open its doors on August 11th. The project will run for almost three months, and will be led in a joint effort by the established chef Victoria Elíasdóttir, and her brother, artist Ólafur Elíasson. Both lunch and dinner will be served at this temporary pop-up, which is being called SOE Kitchen 101.

The space will also feature works of art by Ólafur Elíasson himself, with the intention of creating a ‘unique atmosphere.’ There will be the characteristically long tables that the SOE Kitchen has in Berlin, and will of course feature a menu focusing on fresh seafood and fish, conveniently chosen due to the harbourside locale where it will be hosted. There will be a single meal option for lunch and a more extensive dinner menu for dinner.

Jazz and babies

To add to the food, the atmosphere, and the art, on chosen evenings, there will be a series of events following dinner, varying from experimental jazz performances, poetry readings, and talks with everyone from local intellectuals, to local artists. There will also be activities for children. The space is meant to create a family-friendly, communal, collaborative environment.

Feel like eating at a nice restaurant but can’t because of your annoyingly loud kids? Need a place to take a date that you’ve already caught feelings for, but not to the usual restaurants in town? This could be just the place for your perfect night out. If you’re intrigued, reservations can be made now.