Classy and tempting

Matarkjallarinn – Reykjavík City Center

This downtown Reykjavik restaurant is situated in the basement of historical building Geysir House, offering an exciting modern menu ranging from impressively original dishes to classic steaks. The location is fantastic and the decor is warm and friendly with a certain anywhere-in-the-world feel to it.

As I was in there I  realised that the stone walls of that building have been around since Reykjavik was just another port in the north Atlantic where they brought in sugar, tobacco and coals (before geothermal heating) and exported bacalao to far away places no none had ever been to.

The emphasis on local ingredients that has swept over Iceland in the last few years is alive and well in this establishment and they have made good use of the abundance available. Most of the menu is Icelandic in origin but by no means do they shy away from global influences. I was tempted by most dishes there but also very happy with the tasting menu or the adventure tour that we got served. I specially want to recommend the carpaccios (tuna, beef and horse) which were absolutely heavenly.

And if you are  coming to Iceland, perhaps just for a short visit, fresh local seafood should be on the menu and this place does an impressive variety of shells, crustaceans and other ocean delicacies.

The very tempting lamb and beef dishes are also really well executed, quality ingredients and the chefs certainly are out to impress.

All in all this is a place easy to recommend. I was very happy with the service and the food. The place looks and feels cozy and pro. And the location can hardly be beaten. In the evergrowing Reyjavik restaurantscape Matarkjallarinn is a new and definately noteworthy contender.