Destination New Nordic tasting menu with standout creativity, excellent chef-counter service, and premium pricing; some diners report pacing, acidity/salt balance, and service lapses.
Dill Restaurant stands among the region's finest dining establishments, earning Michelin recognition through exceptional food quality anchored in ingredient-driven New Nordic creativity and outstanding service knowledge that transforms each course into storytelling. Warm, attentive service and the immersive chef-counter theater create a distinctive culinary experience, though occasional pacing constraints and minor consistency variations prevent absolute perfection. This is essential dining for those seeking Icelandic terroir explored through refined technique.
Set on Reykjavík’s main artery, the evening unfolds in stages: a welcome downstairs, a pause in the lounge, then the open kitchen where chefs present courses with calm precision. Service feels warm and polished, and at the counter you watch a quiet ballet in motion. One guest summed it up as, "the teamwork felt almost silent yet effortless," capturing the chef counter theater. However, some report seatings with firm end-times that can compress the pacing. The cooking channels New Nordic ideas through Icelandic terroir: fish off-cuts turned delicate, lamb aged for depth, spruce and birch woven into sauces. Expect flavors that lean bright and savory—sometimes assertive—with storytelling pairings that make sense of unusual ingredients. This is ingredient-driven creativity rather than showy tricks, best for diners who enjoy discovery and a bit of challenge. The onion cake and cod gellur often steal the show, while the non-alcoholic kombucha series is a thoughtful alternative pairing. For families, this is not a kids’ spot. The long tasting, unfamiliar cuts, and foraged accents mean few dishes a child would embrace. There is no kids menu and portions are tasting-sized. If bringing young diners, consider a shorter evening elsewhere with familiar comfort dishes before saving Dill for an adult night focused on culinary exploration.
Area vibe: Central shopping and dining artery with boutiques, bars, and visitor traffic; stylish but relaxed.
Safety: Generally safe, well-lit, and walkable; active foot traffic in evenings.
What's nearby: Near downtown hotels, shops, and galleries; easy stroll to Harpa and waterfront.
The ISK 23,500 tasting menu contains signature items like Onion Cake, Cod 'Gellur', and dry-aged lamb that most diners single out.
You should reserve well in advance, expect a 3–4 hour tasting with small tasting portions, and limited parking nearby.