+354 558 0000+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Scandinavian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Details
About
The Food Cellar is a Grill & Cocktail bar situated in an 160 year old building in the center of Reykjavík. We like to think that Food is for your body and music is for your soul. Brasserie is the style of food, focusing on icelandic finest ingredients. The bar has good selection of fine cocktails put together by our outstanding bartenders.
PRICE RANGE
HK$205.00 – HK$657.00
CUISINES
Scandinavian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
1,146 reviews
Excellent
892
Very good
189
Average
48
Poor
11
Terrible
6
Ben L
Nottingham49 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
We booked prior to our arrival in Iceland which was trouble free online. We chose to eat off the secret set menu which was 6 courses and was great value for the quality of the food. The staff were all really friendly and the live piano music really added to the ambiance. We would definitely go back!
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MTB62
St Helens89 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Having been recommended this restaurant by our hotel staff, we eagerly booked a table after a long snowy walk! It did not disappoint! Wanting to try a variety of typical Icelandic fayre we chose the Secret six-course tasting menu (discounted for January). The friendly staff and cosy ambience (live piano music after 7.30pm) set the scene for a wonderful evening! Started with slow-cooked cod, then tuna tartare, king prawns tempura style, reindeer carpaccio, lamb and beef main course topped off with a chocolate and raspberry number. No description can do the food justice but suffice to say we managed to eat it all! Delicious!
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rasmeet C.
Sterling Heights46 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
This was probably the best dining experience we have had. When we came on a Friday evening for dinner there was a live piano player which created a nice ambiance. They start with pretzels and homemade cream cheese which was different than the typical bread/butter and delicious! I had the fish of the day which was ling with hollandaise sauce and my husband (who is picky) had the pepper steak and both were great!! Our drinks were also super tasty. Our server was friendly and attentive. Everything was perfect 10/10 would recommend.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sid
San Diego43 contributions
Oct 2019 • couples
Recommend you get a reservation because this place is tasty and busy during dinner! Intriguing menu with a la carte options along with multiple set menus. We opted for the Arctic Charr, butternut squash, and Lion Bar dessert - all well worth the price. The dress code is not super fancy and we didn't necessarily dress up, but did feel a bit underdressed compared to others, so just be aware that it's more of a sharp/business casual atmosphere.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SNG56
Scottsdale850 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
We booked here based on reviews. Warmly greeted and seated. Ordered drinks, there is a nice selection of Icelandic gins by the way.
Ordered starters of the tiger prawns and the tuna tartare followed by mains of Arctic char and the cod, along with a carafe of wine. Food was simply incredible, do not miss out on the prawns. Service was decent and there was a piano player providing nice background music. Lovely ambience.
Not an inexpensive place but worth it. With 2 cocktails, starters and mains plus a carafe of wine, the bill was $200 USD. If we drank less, it would have cost less :-)
Highly recommend
Written 4 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie C
43 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
This place lives up to its reviews! Easy to book online before arrival. Set menus are excellent value (compared to the a la carte - remember this is Iceland and everything is eye-wateringly expensive). Our group had the surf and turf and the Iceland menu. Just incredible flavours across both menus. Do try the local delicacies: the cures goose was melt in the mouth. Super friendly yet professional service. 100% recommended.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jndst12
Florida443 contributions
Sept 2019 • solo
Found it on trip advisor and had dinner here my last night. At first, I was underwhelmed. I was disappointed that a table of four arrived and ordered after me but received their food and drinks before me with the same server. I ordered the Basement dacquiri and scallops to start. The daiquiri was ok. Scallops were good, 3 small ones with a sauce poured over it, sufficient for a tasting but allowed room for the entree. I was also served a soft pretzel with whipped cheese spread.
Then the food and drinks got really good. I ordered the bora bora fizz, which I enjoyed so much more than the daiquiri. It has sweetened berry and citrus flavors with fizz that gives it a bit of mouth texture. What followed was the langoustine tail (small lobsters) entree and I immediately understood why the restaurant is highly rated. They were so delicious, cooked just right to maintain both tenderness and flavor. So often lobster is overcooked and tough or undercooked and raw. However, this traditional Icelandic Christmas dish was cooked to perfection. It is accompanied with a toasted bread, small salad, garlic butter, garlic mayonnaise and lemon for dipping. Simply amazing!
Staff is very friendly and service quick. Recommend reservations. Overall great meal and if you are not allergic the langoustine is a must have!
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharkattackmatt
Saffron Walden5 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
First meal out of 2020 and maybe the best - we will see!? Lovely ambience with comfortable seats and pleasant decor.
Service was impeccable from start to finish. Added bonus of a live piano session during our visit.
Food was absolutely delicious and portions were generous.
Try the slow cooked Cod! So yummy.
Iceland is deemed to be expensive for those working with the GBP...but for top class food this meal was comparable with London. 4 course meal for 2 plus wine and coffee came in at just over £150.
Five stars from me.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A F
Copenhagen56 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
Sometimes delicious food and great service combines to create magic. Matarkjallarinn was such a magical experience. From the delicious pretzel snack to the best fries my daughter has ever had, to a wonderful scallop-cauliflower starter - I had to ask for a spoon to scrape the bowl of the last of the delicious (lobster?) sauce! The best white wine and throughout friendly, well-informed and attentive service. We hope to be back another time!
Written 29 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamella R
Dunstable88 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Lovely place and the gentleman playing the piano was a nice touch. Tables close together so not romantic. Bought a bottle of wine . Waiter poured us both a glass and took the bottle and placed it on the piano. He never came back so I had to retrieve it my self. Food was tasty , the hot water tap in the ladies is extremely hot be careful,
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter O
Garmisch-Partenkirchen647 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
Why is it not 5 stars you may ask. Well, maybe I have been spoilt with good food in Iceland and this was good but not quite up to the expectation. Both my son and me had the seafood set menu, which startet out with a seafood soup including lobster, scallops and smoked haddock. And while it was good the creamy base was not tasty enough. The main was a pan fried ocean perch. Again good but not wow, the extra was missing. I actually liked best the dessert as the basil granita gave the chocolate cracker and vanilla ice a little twist. The Open wine selection was also limited. On the positive side, the service was extremely friendly, the piano player in the background was really nice.. overall, you can go but not worth a detour
Written 18 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hugh A
1 contribution
Sept 2021 • none
Top quality food, with wines and service to match! During a short break in Iceland, I ate here twice, once at lunchtime and once in the evening. On both occasions, I selected a set menu and accepted their offer of pairing the food with wines. After the lunchtime visit, I really wanted to go back again, but hoped not to be disappointed. In fact, the second visit was better still.
I have eaten in Michelin starred restaurants and really feel that this place warrants a star. There was the expected attention to every detail of content, presentation and service.
My second visit was better, not because the first could be faulted in any way, but because I chose the 'Discover Iceland' menu (which kept getting better course by course) and because of the addition of live music from an excellent pianist.
Quite expensive, but absolutely worth every Krona!
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan W
Oxford17 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
If you come here you should come with the intent to do all 3 courses, as each dish was just out of this world. Full of flavour, texture & decent portion sizes it's definitely one of the best meals I've had in a long time.
Great atmosphere with live piano music of some well know pop tunes as well as classics from the decades.
Staff helpful & polite, really can't fault the place with quirky but smart decor.
For Iceland the price wasn't too bad either but set aside enough cash to enjoy the full experience 👍
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smith K
8 contributions
Dec 2021 • couples
This was the first restaurant we visited after arriving in Reykjavik and it was difficult for the others to measure up afterwards! We had the Camembert starter and duck confit for main, both of which were absolutely delicious. The service was incredible and the atmosphere with the piano playing was so lovely and relaxing. The price is fairly high by UK standards but definitely worth it, we’d return here without hesitation.
Written 7 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Penny C
Sidcup284 contributions
Mar 2020 • couples
Food was very good start of scallops with cauliflower several ways. Salt cod for main course and langoustines for my partner both very good (although a little too much in way of cheese and cream in the sauces for me). We were lucky to get a table without booking on a Saturday night but the service was also a little slow.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Showing results 1-15 of 977
Related Stories
Best fine dining restaurants
See all
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing