Chef Santiago Lastra is known for his 'Mexican Soul' cuisine, which blends traditional Mexican culinary techniques with locally sourced ingredients. He is the Chef Patron of Kol Restaurant and Fonda Restaurant.
Insights
SteakhouseSeafoodLocal ModernVegetarian Vegan FocusVegan-friendlyUpscaleDinnerFine DiningCocktail Bar
Last updated: 7/31/2026, 3:46:54 AM
Key Information
Kol Restaurant is a charcoal-grilled steakhouse established in 2014, offering a modern Icelandic culinary experience. Located in the heart of Reykjavík, it's known for its high-quality ingredients like Wagyu A5+ and local game, alongside creative cocktails, all served in an intimate and lovely ambiance.
Customers consistently praise Kol Restaurant for its exceptional food quality, particularly the reindeer and lamb dishes, and its phenomenal, friendly, and attentive service. Many consider it a pricey but worthwhile fine dining experience, with the tasting menu being a popular choice. The atmosphere is described as intimate and having good vibes.
Additional Details
Established in 2014, Kol Restaurant is located near the Reykjavik cathedral. The official website lists its address as Skólavörðustígur 28, while the provided Google Place ID address is Skólavörðustígur 40.
While reservations are recommended, the restaurant has accommodated walk-ins, even on busy evenings like Good Friday, especially if arriving early. It's a popular dinner spot.
Awards & Recognition
Tripadvisor Top 34 of 510 Restaurants in Reykjavik
I had an exceptional experience at Kol!
While walking to the Reykjavik cathedral, I passed Kol and was intrigued by their menu. As someone celiac, restaurants that actively state what is/ can be modified to be gluten free puts me at ease (note: there are also lactose free and vegan options).
As for the food itself, it was tremendous. I ordered the Arctic Char and Miso Reindeer Steak. The Arctic Char was smooth, flavourful, and very fresh. The truffled sauce on top of it was a surprising but pleasant addition! I wanted arctic char in Iceland, and this did not disappoint. The standout dish was the reindeer.
Wow.
I truly could’ve ordered three portions of that and have been happy. It was cooked to perfection (medium rare), and the meat was so easy to slice. I adored the white sauce it was laying on… safe to say my plate was polished off.
The service was as standout as the food. Dágny was kind, pleasant, helpful, and not pushy whatsoever. When I said I didn’t want to drink because I was ice climbing a glacier the next day, she took the menu away and brought over cold water instantly, saying she understood completely. As well, she made a point to double check the gluten cross contamination of my meal BEFORE I ate it.. and realized there was an error! She swapped it for a celiac safe version immediately. She also gave me some great suggestions of things to check out in Reykjavik! Overall, she made the experience so much better than it already was!
The interior was lovely, and had an intimate, rather than cold, feel.
Tremendous! Recommend 100%
Amazing dinner, I had the lamb filet and it was amazing. Good vibes, soft house music playing in the backround. Definitely one of my favorites in Reykjavík.
Incredible dinner here! We were a party of 7 and walked in without a reservation on Good Friday and were seated right away with a smile. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful and just lovely. The service was phenomenal, along with the food. Its pricey but worth it. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're in Reykjavik
The restaurant was amazing! We decided to do the tasting menu and every single dish was incredible and beautifully presented and full of flavor. The service was excellent, with staff that were attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience feel special.
It’s also perfectly located right downtown in Reykjavik, which made it super convenient. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a great dining experience!
I went alone without a reservation early on a Friday evening. I ordered the Icelandic tasting course, and every dish was excellent—I highly recommend it. The lamb steak in particular was unbelievably delicious and juicy, unlike anything I’ve had before.
I ended up very full and took some of the food to go, but it was still delicious when I ate it the next day.
