Amma Don
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland
The Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Amma Don holds back-to-back Star Wine List awards (2024 and 2026), making it one of Reykjavik's stronger calls if wine is part of why you're going out. It sits on central Laugavegur, books easily, operates without the formal-dining commitment of the city's tasting-menu restaurants. A practical yes for wine-focused visitors.
About Amma Don
Amma Don Has Won Star Wine List Recognition Twice — Here's What That Means for Your Booking Decision
Two consecutive Star Wine List awards (2024 and 2026) is the most telling number on Amma Don's record. On Laugavegur, Reykjavik's central dining and shopping corridor, that kind of repeat recognition in the wine category is rare. If you're planning a meal in the city and wine matters to you, this is one of the stronger signals available for where to book. The harder question is whether the rest of the experience justifies the trip down Laugavegur 55 — and on the evidence available, the answer leans yes, with some caveats worth knowing before you commit.
The Case for Booking Amma Don
Amma Don sits in a category Pearl calls casual excellence: venues that deliver disproportionate quality relative to how formal or intimidating they feel to walk into. The Star Wine List credential, earned twice, tells you that the wine selection has been evaluated by a dedicated specialist jury and found to meet a meaningful international standard. That's not marketing language, it's a verifiable, repeated third-party assessment. For Reykjavik, where wine programs at restaurants can be variable, that distinction is worth paying attention to.
If you've visited once and focused on the food, the wine list is the thing to look harder at on a return visit. The double award suggests this is a program with some depth and consistency, not a rotating-label afterthought. Go in with a question for the staff about what they're excited about right now, that kind of engagement usually works well at venues that have invested in their wine identity.
Laugavegur is a walkable street, easy to reach from most central Reykjavik accommodation. Booking appears direct, no indication of a hard-to-secure reservation situation here, which makes Amma Don a reasonable option even if you're planning within the week. If you're building an itinerary around Reykjavik dining, check our full Reykjavik restaurants guide for how it fits alongside the city's wider dining map.
Who Should Book Amma Don
This works well for someone who wants a genuine wine experience in a city not always known for them, without booking into a formal tasting-menu environment. If you've already eaten at DILL in Reykjavík and want something less structured, or if you're comparing against the destination-dining effort required for Moss in Grindavík, Amma Don offers a lower-friction option with credentialed wine credentials to back it up.
It's also a practical pick for a regular visitor to Reykjavik who wants to go deeper than the first visit. The repeat Star Wine List recognition suggests the program evolves, there's reason to believe the list isn't static. For a city where stalwarts like Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur and Café Loki anchor the casual end of the market, Amma Don occupies a different tier, more considered, more drink-focused, without requiring the planning effort of Reykjavik's more ambitious restaurants.
What You're Committing To
Some practical context: cuisine type, price range, opening hours aren't confirmed in Pearl's database at this time. Before booking, check current hours directly, Laugavegur venues sometimes shift seasonal schedules, particularly around Iceland's shoulder seasons. The address is Laugavegur 55, 101 Reykjavik.
For broader trip planning, Pearl's Reykjavik hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide can help you build out the rest of your stay.
How It Compares
See the full peer comparison below.
Booking Amma Don
Pearl's Verdict
Book Amma Don if wine is part of why you're going out, not just a line on the check. The double Star Wine List recognition is the clearest signal available that this program is taken seriously, in Reykjavik, that puts it in a short list of venues worth specifically choosing for the drink experience. Easy to book, central location, no high-commitment format required. For most visitors with an interest in wine, that's a direct yes.
Pearl Picks: More Reykjavik Dining
- DILL in Reykjavík, Reykjavik's most awarded tasting menu; book well in advance
- Bon Restaurant, solid option for a more formal Reykjavik dinner
- Hjá Jóni, the relaxed neighbourhood end of the Reykjavik dining spectrum
- Café Loki, for traditional Icelandic food in a no-fuss setting
- Our full Reykjavik restaurants guide, for the complete picture
What should I wear to Amma Don?
No dress code is confirmed in Pearl's data, the venue's position as a casual-format wine bar on Laugavegur suggests smart casual is the right call, not formal, but not beach gear either. Reykjavik dining generally skews relaxed; you'll be comfortable in the same outfit you'd wear to a wine bar in any European city.
Is Amma Don good for solo dining?
Wine-focused venues on Laugavegur typically work well for solo visitors, a wine list worth exploring is its own entertainment, bar or counter seating tends to suit solo guests. Without confirmed seating details from Pearl's database, it's worth calling ahead to ask about bar availability if you're going solo.
Can I eat at the bar at Amma Don?
Bar seating isn't confirmed in Pearl's data. Given the venue's wine bar positioning and its central Laugavegur address, bar seating is plausible but not guaranteed. Contact the venue directly before visiting if bar dining is important to your plan.
Is Amma Don good for a special occasion?
It depends on what the occasion calls for. If you want wine to be the centrepiece and the atmosphere to feel considered without being formal, Amma Don's Star Wine List credentials make it a credible pick. For a more structured fine dining experience with full tasting menus, Bon Restaurant or DILL may be stronger fits for celebratory dinners.
What are alternatives to Amma Don in Reykjavik?
For fine dining with more structure, DILL is Reykjavik's most decorated option. Bon Restaurant works for a formal dinner without DILL's booking challenge. For something more casual and neighbourhood-driven, Hjá Jóni is the better call. If you're deciding purely on wine credentials, Amma Don's double Star Wine List recognition puts it ahead of most Reykjavik alternatives in that specific category.
Does Amma Don handle dietary restrictions?
Specific dietary accommodation details aren't available in Pearl's database. Contact the venue directly before booking if you have restrictions, that's the only reliable way to confirm. Most Reykjavik restaurants at this level are generally accommodating, but it's worth verifying rather than assuming.
What should a first-timer know about Amma Don?
Lead with the wine list. The Star Wine List recognition (awarded in both 2024 and 2026) is what differentiates Amma Don from other casual Laugavegur options. It's easy to book and centrally located, so the barrier to entry is low. Go in ready to engage with the wine selection, that's where the value sits. Check current hours before visiting, as seasonal scheduling in Reykjavik can vary.
What should I order at Amma Don?
Specific menu details aren't confirmed in Pearl's database, so recommending dishes by name would be guesswork. What the data does confirm: the wine program is the reason to be here. Ask the team what they're pouring right now and let that lead the visit. For venues with this level of wine-list investment, staff recommendations are usually the fastest route to the leading glass in the room.
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Amma Don presents itself as a deliberately concealed, discovery-driven room in central Reykjavik. The speakeasy format—the unannounced door and quiet filter—keeps the space calm and self-selecting, so the atmosphere feels controlled rather than theatrical. That restraint pairs with a strong wine focus, lending the place an assured, slightly secretive elegance. Its co-location with a Michelin-starred counter transfers a degree of gastronomic credibility without making Amma Don feel like an overt extension of fine dining; instead it reads as a quieter, wine-forward hideaway for guests who enjoy being in on something less visible.
Best For
The bar is best enjoyed as an evening discovery for guests who prioritize a thoughtful wine program and a low-key, private-feeling setting. The speakeasy format and the emphasis on narration and staff knowledge make Amma Don naturally suited to date nights and small special occasions where quiet conversation and wine exploration matter. It also rewards wine-minded visitors and travelers who are seeking an alternative to Laugavegur’s louder, more exposed bars—a deliberate, calmer stop for people who prefer a curated, intimate evening.
Ordering Tips
Make the wine program your starting point: the listing is explicitly central to the experience and was ranked first by Star Wine List for depth and staff expertise. Ask the team to walk you through the list and to narrate options—staff knowledge and storytelling are highlighted as part of the offering. Lean on recommendations rather than hunting for specific bottles, and be prepared to treat the wine list as the primary menu; the room’s design and service prioritize a wine-led evening over conventional bar ordering.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Bon Restaurant, Notable alternative
- Eiriksson Brasserie, Notable alternative
- Hjá Jóni, Notable alternative
- Kröst, Notable alternative
- Monkeys, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Against the Reykjavik peer set, Amma Don carves out a specific position: it's the wine-first option among casual-format venues, backed by verifiable third-party credentials that most competitors on Laugavegur can't match. Bon Restaurant and Eiriksson Brasserie both operate in a more structured dining format, better choices if you want a full-service restaurant experience rather than a drink-led evening. For a special occasion requiring a set menu and formal service, either of those two will serve you better than Amma Don.
Hjá Jóni is the closest in terms of relaxed atmosphere, but without the wine credentials that make Amma Don worth specifically choosing for the list. If casual is the goal and wine isn't the priority, Hjá Jóni or Monkeys give you a more food-forward casual option. Kröst occupies a mid-range position and is worth considering if you want something between Amma Don's wine-bar register and Bon's formality.
The practical booking picture favours Amma Don: it's easy to secure a table, it's on a walkable central street, it doesn't require the advance planning that Reykjavik's more in-demand venues need. For anyone visiting Reykjavik with even a passing interest in wine, Amma Don is the more purposeful choice over a random Laugavegur restaurant, the double Star Wine List recognition gives you a concrete reason to choose it over something with no equivalent credential.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Amma Don guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Amma Don
| Venue | Awards |
|---|---|
| Amma Don | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #1 |
| Bon Restaurant | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Eiriksson Brasserie | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Hjá Jóni | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Kröst | No published awards |
| Monkeys | No published awards |
A quick look at how Amma Don measures up.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Amma Don?
Dress casually but put in some effort. Laugavegur is Reykjavik's main social strip, venues along it tend to attract a put-together crowd without enforcing formality. Nothing in Amma Don's profile suggests a dress code, so clean, everyday clothes work. Avoid showing up in full hiking gear if you care about fitting the room.
Is Amma Don good for solo dining?
Yes. A wine-focused venue with Star Wine List recognition twice over is exactly the format that works for solo visits — you can focus on what's in the glass without managing group dynamics. Laugavegur 55 is central and walkable, making it an easy stop on a solo evening in Reykjavik rather than a destination requiring coordination.
Can I eat at the bar at Amma Don?
Current seating configuration isn't confirmed in Pearl's data, so check directly before assuming bar seats are available. That said, Star Wine List-recognised venues in this size category typically have counter or bar seating oriented around the wine program. Contact Amma Don via Laugavegur 55, 101 Reykjavik to confirm before you go.
Is Amma Don good for a special occasion?
It depends on what kind of occasion. Amma Don suits a celebration where wine is the point — an anniversary for a couple who drinks well, or a birthday dinner for someone who'd rather have a great bottle than a formal tasting menu. For a high-ceremony occasion requiring a set menu and private room, the venue profile doesn't confirm that setup is available.
What are alternatives to Amma Don in Reykjavik?
Kröst is the comparison to make if you want a more structured dining format alongside strong drinks. Bon Restaurant is worth considering if food ambition matters as much as the wine. Hjá Jóni skews more neighbourhood and casual. Monkeys and Eiriksson Brasserie cover different ground — Monkeys trends younger and livelier, Eiriksson Brasserie sits closer to brasserie-style comfort dining.
Does Amma Don handle dietary restrictions?
Cuisine type and menu details aren't confirmed in Pearl's database, so there's no reliable way to assess dietary accommodation from here. Call or message ahead using the address at Laugavegur 55, 101 Reykjavik to confirm what the kitchen can accommodate. Don't assume flexibility without checking — Reykjavik kitchens vary widely on this.
What should a first-timer know about Amma Don?
The clearest signal on record is two Star Wine List awards, in 2024 and 2026 — that tells you the wine program is the reason to come, not incidental to it. Amma Don sits on Laugavegur, Reykjavik's busiest dining street, so foot traffic is high and walk-in availability may be tighter than it looks. Price range isn't confirmed in Pearl's data, so go in prepared for a wine-led bill rather than a bargain stop.
