Arabian Taste

Arabian Taste is a casual Reykjavík option when the decision is about speed and a filling Syrian or Arabic meal rather than a long sit-down dinner. It is lively and informal, with a fast-food-style kebab shop feel rather than elaborate decor or a fine-dining atmosphere. The room reads as counter service, so choose it for a quick refuel, not for a quiet date or a dressed-up night.

The useful lens here is category clarity. This is a Syrian and Arabic kebab restaurant, not a broad tasting room trying to cover every regional tradition. That matters if the order is simple: shawarma rolls, doner kebab, falafel wrap are the clearest lane. For a first visit, stay inside that core rather than treating it as a general restaurant with a wide brief. The stronger bet is the quick, filling format the place is known for.

Go for shawarma, falafel, late Reykjavík convenience

The main reason to pick Arabian Taste is practical: it gives travelers and locals a low-friction option in Reykjavík. The appeal is less about design or ceremony and more about getting Syrian and Arabic flavors in a format that works during the day, in the evening, or late on Friday and Saturday. Reykjavík has plenty of meals that require more budget and more planning; this one earns its place by being easy.

Expect a casual, fast-food-style setup with counter service. That is a strength if the group wants pace, but a limitation if the meal needs hosting, pacing, or a more elaborate atmosphere. The right expectation is important: treat this as a convenient, hearty stop rather than a fine-dining experience. Diners looking for quick Syrian and Arabic dishes will get the clearest value from it.

Who should choose it, who should plan elsewhere

Choose a more formal restaurant if the night needs composed plates, table service, or a long conversation. Choose this instead when the priority is a quick Syrian or Arabic meal, especially for shawarma, kebab, or falafel. It is also a useful option for visitors building a loose Reykjavík day: start with our full Reykjavík restaurants guide, then use our full Reykjavík hotels guide and our full Reykjavík bars guide to shape the rest of the trip.

For other dining ideas, compare Arabian Taste with other Reykjavík restaurants based on whether you want a quick counter-service kebab stop or a more formal meal.