Monkeys
Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Book Monkeys when the brief is a lively Reykjavík dinner with stronger wine credibility than a generic downtown fallback. Star Wine List recognition is the clearest reason to choose it, especially for a date, birthday, or small group meal where drinks matter. For a quicker casual meal, Gló is easier; for a more Icelandic sampling angle, compare Smakkbarinn.
About Monkeys
Monkeys in Reykjavík has one clear distinction for planning: Star Wine List recognition in 2026. Its hours also make it a flexible daily option, opening from 12 PM on weekdays and from 11:45 AM on weekends, with later closing on Friday and Saturday.
The dress code is smart casual, so it works best as a polished but not overly formal Reykjavík choice.
Plan it for a Reykjavík meal with a clear wine signal
Monkeys makes the most sense when you want a Reykjavík venue with Star Wine List recognition. That recognition is the strongest reason to place it above a completely generic dining choice, especially if wine is part of how you are choosing where to go.
The main caution is expectation-setting. Choose Monkeys when Star Wine List recognition and a smart-casual setting matter rather than assuming a chef-counter destination, a tasting-menu splurge, or a specialist cuisine choice. If you are comparing options, keep the decision practical: choose Monkeys when Star Wine List recognition and smart-casual setting matter; consider Gló, Smakkbarinn, Public House Gastropub, Geiri Smart Restaurant, or Canopy Central Café when another Reykjavík option better fits your plans.
The wine signal is the clearest reason to choose it
Star Wine List recognition is the clearest planning hook for Monkeys. If wine is part of the decision, it gives the venue a more specific reason to consider it.
Hours are another useful fact. Monkeys is listed as open 12–10 PM Monday through Thursday, 12–11 PM Friday, 11:45 AM–11 PM Saturday, 11:45 AM–10 PM Sunday. Those times support flexible planning across the week.
Who should cross-shop it in Reykjavík
Use the comparison set as a planning shortlist. Public House Gastropub, Geiri Smart Restaurant, Gló, Smakkbarinn, Canopy Central Café are all reasonable Reykjavík names to consider alongside Monkeys, depending on what kind of meal you want.
For broader planning, use our full Reykjavík restaurants guide, then pair the meal with our full Reykjavík bars guide or our full Reykjavík hotels guide if the night depends on staying close by.
Planning details
- Location
- Klapparstígur 28, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Website
- monkeys.is
- Phone
- +354 519 5350
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Monkeys pairs cosmopolitan Nikkei cooking with a 1920s interior that feels both historic and deliberately playful. The dining room leans into warm materials and geometric patterns from the era, and small design easter eggs — monkeys tucked into the ceiling — keep the mood light without undercutting the kitchen's seriousness. The result is an elegant, sophisticated setting that reads classic rather than contemporary-minimalist, offering a theatrical but composed backdrop for meals that balance global fusion flavors with Icelandic restraint.
Best For
This is a downtown dinner destination best suited to evening meals when Reykjavik's ambitious restaurant scene comes alive. The combination of an elegant room and Nikkei-driven tasting-style cooking makes Monkeys a strong choice for date nights, celebratory dinners, and professional meals where a polished atmosphere matters. The restaurant's placement among the city's premium addresses also makes it appropriate for visiting food-minded guests who want a cosmopolitan experience in Reykjavík's compact culinary core.
Ordering Tips
Lean into the signatures highlighted by the kitchen: the watermelon carpaccio and miso sesame steak showcase the Nikkei blend of Japanese and Peruvian influences, while the lamb rack offers a meat-forward option. Vegetarians and plant-forward diners should note the explicitly mentioned vegan tasting menu. Because the restaurant frames itself alongside Reykjavik's serious dining scene, consider ordering a selection of standout plates to share or choosing the vegan tasting menu if available to experience the kitchen's range.
Venue details
Ambiance
Fun, upbeat atmosphere with thematic, instagram-worthy decor featuring fake flowers, elegant lighting, and a glamorous feel.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- watermelon carpaccio
- miso sesame steak
- vegan tasting menu
- lamb rack
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Gló, Notable alternative
- Smakkbarinn, Notable alternative
- Geiri Smart Restaurant, Notable alternative
- Public House Gastropub, Notable alternative
- Canopy Central Café, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Monkeys compares in Reykjavík
Monkeys is the better pick when the meal needs to feel social and wine-aware without becoming a formal splurge. Gló is the value-led alternative for a faster, lighter meal, while Smakkbarinn is the sharper choice if the group wants a more Iceland-focused tasting style.
For ambiance, cross-shop Geiri Smart Restaurant and Public House Gastropub. Geiri Smart Restaurant suits a more polished dinner plan; Public House Gastropub works better for a casual group night where drinks and flexibility matter more than a composed restaurant experience. Monkeys sits between those poles: more occasion-ready than a pub fallback, less formal than a destination dining room.
Canopy Central Café is the easier daytime or hotel-nearby option. Pick Monkeys instead for dinner, a date, or a small celebration where the central location and wine recognition make the booking feel more deliberate.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Monkeys guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Monkeys
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Monkeys | Reykjavík | Star Wine Lists 2026 |
| Gló | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Smakkbarinn | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Geiri Smart Restaurant | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Public House Gastropub | Reykjavík | No published awards |
| Canopy Central Café | Reykjavík | No published awards |
How Monkeys Reykjavík compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Monkeys?
For bar seating or a specific bar-dining setup at Monkeys, check directly before going. The key planning notes are Star Wine List recognition in 2026, smart-casual dress, daily opening hours in Reykjavík.
Is lunch or dinner better at Monkeys?
Monkeys opens from 12 PM Monday through Friday and from 11:45 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Choose your time based on the published hours and the kind of Reykjavík meal you want.
What should a first-timer know about Monkeys?
First-timers should know that Monkeys is in Reykjavík, has Star Wine List recognition for 2026, lists a smart-casual dress code.
Does Monkeys handle dietary restrictions?
Is Monkeys good for a special occasion?
It can be a sensible Reykjavík choice when Star Wine List recognition and a smart-casual setting fit the occasion. Plan around those strengths rather than assuming a private-room setup, formal service style, tasting menu, or special-occasion package.
What are alternatives to Monkeys in Reykjavík?
Other Reykjavík names to compare with Monkeys include Public House Gastropub, Gló, Smakkbarinn, Geiri Smart Restaurant, Canopy Central Café. Monkeys stands out because of its Star Wine List recognition.
What should I order at Monkeys?
Review the current menu directly and, if wine matters, use the Star Wine List recognition as a prompt to ask the team for guidance.
