ÓX
Nordic , Modern Cuisine · Reykjavíkurborg, Reykjavík
Restaurant in Reykjavík, Iceland
The Read
Arctic-Larder Precision
Price
€€€€
Chef
Rúnar Pierre Herivaux
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
ÓX holds back-to-back Michelin stars (2024–2025) and, making it Reykjavík's most credentialed fine dining booking right now. Chef Rúnar Pierre Herivaux runs a Nordic modern tasting menu at the €€€€ tier; a genuine special-occasion commitment. Book well ahead; availability is tight and the format demands you be in the room.
About ÓX
A 4.8-rated Michelin-starred table on Laugavegur; and one of the hardest bookings in Reykjavík
Chef Rúnar Pierre Herivaux runs a Nordic modern tasting menu format at the €€€€ price tier; this is a special-occasion spend, not a casual dinner, it should be evaluated on those terms.
The address, Laugavegur 55, Reykjavík's main commercial street, puts ÓX in the heart of the city, walkable from most central hotels. The room itself sets a visual tone that matches the price: expect a spare, considered aesthetic that signals you are somewhere serious before a plate arrives. That visual restraint is characteristic of the Nordic fine dining format, at ÓX it functions as a coherent statement rather than a design exercise.
The format is a tasting menu. That means you are committing to the kitchen's sequence, not ordering à la carte. If that format suits you, for a celebration dinner or a date where the experience should carry the evening, ÓX delivers enough technical ambition and Michelin-verified consistency to justify the price. If you want flexibility to order and share, look elsewhere.
One practical note worth stating plainly: ÓX is not a takeout or delivery venue. The cooking here is tasting-menu fine dining, where plating, temperature, sequencing are integral to what you are paying for. Nothing about this format translates to a box. If you need a Reykjavík option that works off-premise, Matur og Drykkur operates at a different register and is more suited to casual formats. For the ÓX experience, you have to be in the room.
Who should book ÓX
Book ÓX if: you are marking a genuine occasion, you are comfortable with a tasting menu format, you want a Michelin-credentialed meal in Reykjavík without flying to Copenhagen or Stockholm. The back-to-back star years under Herivaux indicate a kitchen that has stabilised at a high level, not a one-season spike.
Think carefully before booking if: the €€€€ price tier represents a stretch, you dislike set menus, or you are travelling with guests who have significant dietary restrictions, confirm with the restaurant directly before booking, as tasting menus vary in their ability to accommodate changes.
ÓX sits alongside DILL and Brút as one of Reykjavík's top-tier fine dining commitments. Among these, ÓX's consecutive Michelin years give it the strongest verifiable credential at the time of writing. For broader context on eating well across Iceland, see our full Reykjavík restaurants guide.
Booking and practical details
Reservations: Book as far in advance as possible, this is a hard booking. Michelin recognition has significantly compressed availability, last-minute tables are rare. Dress: No formal dress code is confirmed in our data, but the price tier and format suggest smart casual at minimum; treat it as you would any starred tasting menu. Budget: €€€€, expect a full tasting menu price commitment, plus drinks. Address: Laugavegur 55 101, 101 Reykjavík. Getting there: Central Reykjavík, walkable from most city-centre hotels and guesthouses. Awards: Michelin 1 Star 2024 and 2025.
Iceland dining context
If you are building a broader Iceland itinerary around food, the starred fine dining circuit is compact. Beyond Reykjavík, Moss in Grindavík offers a destination dining option outside the capital. For something more casual in the city, 3 Frakkar handles seafood at a lower price tier. If you are extending travel beyond Iceland into the wider Nordic fine dining circuit, FAGN in Trondheim and Matbaren in Stockholm operate in the same Nordic modern register. For hotels and other Reykjavík planning, see our Reykjavík hotels guide and our Reykjavík bars guide.
Planning details
- Location
- Laugavegur 55 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Website
- ox.restaurant
- Phone
- +354 779 0399
The take
The Take
The Vibe
ÓX presents a restrained, sophisticated energy that privileges the food over interior theatrics. The dining room is reticent rather than showy: an ordinary exterior on Laugavegur gives way to a measured fine-dining experience where technique and ingredient take center stage. The profile fits Reykjavík’s "starred tier"—serious, precise and quietly confident—so the overall impression is elegant and focused rather than flamboyant. Expect a composed room where conversation and close attention to service coexist with a culinary program that does the talking.
Best For
ÓX is best experienced in the evening as a fine-dining destination: the writing frames it within Reykjavík’s serious modern-Nordic scene and aligns it with tasting-menu-led rooms. The format and tone suit date nights and special-occasion dinners, and the single-location, street-front setting makes it an urban stop for diners seeking a high-caliber meal. Solo diners who want a composed, chef-driven tasting experience also fit comfortably here; the restaurant’s strengths are in its focused service arc and commitment to the Nordic larder rather than casual or quick meals.
Ordering Tips
The description makes clear that ÓX operates in the tasting-menu register of modern Nordic cuisine, so opt for the multi-course tasting experience if available—the kitchen is set up to present a service arc that showcases technique and the regional larder. The restaurant's approach is understated, so let the sequence of courses and the service pacing guide the meal. Because ÓX emphasizes the food as its principal statement, resist expecting dramatic interior cues; instead, treat the menu as the main event.
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- DILL; New Nordic, Creative, €€€€
- Matur og Drykkur; Icelandic, Traditional Cuisine, €€€€
- 3 Frakkar; Seafood, Seafood
- Brút; Modern Cuisine, €€€€
- Sümac; Middle Eastern, €€€€
Restaurant context
ÓX and DILL are the two most closely matched bookings in Reykjavík fine dining; both €€€€, both tasting menu format, both operating in the Nordic modern register. The differentiating factor right now is Michelin verification: ÓX holds consecutive 2024 and 2025 stars, which gives it a credential edge for diners who weight awards heavily. DILL has its own strong reputation and may be marginally easier to book in some windows. If both are available, ÓX is the sharper choice for a milestone occasion; DILL is a sound fallback.
Brút operates at the same €€€€ tier in the modern cuisine category and works if ÓX is fully booked. It offers a different aesthetic and menu approach but targets the same diner. Matur og Drykkur is the better option if you want traditional Icelandic cooking done well at a high price point; it is less format-driven than ÓX and more accessible for groups with mixed appetites for tasting menus. 3 Frakkar drops the price tier significantly and focuses on seafood; it is a practical choice for a good dinner without the full fine dining commitment.
For most visitors with a single special-occasion slot in Reykjavík, ÓX is the booking to prioritise given its current Michelin standing. Book DILL if ÓX is unavailable. Consider Matur og Drykkur if the tasting menu format is not your preference. Skip the €€€€ tier entirely and go to 3 Frakkar if budget is a constraint; it punches above its price at the seafood end of the market.
Explore Reykjavík
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full ÓX guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare ÓX
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ÓX | Nordic, Modern Cuisine | €€€€ | Hard | Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2026 White Guide Nordic Restaurants - Global Masters Level2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
| DILL | New Nordic, Creative | €€€€ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #1Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #466We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #364 |
| Matur og Drykkur | Icelandic, Traditional Cuisine | €€€€ | Unknown | Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 20262026 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Recommended2026 White Guide Nordic Restaurants - Very Fine Level2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in Europe Ranked · #4422025 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #3842024 Michelin Plate |
| 3 Frakkar | Seafood | Unknown | 2026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2024 OAD Casual in Europe Ranked · #3802023 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended | |
| Brút | Modern Cuisine | €€€€ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #1We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Michelin Plate |
| Sümac | Middle Eastern | €€€€ | Unknown | Star Wine Lists 2026Michelin Guide Nordic Countries 20262026 White Guide Nordic Restaurants - Fine Level2025 Michelin Plate |
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Key differences to consider before you reserve.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What are alternatives to ÓX in Reykjavík?
DILL is the closest like-for-like comparison; also Michelin-starred, also tasting menu format, with a longer track record in the city. Brút is a strong alternative if you want Nordic-leaning food at a lower price point with easier availability. Matur og Drykkur works if you want traditional Icelandic ingredients without the full fine dining commitment, 3 Frakkar is the call for classic Icelandic cooking in a relaxed, no-ceremony setting. ÓX sits above all of them on current Michelin recognition and booking difficulty.
How far ahead should I book ÓX?
Book as far in advance as your travel dates allow; realistically, two to three months out is the floor for securing a seat. Back-to-back Michelin stars in 2024 and 2025 have made ÓX one of the hardest reservations in Reykjavík, last-minute availability is rare. Check regularly for cancellations if your dates are firm.
What should a first-timer know about ÓX?
ÓX operates a tasting menu format, so this is not a drop-in, order-what-you-want dinner. The cuisine is Modern Nordic under chef Rúnar Pierre Herivaux, the experience is built around that fixed progression. Come with the evening cleared; tasting menus at this tier rarely move fast. The address is Laugavegur 55, Reykjavík's main commercial street, so access is straightforward.
Is the tasting menu worth it at ÓX?
At the €€€€ price point, ÓX is worth it if a tasting menu is the format you want and you are eating in Reykjavík anyway. If you are uncertain about tasting menus, DILL or Brút give you a lower-commitment entry point into Reykjavík fine dining.
Is ÓX good for a special occasion?
Yes; it is one of the clearest answers in Reykjavík for a genuine occasion dinner. Two consecutive Michelin stars, a 4.8 rating, a tasting menu format all point toward an evening that has been built to feel deliberate rather than casual. If the occasion warrants the €€€€ spend and you can secure the booking, ÓX is the right call over alternatives like Matur og Drykkur or 3 Frakkar, which skew more relaxed.
Is ÓX worth the price?
At €€€€, you are paying for a serious tasting menu, not just a prestige name. The honest caveat: if you are tasting-menu-averse or visiting Iceland primarily for the landscape rather than the food, the spend is harder to justify against DILL or Brút, which deliver strong meals at a lower ceiling.
