Thin slices of radish and orange salmon topped with microgreens and purple flowers on a white plate.

Kolabrautin: Reykjavik's Modern Italian Restaurant

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Kolabrautin: Reykjavik's Modern Italian Restaurant

Creativity and technique are evident in every dish with all the expected Italian flavors, as Icelandic freshness breathes new life into Italian tradition.

Creativity and technique are evident in every dish with all the expected Italian flavors, as Icelandic freshness breathes new life into Italian tradition.

Creativity and technique are evident in every dish with all the expected Italian flavors, as Icelandic freshness breathes new life into Italian tradition.

After spending the day wandering around the newly constructed HARPA concert hall, we were excited to come back in the evening and visit their fine dining restaurant, Kolabrautin. Located on the top floor, Kolabrautin provides guests with the opportunity to dine inside of this unique buildings’ award wining architecture, while enjoying panoramic views of Reykjavik.

The mixture of bright florescent lights with dark walls and neon specks gave an interesting contrast from the mosaic windows that incase HARPA. It felt like we were in a modern museum, the only difference being - we were about to have really good food with a lot of Italian wine. 

A modern glass and steel building with a geometric facade sits along a waterfront under a blue sky at dusk.

Our meal was served in traditional Italian style, beginning with a seafood dish of salmon crudo and black radish with hazelnut milk and parsley oil. The pasta course that followed was gnocchi and pecorino served with baked kale, pearl onions, and smoke pine nuts — a dish so good, that it rivaled anything we’d eaten in Italy.

The meat course was a skillfully prepared Icelandic lamb filet accompanied by slow cooked pork belly with turnips and charred onions. To end the meal, we enjoyed Zabaione, a classic Italian dessert with puff pastry with crème fraîche ice cream.

Two plates of seared tuna and roasted potatoes garnished with microgreens and herbs on a dark table.
A rustic ceramic bowl holds a dish of yellow dumplings topped with green herbs and white grated cheese in a light broth.

Each dish is matched with an distinct glass of Italian wine, exclusively selected by the restaurants Sommelier and General Manger Alba and compliments the food perfectly. Diners are able to sit in the mesmerizing building of the Harpa and are taken on a culinary Italian adventure with a few Icelandic twists. 

Amazing food aside, Koabrautin has the most down to earth team we came across. They were genuinely friendly and full of fantastic recommendations.

We ate here in February 2015. Kolabrautin has since closed; the restaurant inside Harpa is now La Primavera. 

A bartender in a plaid shirt stands behind a bar with a red neon "SCANDINAVIAN BEER" sign on a textured wall.
A modern restaurant interior with round tables set with white linens and glassware under low lighting and red accents.

Where to stay in Reykjavik

About No Destinations

No Destinations is the travel blog of Chris & Danika Garlotta. In 2014, we quit our jobs, sold everything, rented out our house in San Francisco, and boarded a one-way flight to Europe. That decision turned into four years traveling the world full-time, visiting over 250 destinations and sharing our favorites hotels, restaurants, cruises, and experiences along the way.

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© 2014–2026

No Destinations. All rights reserved. All photos and written content are the property of No Destinations and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without explicit written permission.

About No Destinations

No Destinations is the travel blog of Chris & Danika Garlotta. In 2014, we quit our jobs, sold everything, rented out our house in San Francisco, and boarded a one-way flight to Europe. That decision turned into four years traveling the world full-time, visiting over 250 destinations and sharing our favorites hotels, restaurants, cruises, and experiences along the way.

Search…

© 2014–2026

No Destinations. All rights reserved. All photos and written content are the property of No Destinations and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without explicit written permission.

About No Destinations

No Destinations is the travel blog of Chris & Danika Garlotta. In 2014, we quit our jobs, sold everything, rented out our house in San Francisco, and boarded a one-way flight to Europe. That decision turned into four years traveling the world full-time, visiting over 250 destinations and sharing our favorites hotels, restaurants, cruises, and experiences along the way.

Search…

© 2014–2026

No Destinations. All rights reserved. All photos and written content are the property of No Destinations and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without explicit written permission.