The story
ÓX is the past tense of “to grow” – a name that reflects Chef Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson’s original concept, one that has evolved into what it is today. This 17-seat restaurant on Laugavegur is hidden behind an unsuspected door, offering an intimate setting where Icelandic ingredients take centre stage. The cooking focuses on modern renditions of traditional Icelandic cuisine, presented as a multi-course journey designed to surprise and delight.
Dining at ÓX means sitting at the counter, watching the kitchen work in close quarters. The space is small by design – deliberately exclusive, with only a handful of guests each evening. Chef Thrainn’s team prepares each course with precision, drawing from the country’s natural larder: seafood, lamb, wild herbs, and dairy. The result is a tasting menu that feels both rooted in Iceland and refreshingly contemporary.
In 2026, ÓX was awarded a Michelin star, a mark of the high-quality cooking and singular vision that defines the restaurant. The atmosphere is calm and focused, with nothing distracting from the food and the company. For a quieter moment, the Amma Don bar offers an easy-speaking setting with thought-out drinks. Whether you come for the Tuesday-to-Friday dinner or the Saturday lunch, the experience is a complete one – intimate, unhurried, and deeply Icelandic.
Recognition
Details
History
Most likely there is a sacred place somewhere in Valhalla where the feast is as elaborate – and equally tricky to get into. Securing a seat at Òx, a restaurant-within-a-restaurant (Sümac), can be quite an ordeal not least because there are only eleven seats up for grabs, grouped in an L-shaped formation around an open kitchen, Japanese counter style. Two chefs at a time cater to the guests promptly arriving at 7 pm to enjoy the three-hour show, a rather radical take on Icelandic cooking traditions
High quality cooking
Location
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