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.
The Tasting Menu at Kolabrautin
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.
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.
To make a reservation at Kolabrautin, make sure to visit their website: