ÓX + Amma Don

I LOVED my experience here! The food- the chefs-the atmosphere-the staff-the drinks-the company… all of it was incredible!!! I don’t know what I was even eating half the time but it was good! I felt like it was my cousins in the kitchen cooking. The banter between them and us made our experience that much more! The Sommelier was kind and personable. I really enjoyed our conversations. The portions were all stunning and the food was just amazing… bread in a milk carton?! AMAZING. We were celebrating our first wedding anniversary and never had I recieved a card where all the chefs signed it, truly my new most prized possession!

A must do in Iceland to meet interesting people and eat top tier Icelandic cuisine. Quite the experience, spanning two different rooms (with a hidden door to the next!) Friendly, exclusive company, and the ability to watch the chefs make your food right in front of you. Often, dinnerware is a bit overlooked even at top restaurants. In this case, you could tell that every utensil, cup, plate, bowl, placemat… you name it — was chosen with care. As a sober individual, the wine and cocktail pairings for each course were met with just as good if not better non alcoholic options. Really appreciated the accommodation. I would say that the food was almost too rich/buttery for my taste, but that is part of the Icelandic palate. For those that are not looking for a social experience, I would consider the chef’s other restaurant, Sumac.

This was my first Michelin restaurant. I sat next to some others that have visited quite a few all over the world. They said this is a two star is us Michelin standards. The entire experience was phenomenal. Service was spectacular and the food was so delicious.

vibe and energy were super fun— we met lots of folks and had a great time. the chef was very engaging and the food was awesome.

I wish I could give Ox 5 stars, but I can’t. Ox definitely puts in the effort, so I think 4 stars is more than generous. For me, 5 stars would mean that I will definitely dine here again. However, that is uncertain. I may consider it in a few years. Maybe that would be long enough for some improvements. When I say I would dine again at a restaurant, that has to also mean that the food, for one, has to taste good, no matter the price. Was the meal at Ox better than anything my husband (who is not a professional chef) cooks for me at home? Absolutely not. My husband and I dined at Ox at the end of 2023. The atmosphere and the experience as a whole at Ox was amazing. The experience began from the entrance. I appreciated all the artsy decor and details, as well as the secret door to the kitchen/dining area. Even the bathrooms were amazing. To be a true Michelin starred restaurant, it isn’t just about the food. It has to be an experience. But, it still ultimately comes down to the quality of the food, and everything else is secondary. The food has to be able to stand on its own without all the frills. Overall, I found the desserts and the sparkling tea in one of the courses to be the most tasty ones, and that is never a good sign. A course we really liked wasn’t even made at Ox (the lava bread). Most of the “main” dishes weren’t memorable and started to taste the same (not sure if the same sauce was used more than once or the sauces started tasting the same as well). Most of the sauces overpowered the main ingredients, rather than complementing them. Frankly, a lot of the dishes were too salty. They also claimed to use Icelandic langoustine in one dish, but another guest (who was a local Icelandic fisherman) told us that it was a lie because there’s been a ban on fishing langoustine in Iceland due to serious decline in the supply. When he confronted staff, they admitted that it wasn’t Icelandic but continued to tell other guests that it was. Not cool. In addition to coming short in the taste department, one thing that did really bother me is that when they were heating up sauces in full view of the guests, they took them out in cheap plastic tupperwares! The dishes they used to serve food for the guests were beautiful and commissioned by local artists and their attention to detail in everything else was immaculate, then this! It was almost too comical. Everything was so classy, artistic, and beautiful, then to see plastic tupperwares was very off putting and confusing. My husband and I spent about $1,000 total. For one Michelin star (it definitely doesn’t deserve more than one), I think the price tag can only be justified if the food improves. I’d like to see more creativity in amplifying the wonderful ingredients and each course be more distinctly unique and different from one another. Everything else about the experience (minus the plastic tupperware) was wonderful.

It’s almost as if you step a small town suburbia home from the 70s with a side of Michelin star excellence. Food was incredible. Quite a few courses and each was better than the last. Wine pairing was plentiful. Sommelier was engaging and incredibly friendly. The staff prepare most of the food in-front of you and it was a unique cherry on top. Fair warning: an expensive experience indeed but if able I would highly recommend

I recently experienced this restaurant right after Christmas. The entire experience is exceptional. The restaurant has an atmosphere that is unmatched. The cocktail sitting room transported me back in time to memories of my own grandmothers home. The service was top notch. All the staff are knowledgeable and attentive. Watching the chefs create your dish while you’re seated around the island is an entertaining experience. To discuss the food let me start by saying…..This is the best meal I have ever had. The Lamb Broth, patte cookie, the duck all tremendous dishes. My favorite of all the dishes is the icelandic wasabi desert.

What an experience. It’s hard to even know where to begin talking about Ox + Amma Don. The food, the service, the ambiance, the drinks … everything was a near perfect experience. Your journey begins in “Amma Don” a living room straight out of the 1970s where you can enjoy some fantastic cocktails, champagne and the first couple of bites to begin the meal. As a pleasant surprise to us, you’re seated in groups and get to meet and chat with the other diners. Each course that comes out (and for us there were 20 of them), comes with an explanation and/or story from the head chef, or one of the various members of his team. Having the ability to chat with and actually get to know the various cooks was a really unique experience and added to the entire meal. When dinner wraps, you can hang out and get another cocktail and chat with the staff further or head back to Amma Don. I would go out of my way to experience Ox + Amma Don again. Out of the ~25 Michelin restaurants my partner and I have been to, this was without a doubt our favorite experience. Because it truly is an experience, and not just a meal.

I LOVED my experience here! The food- the chefs-the atmosphere-the staff-the drinks-the company… all of it was incredible!!! I don’t know what I was even eating half the time but it was good! I felt like it was my cousins in the kitchen cooking. The banter between them and us made our experience that much more! The Sommelier was kind and personable. I really enjoyed our conversations. The portions were all stunning and the food was just amazing… bread in a milk carton?! AMAZING. We were celebrating our first wedding anniversary and never had I recieved a card where all the chefs signed it, truly my new most prized possession!

A must do in Iceland to meet interesting people and eat top tier Icelandic cuisine. Quite the experience, spanning two different rooms (with a hidden door to the next!) Friendly, exclusive company, and the ability to watch the chefs make your food right in front of you. Often, dinnerware is a bit overlooked even at top restaurants. In this case, you could tell that every utensil, cup, plate, bowl, placemat… you name it — was chosen with care. As a sober individual, the wine and cocktail pairings for each course were met with just as good if not better non alcoholic options. Really appreciated the accommodation. I would say that the food was almost too rich/buttery for my taste, but that is part of the Icelandic palate. For those that are not looking for a social experience, I would consider the chef’s other restaurant, Sumac.

This was my first Michelin restaurant. I sat next to some others that have visited quite a few all over the world. They said this is a two star is us Michelin standards. The entire experience was phenomenal. Service was spectacular and the food was so delicious.

vibe and energy were super fun— we met lots of folks and had a great time. the chef was very engaging and the food was awesome.

I wish I could give Ox 5 stars, but I can’t. Ox definitely puts in the effort, so I think 4 stars is more than generous. For me, 5 stars would mean that I will definitely dine here again. However, that is uncertain. I may consider it in a few years. Maybe that would be long enough for some improvements. When I say I would dine again at a restaurant, that has to also mean that the food, for one, has to taste good, no matter the price. Was the meal at Ox better than anything my husband (who is not a professional chef) cooks for me at home? Absolutely not. My husband and I dined at Ox at the end of 2023. The atmosphere and the experience as a whole at Ox was amazing. The experience began from the entrance. I appreciated all the artsy decor and details, as well as the secret door to the kitchen/dining area. Even the bathrooms were amazing. To be a true Michelin starred restaurant, it isn’t just about the food. It has to be an experience. But, it still ultimately comes down to the quality of the food, and everything else is secondary. The food has to be able to stand on its own without all the frills. Overall, I found the desserts and the sparkling tea in one of the courses to be the most tasty ones, and that is never a good sign. A course we really liked wasn’t even made at Ox (the lava bread). Most of the “main” dishes weren’t memorable and started to taste the same (not sure if the same sauce was used more than once or the sauces started tasting the same as well). Most of the sauces overpowered the main ingredients, rather than complementing them. Frankly, a lot of the dishes were too salty. They also claimed to use Icelandic langoustine in one dish, but another guest (who was a local Icelandic fisherman) told us that it was a lie because there’s been a ban on fishing langoustine in Iceland due to serious decline in the supply. When he confronted staff, they admitted that it wasn’t Icelandic but continued to tell other guests that it was. Not cool. In addition to coming short in the taste department, one thing that did really bother me is that when they were heating up sauces in full view of the guests, they took them out in cheap plastic tupperwares! The dishes they used to serve food for the guests were beautiful and commissioned by local artists and their attention to detail in everything else was immaculate, then this! It was almost too comical. Everything was so classy, artistic, and beautiful, then to see plastic tupperwares was very off putting and confusing. My husband and I spent about $1,000 total. For one Michelin star (it definitely doesn’t deserve more than one), I think the price tag can only be justified if the food improves. I’d like to see more creativity in amplifying the wonderful ingredients and each course be more distinctly unique and different from one another. Everything else about the experience (minus the plastic tupperware) was wonderful.

It’s almost as if you step a small town suburbia home from the 70s with a side of Michelin star excellence. Food was incredible. Quite a few courses and each was better than the last. Wine pairing was plentiful. Sommelier was engaging and incredibly friendly. The staff prepare most of the food in-front of you and it was a unique cherry on top. Fair warning: an expensive experience indeed but if able I would highly recommend

I recently experienced this restaurant right after Christmas. The entire experience is exceptional. The restaurant has an atmosphere that is unmatched. The cocktail sitting room transported me back in time to memories of my own grandmothers home. The service was top notch. All the staff are knowledgeable and attentive. Watching the chefs create your dish while you’re seated around the island is an entertaining experience. To discuss the food let me start by saying…..This is the best meal I have ever had. The Lamb Broth, patte cookie, the duck all tremendous dishes. My favorite of all the dishes is the icelandic wasabi desert.

What an experience. It’s hard to even know where to begin talking about Ox + Amma Don. The food, the service, the ambiance, the drinks … everything was a near perfect experience. Your journey begins in “Amma Don” a living room straight out of the 1970s where you can enjoy some fantastic cocktails, champagne and the first couple of bites to begin the meal. As a pleasant surprise to us, you’re seated in groups and get to meet and chat with the other diners. Each course that comes out (and for us there were 20 of them), comes with an explanation and/or story from the head chef, or one of the various members of his team. Having the ability to chat with and actually get to know the various cooks was a really unique experience and added to the entire meal. When dinner wraps, you can hang out and get another cocktail and chat with the staff further or head back to Amma Don. I would go out of my way to experience Ox + Amma Don again. Out of the ~25 Michelin restaurants my partner and I have been to, this was without a doubt our favorite experience. Because it truly is an experience, and not just a meal.