Fire and food in Reykjavík, in one sitting. This teppanyaki tasting pairs Icelandic ingredients with a live flame show you can watch right at the grill. It’s also a rare chance to eat this style of cooking in Iceland’s capital, where teppanyaki isn’t really a given.

What I like here is the combo of performance and substance. You get a full 7-course menu built around Icelandic favorites (beef, lamb, langoustine/lobster, arctic charr), not just a few bites, and you start with a sake cocktail (or similar drink) that sets the tone. You’ll also likely enjoy the chef’s personality and explanations while the food cooks inches from your table.

One thing to consider: if you’re hoping to time it with the northern lights, plan for flexibility. You may be able to view them from a nearby lighthouse area in winter, but they’re a natural phenomenon and can’t be guaranteed.

Key highlights you should know before you go

• Live fire show at your table with real teppanyaki-style flame work
• 7 courses using Icelandic ingredients like free-range lamb and langoustine
• Welcome sake cocktail (or equivalent) to start the evening
• Only teppanyaki restaurant in Iceland gives the meal extra novelty
• Winter northern lights possibility from a nearby lighthouse by the sea

Teppanyaki in Reykjavík: why this dinner works

Reykjavík has plenty of great food experiences, but this one has a special angle: you’re not just eating Icelandic ingredients, you’re watching them meet Japanese-style teppanyaki technique. The whole event runs about 1.5 hours, so it’s easy to slot into a busy trip without turning dinner into a half-day project.

I also like that the place leans into “show” without making it feel like fluff. The flame tricks and cooking theatrics are part of the point, but the menu is still built around proper Icelandic proteins and recognizable flavors, from teriyaki to pepper sauce to Skýr yogurt.

Finally, there’s a practical upside for first-time visitors. You meet at Flame Restaurant and Bar in the city center, inside a modern glass building near the ocean. Even if the northern lights don’t cooperate, you’re still getting a memorable meal right where you’ll be walking anyway.

What happens in the 1.5 hours: from check-in to Skýr yogurt

This is a single-course cycle, but it unfolds like a mini evening program. You check in with staff at Flame Restaurant and Bar in Reykjavík, then you settle in for the meal progression.

The start is with a welcome sake cocktail (or a similar drink). It’s not just a freebie; it helps you shift gears from Iceland’s “outside cold” mindset to something warmer and more social. After that, the chef works through the teppanyaki sequence course by course, cooking in front of you and pairing flavors with quick explanations when asked.

If you’re trying to understand the rhythm, think of it like this:

• A performance-led opening with flame and technique
• Multiple courses served in a deliberate order
• A final sweet note with blueberry Skýr yogurt

In the end, you leave full, with that specific satisfaction of watching your dinner being made at the grill.

Seven courses, one Icelandic story: the menu in plain language

Even if the cooking style is Japanese, the ingredients are decisively Icelandic. That’s what keeps this tasting from feeling like a themed gimmick.

Here’s what the sample menu includes, and what you should expect from each course:

Beef carpaccio: clean, cold, and a palate reset

The meal begins with Icelandic beef carpaccio. This is a smart opener because it’s light and fresh—so your taste buds aren’t already exhausted when the hotter, grilled flavors arrive. It also gives you a baseline for the quality of the beef before fire and sauce take over.

Tempura langoustine in homemade lava sauce: crunchy meets heat

Next comes tempura Icelandic langoustine (lobster) with a homemade “lava” sauce. Tempura’s job is crispness, while the sauce adds punch. The main thing to notice is balance: rich seafood plus crunch, then a little drama from the sauce name and presentation.

Premium Japanese rice and mixed vegetables: the comfort section

After the shellfish and showmanship, the menu transitions into steadier ground: premium Japanese rice with mixed fresh vegetables. If you’re someone who needs a breather between courses (or just wants something you can eat slower), this is the section that usually does it.

Arctic charr with teriyaki: familiar flavor, Icelandic fish

The menu then spotlights Icelandic arctic charr with teriyaki sauce. Teriyaki is a reliable bridge between cultures: sweet-salty, glossy, and crowd-pleasing. The fish keeps it from feeling like “generic Japanese plate,” because arctic charr is very much its own Icelandic story.

Free-range lamb with pepper sauce: where it gets satisfying

Now you move into the heartier stuff: free-range Icelandic lamb with pepper sauce. Lamb tends to be richer than fish, and pepper sauce adds warmth and bite. If you’ve been eating lots of seafood on your trip, this course is a nice correction.

Blueberry Skýr yogurt: the sweet finish that feels Icelandic

The final course is traditional blueberry Skýr yogurt. This is the kind of dessert that doesn’t try too hard. It’s simple, creamy, and clearly local—so the meal ends in a way that still feels Icelandic rather than purely “restaurant-style.”

The fire show and chef personality: what you’ll actually experience

The headline is the teppanyaki fire show. This is not subtle cooking. The chef demonstrates flame work while preparing the menu right in front of you, and you’re in the zone where you can appreciate technique—heat control, timing, and the theatrics that make teppanyaki what it is.

From what I’d expect based on the way the event is described, you’re likely to see:

• Flame tricks during key cooking moments
• Utensil tricks (spinning and show moves) timed with course transitions
• A chef who’s willing to talk about sourcing and ingredients

One of the nicest touches is the human element. In recent dinners, Chef Wilson has been called out for being entertaining and personal, and sous chef Kai has also joined the conversation. You don’t have to be extroverted to enjoy this part, but it helps if you like asking simple questions like where an ingredient comes from or why a sauce was chosen.

Also, keep your expectations realistic. This is entertainment with food attached, so it’s loud enough to feel fun, not silent fine dining. If you’re visiting with people who love live cooking shows, this will land well.

Location and atmosphere: easy to combine with a Reykjavík evening

The restaurant sits in a modern glass building in Reykjavík’s city center, close to landmarks like Höfði house and the Fosshotel Reykjavík, and it’s also near the ocean. That means you can turn dinner into a proper evening plan: walk around before, then come in warm and dry for teppanyaki.

A small but useful point: you don’t need complicated logistics to get here. The meeting point is straightforward—check in at Flame Restaurant and Bar—and the city-center location keeps the rest of your evening flexible.

If you’re coming in winter, the setup matters even more. You’ll be moving between outdoor cold and indoor warmth, so having a dinner that actively feels like an event is a great way to keep your evening from dragging.

Price and value: how $120 stacks up in Reykjavík

At $120 per person, this isn’t a budget dinner. But the pricing makes more sense when you look at what’s included: the 7-course menu plus a welcome sake cocktail (or similar beverage).

In Reykjavík, where restaurant meals can add up quickly—especially when you’re paying for local ingredients—what you’re buying here is not only food, but a structured experience. You get:

• Multiple courses (not a short appetizer-only tasting)
• A live teppanyaki performance built into the meal
• A welcome drink to start the night
• A format that’s rare in Iceland

So the value question becomes: do you want an experience dinner, or just a regular plate of food? If you want the spectacle and the full meal sequence, this feels like a fair splurge. If you’d rather spend less and order à la carte, you may get better pricing elsewhere.

One more practical note: transportation isn’t included, so factor in how you’ll get there and back. Because it’s central, that’s usually not a deal-breaker, but it matters for your total day cost.

Northern lights timing: how to think about the lighthouse option

This experience includes a chance to see the northern lights from a nearby light house by the sea during winter. That’s a great idea on paper, especially since the restaurant is close to the ocean and you’ll likely be outside in the cold anyway.

But here’s the honest way to plan it: treat the lights as a bonus, not a promise. You can’t control the sky, and the guidance is clear that the northern lights are natural and cannot be guaranteed.

If you’re hoping to catch them, I suggest you keep your schedule flexible and don’t build your entire evening around a specific moment. Go in for the teppanyaki (the thing you can control), and use the lighthouse area as an optional “if we’re lucky” add-on.

Who should book this teppanyaki night, and who might not

This is a strong match if you:

• Want a live cooking experience where you can watch technique up close
• Like Icelandic ingredients and want them presented in a new style
• Appreciate food-and-entertainment formats, but still want a real menu
• Are visiting with friends or family who enjoy a bit of showmanship

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want a quiet, slow meal with minimal interaction
• Are sensitive to the heat and theater of an open-flame grill environment
• Have a tight budget and only want the cheapest option for dinner

Also, if you’re a wheelchair user, it’s listed as wheelchair accessible, which is a helpful checkbox when you’re planning.

Should you book? My honest decision guide

Book it if you want the rare combination of Icelandic ingredients + teppanyaki performance in a central Reykjavík setting. The menu is built out like a real tasting, not a stunt, and the live fire show is the kind of memory you’ll carry longer than another plate of food.

Skip or think twice if you prefer to spend your money on a broader range of Reykjavík restaurants rather than one priced set menu. And if northern lights are your main goal, keep the expectations flexible.

If you do book, go hungry, ask questions if the chef engages, and give the evening space to be fun. This is a dinner experience designed for people who like both flavor and spectacle, without sacrificing the quality of what’s on the grill.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this experience?

You check in with staff at Flame Restaurant and Bar in Reykjavík.

How long does the teppanyaki tasting last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes the 7-course menu and a welcome sake cocktail (or a similar drink).

Is transportation included?

No, transportation isn’t included.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The instructor is listed as English.

Can I see the northern lights from nearby?

You may have the chance to view the northern lights from a nearby lighthouse area in winter, but they cannot be guaranteed.

What are the cancellation and payment options?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and there is a reserve now & pay later option.