Coocoo’s Nest
Family-run Reykjavik favourite for sourdough pizzas, brunch, tacos and vegan-friendly comfort in a harbour-side Nordic setting.
Coocoo’s Nest has the kind of warmth that makes Reykjavik feel instantly smaller. Family-run and set by the harbour, the restaurant blends Nordic ease with Californian and Italian influences, a combination that explains the sourdough pizzas, brunch plates and taco nights that keep locals and travellers circling back.
Chef Lucas and Íris are the pair behind the restaurant, with Tuesday tacos, Wednesday sourdough pizzas and weekend brunch. That rhythm is part of the pleasure: Coocoo’s Nest is not trying to be all things at all hours. It has a weekly cadence, a loyal following and a menu that rewards checking what is on before you wander over.
For plant-forward travellers, it is useful rather than doctrinaire. Vegan and vegetarian diners can find friendly options, while mixed tables still have plenty to enjoy. That makes it a good Reykjavik address when the group wants comfort, flavour and a room with personality rather than another worthy salad eaten under fluorescent lighting.
Come for brunch if you like your mornings generous, or for pizza when Iceland’s weather has made carbs feel like a public service. Coocoo’s Nest is casual, charming and quietly confident: the sort of place that reminds you a city’s best meals are often the ones that feel adopted rather than discovered.
