When February arrives in Iceland, there’s a certain charm to planning a cozy night out. It’s the season of Bondadagur, Konudagur, and Valentine’s Day, when Icelanders celebrate the important people in their lives, and you have the perfect excuse to seek out a warm restaurant on a chilly winter evening.
With that in mind, we went on a casual date night to Sæta Svínið Gastropub. It's one of the top local favorite restaurants in Reykjavik, right in the downtown area by Ingolfstorg Square.
Sæta Svínið tends to get very lively later in the evenings, especially when they have special events like party bingo or karaoke nights, and we chose to arrive early for a more relaxed time.
This turned out to be exactly the cozy, fun evening we were hoping for!
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Key Takeaways
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Best for: Lively date nights, groups of friends, and travelers wanting to try modern and traditional Icelandic food in a fun, welcoming setting.
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Atmosphere: A playful Reykjavik gastropub, cozy and energetic.
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Price range: Starters 1,200–2,990 ISK, mains 4,800–13,790 ISK, desserts 1,400–3,590 ISK.
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Open: Daily from 11:30 AM to 11 PM.
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Happy hour: Every day from 3 PM to 6 PM.
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Address: Hafnarstræti 1–3, 101 Reykjavik.
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Reservations: Recommended for weekends and evenings.
What to Expect at Sæta Svínið Restaurant
Sæta Svínið leans wholeheartedly into its name, which means "The Sweet Pig". There are cheerful pig motifs everywhere, warm lighting, and rustic wooden beams overhead that are lit up like a tiny starry sky.
You can't miss the disco ball over the front door, or the life-size pig statue outside the restaurant, responsibly dressed in a traditional lopapeysa for the chilly Icelandic winter.
When we arrived around 6 PM, the downstairs was already buzzing with early-evening chatter, while the upstairs dining area was quieter and more intimate.
We settled into a corner booth at the back, happy with the soft lighting and cozy atmosphere. By the time we got ready to leave, close to 8 PM, the energy had drifted upstairs as well, and the whole place was in full swing.
With the lively atmosphere setting the stage, it was time to dive into the food, starting with a round of playful cocktails and the Icelandic tasting menu that would carry us through the evening.
Choosing Our Menu for the Evening
I had been to Sæta Svínið once before with friends and tried their famous burgers, but this was my first time trying the other highlights of their menu.
Since it was a date night, we decided to go all in and order the Icelandic tasting menu, with a few extra recommendations added by our server.
Unsurprisingly, it turned out to be a lot of food, but we were excited to sample a wide range of traditional Icelandic flavors mixed with the restaurant’s most popular dishes.
Cocktails in Unicorns and Piglets
We began the evening with cocktails, and if there’s one thing Sæta Svínið excels at, it’s playful presentation.
I ordered the Cherita, arriving in a magnificent unicorn cup. It tasted like a melted ice lolly in the best possible way, sweet, summery, and nostalgic.
My husband, driving for the night, chose the non-alcoholic Plump Piglet, served in an adorable little piglet cup. Refreshing, fun, and just as charming as the unicorn.
These little touches immediately set the tone that dinner here would be cheerful and full of personality.
The Icelandic Platter: An Introduction to Local Flavors
Our first dish off the Sæta Svínið menu was the Icelandic platter, a small tasting selection of traditional Icelandic food. It didn’t take long to arrive, and it’s a great choice for anyone curious about local ingredients without committing to a full portion of each.
Lightly Cured Arctic Char on Flatkaka Flatbread
Slightly sweet flatkaka flatbread presented nicely with Arctic char on top. This is such an Icelandic classic, but they have really elevated this simple dish. It was my favorite on the platter.
Horse Tartare with Feykir Cheese
Neither of us had tried horse before, even though it’s very traditional in Iceland, so we were very curious how it would be. It was fresh and very similar to beef tartare in texture and richness.
Smoked Icelandic Puffin with Berry Sauce
Puffin is a dish tied deeply to Iceland’s food culture, especially in the Westman Islands, and hunting is very strictly regulated. The flavor is unmistakably wild-game: salty, hearty, and robust. The crowberry liqueur sauce added a subtle sweetness that rounded it out nicely.
Icelandic Cod Crudo Dip
To finish off the Icelandic platter was the cod dip. It was served on crunchy bread reminiscent of Icelandic rúgbrauð rye bread. The combo was salty, fresh, and especially good with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Altogether, the platter was a fun and low-pressure way to sample Icelandic flavors. Each bite was small, approachable, and thoughtfully prepared, so this is a great way to taste some of the more unusual Icelandic foods without ordering a whole plate of each.
The Hot Cod Tacos: A Standout Favorite
This small dish turned out to be one of our absolute favorites of the night.
Soft tortilla with a perfectly crisped exterior, creamy avocado, fresh radish, a gentle hint of chili, and flaky, perfectly cooked fish. Rich but not heavy, full of flavor, and wonderfully balanced. We both agreed we’d happily order them again on our next visit.
Ling in Hollandaise: Tasty Comfort
After a short break, the first main arrived: ling served over mashed potatoes, generously topped with hollandaise and finished with capers.
It was buttery, lightly salty, perfectly cooked, and comforting in every way. It quickly became one of my top dishes of the night, with simple flavors executed beautifully.
By this point, we were starting to feel full, but the next dish was one we were truly excited about.
We had a little break and ordered another round of drinks. My husband chose a Bóndi beer (which comes in an excellent alcohol-free version), and I paired the lamb with a glass of a spiced and tannin-rich Malbec, which complemented it beautifully.
The Icelandic Lamb Shoulder: A Hearty Icelandic Classic
The lamb arrived in a very generous portion, served with waffle fries, peas, and a rich sauce on the side.
Icelandic lamb is famous for its distinct flavor thanks to the sheep’s free-range grazing in the highlands. It even received PDO status in 2023. It's a must-try for anyone in Iceland, even if you don't usually like lamb.
The lamb at Sæta Svínið was tender, deeply flavorful, and absolutely worth ordering. I recommend going light on the sauce so you don’t overpower the meat.
Our server noticed we were not going to be able to finish and kindly offered to pack up the rest. This is a great option if you're staying in accommodation with a kitchen, like holiday apartments. It was a lifesaver, as we enjoyed the leftovers for dinner the next day.
The Dessert Combo: Sweet, Playful, and Generous
Despite being thoroughly stuffed, I'm a strong believer in the philosophy that there's always space for dessert. We took a small break and then got ready for the conclusion: two of the most popular desserts at Sæta Svínið.
Mini Kleinur with Caramel and Ice Cream
I heard from a friend that the Sæta Svínið kleinur were a must-try. This is a traditional treat you can find in all bakeries in Iceland, but these are smaller than usual, served warm with caramel and ice cream. They were crunchy, sweet, and delicious, and the fresh berries were a lovely touch.
Crowberry Skyr Cheesecake with Sorbet
This dessert was the standout for me. Cheesecakes made with Icelandic skyr tend to be more savory and less dense than traditional ones, and it was a refreshing finale.
It was topped with a vivid berry meringue and a kókosbolla, a popular Icelandic candy. It also had a very tasty berry sorbet on the side. Refreshing, sweet, and beautifully balanced.
Final Thoughts on Sæta Svínið
Sæta Svínið is the kind of place that’s hard not to like. It’s incredibly generous and a bit silly in the best way. I dare you to try to count all the little pigs around the restaurant!
The staff is kind, friendly, and attentive, and the food hits that sweet spot between traditional Icelandic flavors and comforting pub-style dishes.
I can just imagine it being the perfect spot to recharge after walking 20,000 steps while sightseeing around downtown Reykjavik.
Our highlights of the evening were the fish tacos, the ling, and the berry skyr cheesecake, though if you haven’t tried Icelandic lamb, that should be your top priority.
Sæta Svínið is a wonderful choice for a fun night, a celebratory dinner, or to explore Icelandic classics in a relaxed setting. We'll definitely be back.
Conclusion: Sæta Svínið combines playful charm with hearty, delicious dishes, making it one of the most enjoyable places in downtown Reykjavik for a lively, comforting meal. Come hungry, as portions are very generous.
