Restaurant Minilik

Service: From the moment I walked in, the service was unmistakably genuine. A lady and a man, seemingly at the helm of the business, welcomed us with prompt attention. Not only were they swift in attending to our needs, but their thoughtfulness was palpable. They patiently explained the traditional way of eating, the portion sizes, and even gave a sneak peek into how our meal would be served. Their dedication to ensuring we had an authentic experience was clear from their attention to detail and their pride in sharing their culture.

Food: The culinary journey began with an order of farmer cheese and kale, the cheese bursting with superlative taste. The fried bread that followed was an indulgent treat, perfectly fluffy, warm, and with a hint of sweetness. I then dived into a combo that included chicken, lamb, mixed vegetables, and beef. Every bite was an authentic experience, with the chicken notably juicy and the entire dish an explosion of spices that were both delightful and intriguing for the palate. I've had the pleasure of sampling Ethiopian cuisine before, but this was undeniably at the pinnacle of my experiences. Not to mention, considering the portion sizes and the quality, the prices were incredibly reasonable, especially for Iceland standards.

Ambience: The ambiance transported me straight to the heart of Ethiopia. The setting provided a comfortable, homey experience, making me feel as if I had been invited into a family's living room. Ethiopian art adorned the walls, each piece telling its own story, and the air was thick with the culture and history of a proud nation. The decor seamlessly merged tradition with comfort, ensuring that while you dined, you were also enveloped in a rich tapestry of Ethiopian heritage.

In conclusion, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to embark on a genuine Ethiopian culinary and cultural journey, right in the heart of Iceland. Note they are a small business with limited opening hours so be wary of the hours of operations and it may change...

Unique experience! This is a family-owned restaurant from a kind and attentive icelandic and ethiopian couple. Despite the closing time was at 21, they welcomed us at 20.30, so we could enjoy a very nice meal after a long and exhausting day.

The motto of the restaurant is that ethiopian cuisine takes time to prepare and enjoy, so they suggest to allocate 1.5 - 2 hrs to properly experience the meal. We tried two main dishes with lamb and sliced beef served with typical bread injera (which is used also to eat instead of cutlery). Both dishes had authetic taste, however the portions are not that abundant. We therefore suggest to try also a starter. The service was very informative and kind, we could also speak a bit with the owners after dinner, while they were closing up the restaurant. It was very pleasant. Another remark is that the restaurant is fully decorated with ethiopian art and items which is a very unique atmosphere to find in such a remote nordic place. It totally deserves a visit, especially for dinner, to have a tasty and different meal compared to the other options...

I hate to give this place only 2 stars, but with all the good reviews on here people need to know what they are in for. The two stars are for the ambiance, decorations, and the fact that they are able to get Ethiopian spices and food in rural Iceland. That is simply amazing. I applaud their efforts and it really is a beautiful restaurant. The owner cooks everything herself and her husband manages and serves. It’s a 2-person operation and they advise that food might take a while since they are usually busy.

However, let’s be real here. The food was just not that good. Maybe we are spoiled because we live in Washington DC and eat amazing Ethiopian food all the time. The injera was partly stale. My lamb dish came with maybe one tiny chunk of lamb. I was about to ask if I received the wrong order when I discovered the lamb. The vegetarian platter had decent lentils but everything else was meh.

Overall, I wouldn’t return. I love Ethiopian food, but this just wasn’t worth it. Also note that if it’s busy when you get there be prepared to wait up to two hours...