Located at the world-famous Blue Lagoon resort, Moss Restaurant is not just another high-end dining destination in Iceland—it’s an experience that captures the raw beauty of the island’s landscape and transforms it into a culinary journey. The restaurant is perched on the edge of an otherworldly lava field, offering a backdrop as captivating as the food itself. A visit to Moss is a lesson in how Iceland’s dramatic environment is woven into its modern gastronomy.

The Tasting Menu: A Journey Through Iceland’s Seasons

Moss offers a tasting menu that’s rooted in local Icelandic ingredients, with each dish serving as an ode to the island’s ever-changing seasons. If you’re looking for a quick bite, this is not the place—but if you want to savour a meal where every course tells a story, then Moss will not disappoint. Team Tastic came here for a Friday dinner and I had a great taste of the following (34,900 ISK per person)

1. Starter Bread
2. Snacks
3. Tomato Gazpacho
4. Autumn Vegetables
5. Icelandic Cod
6. North Atlantic Langoustine
7. Icelandic Lamb
8. The Lava Rock
9. Surprise Desserts 1, 2, and 3!

My Drink: Sparkling Black Tea

I opted for a non-alcoholic drink this evening for ~1,500 ISK and it did not disappoint. The sparkling black tea had a champagne-like texture to it but positively full of black tea and bubbles. Yum yum.

The Dishes

• Starter Bread: This starter bread was earthy and fluffy in all the right places. It was served with a bowl of volcanic salt which tasted divine and I actually asked for a second helping of bread to finish the side oils and salt. They actually replaced everything including the salt and oil even though I just wanted more bread.

• Snacks: A smattering of small bites make up the snacks course of the meal. This was a bowl of hummus which you could pair with sheets of fried seaweed or root vegetables with long stems and hilariously tiny bulbs. I liken this dish to symbolizing Iceland's coastal harvest and how hard it is to grow produce in the country.

• Amuse Bouche: The amuse bouche came after the snacks. This was a single tomato with its skin shaved off so we could appreciate the coming gazpacho. It’s a brilliant example of how Moss infuses elevated ingredient preparation into fine dining.

• Tomato Gazpacho: A refreshing starter, the gazpacho at Moss burst with the vibrant flavors of late summer tomatoes. It was bright, chilled, and perfectly seasoned, offering a surprising nod to the island’s unique geothermal farming practices

• Autumn Vegetables: This dish was a celebration of Iceland’s short but bountiful growing season. The vegetables, sourced from local farms, were prepared to perfection with minimal seasoning, allowing their natural flavors to shine. The vegetable were paired with a wonderful parmesan broth and the little antlers garnishing the bowl were also made from parmesan.

• Icelandic Cod: A prime example of why Icelandic seafood is revered around the world, this cod dish was buttery (read: Oscietra caviar!) and tender with sharpness added from pickled apple. Flavored with light Japanese myoga (ginger) and served in a punchy green curry, it embodied the simplicity and purity of Nordic cooking.

• North Atlantic Langoustine: Sweet and succulent, the langoustine is poached to perfection, accompanied by a rich, creamy sesame dressing. The subtle sweetness of the shellfish paired with its depth of flavor was a great complement to the cauliflower textures it was perched atop of, making it look like a piece of art.

• Icelandic Lamb: Known for its unparalleled tenderness, Icelandic lamb is the crown jewel of the menu. Cooked medium-rare, the meat is earthy and flavorful, served with a jus that brings out its natural richness. A dish that feels both comforting and indulgent. I had a ton of lamb in Iceland during the trip, but this one was the juiciest piece of meat I had all week. Spiced celeriac and mustard seeds added a fun punch to the dish as did the tiny vegetable garnish.

• Lava Rock: Ending the meal with a touch of Iceland’s dramatic geology, this dessert is as much a visual treat as it is a flavourful one. The "lava rock" was made of chocolate and filled with a delicate mousse, resting on a bed of sweet crumbles. It’s a playful yet sophisticated nod to the volcanic terrain that defines the island.

• Surprise Dessert 1: This nameless dessert needs no name because Moss knows it has a Michelin star. The dessert was a simple dollop of ice cream adorned with a chocolate Michelin Star. Subtle because you don't see the star printed anywhere in the dining room and it's not explicitly listed on the menu.

• Surprise Dessert 2: The next plate of surprise desserts was actually a collection of pastries atop a volcanic rock and bed of moss. Macarons, liquorice, and bonbons were the collection here. Everything had a mild sweetness – even the liquorice was enjoyable! On the side were a pair of very fluffy madeleines with perfect toasting and crimping.

• Surprise Dessert 3: Finally, because it was our anniversary last month, the restaurant put together a dessert with a show. This was a chocolate mousse in the shape of a heart, and two servers came out to freeze-dry a full rose in nitrogen before shattering it over the dessert. Photos don't do this dessert justice but the fact that they wished us a happy anniversary from my reservation note is really appreciated.

Vibes: Luxury Meets Nature

From the moment you step into Moss, it’s clear that this is no ordinary dining establishment. The interior design is sleek and minimalistic, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views of the surrounding lava fields. The restaurant embraces its location at the Blue Lagoon, offering a seamless fusion of luxury and nature that sets the stage for what’s to come. The contrast of warm, earthy tones with the stark, lunar-like landscape outside is both calming and striking.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Moss is how it uses its environment to heighten the dining experience. The restaurant’s elevated position provides stunning views over the Blue Lagoon’s milky, mineral-rich waters and the surrounding volcanic terrain. During the summer months, the Midnight Sun bathes the room in a golden light, while in winter, diners may catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing in the sky. During our visit, it was raining cats and dogs outside so the vibe was very chill with grey skies and rain pelleting the milky-blue lagoon waters.

If you need a restroom, they are located on a level below the restaurant and include hand towels and a sitting area to individual rooms. Wow.

Service: Dining at the Edge of the World

Service here feels effortless yet precise—attentive without being intrusive, the kind of hospitality that whispers luxury rather than flaunting it.

The staff were ready to go when the restaurant opened at 5pm. All of the usual fine-dining flairs were present, including the staff pushing our chairs in, offering a closet and stool for our belongings, and kindly reminding me not to point a camera in the direction of other restaurant guests. I actually loved this being brought up because I hate when I become the background extra of another person's photo or video.

Dining pace was meticulous and fast. Mere seconds lasted between my finishing a course and the next one being presented. The whole show with the desserts and our anniversary was much appreciated. And finally, our server was incredibly kind and obviously knew the menu inside and out.

It took about 2 hours for our meal and it never felt slow. I made my reservation about 7 weeks in advance and the restaurant was definitely full by the time we finished at around 7:30 pm.

Final Thoughts:

One-liner: Quite possibly the best langoustine in all of Iceland in an elevated yet understated Michelin experience that uses its unique geolocation to inspire its menu and ideas
Highlight: North Atlantic Langoustine
Price per person: 34,900 ISK
Would I go back? Yes