Tales of the Table · Coming soon · Downtown
Dill's Gunnar Karl to open a new restaurant in the old prison yard on Skólavörðustígur
A Michelin chef, a baker and a designer are teaming up on a relaxed, Italian-inspired restaurant in a brand-new pavilion behind the historic Hegningarhúsið.
The old Hegningarhúsið on Skólavörðustígur – Reykjavík's former prison – has been under careful restoration by Minjavernd for several years. In the old prison yard behind it a new dining pavilion has now been built, and the fit-out is under way.
The people taking it on are Gunnar Karl Gíslason, the Michelin-starred chef who founded Dill, Ari Hermannsson, the baker behind 280 Bakarí, and Hafsteinn Júlíusson, designer and founder of HAF STUDIO. The three told mbl.is they had long wanted to open a restaurant together.
The plan is a laid-back place with Italian-inspired cooking, comfortable dishes and good wine, built on as much high-quality local produce as they can get. The yard itself will be landscaped for eating outdoors, with a small stage for events in good weather, while designers and craftspeople are expected to move into the restored prison building with workshops, a shop and exhibition space.
The pavilion was designed by architect Hjörleifur Stefánsson, who has also led the restoration of Hegningarhúsið. The team is aiming to open in the new year – we will be watching for the doors to open, and Dill is already on our Eat & Drink map.
Sources: