Films are often a feast for the eyes and ears, but every year the Reykjavík International Film Festival also hosts a cinematic feast that becomes a full sensory experience. RIFF’s special events, where the festival teams up with some of Reykjavík’s best restaurants, are always hugely popular — unforgettable evenings, unmissable for true gourmets who appreciate good cinema. This year, guests can choose between a Cinematic Culinary Experience and a Tasting Cinema..
Cinematic Culinary Experience: Plantan Bistro and Big Night
Big Night (1996) is a cult classic where Italian cuisine takes center stage. The film is directed by celebrated foodie Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott, who also star alongside Tony Shalhoub, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Minnie Driver, and Liev Schreiber.
All or nothing for one evening
The story follows brothers Primo and Secondo, who run a struggling Italian restaurant in New Jersey. To save it, they plan an extravagant banquet in honor of jazz legend Louis Prima, hoping his presence will turn their fortunes around. As the big night approaches, tensions rise in the kitchen — and more than the pasta is about to boil over!
Plantan Bistró is RIFF’s partner for this appetizing special event, preparing a spellbinding menu inspired by the film’s dishes. Located at the Nordic House, Plantan offers a small, seasonal menu focused on wholesome, plant-based food where creativity and nature’s rhythms shine.
An intimate, cozy feast
“Big Night is a film about friendship, a passion for cooking, and an extraordinary culinary celebration,” says Hrafnhildur Gunnarsdóttir, co-owner and head chef at Plantan. “It’s a perfect choice for a food-themed screening because the feast feels like a family gathering, with a long table laden with dishes for everyone to share. That intimacy and warmth bring people closer together.”
Tasting Cinema: Ramen Momo and Tampopo
Some films warm the heart, while some dishes warm the soul — so why not combine the two into a unique, unforgettable experience? That’s exactly what RIFF’s Tasting Cinema with Ramen Momo delivers.
The screening features the legendary foodie comedy Tampopo (1985), often described as the first “ramen western.” Known both for its quirky vignettes and its ability to spark an insatiable craving for steaming bowls of Japanese comfort food, the film is a delight for cinephiles and foodies alike.
A flavorful story
Two truck drivers stumble upon a failing roadside ramen shop run by the widow Tampopo. She asks them to help transform it into a top-tier noodle joint. What follows is a heartwarming, flavorful tale — a cinematic ode to the joy of food.
RIFF’s partner for this tasting event is Ramen Momo, founded in 2014 on Tryggvagata by ramen chef and entrepreneur Kunsang Tsering and his wife, Erna Pétursdóttir. To this day, Ramen Momo remains Iceland’s only ramen eatery, and the first to produce organic, handmade noodles from scratch.
Calling all ramen lovers!
“Tampopo is about passion in cooking, especially ramen,” says Romà Gomez Cortada, head chef at Ramen Momo“It’s essential viewing for anyone who loves food and is passionate by nature — whether about cooking or anything else. I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow ramen enthusiasts and share an unforgettable night filled with delicious food and an inspiring film. I expect an amazing atmosphere full of emotion, in harmony with both the movie and the menu!”
“RIFF’s special events take many forms, but what unites them is that they bring film into new and exciting settings,” says Hrönn Marinósdóttir, RIFF’s festival director. “Each one is a different way to share the magic of cinema with new audiences — though the core remains the same: at RIFF we tell stories, spark reflection, and expand horizons.”
Big Night will screen at the Nordic House on September 27, and Tampopo Háskólabíó on September 28. Tickets are limited.