Reykjavík Grapevine - 07.04.2006, Blaðsíða 25

Crystal Shop and
Spiritual Gallery
Crystal, Reiki and Spiritual healing.
Detox System foot spa
treatment available also.
Icelands largest minirals
and crystals shop.
Gjafir Jarðar.
Ingólfsstræti 2
101 Reykjavík
Tel: 517-2774
gjafirjardar@gjafirjardar.is
www.gjafirjardar.is
RESTAURANTS
One of the few proper sports bars in Reyk-
javík, so you can go and watch whatever
game happens to be on the TV screens.
The establishment is basically based
around the bar, so you won’t have to go a
long way for a drink. Open until five, and
has a reputation for late night partying.
Glaumbar
Tryggvagata 20
They have a fish buffet for 2,500ISK
every evening, with the magic words
“eat-as-much-as-you-can” floating in the
air. They also have an Icelandic media
person working there every now and then,
so watch out for a curly haired, friendly
gentleman called Egill.
Litli Ljóti Andarunginn
Lækjargata 6b
Kaffibrennslan manages to be just a nice,
“normal” place to go to, and a place to be
seen at, surprisingly enough both at the
same time. A wide variety of beverages,
both bistro menu and a terrace outside the
bar when the weather allows it. The iced
coffee beverage is a delight.
Kaffibrennslan
Pósthusstræti 9
Seafood restaurant, although they also do
land-based animals. At lunchtime you can
have a three-course meal for 2,300, which
isn’t too bad, all things considered. The
chef has been awarded the Medal of the
Order of the White Rose by the President
of Finland.
32 Tveir Fiskar
Geirsgata 9
Means “the corner” and the place lives
up to its name. This is actually the oldest
Italian restaurant in town, celebrating its
25th year, which says something about
the scene here before then. Excellent
quality pizza, pasta and salads—all priced
affordably.
33 Hornið
Hafnarstræti 15
It’s easy when you know what you’re do-
ing: good food for a reasonable price. To
make it easier for the rest of us, they have
their menu outside with images in colour
and numbers. Just say the number and eat
the food.
31
Krua Thai
Tryggvagata 14
If you like fresh seafood and are in the
mood for something a little different, this
cosy but ambitious new restaurant just
might fit the bill. Shellfish, salmon, squid,
lobster and other creatures of the deep
predominate the menu here. There is no
smoking in the restaurant, but if you want
to have a go at sitting outside there are
fleece blankets provided.
35 Vín og Skel
Laugavegur 55
Above the Iðnó theatre, so it’s good place
to go before shows, or during if you prefer
a more quiet atmosphere. If you sit by the
window you get nice view of the pond.
It’s not a bad place to try one of Iceland’s
culinary specialities, the lamb steak, one of
those rare traditional treats that does not
come as a shock to the uninitiated.
36 Tjarnarbakkinn
Vonarstræti 3
Argentina is something in the direction of
South American-steakhouse-goes-fine-
dining-in-Reykjavík. It was the first res-
taurant around to offer steaks by weight,
and it focuses on the beef – but they know
their whale, sheep and reindeer as well.
34 Argentína
Barónsstígur 11a
A place to go for the local touch, even if
usually a place recommended with this
argument instantly loses the exotic. Still,
I’d try this one. Sægreifinn (Sea baron) is
a combination of a fish store and a... well,
not exactly a restaurant but a place that
serves prepared food, located in a harbour
warehouse. Smell of fish, view over the
harbour, old man that looks exactly like
an Icelandic fisherman should. What’s
not to love?
38 Sægreifinn
Geirsgata
Prides itself on being the northernmost
Indian restaurant in the world. The daily
special, comprised of two dishes on your
plate, goes for roughly 1,000 ISK. But
we recommend the chicken tikka masala,
known to be highly addictive.
39 Shalimar
Austurstræti 4
The drive-in destination in 101 Reykjavík,
Aktu Taktu is busy all day and all night.
The burgers never disappoint, and the
caramel shakes are a local favourite. If
George Lucas ever makes his proposed
Icelandic Graffiti, Aktu Taktu will have a
central role.
41
Aktu Taktu
Skúlagata 15
Yes, you can go here late at night and
grab the best pizza in town, but it is also
home to the best lunch specials, and food
so good you’d eat it sober, something you
can’t say for most food in Reykjavík. Plan
on a 15-minute wait during lunch, so it’s
best to call or stop at a local bookstore or
souvenir shop while your pizza is cooked.
42 Pizza King
Hafnarstræti 18
The oldest bakery in Reykjavík, founded
in 1834. If you are particular about your
bread this is about the best place in central
Reykjavík to stock up on a variety of fresh-
ly baked loaves – they also do a particularly
moist and juicy version of the ever popular
vínarbrauð pastries.
43 Bernhöftsbakarí
Bergstaðastræti 13
For those with a bit of money and time on
their hands, the evening is well spent at
Tapas, where you can while away the eve-
ning having course after course of wonder-
ful miniature dishes served. If you don’t
feel like getting up right away afterwards,
there’s also a lounge.
37 Tapas
Vesturgata 3b
40
One of the best-known fish restaurants
in Iceland, it also kind of rocks. The cook
is Súkkat member and Megas sidekick
Gunni. Foodwise, they’re known for in-
novative fish dishes made from a variety
of rare fish and shellfish and related raw
materials.
Við tjörnina
Templarasund 3
FAST FOOD
The first sub sandwich shop in Iceland,
opened in 1986, Hlölla Bátar has a large
selection of subs filled and named with
creativity and imagination. Brave souls
might want to try the Gúmmí-Bátur (rub-
ber boat), or go local and choose Sýslu-
mannabátur (sheriff sub) with lamb filling.
45 Hlölla Bátar
By Ingólfstorg
The owner is a miser who charges ad-
ditionally for everything, but this is almost
certainly the best junk food in the Greater
Reykjavík area. The subs are great, none
of that Subway commitment to healthy
living, and they probably contribute sig-
nificantly to the ever-increasing “size” of
the nation. They also serve burgers and
sandwiches, and have lunchtime offers.
46 Nonnabiti
Hafnarstræti 11
Used to be called One Woman Restau-
rant, as there was always the same woman
working there. Has new owners and a
larger staff, but the theme is still vegetar-
ian, with one vegan and one wheat-free
dish always on offer. The only vegetarian
restaurant licensed to carry beer and wine.
48 First Vegetarian
(Á næstu grösum)
Laugavegur 20b
Apart from the multicultural experience
that comes with eating the Icelandic ver-
sion of kebab, which comes with beef
and lamb, or falafel, which comes with
marinara sauce and pickled cucumber, this
eatery has the best fish and chips in town
and a menu that would satisfy the United
Nations.
49 Kebabhúsið
Lækjargata 2
Actually a bar, but best known for its
hamburgers. A burger with fries for 500
is one of the best meal deals in town, but
special mention must go to the Forget-
Me-Not blue cheese and garlic extrava-
ganza.
50 Vitabar
Bergþórugata 21
Their menu is simple: It consists of Coke
and hotdog. And nothing else. Ask for
one with everything, and you’ll get a dog
in a bun with ketchup, mustard, remou-
lade (don’t ask), fried and raw onion. The
standard Icelandic hotdog, only somehow
it tastes better.
44 Bæjarins Bestu
Tryggvagata
47
A new branch of the American Quiznos
has entered the thriving downtown sub
market, and it’s you, our dear, hungry
reader who gains from it. A good selection
of tasty subs, but also sandwiches, salads,
soup of the day. This is Quiznos first
European restaurant, your response will
decide how many more will come East.
Quiznos
Lækjargata
Laugavegur
Austurstræti Bankastræti
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