Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.11.2007, Blaðsíða 20

Reykjavík’s version of CBGB’s, Gaukurinn
has been a mainstay in the Icelandic mu-
sic scene since the days of Ingólfur Ar-
narson. A popular live venue, this is the
place to find young and upcoming band,
as well as older and more established
bands. Anyone who is anything in Icelan-
dic music has passed through Gaukurinn
at one point or another.
Gaukurinn
Tryggvagata 22
The stylish two-floored bar and concert
venue Organ presents a diverse range
of concerts by local and international
acts at least four times a week. Features
established bands and young emerg-
ing musicians; the newly opened venue
can accommodate 300 people and has
enough seats for weary concertgoers to
rest between sets. Open ’til way past late
on weekends.
Organ
Hafnarstræti 1-3
Attracting a mixed crowd of party-peo-
ple, the small bar Sirkus has always been
popular among musicians and the cre-
ative crowd who get along well although
the breathing space can be limited on
weekends. While Sirkus’s DJs provide for
the greatest party possible every week-
end, the bar occasionally hosts concerts
on weeknights.
Sirkus
Klapparstígur 30
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Bankastræti Hverfisgata
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Austurstræti
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EATING
The casual family-friendly Italian-style
corner restaurant has operated at the
same spot since 1979 when it became
a loyal member of the Icelandic dining-
out tradition. Most famous for its pizzas
and the generously stuffed calzone, the
wholesome menu prides itself on all sorts
of high-standard pasta dishes, vegetarian
and meat courses, all very affordable.
3
2 Hornið
Hafnarstræti 15
Not the regular fish’n’chips diner but a
healthy restaurant using only organic
vegetables, quality fish products and
no wheat or white sugar in its kitchen.
Deep-fried catch of the day served with
oven baked potatoes and Skyronnes,
a sauce made out of the fat-free milk
product Skyr and flavoured with all sorts
of spices, on the side for 1350 ISK. They
also offer take-away at all times.
5
Few places in Reykjavík match the great
combination of good price, excellent
food, and fast service available at Shali-
mar. On the menu are assorted Indian-
Pakistan dishes and the lunch special is
always a great bet for a good meal dur-
ing a busy day. Grapevine staffers are
frequently spotted in the locale, which
should be recommendation enough.
6 Shalimar
Austurstræti 4
Located right next to the Reykjavík har-
bour, Sægreifinn fish shop and restau-
rant is truly like no other you’ll witness in
the country. The menu features various
fish dishes and a rich portion of the best
lobster soup we’ve ever tasted. It also ca-
ters to groups upstairs where the room
looks more like a cabin than a diner. The
good food and welcoming service make
this place a must-try.
7 Sægreifinn
Verbúð 8, Geirsgata
Vor’s refreshing take on café-style eat-
ing is marked by its use of fresh ingre-
dients and a health-conscious menu that
emphasises French and Mediterranean
cuisine. The fresh spring salad and the
excellent carrot-ginger soup are excellent
pick-me-ups on rainy days, and the cof-
fee served is of the highest quality.
1
Vor
Laugavegur 24
4 Icelandic Fish Chips
Tryggvagata 8
It’s a bakery, the oldest one in the city
in fact, selling all sorts of bakery goods,
snacks and an extensive selection of the
sweet stuff from early dawn. We particu-
larly love the spelt bread in the morning,
and some snúður, kleina and vínarbrauð
to go with the afternoon coffee.
9 Bernhöftsbakarí
Bergstaðarstræti 13
There’s a good reason why there’s always
a line in front of Bæjarins Bestu, regard-
less of the weather or time of day. Select-
ed the best hot-dog stand in Europe by
The Guardian, a fact locals realized de-
cades ago, it has been serving “ein með
öllu” (“one with the lot”) to downtown
pedestrians since 1935, making it the
oldest fast food restaurant in the coun-
try. Grabbing a bite couldn’t be easier.
10 Bæjarins bestu
Tryggvagata
Many locals claim this to be the best
vegetarian restaurant in town offering a
menu with plenty of vegan and vegetar-
ian options, both healthy and tasty. Ask
for the daily special or try the selection
of three different courses. The Indian
theme on Fridays is usually a hit and the
sugar free banana cake just one of the
highly tempting desserts.
12 Á næstu grösum
(First Vegetarian)
Laugavegur 20B
Renowned for its greasy sandwiches,
Nonnabiti, or Nonni as the locals call it,
is one of the more popular junk food
places around, offering a large selection
of take-away or dine in subs, sandwich-
es and burgers with a nice dash of the
unique Nonni-sauce. If you have a late
night craving there’s no need to worry,
Nonni is open longer than most other
places.
13 Nonnabiti
Hafnarstræti 9
Although a little pricey for a take-away,
charging around 1600 ISK for a main
course, the food is well worth that extra
spending once in a while. Serving typi-
cal Indian dishes, the menu is a treasure
chest for those with a penchant for a
spicy bite. There are also a few tables in-
side for those who choose to dine in.
14 Austurlanda-
hraðlestin
Hverfisgata 64A
This small pizza place is not only cheap
but offers the largest slices of pizza you’ll
get downtown. Charging only 350 ISK
per slice, not to mention the special
lunch offer where a 10” pizza with three
toppings of your choice and a can of
Coke costs only 800 ISK, Pizza King is
a local favourite. The fact it’s open until
6 on Friday and Saturday nights doesn’t
hurt either.
8 Pizza King
Hafnarstræti 18
11
Hlöllabátar sandwich bar sits in the
middle of Ingólfstorg square, the perfect
stopping place for a late night snack, or
a light lunch, if you are so inclined. Select
your toppings from assorted vegetables
and stir fried meat and enjoy the guilty
pleasure that is a greasy sandwich with
a cold soda.
Hlöllabátar
Ingólfstorgi
In an elegant setting, Seafood Cellar
chefs serve gourmet fusion style dishes,
where the emphasis is not only on ocean
delights, but also on all sorts of tempt-
ing Asia-inspired dishes. The most fun
is to order the exotic menu, a range of
courses carefully selected by the chef,
and share it with your dining partners.
Sjávarkjallarinn
Aðalstræti 2
The Italian coffee-chain found its spot in
the heart of Reykjavík, with its windows
facing the Lækjartorg Square. Serving
lunch snacks like paninis and strong
espressos for coffee lovers whether you
need to grab a cup and sandwich on the
way to work or want to enjoy your drink
on the spot.
17 Segafredo
By Lækjartorg
A popular coffee place on weekdays, es-
pecially among students and downtown
workers who like to enjoy a bottle of
beer after a busy day. At weekends, Kaf-
fibarinn becomes the opposite of a quiet
destination, as its two floors fill up with
the late-night souls. With DJs playing live
sets from Wednesday to Saturday, the
party doesn’t start winding down until
early morning.
20 Kaffibarinn
Bergstaðastræti 1
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DRINKING
This organic, free-trade café prides itself
on being a non-profit company and a
dedicated venue for the hardcore and
cultural scene by hosting concerts, lec-
tures and poetry nights. Serving delicious
soups and vegetarian dishes as well as
organic tea, coffee and cake, this is the
place to visit for a reasonably priced
healthy lunch.
16 Kaffi Hljómalind
Laugavegur 21
A small antique-style coffee house in a
Hverfisgata basement, legendary for its
early opening hours, amazing breakfast
and strong coffee that will easily wake
you up in the morning. We especially
recommend The Truck, American style
breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, pan-
cakes, fried potatoes, tomatoes, syrup
and toast. The bagels are also excellent.
15
Grái Kötturinn
Hverfisgata 16a
The celebrated site of one of the more
famous coffeehouses in Iceland, this bar/
café/bistro brings a European flair to the
city. That is until about 11, when things
get to rockin’, and you can see the true
character of Reykjavík.
19 Hressó
Austurstræti 20
Here is a bit of trivial information: In Ice-
landic, ‘glaumur’ means the sound of a
party. I don’t know what more you need
to know about Glaumbar, except per-
haps that it is the premier sports bar in
town. After the final whistle, the action
on the dance floor becomes feverish as
local DJs take central role.
18 Glaumbar
Tryggvagata 20
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Hlöllabátar sandwich bar sits in the middle
of Ingólfstorg square, the perfect stop-
ping place for a late night snack, or a light
lunch, if you are so inclined. Select your
toppings from assorted vegetables and stir
fried meat and enjoy the guilty pleasure
that is a greasy sandwich with a cold soda.
SPOT THIS: Hlöllabátar
Ingólfstorgi, 101 Reykjavík
23
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3918
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Deco, a café and wine bar that has ev-
erything you need for a quality lunch
café, right in the city centre. Its modern
and stylish interiors, varied menu and
impressive selection of whiskey, draw
me back again soon. Deco usually gets
quite crowded during the evening, when
it turns into more of a wine bar than a
coffeehouse.
Deco
Austurstræti 12
22
RESTAURANT
Press reviews:
.. Probably the best
addition to Icelandic
restaurant landscape
.. Great food,
something new in
Iceland, like never
seen before
Fine dining Indian
cusine, hard to beat
anywhere!!
Frakkastigur 12,
tel: 551-7722
open 17 til late
www.indianmango.is
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