Reykjavík Grapevine - 09.02.2007, Side 12

REYKJAVíK
WiNTER
LiGHTS
FESTiVAL
FEB. 22 - 24, 2007
in collaboration with Pourquoi Pas?
Full schedule
A spacious designer bar specially suited
for an evening drink, the newly reno-
vated Q-Bar is a welcome addition to the
nightlife downtown. In stylish and com-
fortable surroundings, with a lounge-like
atmosphere, a good vibe and plenty of
seats, the place never gets uncomfort-
ably crowded nor too noisy for con-
versation, making it a popular pre-club
destination.
Ingólfsstræti 3
The quintessential rock-pub, Dillon fea-
tures moderately priced drinks, a dark
and cosy mood and some pretty good
music (especially when local favourite
DJ Andrea Jóns mans the decks). The
tattooed, beer-lovin’ types who hang
out there on school nights are joined by
legions of parka-clad students during
weekends, creating a party atmosphere
that’s always fun to partake in.
Laugavegur 30
Up-and-coming Barinn is becoming
quite popular among Reykjavík party
scenesters. Its three floors and equally
numerous bars get quite crowded dur-
ing weekends where a mix of dancing
downstairs and chatting upstairs make
for a good night out. Though mostly a
DJ bar, Barinn occasionally hosts live gigs
and is always a fun party venue.
Laugavegur 22
Last time we checked, Maru manages
to shell out some near-perfect sushi at
very reasonable prices. Their downtown
location makes it an excellent place for
take-away, a fact that’s emphasised (and
suggested) by the menu. When dining
in, however, make sure to compliment
your spicy tuna maki with a nice glass of
Asahi ‘Super Dry’ and a chaser of sake.
Aðalstræti 12
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.
Hafnarstræti 15
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.
Laugavegur 24
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.
Tryggvagata 8
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.
Aðalstræti 2
True to its name, restaurant Argentína
specialises in Argentinean steaks and
southern decorations where dancing
flames in the fireplace welcome every
guest that walks inside. The tender meat,
excellent wines, generous portions and a
selection of quality cognac, whiskey, li-
queurs and cigars all helped in making it
a recommended place for fine dining.
Barónstígur 11
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 and
the Sea Baron himself can often be seen.
The good food and welcoming service
make this place a must-try.
Verbúð 8, Geirsgata
With airy and stylish interiors and excel-
lent menu, it’s no wonder this restau-
rant is always packed during weekends.
Located inside a building that used to
house the downtown pharmacy, the res-
taurant is a true haven for food lovers
where the pleasure of dining in the open
and lively environment is almost inde-
scribable. After the meal, order a Mojito
– it’s the best you’ll get in the city.
Austurstræti 16
What makes American Style burgers dis-
tinct from all the other ones in the city is
the size, the soft bun and the amount of
fresh veggies used as toppings. Grab a
seat in one of the booths with your bbq
heavy special with bacon and cheese,
fries and a soda, and you won’t be hun-
gry for hours.
Tryggvagata 26
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.
Hafnarstræti 18
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.
Bergstaðarstræti 13
Located on a quiet Laugavegur side
street, Indian Mango has infused the
Reykjavík restaurant scene with incred-
ible delicacies originating in the rich food
traditions from the Goa region in India,
honed to perfection at the Four Seasons,
during the owner’s period as head chef.
A local favourite, Indian Mango is known
both for the quality of the food as well
as the service.
Frakkarstígur 12
One of Reykjavík’s classics, with a view
over the pond and a menu almost
solely consisting of traditional Icelandic
dishes, this restaurant is just as popular
among tourists as it is among Reykjavík’s
residents. The reindeer-steak with port-
sauce or the pickled herring and ferment-
ed shark served with Icelandic schnapps
both come highly recommended.
Templarasund 3
A chain of sandwich outlets special-
izing in toasty baguette-style subs, but
also serving soups and salads. Choose
your toppings and variety of sauces and
you’ll get a fresh sandwich to suit your
taste. Ask for the lamb sub, an Icelandic
speciality. Then put a double chocolate
chunk brownie in your take-away box
and you’re good to go.
Lækjargata 8
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.
Hafnarstræti 9
Frequently lauded by Iceland’s hamburg-
er aficionados as the best place to get a
real hamburger in Reykjavík, ‘Búllan’ (as
it’s affectionately known to the locals)
does indeed serve up some extra-tasty
burgers that are sure to take the edge
off any hangover. What makes it so good
is hard to say, but liberal helpings of rare
beef contribute a lot.
Geirsgata 1
Fancy a kebab? There aren’t many choic-
es – Kebab Húsið is the only place selling
them in the city. But if you don’t set the
standard too high and note that you’ll
never have to wait longer than five min-
utes for your piping hot döner with veg-
gies, yoghurt and chilli sauce, you’re in
for a fine meal. Especially popular among
hungry club crawlers on weekends.
Lækjargata 2
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.
Hverfisgata 64A
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.
Tryggvagata
Fra
kk
as
tíg
ur
Þin
gh
olt
sst
ræ
ti
Be
rgs
tað
ars
træ
ti
Óð
ins
ga
ta
Tja
rna
rga
ta
Læ
kja
rga
ta
Ing
ólf
sst
ræ
ti
Skólavörðustígur
Barón
sstígu
r
Austurstræti
Bankastræti Hverfisgata
Laugavegur
Hverfisgata
K
la
p
p
ar
st
íg
u
r
Skólavörðustígur
Laugavegur
In
gó
lf
ss
tr
æ
ti
Bankastræti
Læ
kj
ar
ga
ta
Austurstræti
Hafnarstræti
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.
Laugavegur 20B
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.
Laugavegur 21
A small antique-style non-smoking cof-
fee house in a Hverfisgata basement,
legendary for its early opening hours,
amazing breakfast and strong coffee
that will easily wake you up in the morn-
ing. We especially recommend The Truck,
American style breakfast consisting of
eggs, bacon, pancakes, fried potatoes,
tomatoes, syrup and toast. The bagels
are also excellent.
Hverfisgata 16a
Mokka has been attracting coffee-thirsty
regulars since 1958, making it the oldest
café in the city centre and the founder of
a very rich coffee culture in the country.
Its old interiors full of character make the
stay both relaxing and comfortable and
a great place to linger on a Sunday af-
ternoon. Mokka’s regular art exhibits are
always worth a look.
Skólavörðustígur 3a
Located inside the City Hall with a great
view over the pond, this coffee house
has a good selection of cakes and pas-
tries for pedestrians who like to relax
after a stroll in the centre. A large topo-
graphic model of Iceland and regular art
exhibits add to the pleasure.
Tjarnargata 11
Walking up Skólavörðustígur, you can’t
miss café Babalú, a pleasant destination
in its own right, as it has to be ranked
as one of the cosiest places for a coffee
and cake. With nice old sofas and books
lining the shelves, you can’t help feel-
ing you are at your grandma’s place. We
could sit there every day, all day, if our
daily duties wouldn’t pull us out again.
Skólavörðustígur 22a
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.
By Lækjartorg
At Kaffitár, making coffee is a way of
celebrating life. Offering all sorts of deli-
cacies to go with your morning fuel and
a nice selection for those with a sweeter
tooth, it’s an excellent choice for eat in
or take away. Their special coffee-blends
are a tad pricy, but well worth that little
extra change. If you like your coffee, buy
a bag of beans to take home.
Bankastræti 8
On the top floor of the giant bookstore
Mál og Menning, you’ll find the casual
booklover coffee house Súfistinn. What
we love about this place is the selection
of books and magazines you can take
from the store and read while enjoying
a breakfast, light lunch or afternoon
coffee. Browse the shelves and grab a
table.
Laugavegur 18
A cosy second floor café offering lunch
snacks and cappuccinos to Laugavegur
pedestrians every day of the week. The
appeal lies partly in their famous Súpa
í brauði, (translates Soup in bread), but
also in the romantic atmosphere created
by candlelight on every table and easy-
listening music. A nice hideaway in the
early evening for a drink or two.
Laugavegur 54
Known for its all you can eat fish buffet,
this restaurant/guesthouse is also a fine
place to sit down and relax with a latté
or some beer when suffering from a case
of severe hipster-burn.
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.
Bergstaðastræti 1
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.
Klapparstígur 30
A very nice, old-fashioned café. It’s sub-
terranean, as all traditional coffee shops
should be, and this place makes you feel
warm, both with its atmosphere and the
generosity of the coffee refills.
Laugavegur 27
Lækjargata 6b
Vegamót (crossroads) has an appealing
lunch menu, they serve brunch during
the weekends, and the kitchen is open
until 22:00 daily. After that the beat goes
on, and you can check the end results in
photos published the day after on their
website www.vegamot.is. If you like Oli-
ver, try Vegamót and vice versa.
Vegamótastígur 4
Reykjavík’s only gay-bar at the time of
writing, Café Cozy is indeed very cosy,
and especially so if you happen to be
same-sex oriented. During weekends,
this small café usually turns into a full-
fledged discothèque with bouts of table
dancing and general hedonism while
weeknights find the clientele discussing
current-affairs over pints and cups of
coffee.
Austurstræti 3
If you like trendy party-types who dance
like crazy to a lively mix of music where
glamour is all that counts on the spa-
cious dance floor, the stylish Óliver is
the nightclub for you. For all the others
who hate that kind of a party, the good
air-conditioning, fine food and excellent
brunch served during the day makes
Óliver a recommended choice for mid-
priced meals.
Laugavegur 20a
Featuring occasional concerts on Friday
nights and DJs calling the tunes every
weekend, Bar 11 is a popular late-night
haunt on two floors. Emphasizing old
rock’n’roll classics and chart-toppers, the
crammed dance floor tends to turn into
a war zone at weekends when it’s impos-
sible to have a private chat. That whole
fiasco can be an interesting experience,
especially if you join in the fun.
Laugavegur 11
A spacious neutral place with no par-
ticular type of clientele, Hressó is a place
where the menu spans a variety of lunch
dishes during the day and troubadours
and tap-beer are the order of the night.
A somewhat basic club during week-
ends, notable for its size and amount of
seats.
Austurstræti 20
Næsti Bar can be a godsend on those
nights when queues seem to snake all
the way down Laugavegur, no seats are
available anywhere and you just want to
chat with some friends over a beer. Fre-
quented by the literary and acting elite,
those folk usually don’t mind if you pop
in for a quick beer and make use of some
of the (usually) available tables, so long
as you don’t sing.
Ingólfsstræti 1a
Café Rósenberg features a venue for
easy going troubadours, jazz bands and
blues groups, providing a relaxed atmo-
sphere almost every day of the week and
making Rósenberg one of a very few jazz
clubs living up to its name in Reykjavík.
The live gigs, which are almost guaran-
teed on weekends, attract a very mixed
crowd, all looking for that chilled-out
feel.
Lækjargata 2
Located inside the Intercultural Cen-
tre, Cultura is a restaurant/bar with a
cosmopolitan feel, hosting an array of
events and various theme nights like
Salsa teaching, tango nights and fusion
parties. The menu features all sorts of
international dishes like Thai soup, Span-
ish tapas, fahjitas and falafel mixed with
bistro regulars such as sandwiches and
salads.
Hverfisgata 18
This two-floor café/pub has been a part
of Reykjavík’s bar scene for decades.
With a large and fairly cheap bistro
menu, Prikið attracts a mix of university
students with their laptops and elderly
devoted regulars during the day while
the younger clientele fills up the space
during the evening and especially at
weekends when the music is mostly
dedicated to hip-hop and R&B.
Bankastræti 12
Located above the second-hand fashion
store Spútnik, with its roomy bar floor
and nice sofas in the lounge room up-
stairs, Boston is a fresh addition to the
Reykjavík bar scene. Old-school yet styl-
ish interiors, and enough tables to cre-
ate a good vibe, make the place a comfy
café as well as a laid-back tavern where
the music is good but never intrusive.
Laugavegur 28b
Located in a former drugstore, Deco is an
upper-middle priced bar/bistro catering
to those who prefer elegant surround-
ings. A good choice for a light lunch or
an afternoon glass of red vine. Features
an above average whiskey selection.
Austurstræti 12
One of 101’s more established taverns,
Kaffi Amsterdam seems to have been in
business forever, really, as some of their
decorations bear witness. Recently re-
invented as a live venue, weekends see
some of Reykjavík’s most rockin’ bands
strap on their guitars for some… rockin’.
The beer’s also cheap and you will get
exposed to some ‘colourful’ characters.
Hafnarstræti 5
Ölstofan has been attracting a clientele
of late twenties and up who come for
the drink and stay for the company, as
blasting DJs here have been replaced by
nice background music to go with the
drink. Better show up early on week-
ends before the regular clientele rushes
in as its popularity makes it hard to find
a table.
Vegamótastígur 4
Frequently lauded by Iceland’s hamburger
aficionados as the best place to get a real
hamburger in Reykjavík, ‘Búllan’ (as it’s
affectionately known to the locals) does
indeed serve up some extra-tasty burg-
ers that are sure to take the edge off any
hangover. What makes it so good is hard
to say, but liberal helpings of rare beef con-
tribute a lot.
Geirsgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Tel.: 511 1888
A spacious pub, although the complete
opposite of bright and airy, Belly’s de-
serves praise for having the cheapest
bar-price around, selling a large beer
for only 350 ISK. Attracting a mixture
of students, sailors and all those who
don’t want to drain the wallet, there are
enough tables for everyone and TVs on
every wall for all you sports enthusiasts
out there.
Hafnarstræti 18a