Reykjavík Grapevine - 15.08.2008, Síða 51

Jómfrúin
Lækjargata 4 | E6
These days, good
Smörrebröd can be an
elusive delicacy. Lucky
for us out in the colo-
nies, it’s alive and well
at Jómfrúin with fresh
eel imported specially
from Denmark.
Kaffi Hljómalind
Laugavegur 21 | G7
This organic, free-trade
café prides itself not
only on great lunches
and food but being a
strong cultural center,
hosting live music as
well as lectures and
poetry nights.
Kaffitár
Bankastræti 8 | F6
Kaffitár celebrates
good coffee, and
serves it in abundance,
along with sweet
treats and tasty if pricy
special blends. Eat in
or to go, a great way
to enjoy your morning
boost.
Kaffivagninn
Grandagarður 10
| D1
By the harbor, this
lunch and coffee place
is a gathering place for
all sorts of tough folks.
If you want traditional
Icelandic food, a great
place to see another
side of Reykjavík.
Kofi Tómasar
Frændu
Laugavegur 2 | F7
Nestled in a basement
location, Uncle Tom´s
Cabin has the feeling
of a back-alley London
Café. On weekends it
becomes a happening
and diverse bar.
Krua Thai
Tryggvagata 14 | D5
We dare you to find
a better meal for the
same price anywhere
else. Every dish is
delicious. Just eat what
looks best to you on
their colorful menu.
La Primavera
Austurstræti 9 | E6
Though it sounds
strange, La Primavera
serves delicious tra-
ditional North Italian
cuisine using only local
produce. A startlingly
tasty combination and
a local favorite.
Mokka
Skólavörðustígur 3A
| F7
Operating since 1958,
Mokka is the city
center´s oldest cof-
fee joint and founder
of Icelandic coffee
culture. Regular art
exhibits are always
worth a look.
Nonnabiti
Hafnarstræti 9 | E6
“Nonna” is one of
the more popular
junk-food places in
town, renowned for
its greasy sandwiches
and its unique Nonni-
sauce. Open late for a
midnight cravings.
O Sushi
Lækjargata 2A | E6
Also called “The
Train”, O Sushi’s most
intriguing feature is
a conveyor belt that
runs around the entire
restaurant delivering
a buffet of authentic
sushi straight to your
table.
Pizza King
Hafnarstræti 18 | E6
This little place serves
not only the cheap-
est but largest slices
downtown. A local fa-
vorite, and open until 6
on Friday and Saturday
nights.
Pizza Pronto
Vallarstræti 4 | D6
With a convenient
location and late hours,
a good place to snack
in between bars. Three
sizes of pizza with
a good selection of
toppings. A cheap, if
unhealthy, choice.
Prikið
Bankastræti 12 | F6
Part of the Reykjavík
bar scene for decades,
this café/bar has a
fairly cheap menu and
attracts a mix of stu-
dents and old regulars.
Mostly R&B and Hip-
Hop on weekends.
Raðhúskaffi | D7
Tjarnargata 11
Located in the City
Hall with a great view
of the pond, this café
has a good selection
of pastries and a good
place to relax. Regular
art exhibits add to the
aesthetic.
Sægreifinn
Verbuð 8, Geirsgata
| D5
Right next to the
harbor, Sægrefinn fish
shop is like none other
in the country. With a
diverse fish selection,
exquisite lobster soup
and good service, an
absolute must-try.
Segafredo
Lækjatorg | E6
The Italian coffee chain
makes its way to Læk-
jatorg Square, bringing
strong espresso and
Italian lunch snacks
to grab on the way to
work or just to enjoy
on the spot.
Shalimar
Austurstræti 4 | E6
Shalimar sports the
conceit of being the
northernmost Indian
restaurant in the world
and has fine daily spe-
cials. We recommend
the quite addictive
chicken tikka masala.
Sjávarkjallarinn
Aðalstræti 2 | D6
Elegant Seafood Cellar
focuses on gourmet
seafood and tantaliz-
ing asian-fusion dishes.
Share the exotic menu,
courses selected by
the chef, with a friend
for the most fun.
Sólon
Bankastræti 7a | F6
Truly a jack-of-all
trades establishment.
By night a decent res-
taurant, by day a café/
bistro and on Friday
and Saturday nights a
nightclub. Art exhibi-
tions on the walls to
top it off.
Sushibarinn
Laugavegur 2 | F7
Deceptively ordinary
Sushibarinn has re-
cently become the talk
of the town among
Reykjavík sushi lovers,
serving, in our opinion,
the very best rolls
in city.
Svarta Kaffi
Laugavegur 54 | H8
A cosy second floor
café, their fame lies
partly in their tasty
Súpa í Brauði (Soup
in Bread) and also in
their romantic atmo-
sphere. Good for a few
early evening drinks.
Tapas
Vesturgata 3B | D5
For those with a bit
of money and time to
spare, Tapas serves
course after course of
delightful miniature
dishes. Also serves
tasty and unusually af-
fordable lobster.
Thorvaldsen
Austurstræti 8 | E6
Dress formally for this
fancy spot, and come
before 12 to avoid a
long line. DJs play
Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays.
Tíu Dropar
Laugavegur 27 | G7
An old-fashioned café
with warm atmosphere
and generous coffee
refills. A thoroughly
pleasant establishment.
Tjarnarbakkinn
Vonarstræti 3 | D7
Right above the Iöno
theater, an ideal place
to go before shows.
Nice views of the pond
and outdoor dining in
the summertime. The
lamb comes especially
recommended.
Vegamót
Vegamótastígur 4
| G7
Vegamót´s kitchen is
open until 22.00 daily
and sports an appeal-
ing lunch menu. Come
for a tasty brunch on
weekends. If you like
Óliver, try Vegamót
and vice versa.
Við Tjörnina
Templarasund 3 | E7
A Reykjavík classic
with menu exclusively
of traditional cuisine,
as frequented by tour-
ists as it is by locals. A
perfect opportunity to
try Icelandic delicacies.
Vitabar
Bergþórugata 21 | H9
Really a bar, but best
known for its ham-
burgers. Burger and
fries for 500 one of
the best deals in town,
but Forget-Me-Not
blue cheese and Garlic
Extravaganza are alse
winners.
Vor
Laugavegur 24 | G7
Though perhaps a
typical off-lobby res-
taurant/bar/café, don’t
let it fool you! It’s run
by an award-winning
chef and has a tip-top
menu | a wonderful
culinary experience.
Where:
Austurstræti 20
Reykjavik 101
Tel.:561 2240
How much:
990–1900 ISK
What we think:
It’s always a good sign when you walk
into a restaurant and see an equal mix
of locals and tourists. This was exactly
what I saw when I went to Hressingar-
skálinn, on Austurstræti, for what I was
hoping to be a satisfying dinner. The
atmosphere was as comfortable as my
favourite coffee shop and diner in one,
complete with a lovely outdoor patio. It
was easy to see why it attracted such a
mix of restaurant goers. This place was
so laidback, and the staff so friendly,
that if you came for a breakfast you
might want to stay until lunch. With
free wireless internet, power outlets at
almost every table and one of the best
cappuccinos in the city, why wouldn’t
you?
The relaxed vibe is nice for the day
but once the sun starts to go down, the
mood becomes a bit more spirited with
live music starting at 22:00 and run-
ning to 1:00 and then a DJ taking over
until 6:00 Thursday through Saturday.
If you’re more interested in satisfy-
ing your hunger than you are partying
or hanging out, Hressingarskálinn ‘sdi-
verse menu will fill your belly no mat-
ter what your budget. From the Caesar
salad with satay chicken and parmesan,
to lobster pizza with garlic and mozza-
rella, it’s hard to decide what to choose.
I ordered a broccoli soup in which the
rich f lavour backed up the elegant pre-
sentation nicely. Then I was onto the
special: catfish in a cream sauce with
roasted potatoes and steamed vegeta-
bles. These people know how to cook
fish and with a glass of white wine, my
meal was an experience in pleasure
more than just an attempted at filling
my daily nutritional needs. Speaking of
pleasure, I have to words for you: choco-
late cake. Enough said.
Hressingarskálinn is the kind of
place where you can eat like a movie star
(Kiefer Sutherland did), or hang out like
a college student. Either way you’re sure
to have an enjoyable time.
Food
hressingarsKálinn
B11 | The Reykjavík Grapevine | Issue 12 2008
Eating
Reviewed by Desiree Andrews — Photo by GAS
7 E6
We don´t serve
foreigners...
Only 45 min. drive from Reykjavík is Eyrarbakki, a beautiful village by
the south coast, where foreigners have been feeling at home since
the 9th century AD. So welcome to Rauða húsið, a restaurant that
makes you feel at home.
because to us - nobody is foreign.
Tel: (+354) 483-3330,
Eyrarbakki - South coast