Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.05.2011, Page 38

Places We Like
Sægreifinn
Down by the Reykjavík harbour, Sægreifinn
fish shop and restaurant is a pretty unique
establishment. The menu features various
fish dishes (including most of the “crazy
Icelandic food” you’ll want to tell your
friends you had) and a rich portion of
some pretty good lobster soup. Good food
and welcoming service make this place a
must-try.
Geirsgötu 8
1
Barbara
At Laugavegur 22, above Trúnó, Barbara
serves up a lively atmosphere for Reykjavík’s
gay community and anybody else who just
wants to dance and have a good time. The
first level is made for dancing and is often
packed with sweaty bodies, while the second
level of the bar offers a place to sit, drink and
chat with another and in which to smoke.
Laugavegur 22
3
Kornið
How about filling your face with cakes at the
delightful Kornið. They taste so good, you
would gladly push your own mother over
for even the slightest of sniffs. Not a sweet
tooth? Well, try their delectable sandwiches
then, I recommend the egg and bacon
ciabatta! At only 590ISK plus all the Pítu
Sósa you could dream of, what more could
you ask for on your lunch break?
Lækjargata 4
6
Ban Thai
Even though the service at Ban Thai may get
a little flaky, the food is always to die for and
the place also offers a very pleasant dining
atmosphere that puts you right in a comfort-
able Thai sorta mood. It’s really Reykjavík’s
only “fancy” Thai restaurant. Ban Thai has
remained a true Reykjavík treasure for the
longest time, and is truly one that should be
celebrated.
Laugavegur 130
7
Tíu Dropar
If you’re sick of all the arty cafés, filled
with Sigur Rós wannabes and their Macs,
browsing Facebook, go to Tíu Dropar. It’s
a back-to-basics Icelandic café that hasn’t
changed their interior since the 60s. Really
proves the saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix
it.’ Plus, the coffee’s great. SKK
Laugavegur 27
5
Glætan - Bókakaffi
Glætan - Bókakaffi is a great café with
a domestic feel. It’s somehow always a
convenient choice for whatever you’re doing
when you come across it. I am always happy
to step into this comfort zone and simmer
down with an excellent cup of espresso and
one of the books in their selection. Glætan,
roughly translated, means "a tiny ray of light,"
something this nice little café definitely is.
Note: It’s Christian café.
Laugavegur 19
4
Hemmi & ValdiBakkus
The “colonial store” Hemmi and Valdi was
probably 2008’s most surprising crowd
pleaser. The cosy hangout advanced from
being a toasty retreat, where you could
get cheap beer and have a quiet chat, into
being a chock-full concert venue and an all-
night party place. And believe me, the new
atmosphere is brilliant. SKK
Bakkus serves up reasonably priced beer, a
really impressive selection of international
vodkas and an atmosphere unlike any other
in town. An eclectic mix of patrons, regular
live music and movie nights keep this place
interesting and always inviting. Expect
dancing on tables and to-the-death foosball
battles.
Laugavegur 21Tryggvagata 22
109Kisan
This store is incredibly cool. It’s stocked with
really unique and quirky clothes, outerwear,
accessories and handbags, plus they have
an adorable section of kids clothes, kitschy
vintage toys and books and even interior
design items. Wicked place; definitely worth
a visit. CF
Laugavegur 7
8
Boston
Like an older sibling to the fabled (now de-
ceased) Sirkús, Boston is a warm and mellow
second-floor bar on Laugavegur that plays
host to the arty party crowd. The baroque
wall dressings and deep, rich coloured décor
make this bar feel pretty swank, but Boston
also serves up some reasonably priced food
earlier in the evening, so it’s not too swank.
Laugavegur 28
2
Kaffismiðja Íslands
Old fashioned charm is the style of
Kaffismiðja, in everything from the decor to
the coffee grinders. Off the beaten track, this
popular coffee shop is a great spot to sit and
read or have a chat with friends. The owners
Ingbjörg and Sonja take great pride in the
beans they use and the coffee is top notch.
You can buy fresh grounds too, in case you
just cant get enough. EF
Kárastíg 1
14 Grái Kötturinn
Super relaxed and cosy diner/café below
street level. This place makes the best
hangover breakfast ever (the truck!) and
any-other-day breakfast as well. It’s a nice
and relaxing place to eat and increase your
caffeine intake and chill with friends or with
some reading material.
Hverfisgata 16a
15 Hamborgarabúllan
Considered by some to be the best real
hamburger in Reykjavík, “Bullan” does
serve some mysteriously delicious burgers,
guaranteed to take the edge off any
hangover.
Geirsgata 1
16
MAP
BANKASTRÆTI
AUSTURSTRÆTI
HAFNARSTRÆTI
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SKIPHOLT
The
Old
Harbour
Th
e F
ish
pa
cki
ng
Di
str
ict FAXAFLÓI
Down
Town
West
Side
Up
Town
“Financial
District”
East
Side
Skyline
Central
Reykjavík
BSÍ
Coach
Terminal
Nordic House
Culture Center
University
of Iceland
University
of Iceland
Park
Austur
völlur
Park
Icelandic
Parliament
Reykjavík
Domestic
Airport
Hlemmur
Bus
Terminal
Sundhöllin
Swimming
Pool
Laugardals
Swimming
Pool
The
Tower
City
Hall
National
Gallery
of Iceland
The Einar
Jónsson
Museum
Hallgríms
kirkja
Church
National
Theatre
The
Culture
House
Lauga
vegur
Main
Tourist
Info
Reykjavík
Art
Museum
Maritime
Museum
Laugavegur
Reykjavík’s main shopping
and culture street, featuring
a wide range of bars, bistros,
cafes and restaurants.
Old
Harbour
Area
Old Harbour
Depart for whale and puffin
watching tours from the old
harbour, a lively area, offering
an assortment of restaurants
and activity centres
Future
Concert
Hall
City
Pond
Miklatún
Park
Kjarvalsstaðir
National
Museum
Hljómskáli
Park
Vesturbæjar
Swimming
Pool∆
Taxi
Taxi
Taxi
Kringlan
Shopping
Center
A
1 2 3 4 5
B
D
E
F
G
H
I
1
4
2
17
5
16
9
15
13
18
3 8
11
6
10
12
14
Coffee made with passion,
cakes made with love,
toasts made with
a toaster...
týsgata 8 - 101 rvk
Now offering
catering service!
Laugavegur 2 101 Reykjavík tel: 552 4444