Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.05.2011, Qupperneq 39

Kaffibarinn
Weekends are somewhat overrated at Kaf-
fibarinn if you ask me. Don’t get me wrong,
they can be brilliant if you’re completely
pissed, the DJ is fresh and the crowd is
full-blooded, still the weekdays are better.
It doesn’t matter when you pop in, you’re
always treated like a pal rather than a
customer, and you should always expect get
caught in some shenanigan, whether it’s a
crazy Monday bender or a wacko Tuesday...
well... bender.

Bergstaðastræti 1
12
Kryddlegin Hjörtu
The restaurant Kryddlegin Hjörtu, "Spicy
hearts", specializes in healthy and rich
gourmet soups, homemade spelt bread and
an exclusive salad bar. They are located by
the seaside with a spectacular view of the
mountains to the north. They are located
in a newly built house at Skúlagata 17.
Designed with great taste and a lot of love.
Closed on Sundays.
Skúlagata 17
19
11 Hressó C is for Cookie
You know, Hressó is basically the only place
I go for coffee. Why? Their coffee is decent
to excellent, but their forte is surely their
wonderful patio, where you can enjoy the
spring breeze in the sun, wrap yourself
in a blanket beneath an electric heater in
January and at all times: smoke. They boast
of quite the prolific menu, but I’d reconsider
the playlists to tell you the truth, too much
of Nickelback really hurts. SKK
This cosy new café owned by Polish couple
Agnieszka and Stanislaw is the latest
addition to the Reykjavik café scene and
already looks set to become a favourite
with the locals. Ideal for an early lunch or
spending a lazy afternoon deciding which
of Agnieszka's delicious home baked
cakes you want to try next. I´d go with the
cheescake, it's pretty fabulous. EF
Austurstræti 20

Týsgata 8
Den Danske Kro
The Danish Bar is located on Ingólfsstræti,
just off Laugavegur where Q Bar once stood.
The bar serves up Danish favourites, such as
open-face smørrebrød sandwiches, Danish
Tuborg beer and Akvavit schnapps.
How to ask for a large beer in Danish: “Hej,
jeg vil gerne have en stor øl, tak”.
Ingólfsstræti 3
18
13
Á Næstu Grösum
Á Næstu Grösum is an all vegetarian
restaurant right in the city centre that
features a friendly atmosphere and fair
prices. There is always at least one vegan
soup on offer and the daily special portions
are big and always satisfying. There is even
some organic wine on offer.
Laugavegur 20B
17
BANKASTRÆTI
AUSTURSTRÆTI
HAFNARSTRÆTI
TRYGGVAGATA
GEIRSGATA
MÝRARGATANÝLENDUGATA
VESTURGATA
RÁNARGATA
BÁRUGATA
ÖLDUGATA
TÚNGATA
KIRKJUSTRÆTI
SÓLVALLAGATA
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HRINGBRAUT
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HRINGBRAUT
BERGÞÓRUGATA
EIRÍKSGATA
HVERFISGATA
LINDARGATA
SKÚLAGATA
SÆBRAUT
SÆBRAUT
BORGART
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HÁTÚN
HVERFISGATA
LAUGAVEGUR
LAUGAVEGUR
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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
6 7 8 9 10
7
19
For a map of outside downtown Reykjavík
visit www.grapevine.is or the Icelandic
phonebook website www.ja.is
If you have an iPhone, check out the cool
Locatify app in the AppStore. It´s got a FREE
guided audio tour of the downtown area,
courtesy of your pals at Grapevine.
NEW IN TOWN
Sjávargrillið
Skólavörðustígur 14, 101 Reykjavík
Whether you're a native Icelander or a tourist,
Sjávargrillið promises to provide the upscale
traditional Icelandic food experience you're
looking for. Their simple, straightforward menu
won't overwhelm a first timer, nor will it annoy a
native with unnecessary frills. Head chef Gustav
Gunnlaugsson, Iceland’s ‘chef of the year’ in
2010, should know what he's doing. Expect Ice-
landic specialities such as minke whale, arctic
char and cod on the menu, a jovial, knowledge-
able staff and pleasant outside seating with a
view of Hallgrímskirkja. VS
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Jóhannes Kjartansson, photographer/
designer
What's up, Jói?
Things are very exciting at the moment.
I'm going to Paris for the opening of my
exhibition, ‘Beat-Addicts’, along with
two other photographers. The exhibition
will be held in a brand new gallery
called AIMLOFT, which is located in the
Oberkampf district. It's the first time I
make big prints and they will even be for
sale, so I'm super excited.
Sundhöll Reykjavíkur Start the day
by going to one of Reykjavík's oldest
swimming pools, Sundhöll Reykjavíkur.
If you show up around eight AM, you
can eavesdrop on the elders discussing
today's hot topics and you might even
snatch a free cup of coffee afterwards.
It's an indoor swimming pool but the hot
pots are conveniently located outside so
you can also work your tan during the
eavesdropping. The building is very old
and beautiful, plus the changing rooms
alone are worth the visit.
The Fishpacking District
What used to accommodate old fishermen
now houses a happy collective of
restaurants and cafés with a beautiful
view over the harbour and Mt. Esja. You
can eat there anytime. Start with the best
coffee in town at Café Haíti, then eat
lunch at Sushismiðjan. In the afternoon
you can have the fantastic burger
at Hamborgarabúllan (I recommend
getting the béarnaise sauce with the
fries and then the delicious coffee shake
afterwards). In the evening you can then
go to Sægreifinn (Seabaron) and have the
infamous lobster soup and the “Moby Dick
on a stick" (a slogan I and Grapevine's
Art Director Hörður invented for them
five years ago. We also pitched "Eating
Nemo"...).
KronKron
When I have lots of money I will shop
at KronKron every time I need a trendy
outfit. They have some great labels for
boys there: Bernhard Wilhelm, Henrik
Vibskov, Acne and Cheap Monday to
name a few. They also have my recently
published book for sale. It's called Jói de
Vivre and contains over 500 snapshots
from Reykjavík, taken over a period of five
years. Go get it!
Austurvöllur
After all this fashion and food you are
probably knackered. If the sun is shining
you should consider going to the Íslenski
Barinn at Austurvöllur and order a pint of
beer. They serve them in a frosty glass,
a rare treat in Iceland. They also serve
you harðfiskur (“fish jerky”) in a glass jar,
which is pretty nice. If you don't like it and
you still have space I'd recommend the
Bóbó burger, it's a killer.
Kaffibarinn
Since Sirkus closed in 2007, Kaffibarinn
has been my only shelter in town.
Kaffibarinn is like that song with
Radiohead, ‘Packt Like Sardines In A
Crushd Tin Box’. You are in the crowd
and you become one with the crowd.
That's why I love it and that's why I have a
personal hook there so I can hang there
with a beer in one hand without spilling it
on the crowd. I recommend coming early
if you're new in town, since after 1 AM the
queue can get very busy. And don't dress
like a hiker or a biker.
Alí Baba
Alí Baba at Ingólfstorg is the best place
for the very essential after-hours meal. I
recommend the chicken Shawarma, it is
the bomb. You can then wash it down with
a tasty beverage and watch MTV on the
flatscreen. Afterwards you can grab a taxi
just on the other side of the square and
have a nap before next night's festivities.
When the sun is shining in Reykjavík,
every day is a Saturday.
EARLY MORNING
LUNCH
MID-DAY
AFTERNOON
HEAT OF THE NIGHT