Reykjavík Grapevine - 03.06.2011, Síða 48

Places We Like
Borgarhjól
For those that want to soak up the city
sights and surrounding countryside at a
more leisurely pace, then you should really
check this place out. Its a really old school
bike shop that mends as well as rents out
bikes, and at really reasonable rate too.
They also sell helmets, safety gear and
accessories if you really want to go all out.
Hverfisgata 50
1
Deli
Getting a good slice of pizza on the go can
be an utter ordeal. If you’re not careful, you’ll
frequently wind up paying good money for a
cardboardy wafer that has been sitting in a
heater box for a week. Not at Deli, however.
Their slices are consistently awesome and
fresh, the topping selection is intriguing and
tasteful and, best of all, they’re really cheap.
Bankastræti 14
3
Kaffitár
Kaffitár on Bankastræti is a comfortable
little café with a great selection of coffee,
tea and baked goods on offer. Since Kaffitár
is also a big-name Icelandic roasterie the
caffeinated beverages on the menu are
quality. The wi-fi makes this a nice place to
sit and chill with your laptop as well.
Bankastræti 8
6
Krua Thai
This is the best affordable Thai food on offer
in Reykjavík. Rice is always fluffy, the spicy
kick is just right and the spring rolls are
always crispy cylinders of deliciousness. The
servings are hearty too, so you’re bound to
leave satisfied.
Tryggavagötu 14
7
Eymundsson Bookstore
Eymundsson is a chain with several outlets
but the one on Skólavörðustígur is the best
in town. Housed on the ground floor of what
was once a Spron Credit Union, the building
has a solid 60’s institutional feeling—cosy if
that’s your bag. The premises are equipped
with a coffee shop, tables and sofas to
lounge in and the all-glass exterior lets in
a lot of light, which is good for reading real
books, not Facebooks. This Eymundsson
also regularly hosts book readings, signings
and other small events such as concerts and
art exhibitions, organized in a pleasantly
Kaffitár and laid back way.
Skólavörðustígur 11
5
Dillon Rock Bar
Dillon lives up to its full name and is not
known to mess around with house or elec-
tronica. Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Black
Sabbath are what you'll often hear, along
with more local and recent spin-offs as well
as the odd live show. And if you have other
requests, they are accepted and considered
by resident DJ, Amma Rokksins, Iceland's
grandmother of rock, still spinning her stuff
on Saturday nights.
Laugavegur 30
4
Nonnabiti
Delicious and relatively cheap considering
how massive and filling their sandwiches
are. The Luxury Sub, with salty pork,
veggies, sauce and pineapple is a brilliant
combination of flavours for late-night
munchies. It’s just as satisfying and filling
during more civilized hours as well. And the
service is fast if you’re in a rush.
Hafnarstræti 9
9 Núðluhúsið
Although hardly breaking new ground
in Thai cuisine, Núðluhúsið is a safe
bet for a cheap, generously portioned,
tasty enough meal. You can expect fresh
ingredients and fast, courteous service. So
if you're wondering which of the many Thai
restaurants to choose from on a low budget,
we recommend Núðluhúsið.
Laugavegur 59
10
Habibi
This small restaurant offers up a concise
menu of delicious Arabic cuisine, from
shawarma to kebabs and falafels. The
staff is really friendly and accommodating
of requests to kick up the spiciness or
tone it down if the customer so desires.
Habibi seriously hits the spot after hours
of partying (or any other time of day) so it’s
convenient that the place is open until 6 a.m.
Friday and Saturday.
Hafnarstræti 18
16Mai Thai
Located across from Hlemmur Bus Station,
Mai Thai imports and sells all sorts of
products from South East Asia, particularly
Thailand and the Philippines. Depending on
the day, you might find fresh coriander, mint,
chilies, bean sprouts, exotic fruits such as
Durian, Carambola or Coconut, as well as
year round products such as frozen spring
rolls, various kinds of rice sold in bulk bags,
sauces and spices galore, egg and rice
noodles, Asian snacks, clothes and other
knick-knacks. In short, a wide array of what
are still considered rare and exotic treats in
Reykjavík.
Laugavegur 118
14 Babalú
Located on the second-floor of a quirky little
building on Skólavörðustígur, Babalú is an
inviting, quaint and cosy café serving up a
selection of tea, coffee and hot chocolate
along with delicious baked goods and
light meals. Food and drink aside, Babalú
boasts colourfully decorated and super-
comfortable surroundings and a genuinely
friendly and likeable staff.
Skólavörðustígur 22
15
Litla Jólabúðin
Christmas store run year round. Established
in a backyard on the little residential street
of Grundarstígur in 2002, Litla Jólabúðin
moved to Laugavegur a few years ago, but
maintains a mom-and-pop store kind of
feeling. Akureyri has Jólagarðurinn, Reykjavík
has Jólabúðin.
Laugavegur 8
8
Café d’Haiti
The first time I entered this exotic little joint,
meaning to buy myself a take-away espresso,
I ended up with two kilos of fresh and
roasted coffee beans due to some language
complications and way too much politeness.
Since then I have enjoyed probably way-too-
many wonderful cups of Haitian coffee, but
they’re always as nice, so the two kilos were
definitely worth it.
Geirsgata 7b/Verbúð 2
2
MAP
Down
Town
West
Side
East
Side
“Financial
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Town
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AUSTURSTRÆTI
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Coach
Terminal
Nordic House
Culture Center
University
of Iceland
National
museum
National
library
Austur
völlur
Park
Icelandic
Parliament
Reykjavík
Domestic
Airport
Hlemmur
Bus
Terminal
Sundhöllin
Swimming
Pool
Laugardals
Swimming
Pool
Sigurjón
Art
Museum
Viðey
ferry
Cruise
harbour
Zoo and
family park
Camping
site
Kringlan
Shopping
Mall
Laugardalshöll
Sports hall
The
Tower
City
Hall
The Einar
Jónsson
Museum
Hallgríms
kirkja
Church
National
Theatre
The
Culture
House
The
Central
Bank
Main
Tourist
Info
Reykjavík
Art
Museum
Maritime
Museum
Old
Harbour
Area
Harpa
Concert
Hall
City
Pond
Klambratún
Park
Öskjuhlíð
Laugardalur
Nauthólsvík
Perlan
University of Reykjavík
Kjarvalsstaðir
National
Museum
Hótel Loftleiðir
Hljómskáli
Park
Vesturbæjar
Swimming
Pool
National
Gallery
of Iceland
Taxi
Taxi
Taxi
Taxi
A
1 2 3 4 5
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
2
7
13
5
16
9
12
17
18
19
3
8
11
6
15