Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.07.2011, Page 53

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
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
6 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
English Pub
True to its name, the English Pub offers a
wide variety of lager on tap and a whiff of
that genuine UK feel. You may also try their
famous "wheel of fortune" with the chance
of winning up to a metre of beer with a
single spin. Cheers!
Austurstræti 12
3
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
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
5
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The
Old
Harbour
Th
e F
ish
pa
ck
ing
Di
str
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V
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I
Down
Town
West
Side
East
Side
“Financial
District”Up
Town
BSÍ
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 6
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
1
4
27
16
9
17
18
19
3
8
11
6
15
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
7
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
2
Geirsgata 1
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.
4