Reykjavík Grapevine - 15.07.2011, Qupperneq 56

Places We Like
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 Nú!luhúsi!
Although hardly breaking new ground
in Thai cuisine, Nú!luhúsi! 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 Nú!luhúsi!.
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 Skólavör!ustígur, 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.
Skólavör!ustígur 22
15
Litla Jólabú!in
Christmas store run year round. Established
in a backyard on the little residential street
of Grundarstígur in 2002, Litla Jólabú!in
moved to Laugavegur a few years ago, but
maintains a mom-and-pop store kind of
feeling. Akureyri has Jólagar!urinn, Reykjavík
has Jólabú!in.
Laugavegur 8
8
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National
museum
National
library
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Main
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Art
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Maritime
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Harpa
Concert
Hall
City
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Hljómskáli
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National
Gallery
of Iceland
Taxi
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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.

Bergsta!astræti 1
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
6
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
1
Kisan
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
4
Korni!
How about filling your face with cakes at the
delightful Korni!. 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 590 ISK plus all the Pítu
Sósa you could dream of, what more could
you ask for on your lunch break?
Lækjargata 4
3
Bakkus
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.
Tryggvagata 22
2
Kaffifélagi!
Kaffifélagi! has been a Grapevine favourite
since they opened on Skólavör!ustígur a
couple of years back. The small coffeehouse
always delivers an excellent cup of Italian-
style coffee, and downtown regulars can
spring for a clip-off coffee card to save on
each purchase.
Skólavör!ustíg 10
5