Reykjavík Grapevine - 07.01.2006, Síða 25

31 Krua Thai
Tryggvagata 14

It’s easy when you know what
you’re doing: good food for a
reasonable price. To make it easier for
the rest of us, they have their menu
outside with images in colour and
numbers. Just say the number and eat
the food.
CL
IP
n´S
AV
E
Kaffibarinn, Bergstaðastræti 1.
Hressingarskálinn, Austurstræti 20.
Kaffi Hljómalind, Laugavegur 21.
PRACTICAL
INFORMATION
FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS, TRY:
28 Kaffibrennslan Pósthusstræti 9

Kaffibrennslan manages to be just a nice,
“normal” place to go to, and a place to be
seen at, surprisingly enough both at the
same time. A wide variety of beverages,
both bistro menu and a terrace outside
the bar when the weather allows it. The
iced coffee beverage is a delight.
30 Litli Ljóti Andarunginn
Lækjargata 6b

They have a fish buffet for 2500ISK every
evening, with the magic words “eat-as-
much-as-you-can” floating in the air. They
also have an Icelandic media person
working there every now and then, so
watch out for a curly haired, friendly
gentleman called Egill.
RE
STA
UR
AN
TS
29 Glaumbar Tryggvagata 20

One of the few proper sport bars in
Reykjavík, so you can go and watch
whatever game happens to be on the TV
screens. The establishment is basically
based around the bar, so you won’t have
to go a long way for a drink. Open until
five, and has a reputation for late night
partying.
32 Tveir Fiskar Geirsgata 9

Seafood restaurant, although they also do
land-based animals. At lunchtime you can
have a three-course meal for 2300, which
isn’t too bad, all things considered. The
chef has been awarded the Medal of the
Order of the White Rose by the President
of Finland.
33 Hornið Hafnarstræti 15

Means “the corner” and the place lives
up to its name. This is actually the oldest
Italian restaurant in town, celebrating its
25th year, which says something about
the scene here before then. Excellent
quality pizza, pasta and salads—all priced
affordably.
34 Argentína Baronstigur 11a

Argentina is something in the direction
of South-American-steakhouse-goes-
fine-dining-in-Reykjavík. It was the
first restaurant around to offer steaks
by weight, and it focuses on the beef
– but they know their whale, sheep and
reindeer as well.
35 Póstbarinn Pósthússtræti 13

Situated by Austurvöllur, Póstbarinn is a
bistro-priced restaurant, a rare treat. It is
also one of few restaurants in Reykjavík
with decent outdoor service, a must
in the winter months. Live jazz once
a week and check out the reasonably
priced fish menu they have, only
1490ISK.
36 Tjarnarbakkinn Vonarstræti 3

Above the Iðnó theatre, so it’s good
place to go before shows, or during if
you prefer a more quiet atmosphere. If
you sit by the window you get nice view
of the pond. It’s not a bad place to try
one of Iceland’s culinary specialities, the
lamb steak, one of those rare traditional
treats that does not come as a shock to
the uninitiated.
37 Tapas Vesturgata 3b

For those with a bit of money and time
on their hands, the evening is well spent
at Tapas, where you can while away the
evening having course after course of
wonderful miniature dishes served. If
you don’t feel like getting up right away
afterwards, there’s also a lounge
38 Sægreifinn Geirsgata

A place to go for the local touch, even if
usually a place recommended with this
argument instantly looses the exotic. Still,
I’d try this one. Sægreifinn (Sea baron) is
a combination of a fish store and a... well,
not exactly a restaurant but a place that
serves prepared food, located in a harbour
warehouse. Smell of fish, view over the
harbour, old man that looks exactly like
an Icelandic fisherman should. What’s not
to love?
39 Shalimar Austurstræti 4

Prides itself on being the northernmost
Indian restaurant in the world. The daily
special, comprised of two dishes on your
plate, goes for roughly 1000 ISK. But we
recommend the Chicken Tikka Masala,
known to be highly addictive.
41 Aktu Taktu Skúlagata 15

The drive-in destination in 101
Reykjavík, Aktu Taktu is busy all
day and all night. The burgers never
disappoint, and the caramel shakes are
a local favourite. If George Lucas ever
makes his proposed Icelandic Graffiti,
Aktu Taktu will have a central role.
42 Pizza King Hafnarstræti 18

Yes, you can go here late at night and
grab the best pizza in town, but it is also
home to the best lunch specials, and food
so good you’d eat it sober, something
you can’t say for most food in Reykjavík.
Plan on a fifteen- minute wait during
lunch, so it’s best to call or stop at a local
bookstore or souvenir shop while your
pizza is cooked.
43 Bagel House Laugavegur

Like most of the fast food in Reykjavík
and in the rest of the universe, it’s
about bread and something in the
middle/inside/on top of it. The Bagel
House don’t seem to realize that they
have good bagels, as they cover them
with conventional sandwich ingredients
Subway-style, but we forgive them this
faux pas. Just tell them to put the sauce
down, and hand over the bagel. .
44 Bæjarins Bestu Tryggvagata

Their menu is simple: It consists of coke
and hotdog. And nothing else. Ask for one
with everything, and you’ll get a dog in
a bun with ketchup, mustard, remoulade
(don’t ask), fried and raw onion. The
standard Icelandic hot dog, only somehow
it tastes better.
45 Hlölla Bátar By Ingólfstorg

The first sub sandwich shop in Iceland,
opened in 1986, Hlölla Bátar has a large
selection of subs filled and named with
creativity and imagination. Brave souls
might want to try the Gúmmí-Bátur
(rubber boat), or go local and choose
Sýslumannabátur (sheriff sub) with lamb
filling.
46 Nonnabiti Hafnarstræti 11

The owner is a miser who charges
additionally for everything, but this
is almost certainly the best junk food
in the Greater Reykjavík area. The
subs are great, none of that Subway
commitment to healthy living, and
they probably contribute significantly
to the ever-increasing “size” of the
nation. They also serve burgers and
sandwiches, and have lunchtime offers.
47 Quiznos Lækjargata

A new branch of the American Quiznos
has entered the thriving downtown sub
market, and it’s you, our dear, hungry
reader that gains from it. A good selection
of tasty subs, but also sandwiches, salads,
soup of the day. This is Quiznos first
European restaurant, your response will
decide how many more will come East.
48 First Vegetarian (Á næstu grösum)
Laugavegur 20b

Used to be called One Woman Restaurant,
as there was always the same woman
working there. Has new owners and
a larger staff, but the theme is still
vegetarian, with one vegan and one
wheat-free dish always on offer. The only
vegetarian restaurant licensed to carry
beer and wine.
50 Vitabar Bergþórugata 21

Actually a bar, but best known for its
hamburgers. A burger with fries for 500
is one of the best meal deals in town,
but special mention must go to the
Forget-Me-Not blue cheese and garlic
extravaganza.
49 Kebabhúsið Lækjargata 2, Kringlan
shopping mall

Apart from the multicultural experience
that comes with eating the Icelandic
version of Kebab, which comes with beef
and lamb, or Falafel, which comes with
marinara sauce and pickled cucumber,
this eatery has the best fish and chips in
town and a menu that would satisfy the
United Nations.
FAS
T F
OO
D
40 Við tjörnina Templarasund 3

One of the best-known fish restaurants
in Iceland, it also kind of rocks. The
cook is Súkkat member and Megas
sidekick Gunni. Foodwise, they’re
known for innovative fish dishes made
from a variety of rare fish and shellfish
and related raw materials.
Crystal Shop and
Spiritual Gallery
Crystal, Reiki and Spiritual healing.
Detox System foot spa
treatment available also.
Icelands largest minirals
and crystals shop.
Gjafir Jarðar.
Ingólfsstræti 2
101 Reykjavík
Tel: 517-2774
gjafirjardar@gjafirjardar.is
www.gjafirjardar.is
Laugavegur
Austurstræti Bankastræti
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