Reykjavík Grapevine - 10.02.2006, Blaðsíða 22

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:1

Café Roma
Laugavegur 118

Roma, at the far end of the main street
Laugavegur, is a deli-type coffee house,
and one of the best take away places
in town. It almost feels unnatural that
all the tempting cookies, cakes and
other sweet things that are calling your
name on the shelves are actually quite
reasonably priced.
2 Ráðhúskaffi City Hall

Ráðhúskaffi inside the Reykjavík City
Hall is a comfortable choice for the view
over Tjörnin, especially recommended
on the so-called window weather days
– the days that are beautiful, as long as
you stay indoors. Also art exhibitions,
80m2s of miniature Iceland and
municipal politics, all conveniently
under the same roof.
3 Grái Kötturinn Hverfisgata 16a

Grái Kötturinn (The grey cat) is a cosy
place, and that’s why it’s a shame that
it’s quite often closed when we knock
on their door and peer through the
window later in the evening. Don’t
follow our example and go during the
daylight, it’s especially popular during
the morning hours.
4 Kaffi Hljómalind Laugavegur 21

A peaceful café with perfect windows for
people-watching and a lot of daylight.
Hljómalind is run by a non-profit
organisation and it only serves organic &
fair trade products.
5 Mokka Skólavörðustígur 3a

Kaffi Mokka is the oldest café in
Reykjavík, dating back to the 1950s. It’s
the place with dark, smoky atmosphere
and great numbers of loyal customers.
Their waffles are best in town. Seriously.
6 Ömmukaffi Austurstræti

A coffee house there you can find
all kinds of people - all ages, all
nationalities, with very friendly, down-
to-earth feel to it. Affordable prices on
coffee, cakes and the lunch menu. Try
their speciality, the (South) African latte.
7 Babalú Skólavörðustígur 22a

The youngest coffee house in Reykjavík
is also the homiest. Almost like a living
room away from home, Babalú keeps it
simple, quiet and cozy with coffee and
the occasional crêpe.
8 Tíu Dropar Laugavegur 27

A very nice “grandma” style café.
Subterranean, as all traditional coffee
shops should be. This place makes you
feel warm, both with its atmosphere and
the generosity of the coffee refills.
9 Kaffitár Bankastræti 8

Expanded and improved, this is the
downtown store for one of the country’s
finest coffee importers. While anything
here is good, the speciality coffee drinks
are truly remarkable: our favourite, the
Azteca, an espresso drink with lime and
Tabasco.
11 Sólon
Bankastræti 7a

Sólon is a nightclub on
Friday and Saturday nights, but it
seems to have more lives than one, since
in the day it’s a coffeehouse and in the
evening (weeknights) they have a decent
menu, as well, and an art exhibition on
the walls to finish the package with an
artsy touch.
12 Oliver Laugavegur 20a

Oliver is one of the biggest hits in town
at the moment. Good news for the early
birds: they open at 8 in the morning
with an extensive brunch menu, staying
chic all day long, until late - always
crowded, with an everlasting queue
outside especially towards weekend
nights. Their Mediterranean menu,
served in huge portions, is guaranteed
to make you smile.
13 Kaffibarinn Bergstaðastræti 1

Kaffibarinn is Cool Hip Reykjavík.
Blur’s Damon Albarn owns a share
of the bar, probably figuring it was
cheaper than buying drinks all the
time. This place has managed to serve
as a 101 living room for quite a while
already, with DJs often playing on
the weeknights, with volumes rising
towards the weekend. Friday and
Saturday nights serve as the weekly
14 Sirkus Klapparstígur 30

“Welcome to the Jungle/ We got fun
and games,” quote the bard. Elements
of this odd and alternative cultural
institution also include an upstairs that
looks and smells like a bus, a garden,
a flea market and a queue on weekend
nights that looks never-ending.
15 Café Victor Hafnarstræti 1-3

Spelled with a C rather than with
the more traditional K in order to be
more cosmopolitan. This ploy seems to
be working, as the bar has become a
hangout for foreigners. The Viking ship
sitting on top of the house might also
add to the appeal. The crowd is very
mixed, both in origin and age, and so is
the music.
16 Vegamót Vegamótastígur 4

Vegamót (crossroads) has an appealing
lunch menu, they serve brunch during
the weekends, and the kitchen is open
until 22 daily. After that the beat goes
on, and you can check the end results
in photos published the day after on
their website www.vegamot.is. If you
like Oliver, try Vegamót and vice versa.
17 B5 Bankastræti 5

B5 is a newly opened bistro with a
Scandinavian focus on the menu. Don’t
be fooled by the impressive collection
of design classics that you see in the
window when passing by – it’s neither
cold nor overly expensive, but rather a
cozy place with friendly service.
18 Rósenberg Lækjargata 2

Perhaps the closest thing to a jazz club
in town, with old instruments lining the
walls. People go there for conversation
and listening to music rather than
dancing. The place tends to have jazz or
blues- type music, and is developing a
bluegrass scene.
19 Grand Rokk Smiðjustígur 6

As the Viking style garden and logo
accurately signal, this is no place for the
weak— yes, chess bars are that tough.
Even if the downstairs atmosphere can
feel a bit ominous at times, it’s one of
the best venues for live music in town.
Chess, beer and rock’n’roll.
20 Bar 11 Laugavegur 11

The rock bar on Laugavegur is one of
the late night party venues in town.
You’ll feel the floor jumping every
Friday and Saturday, and it’s neither you
nor an earthquake. Live concerts and a
nice foosball table upstairs.
21 Hressingarskálinn Austurstræti 20

The celebrated site of one of the more
famous coffeehouses in Iceland, this
bar/ coffeehouse/ restaurant brings a
European flair to the city. That is until
about 11, when things get to rockin’,
and you can see the true character of
Reykjavík.
22 Pravda Austurstræti 22

Pravda is one of the larger clubs/bars
in downtown Reykjavík. It’s divided
between two floors and also separately
into the Pravda Bar and the Pravda
Club. The club section of Pravda is ideal
for dancing, while the Bar section is
somewhat more quiet and chilled out,
with occasional live jazz and sometimes
reggae.
23 Café Cultura Hverfisgata 18

The recently expanded Cultura is
located in the same building with the
Intercultural centre. A good value menu,
friendly service and settings that allow
you to either sit down and carry on
discussions, or dance the night away
– tango on Wednesdays starting with
free lessons from 20 to 21:00.
24 Prikið Bankastræti 12

Used to be the oldest continuously
running traditional coffeehouse on the
street, but, after a change of clientele,
they now cater to a younger crowd. A
diner during the day and a nightclub on
weekends, you can also borrow games
there, such as backgammon or chess.
25 Ölstofan Vegamótastígur

There are no tricks to this one. You
know what you want and you know that
you’ll get when you enter this simple,
straightforward pub. We are talking
about drinking beer. Known as the
hangout for the intellectual circles of
Reykjavík.
26 Thorvaldsen Austurstræti 8

Posh as the fifth circle of hell. DJs on
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Arrive before 12 if you want to avoid
the queue. Civilian attire is looked down
upon. Do not expect to get in wearing
hiking boots.
27 Gaukur á Stöng Tryggvagata 22

Iceland’s oldest bar is now in its early
twenties. During the day it’s a pool pub
and on weekday evenings there are live
rock concerts by a mix of mainstream
and underground bands. On weekends
there is usually a lot of action with
cover bands playing everything from
Britney to the Beatles. .
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.
CA
FÉS
BA
RS
´n
´ B
IST
RO
10 Segafredo By Lækjartorg

With McDonalds long departed from
the centre of Reykjavík, we got Italian
chain Segafredo, which isn’t a bad trade-
off. The staff are expert baristi, and, even
though Iceland is proud of its coffee,
nobody quite tops the Segafredo latte.
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
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DOWNTOWN REYKJAVIK
An emerging and necessary
addition to the Reykjavík
dining scene, back alleys off
of Laugavegur now open up
the dining experience. At Vín
og Skel, you can mingle over
light seafood dishes under the
gas heaters, or head inside for
a cosy experience. Like The
location, in a back house off
Laugavegur 55, has kept the
restaurant a secret—which is
probably the only reason that a
couple can typically get seated
without a wait.
Vín & skel. Laugavegur 55b, 101
Reykjavík, phone: 534-4700.
SP
OT
thi
s
Vín og Skel