Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2017, Page 14

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2017
14
ALL THE ICELANDIC BEERS ICELANDIC CUISINE WITH
A TWIST+IN ONE AWESOME PLACE
Vesturgötu 3B | 101 Reykjavík | Tel. 551 2344 | www.tapas.is
late night dining
Our kitchen is open
until 23:30 on weekdays
and 01:00 on weekends
A LOCAL FAVOURITE
FOR 17 YEARS
TAPASBARINN – A MUST TRY IN ICELAND
Experience tapas the Icelandic way, made with
the freshest local ingredients in an energetic
and vibrant atmosphere.
Best brunch
Vox
Hilton Nordica, Suðurlandsbraut 2
If the Hilton tag has you scared about
prices, fret not. Vox has been consis-
tently drawing the hordes in with their
value-for-money brunch since it began.
So much so, it’s even a popular wedding
gift in Iceland. Vox offers a large selec-
tion of salads, cold cuts, desserts and
a live counter with specials spanning
global cuisine. It’s perfect for dining in
style, families with children (half price
for kids under 12, under-5 are free!),
and for celebrating a birthday.
Runners Up
Coocoo’s Nest
Grandagarður 23
This family-run restaurant in Grandi of-
fers an Italian style aperitivo hour, and
their decadent brunch menu starts on
Friday and runs through the weekend.
It’s a comfortable, homely joint, and
the walk along the old harbour will help
with your hangover.
Newcomer
Café Paris
Austurstræti 14
The rebooted Café Paris has jolted the
corner on Austurvöllur awake with its
continental renovation and an all-day
menu that promises to live up to the
bistro-esque name. The breakfast
menu, however, is the real winner here.
Previous Winners
2016: Coocoo’s Nest
2015: Slippbarinn
2014: Coocoo’s Nest
Best seafood
Fiskfélagið
Vesturgata 2a
Fiskfélagið—"The Fish Company"—has
been steadfastly dishing out some of
the best seafood in Iceland. Don’t try
too hard to make sense of the ingredi-
ent/country mash-up—like “Iceland-cu-
cumber” or “Australia-ginger”)—just
focus on the food. Our former food
editor described it as “fish so buttery, it
must be on laxatives.” Iceland’s creden-
tials as a great fishing nation are firmly
reinforced here. We recommend the
tasting menus.
Runners Up
Resto
Rauðarárstígur 26-29
Having worked in well-known seafood
restaurants, the chef couple behind
Resto decided to bring their consid-
erable expertise to bear at their own
place. Unassuming and laid back, Resto
is a word of mouth hit. Any seafood you
order here will be made from top-class
ingredients, done to perfection.
Matarkjallarinn
Aðalstræti 2
Matarkjallarinn has proven wildly popu-
lar with their fresh seafood and “Taste
of Iceland” menus. If it’s on offer, don’t
leave without trying the Appelsín-cured
salmon—a lovely take on graflax using
Appelsín (the Icelandic version of Fanta
orange soda).
Previous Winners
2016: Fiskfélagið
2015: Fiskfélagið
2014: Fiskfélagið
Best must-try dining
experience
Dill
Hverfisgata 12
When Ruth Reichl makes it her go-to
place to dine in Iceland, you better
believe her. Without waxing poetic,
we must confess, this is one meal you
won’t forget in a hurry. With chef Gun-
nar running Agern in NY (and awarded
a Michelin star!), Dill is now helmed by
chef Ragnar, who continues to uphold
the same exacting standards and
thoughtful food that Dill is known for.
Runners Up
Matur og Drykkur
Grandagarður 2
In how many ways can we say, eat here?
Is it the whole cod head you should
get, or perhaps the double-smoked
dried lamb, or the creamy halibut soup?
Whatever you get, rest assured it’ll
have roots in Icelandic culinary history,
elevated to fine dining standards. And
do not leave without trying the fried-to-
order kleinur.
Bærjarins Beztu
By Tryggvagata
Here in Iceland, hot dogs use a unique
lamb-pork sausage with smoky, grassy
tones. It’s classically topped with
mustard and ketchup, with onions raw
and fried. Get a “pylsu með öllu” if you
want to stick to tradition—Bill Clinton
and Kim K are amongst the many who’ve
braved the lines by the downtown
Bæjarins Beztu stand.
Previous Winners
2016: Matur og Drykkur
2015: Shrimp pyramid at Jómfrúin
2014: Food section at Kolaportið
2013: Icelandic food at Kaffi Loki
2012: Icel. Home-food, Mamma Steina
Best lunch place
Snaps
Þórsgata 1
That Snaps is popular is undisputable.
Little wonder it has consistently been
awarded the Best Goddamn Restaurant
for years. But what very few know is that
they have a killer lunch on offer everyday.
A faultless fish of the day, prompt service,
and a little bit of quiet to yourself makes
it our best lunch place. Psst, if with
a co-worker, split the creme brulee,
we promise your day will be brighter
thereon.
Runners Up
Ostabúðin
Skólavörðustígur 8
This is a veteran lunch spot so no
surprises that it is still going strong.
If the fish of the day isn't satisfying
enough, we suggest asking them for a
half portion of the day's soup as well.
What’s truly admirable, though, is that
perch (karfi), cusk (kleifa) and ling (lán-
ga) make regular appearances beside
staples like salmon.
Apotek
Austurstræti 16
Even though lunch service here can
mean “waiting over 40 mins for your
dish to arrive,” the two- and three-
course lunch offer is great value for
money and perfect for those days
when your boss is out and you want to
stretch that lunch hour to the hilt.
Previous Winners
2016: Ostabúðin
2015: Ostabúðin
2014: Bergsson Mathús
2013: Ostabúðin
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2017
Dining
Make it worth the wait