Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2017, Qupperneq 34

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2017
34
While high prices mean Reykjavík isn’t really thought of as a shop-
per’s paradise, there are still plenty of great local products you can
only get here. Whether you’re hunting for a piece of Icelandic design,
searching for hard-to-find vinyl by an Icelandic artist, stocking the
fridge of your Airbnb, or hunting down the perfect hand-knitted
lopapeysa, this guide will get you on the right track. Most of the
winners are located in downtown Reykjavík, but a few are scattered
throughout the Greater Reykjavík area, giving you a good excuse to get
out of the city centre hubbub and do some exploring. Happy shopping!
Best grocery store
Krónan
Fiskislóð 1-21 & other locations
Whilst the bargainous pig-logoed branches of Bónus might have a
firm hold on the hearts, wallets, fridge-freezers and reusable shop-
ping bags of anyone who lives downtown, this year most of our pan-
el preferred rival chain Krónan. Despite there being no downtown
location, they praised Krónan’s size, and the quality and variety of
produce on offer. “It’s open the latest, so you don’t have to plan your
life around it,” said one panellist. “And Krónan in Grandi is a party,”
added another. “I always put on lipstick before I go.”
Runners Up
Melabúðin
Hagamelur 39
This small-but-perfectly-formed neigh-
bourhood grocery store in Vesturbær
is a star amongst Reykjavík’s food
shops, with a stellar selection packed
into its tight aisles and a sociable NYC
delicatessen feel. “You can get nice
cheese—or alligator steaks,” said the
panel. “It’s where you go if you want to
stock up for a nice dinner party.”
Fjarðarkaup
Hólshraun 1b, 220 Hafnarfjörður
This Hafnarfjörður grocery is a throw-
back that’s charmingly traditional, from
the friendly service to the old-style
butcher’s counter. “There are genera-
tions of people working there,” said the
panel. “Icelandic people who don’t live
in Hafnarfjörður make a trip to go there
together—like a family thing.”
Previous Winner
2016: Bónus
Best shop to pick
up local design
Kraum
Laugavegur 18b
Downtown Reykjavík has seen a
boom in shops offering fancy design
products in recent years, perhaps
jointly due to a surge in tourism—and
the resultant padded billfolds in the
pockets of Icelanders. Despite moving
into an unflattering location that’s also
a noodle place and booking office,
Kraum was re-selected as the best in
show with their exclusively Icelandic
range of homewares, decorations,
clothing, jewellery and knick-knacks.
There’s a smaller branch at the Museum
of Design & Applied Art, should you find
yourself in Garðabær.
Runner Up
Rammagerðin
Skólavörðustígur 12 & more
This long-established crafts and design
store has been running since 1940, since
way before Icelandic design was cool.
“I’ve always had a fascination for Ram-
magerðin,” said one panellist. “It might
look like a tourist shop, but it’s been there
for seventy or eighty years, so even if it is
a tourist shop, it must be a good one.”
Newcomer
Akkurat
Aðalstræti 2
Akkúrat burst onto the scene in May
offering a standout selection of pure
Scandinavian style. Pick up Karhu sneak-
ers, Swimslow swimsuits made from
all recycled materials, or hand-painted
Felamig mugs—among a ton of other
fabulous brands. Ditch the puffin stores
and pick up your Icelandic souvenir here.
Previous Winners
2016: Kraum
2015: Spark Design Space (RIP)
2014: Kraum
2013: Kraum
2012: Kraum
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2017
Shopping
Gird your wallets...
Best shop to pick
up local fashion
KIOSK
Ingólfstræti 6
Laugavegur fashion boutique KIOSK is
something of an institution, and wins
the local fashion category for a seventh
time. The store is run by the designers
themselves, who take turns working at
the counter, so the odds of you buying
a piece from the person who designed
it are quite a bit higher than in your
average boutique. “Each designer here
helps out the others,” said the panel.
“They all promote each other’s projects.
I’d always choose to invest in a piece in
KIOSK over any other store.” You never
know, your new item from KIOSK could
be a future classic.
Runners Up
Tískubúðin P3
Miðstræti 12
The praiseworthy menswear selection
features beloved local brands like the
long-running Skaparinn label, respect-
ed young designer Sævar Markús, and
designer’s designer Stefan Svan. “It’s
not all Icelandic brands but it’s a well
chosen group of them,” said the panel.
Geysir
Skólavörðustígur 7 & 16
The presence of the aesthetically
immaculate Geysir seems to continually
grow in Reykjavík, especially since they
launched their own clothing line and
accompanying catalogue. “It’s expen-
sive, but beautiful and timeless,” said
the panel. “You always know what you
will get there, and it’s very nice.”
Previous Winners
2015: KIOSK
2014: KIOSK
2013: KIOSK
2012: KIOSK
2011: KIOSK