Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2017, Page 8

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One of the most-asked questions by visitors to Iceland is: "Where do
we eat?" It’s a tough question to answer, as Reykjavík has restaurants
catering to many different palettes, and on top of that, they're always
rising and falling in popularity for one reason or another. But we try
to stay on top of things where eating out is concerned. With the help
of a panel of gourmands and experts, we've been able to piece togeth-
er a guide that gives you a pretty good idea of what’s here in 2017. So
we hope you find the guide useful. Check out the Facebook pages of
restaurants and make reservations, if need be, for a true epicurean ex-
perience in Reykjavík. And if you have recommendations to the con-
trary, then drop us a line. We are listening. And we’re hungry.
Best burger
Sæta Svínið
Hafnarstræti 1-3
That we love our burgers in this town may come as a surprise to
some. Beloved local burger joint Búllan used to rule the roost in
this category, but a new generation of more modern burger joints
has finally caught up with it. Sæta Svínið is one such new kid on
the block, edging out stiff competition with their custom beef
blend patties, made to desired doneness. Serious burger aficiona-
dos will appreciate the meat:fat ratio. This gastropub is also one
of the few that offers lamb sandwiches.
Runners Up
Kex
Skúlagata 28
The Kex “freedom burger” has loyalists
who love it and haters who, well, hate it.
Whichever side you’re on, we say that
this is one heck of a consistent burger.
Once you go spicy, there’s no going
back, and the potato wedges are the
cherry on the meaty cake.
Block Burger
Skólavörðustígur 8
Block Burger is an office favourite. You
can see their white paper to-go bags
stacked on writers’ desks, accompa-
nied by empty Fizzy Lizzy soda bottles.
Modelled heavily on the American chain
Shake Shack in presentation, Block is
reasonably priced (for Reykjavík) and
has quick service. It’s a lunchtime spot
worth checking out.
Previous Winners
2016: Búllan
2015: Búllan
2014: Kex Hostel
2013: Vitabar
2012: Grillmarket
Best veggie burger
Bike Cave
Einarsnes 36
Bike Cave is the cafe you need to know
about—relaxed, not New Nordic, in a
suburban neighbourhood close to the
domestic airport, with a resident Sphinx
cat in tow. It’s been described as the
best place to get a “messy vegan burg-
er.” With a choice of two veggie patties
(black bean and chilli or potato rosti)
we were already feeling spoilt when
they also turned up with their “luxury
vegan burger”—soy granule patties with
a hint of peanut butter, sweet mustard
and onions. This one comes pretty
darn close to the mouthfeel of a meat
burger. But the best part still remains
that all of this tasty fare will set you
back 895-1195 ISK, sans fries.
Runners Up
Búllan
Geirsgata 1
Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar is beloved
among Icelanders for slinging honest,
sweaty burgers to the masses. Their
chickpea-and-barley-based patties are
specially made for the burger joint, and
boast a texture that’s more sumptuous
than the soy-based variety. We approve!
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
Melhagi 20-22
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar, also known as
Kaffi Vest, has become a hip spot for
Reykjavík’s west-side movers and shak-
ers. They have not just one, but two
great choices. Of these, our favourite
is a bean-based burger in crunchy
breadcrumbs, served with rosemary
potato wedges and an avocado-based
mayo-style dip. Plain delicious, vegan
or not.
Previous Winners
2016: Búllan
2015: Brooklyn Bar
2014: Búllan
2013: Búllan
2012: Búllan
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2017
Dining
Delicious even if you can't pronounce it
Best pizza
Hornið
Hafnarstræti 15
Pizza joints have always held the
collective fancy of the world as a sort
of comfort zone where you can break
bread with your grandma, screeching
toddler, or as a 101-downtownian
nursing a hangover, or heartache, or
both. Hornið is one such comforting
old-school pizza joint. With thin-crust
pizzas and a no-frills Italian-American
flair in the decor as well as the toppings,
this is a local treasure. While the Hawai-
ian has die-hard fans, we swear by their
Quattro Stagioni.
Runners Up
Hverfisgata 12
Hverfisgata 12
The “Nameless Pizza Place” at Hverfis-
gata 12 has been pushing that doughy
envelope with topping combinations
that’ll leave you scratching your head
at first, but rubbing your belly later.
Try the beetroot pizza or the soya
mushroom, sausage and pickled chilli
number, and make a night of it with
some excellent cocktails from the bar.
Kaffi Laugalækur
Laugarnesvegur 74a
There has been a sourdough uprising
recently, even in pizza. We’re not
complaining—the “flatbreads” at this
newest cafe in town have us revisiting
the place. Try the “Litla Gula Hænan”
special: succulent chicken nestled
between perfectly pickled onions and a
fresh salad and house pesto. Delicious
and healthy... ish. A welcome addition
to the Laugardalur neighborhood.
Previous Winners
2015: Hverfisgata 12
2014: Hverfisgata 12
2013: Gamla Smiðjan
2012: La Luna trattoria-pizzeria
2011: Gamla Smiðjan