Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2017, Side 32

The R
eykjavík G
rapevine
B
est of R
eykjavík 20
17
32
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FUN DINING IN A GREAT
ATMOSPHERE
CITY GUIDE
The New
Hverfisgata
Reykjavík’s second street reinvents itself
Words HANNAH JANE COHEN & JOHN ROGERS
Photos ART BICNICK & TIMOTHÉE LAMBRECQ
The fomerly run-down street of
Hverfisgata lies parallel to Lau-
gavegur, and has recently come
alive with new shops and restau-
rants. Here are some of the best
places to check out on the city’s
up-and-coming second street.
Essensia
Hverfisgata 6
Essensia has a decadent in-
terior, cocktails, and an Ital-
ian-themed menu. It’s quiet on
weekdays, but becomes packed
at peak time, so make a reser-
vation if you go at the weekend.
Mat Bar
Hverfisgata 26
Mat Bar opened earlier this year,
and was an instant hit. The inte-
rior is a departure from the re-
claimed-wood-and-animal-fur
trend, with a shiny ‘n’ new vibe.
The menu is Italian-themed, but
with a worldly feel—try the ba-
sil and pisco cocktails and the
excellent tasting menu.
Wind & Weather Gallery
Hverfisgata 37
This eye-catching street gallery
is a large window with regular-
ly changing exhibitions, visible
day and night, whatever the
weather. Sometimes you’ll see
odd sculptures peering out onto
the street, and other times you
might catch a live performance,
a video projection, or an in-
triguing installation.
Húrra Reykjavík
Hverfisgata 50 & 78
Húrra Reykjavík (not to be con-
fused with the music venue
Húrra) changed the game of
Reykjavík fashion. They offer á
la mode streetwear like Stüssy,
Champion, and Adidas, and by
doing so, created a fashion fren-
zy. Kids have camped in front of
the store for new Yeezys. Trump
might not have “made America
great again,” but Húrra Reyk-
javík has made Reykjavík street-
wear great again.
Kaffi Vínyl
Hverfisgata 76
Options used to be limited for
Reykjavík’s vegans, with one
or two menu items here and
there. Enter Kaffi Vínyl. With
mismatched chairs and crates
full of records, it’s the Portland
dream in downtown Reykjavík.
Standouts include the lasagne
and Kawaii sandwich—order
one with extra Oomph. You
won’t regret it.
Café Bismút
Hverfisgata 82
The newest kid on the block
is Bismút, a new gallery café
right at the top of the street.
It’s a family-run place, and with
gourmet coffee and big win-
dows, it’s the perfect spot for a
bit of chilling and taking in the
Hverfisgata street life.