Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2017, Qupperneq 35

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Best bookshop
Mál og Menning
Laugavegur 18
While downtown Reykjavík has quite a
few large book shops, in line with the
city’s standing as a UNESCO City of
Literature, Mál og Menning occupies a
special place in the hearts of Icelanders.
It has three levels with great curated
displays of the latest titles, and for visi-
tors, there’s an area dedicated to selling
recent and classic Icelandic literature in
English. “It has the most space and the
best selection,” said the panel. “It has a
good atmosphere—there’s no question
that it’s the best in town.” The cafe is a
haunt of local writers, and it hosts occa-
sional book launches and readings, too.
Runners Up
IÐA Zimsen
Vesturgata 2a
This peaceful spot is equal parts café
and bookstore, so you can get a coffee
and a snack while you leaf through your
purchases. “Everything in there is inter-
esting,” said the panel. “I love sitting there
and looking at the books and magazines. I
feel like I’m in a different country.”
Eymundsson
Skólavörðust. 11, Austurstræti 18
This Icelandic book store chain has
several branches with a great selection
of Icelandic writing and all the latest
international titles, often in both Ice-
landic and English. The cafes at the
Skólavörðustígur and Austurstræti loca-
tions also make for great people-watch-
ing spots.
Previous Winners
2016: Eymundsson Austurstræti
2015: Sjónarlind
2014: Nexus
2013: Eymundsson, Bankastræti
2012: Mál og Menning
Best barber
Stjúri
At Kormáks & Skjaldar, Laugavegur 59
A good barber knows that their custom-
ers like to have a nice experience as well
as a sharp haircut. Stjúri—a tucked-
away barber located in top men’s
clothing store Kormákur and Skjöldur—
knows this better than most. “He has a
loyal following,” said one regular on the
panel. “Be warned, you have to book
three or four months in advance. I’m
booked in there for the whole year now.
He just does everything so well. You
don’t just get the haircut, you can go
into the back and have a cup of coffee.”
Pick up a bow tie on the way out, now
that you’re looking fancy.
Runners Up
Rakarastofa Ragnars og Harðar
Vesturgata 48
This family business is run by a
father-and-son duo, giving the place a
welcoming family atmosphere. “A lot of
my friends go there,” said one panellist.
“They’ve got an old school look. Harðar
is the dad and Ragnar is the son. It’s
very cosy. I like the look of it.”
Rauðhetta & Úlfurinn
Skólavörðustígur 8
In a sense, Rauðhetta & Úlfurinn is a
Reykjavík classic. It’s been around for
over a decade, and the service is conge-
nial without being overbearing. People
are loyal to their favourite hairdresser,
meaning some of them have long wait-
ing lists, but pop in and try your luck.
Previous Winners
2016: Barber
2015: Barber
Best secondhand shop
Spúútnik
Laugavegur 28b and Kringlan
With our previous winner Kolaportið
increasingly turning into a market for
cheap imported goods, vintage paradise
Spúútnik moves into first place. This
well-curated clothing emporium is more
like a secondhand clothing boutique
than a charity shop. “It’s expensive,”
said the panel, “but it’s all imported
stuff you won’t find anywhere else.
They’re particular with the selection—
after sorting through maybe sixty shirts,
they’ll determine that just one is good
enough to go onto the shop floor.”
Runners Up
Red Cross
Laugavegur 12b & 116,
Skólavörðustígur 12
There are a handful of Red Cross
locations in Reykjavík, the most popular
of which is a small store on Laugavegur.
“When you go secondhand shopping
you want something cheap and unique,”
said the panel, “and the place to go for
that is the Red Cross.” There’s also a
second, larger store near Hlemmur.
Fatamarkaður
Laugavegur 118
Further up the street from Spúútnik sits
its sister store, Fatamarkaður. It’s simi-
lar in style but cheaper in price—while
the tip-top best items are to be found
in Spúútnik, if you’re on a tight budget
you’ll probably be able to find some-
thing close in style and quality here.
Previous Winners
2016: Kolaportið
2015: Hertex
2014: Spúútnik
2013: Spúútnik
2012: Fatamarkaður
Best record store
Lucky Records
Rauðarárstígur 10
Lucky Records is probably the biggest
record shop in Iceland, with shelves
upon shelves of new and used vinyl and
CDs on offer. They have a small stage
where local and visiting bands some-
times perform, and expert staff that
can always help you find what you’re
looking for. “They stock classics and
limited editions,” said the panel. “It’s
expensive, but it’s the only store with
a wide selection of obscure releases.”
The panel also complimented the pure
variety of their stock: “You can go in the
back room to continue the search. It’s
endless: dig, dig, dig!”
Runners Up
12 Tónar
Skólavörðustígur 15
This city-centre record store is some-
thing of an institution, offering the
unique experience of having the store
staff ask about your music taste then
sit you down with a coffee, some head-
phones, and a pile of Icelandic records. It’s
also a label that puts out many top Icelan-
dic artists. A must-visit Reykjavík store.
Smekkleysa Plötubúð
Laugavegur 35
Smekkleysa is a independent record
label that has put out a lot of classic
Icelandic music—the Sugarcubes are
still on the board—and their old-school,
bright green record shop also stocks
a carefully curated selection of new
international releases. You’ll always find
some rarities and surprises there.
Previous Winners
2016: Reykjavík Record Shop
2015: Reykjavík Record Shop
2014: Lucky Records
2013: Lucky Records