Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2017, Side 50

The R
eykjavík G
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Best people-watching spot
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
Melhagi 20
This neighbourhood café is situated in Vesturbær, a neighbouring district of Reyk-
javík, located over the Tjörnin pond. “It a place to see and be seen,” said the panel.
“You’ll see politicians, poets and pop stars—it’s like a who’s who of Reykjavík.” But
be careful if you feel like you faintly recognise someone who’s sitting having a vegan
burger and drinking fancy tea: “You might realise after you’ve said hello that you
only know them from TV.”
Runners Up
Austurvöllur
Austurvöllur
The scene of the now-famous Panama
Papers protests, Austurvöllur is the
Reykjavík parliament square. Whether
you decide to perch on a bench, sit
outside at one of the many café-bars
lining the square, or have a picnic, you’ll
see pretty much all of Icelandic society
passing by.
Kringlan
Kringlan 4–12
A shopping mall might be the last place
you want to visit in Reykjavík, but it
made the list with good reason. “Real
Icelanders go to Kringlan,” said the
panel. “It’s more representative of life in
this country than a 101 bar. These are
the people who don’t go downtown.”
Previous winners
2016: Grandi
2015: Austurvöllur
2014: Second Floor Window Seats,
Eymundsson on Austurstræti
2013: Booths at Hressó
Best hike
Reykjadalur
Reykjadalur
Reykjadalur (“smoky valley,” in English)
is a valley near the town of Hveragerði,
a roughly forty-minute drive south of
Reykjavík. It’s a hike with a reward at the
end: after going up past some bubbling
geothermal clay pots and crossing a
mountain path with a stunning view,
you’ll end up at a naturally warm river
where it’s possible to bathe. There are
ever more tour companies offering
guided walks to Reykjadalur, or you can
strap on your hiking boots and head
there in a rental car, or on the bus.
Runners Up
Úlfarsfell
This small mountain is in Mosfells-
bær, at the very edge of the Greater
Reykjavík area. It has a couple of paths
of varying difficulty, and a view over the
city at the summit. “It’s a little piney,”
said the panel, “and you can even take
the bus there.”
Mount Esja
This is a classic hike up the distinctive
mountain that towers over the Faxaflói
bay across from Reykjavík. You can
get to the start of the track by taking
the bus, which makes this hike super
convenient. You can either hike up to
the base camp level, or continue all the
way up the rough path to the top.
Previous winner
2016: Móskarðshnjúkar
Best place to see a movie
Bíó Paradís
Hverfisgata 54
The only independent cinema in down-
town Reykjavík, Bíó Paradís won this
category hands down. “There’s simply
nothing else like it in Reykjavík,” said the
panel. “They have the good indie shit.
They import beyond Hollywood.” It’s
also the best place to catch up on the
last few years of Icelandic films, which
are shown daily with English subtitles.
Bíó Paradís also hosts various film festi-
vals, and mount “Black Sundays” during
the winter—a curated series of cult
movies, classic horror, sci-fi, b-movies
and film noir. This place will forever
hold a special place in the hearts of
discerning Icelandic cinephiles.
Runners Up
Álfabakki VIP
Álfabakki 8
If you want to see a blockbuster, this is
the place to go. “They have the lazy boy
recliners, all the popcorn you can eat
and the soda you drink, and reserved
seating that’s very close to the screen,”
said the panel. “Rich people build home
theatres for this film experience.”
Háskólabíó
Hagatorg
If you’re on foot and want to see a
popcorn movie, the best option is
Hásólabíó. Located on the University
of Iceland campus but open to all, it’s
walkable from downtown, and screens
both blockbusters and Icelandic films.
Not all screenings have subtitles, so it’s
best to check.
Previous winners
2016: Bíó Paradís
2015: VIP Theater
2014: Bíó Paradís
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2017
Activities
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