Reykjavík Grapevine - 08.12.2017, Page 67

Issue 04 Winter 2017 Your free copy
Page 07
D I N N E R
HVERFISGATA 12
SNAPS
AUSTUR INDIAFJELAGI
MATUR OG DRYKKUR
HVERFISGÖTU 12, 101 REYKJAVÍK
ÞÓRSGATA 1, 101 REYKJAVÍK
HVERFISGATA 56, 101 REYKJAVÍK
GRANDAGARDUR 2, 101 REYKJAVÍK
An eclectic mix of American rustic, old carnival and muse-
um, this restaurant and bar has numerous rooms, but still
manages to feel private and personal. This comfy bar and
restaurant is all about gourmet pizzas, starters, side courses,
cocktails and draught beers. The pizza toppings are fresh,
out of the ordinary, and complement the dramatic
interior.
Snaps is highly popular amongst the locals and a great stop
whether you fancy fantastic brunch, lunch or a drink. Their
French-inspired cuisine is top notch and so is their quality
wine selection.
Austur Indíafjelagið has been serving the best authentic
Indian dishes in Reykjavík for over twenty years now.
They’ve recently refurbished their interior and it’s one of
the warmest and most welcoming of all restaurants in
Reykjavík. Their lamb main course is a must-have.
Matur og drykkur is a new restaurant that stands strong
within old Icelandic traditions, using classic ingredients
such as dung-smoked lamb, flatbread and salted cod which
they give their own twist.
SÆMUNDUR Í
SPARIFÖTUNUM
SKÚLAGÖTU 28, 101 REYKJAVÍK
Sæmundur í sparifötunum is the gastropub at Kex Hostel,
housed in an old biscuit factory and furnished with salvaged
materials. Sæmundur is particularly popular with the artis-
tic side of Reykjavík and is best known for its lively music
scene, where celebrated and up-and-coming musicians meet
for concerts and jam sessions. It is swanky with an exciting,
ever-changing menu as the chef likes to express his creative
flair while focusing on wholesome, local ingredients.
D R I N K S
MIKKELLER & FRIENDS
HVERFISGATA 12 (2ND FLOOR), 101 REYKJAVÍK
Mikkeller & Friends Reykjavík is placed at Hverfisgata 12
in one of the oldest houses of the 101 area and was opened
by Denmark’s microbreweries Mikkeller and To Øl and
the people behind Kex Hostel in 2015. Mikkeller & Friends
Reykjavík offer twenty different beers on tap from Mikkeller,
To Øl and other likeminded breweries, plus a wide selection
of organic wines and spirits.
ÖLSTOFA KORMÁKS
OG SKJALDAR
VEGAMÓTASTÍGUR 4, 101 REYKJAVÍK
Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar or simply Ölstofan is one of
the finest neighborhood pubs in central Reykjavík and a
landmark within the bar scene. It was opened in 2002 by
longtime friends and connoisseurs Kormákur and Skjöldur
of the gentlemen’s clothing store. The crowd is mixed and
always interesting and the beer selection is wide and solid.
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KAFFIBARINN
SLIPPBARINN
KOL
BERGSTADASTRÆTI 1, 101 REYKJAVÍK
MYRARGATA 2, 101 REYKJAVÍK
SKÓLAVÖRÐUSTÍGUR 40, 101 REYKJAVÍK
The free-spirited and sometimes quirky Kaffibarinn has been
a staple for the hip and artistic gals and guys ever since it
opened in the early 1990s. During the daytime this place
offers a cozy and relaxed atmosphere and during weekends
it turns into a jam-packed dance bar that’s tailor-made for
intrepid nightlife enthusiasts. Please note that there is a very
strong policy against taking photographs inside Kaffibarinn,
respect that or else!!!
Slippbarinn is possibly the most popular cocktail bar in 101
Reykjavík. They put tons of effort into making their cocktails
as good as they come and it’s a nice stop if you’re planning
to walk further along the old windy harbor, as they possibly
make the best Bloody Mary in all of Iceland.
One of Reykjavík’s finest cocktail bars is also a highly rated
restaurant that’s situated a few steps away from the most
popular viewpoint in Reykjavík, Hallgrímskirkja.
38 THE EINAR JÓNSSONART MUSEUM
EIRÍKSGATA, 101 REYKJAVÍK
Iceland’s first art museum was designed and built by the artist
Einar Jónsson back in 1923. The building was constructed on
the highest point in Reykjavík and it’s truly remarkable.
His sculptures are also remarkable, and can be admired inside
the museum and also outside in the garden, which is possibly
one of the best hidden hangout places in the city.
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MENGI
GALLERY i8
KLING OG BANG
ÓÐINSGATA 2, 105 REYKJAVÍK
TRYGGVAGATA 16, 101 REYKJAVÍK
GRANDAGARÐUR 20, 101 REYKJAVÍK
Mengi is an art gallery, concert venue and a record label
managed and created by artists and musicians. Mengi hosts
miscellaneous art events, releases music by some of the
nation’s most ambitious musicians, operates an art store
and hosts art exhibitions on a regular basis.
Gallery i8 is by far one of the best stops for contemporary
art enthusiasts.The gallery has hosted exhibitions by
internationally acclaimed Icelandic artists such as Ólafur
Elíasson, Ragnar Kjartansson, Elín Hansdóttir, and Sigurður
Guðmundsson, along with dozens of international ones.
Kling og Bang is a gallery that was established by a col-
lective of artists in 2003 with the sole goal of introducing
emerging and established, national and international artists
and their works. This collective has managed to maintain
their goal to this day.
THE SAGA MUSEUM
GRANDAGARÐUR 2, 101 REYKJAVÍK
The Saga Museum is immaculately genuine and its wood
artifacts have been treated with a method that makes them
look ancient. The lifelike replicas of Iceland’s historical
figures are very much precise and visitors sometimes have
permission to try on costumes and such. A tourist trap worth
checking out.
A R T S & S U C H
THE MARSHALL HOUSE
GRANDAGARÐUR 20, 101 REYKJAVIK
A new and exciting centre for contemporary art in Reykjavik,
also featuring the work of renowned artist Olafur Eliasson,
who has a studio on the top floor. The Marshall restaurant
is fantastic and offers Italian fare in an elegant setting for
brunch, lunch and dinner.
M U S I C
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LUCKY RECORDS
12 TÓNAR
REYKJAVÍK RECORD SHOP
SMEKKLEYSA
SANGITAMIYA
RAUÐARÁRSTÍGUR 10, 105 REYKJAVÍK
SKÓLAVÖRDUSTÍGUR 15, 101 REYKJAVÍK
KLAPPARSTÍGUR 35, 101 REYKJAVÍK
LAUGAVEGUR 35, 101 REYKJAVÍK
GRETTISGATA 7, 101 REYKJAVÍK
Iceland’s biggest record store is even huge compared to many
international record stores. Today you’ll find over 40,000
items on vinyl, CD and DVD. Lucky Records was started back
in 2005 by a vinyl enthusiast and disc jockey known as King
Lucky. This store offers a great atmosphere, organic
coffee and a collection of jazz, soul, funk and afrobeat that’s
very hard to beat.
The prestigious little record shop and record label 12 Tónar
has more than once or twice been picked as one of the
world’s best record shops. It’s not huge but the selection is
precisely picked by their highly knowledgeable staff who
have been working in the music scene for decades. The label
has released great artists such as Mugison, Singapore Sling,
Rökkurró, Ólöf Arnalds, Low Roar, Samaris and many more.
Reykjavík’s newest record shop opened in 2014 and it’s
already become one of the city’s finest places to find second-
hand Icelandic rarities on vinyl. Reykjavík Record Shop also
boasts a fine collection of imports of all genres.
One of Iceland’s first pop sensations, The Sugarcubes, started
their record label Smekkleysa (Bad Taste Ltd.) back in 1986.
The label has released albums by Björk, Sigur Rós, múm,
GusGus, Amiina, Ólöf Arnalds and many more nationally.
Smekkleysa’s record shop opened in 2004 and it is one of
Reykjavík’s finest places for finds in the indie, rock and
world music domain on vinyl, CD and DVD.
“World music” has increased in popularity over the last few
years in Iceland and its influence can be heard in many of
Iceland’s finest bands. Sangitamiya – The Nectar Music – is
a musical instrument store that was established in reaction
to the increasing interest in different musical traditions
from around the globe.