Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2018, Page 18

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2018
18 BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2018
Dining
Stuff your face, daintily
Best Lunch Place
Snaps
Þórsgata 1
Oh, Snaps, our most beloved bistro! If the experience of their rising
dinner prices and peak-hour waiting times stills stings, it’s time to
heal that wound by dropping in for lunch instead. There’s a faultless
fish of the day, prompt service, and a little bit of daytime quiet to your-
self. Psst: if with a co-worker, split the crème brulée, and we promise
your day will be brighter from that moment on.
Runners Up
Grillmarket
Lækjargata 2a
Even though they don’t advertise it,
Grillmarket offers an excellent value
lunch. The burger is popular, but we
recommend the salted cod. “It’s not too
salty, and perfectly cooked every time,”
said the panel. And at 2,990 ISK instead
of the 5,990 ISK price at dinner, it’s a
lunchtime steal.
Ostabúðin
Skólavörðustígur 8
No longer a ‘secret lunch spot’ spot,
Ostabúðin is great nonetheless. Their
fish of the day is 1,990 ISK at lunchtime,
and you can get a half portion of the
soup if you’re hangry. The seafood soup
has generous chunks of white fish,
cooked just right by the warmth of the
soup itself.
Previous Winners
2017: Snaps
2015-6: Ostabúðin
2014: Bergsson Mathús
Best Late-Night Bite
Mandi
Veltusund 3b
“It should make your hands dirty. You
should need five napkins at least,” said
the panel. And that’s what you’ll get at
Mandi. Their quesadilla-like arais maria
is thin flatbread stuffed with ground
lamb and spices, grilled and served like
a Syrian calzone, only better. The guys
behind the counter are forever smiling,
the food is cheap, the crowd is bustling
and tipsy after 4am, and it hits all the
bases for being a sweet post-party
snack spot like no other.
Runners Up
Devitos
Laugavegur 126
If you were born in the 80s, then
chances are you’ve spent at least
two decades worth of late-night
pizza bingeing at Devitos. Available by
the slice or as whole pies, it’s on the
weekend that Devitos really steps up
its customer care game. Their greasy
slices are done just right.
Dirty Burger and Ribs
Austurstræti 18
“Nothing beats eating juicy, sticky
ribs after a night of drinking,” said our
increasingly peckish panel. The ribs at
Dirty Burger and Ribs are salty, sweet,
and fall-off-the-bone tender. If that
doesn’t convince you, we don’t know
what will.
Previous Winners
2017: Ali Baba
2016: Fish and Chips
2015: Dirty Burger & Ribs
2014: Nonnabiti
Best Place To Go With A
Group Of Friends
Tapas barinn
Vesturgata 3b
Tapas barinn may not be faithful to the
Spanish definition of a tapas bar, but
what they do capture well—and bois-
terously at that—is the atmosphere
and liveliness of tapas. It’s long been a
local tradition to host reunions, bach-
elor parties and noisy get-togethers at
Tapas barinn. The food is served for the
whole table, and the selection is huge,
spanning local langoustine, puffin and
lamb, as well as more global fare. And
it’s all delicious.
Runners Up
Marshall House Bar + Restaurant
Grandagarður 20
Newcomer: It may not be the first place
one thinks of—101-dwelling Icelanders
find anything outside of their 100m ra-
dius far away—but The Marshall House
is a seriously underrated place to start
or end the night. With great cocktails,
finger-licking food and a beautiful har-
bourside location, it’s a classy affair.
Sushi Social
Þingholtsstræti 5
With colourful cocktails, festive music,
and service that’s eager to please, Sushi
Social takes the ‘social’ part seriously.
The drinks keep coming, the food isn’t
too heavy, and the peppy carnival vibe
and downtown location make it perfect
to start the night before heading out to
djamma like a true Reykvíkingar.
Previous Winners
2015-7: Tapas barinn
2013-14: KEX