Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.08.2018, Side 16

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Iceland 2018
16 BEST OF ICELAND 2018
South
Greenhouses and local ingredients
Best Meal
Slippurinn
Strandvegur 76, Vestmannaeyjar
This Westman Islands restaurant swept this category with every
panellist giving it top honours. With locally sourced ingredients, in-
credible presentation and a very cosy setting, Slippurinn is possi-
bly the best iteration of New Nordic fine dining and one of the best
restaurants in Iceland. Head chef Gísli Matthías Auðunsson’s menu
incorporates wild seasonal herbs and berries from the beaches
of the islands, with local fish, seabird eggs and meat, prepared in
creative and surprising ways. “You can taste the landscape,” said
one panellist. “I literally cried because the food was so good.” This
place deserves a Michelin star. Map square: H5
Runner Up
Tryggvaskáli,
Tryggvatorg, Selfoss
Many country hotels are relatively plain,
but Rangá boasts a 4-star rating. “They
have grand rooms,” said the panel, “and
they were about fifteen years ahead of
their time.” As with all fancy hotels, it’s
pricey, but the beautiful surroundings,
fancy restaurant, affordable bistro
menu and next-level service are worth
it. F2
Budget Option
Friðheimar,
Reykholt
Iceland has a massive amount of
greenhouses and here, one gets to sit
amongst the tomato plants and bees
with a fabulous meal. “I wanted to pick
tomatoes off the plant while I ate,” said
one panellist. Famous for their succu-
lent soup and bread buffet, the small
but superb menu also includes pasta
dishes and killer cocktails. H2
Best Accommodation
ION Adventure
Hotel
Nesjavellir
Jutting out from a cliff overlooking Lake
Þingvallavatn, this multiple award-win-
ning design hotel is a true gem. Pow-
ered by the neighbouring geothermal
plant with the cleanest mineral water
possible, it’s fully sustainable and
cleanly luxurious. “It has the most com-
fortable beds I've ever slept in. I'm still
dreaming about it,” said one panellist.
“Everything is so fancy.” F1
Budget Option
Héraðsskólinn Boutique Hostel,
Laugarbraut, Laugarvatn
Located in the former village school-
house of Laugarvatn, this affordable
and friendly hostel is a completely
charming building with history oozing
out of the walls. There's a cosy café,
nooks to hide in, and accommodation
to suit anyone's needs, from dorm
bunks to cheap rooms, to fancy
lakeside apartments. It’s steps away
from the Fontana nature baths, and
surrounded by stunning sights. G1
Newcomer
Midgard Base Camp,
Hvolsvöllur
Run by an amazing family of local
expert guides, the atmosphere of this
place is top notch. A former mechanic
warehouse, this simple, clean and
friendly hostel aims to be a home-away-
from-home for its guests. “Ending a day
of adventuring with a dip in the rooftop
hot tub that looks out to Eyjafjallajökull
will always be memorable,” said one
panellist. H4
Best Shop
Geysir Complex
Haukadalur
A wonderful place to stop when on the
Golden Circle route, this classy country
mini-mall is a fun little maze of com-
merce set in a wooden lodge — from
the super fashionable and high-end
Geysir, to 66 North, Fjallraven and a clas-
sic souvenir store with every Icelandic
trinket you could need. Top it off with
a nice meal in the Glíma restaurant, a
light healthy bite at Súpa or more fast-
food fare at the Kantina. Perfect for the
shopping addicted traveller. H1
Runners-Up
UNA Local Products
Austurvegi 4, Hvolsvöllur
Not just another souvenir shop, this
quaint little store set in an eye-catch-
ing old hut has a pretty lovely selection
of some of Iceland’s finest handmade
products. With an emphasis on selling
genuinely local, sustainable and equi-
table items, the shop places a great
deal of importance on the integrity of
tradition. You can feel good about what
you buy here. H4
Wool Gallery
Vík í Mýrdal Víkurbraut 21, Vík
Using the old textile tradition of felting,
this shop makes and sells quirky and
eye-catching warm accessories made
out of Icelandic sheep’s wool as well as
Merino, Alpaca, silk and even incorpo-
rating lava stones into the works. The
offbeat and colourful designs evoke
Icelandic nature like mossy lava fields
and bright northern lights. K5
Skólavörðustígur 19
tel (+354) 552 1890
Borgartún 31
tel (+354) 552 1980
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