Reykjavík Grapevine - aug 2019, Qupperneq 19

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Best Place For A Group
Apotek
Austurstræti 16a
Housed in a stunning downtown space,
Apotek, meaning “pharmacy” in English,
was once an actual drug store. A wall
plaque with the names of its long gone
patrons remains. New patrons, however,
are likely to drop by for their regular
dose of cocktails, finger foods, small
plates, cakes... and eye candy. Who
doesn’t love a “hottie bartender”? The
service is amicable and the staff usually
go out of their way to ensure everyone
is having a good time in this lovely,
spacious dining room.
Runners Up
Tapas Barinn
Vesturgata 3b
It’s a non-traditional take on tapas, but
the atmosphere is on point. With food
served for the whole table, the selec-
tion is huge, with langoustine, puffin,
lamb, and more global fare. If you’re
looking for a place where the food and
drinks keep coming and the service
never falters, you’ve found it.
Newcomer
Eiriksson Brasserie
Laugavegur 77
After the shock closure of Skelfisk-
markaðurinn, another large, glitzy
restaurant opened just around the
corner. Eiriksson is a high-end restau-
rant with truffle-themed menu, perfect
service, and big tables for groups. Book
in advance, it's having a honeymoon
moment of popularity.
Previous Winners
2019: Skelfiskmarkaðurinn RIP
2015-8: Tapas barinn
2014: KEX
Best Gastropub
Public House
Laugavegur 24
The gastropub trend may be fatigued
in the UK, but in Iceland we are only
getting started, it seems. One of the
first gastropubs is still one of the most
popular. The menu is about as large as
they come for the category but they
manage to strike a balance between
scrumptious shared plates, solid beer
selection, and cozy nooks to spark a
romance or catch up with a friend.
Runners Up
Brewdog
Frakkastígur 8
A pair of newcomers changed the
gastropub game in 2018. The first is
Brewdog, whose menu transcends bar
food. Using Icelandic ingredients with
touches from the Brewdog chain, you
can get a range of delicious burgers,
seafood, sides and a mouth-watering
battered Mars bar for dessert. Guilty
pleasure heaven.
Bastard Brew & Food
Vegamótastígur
Just around the corner, the homegrown
Bastard Brew & Food brew pub is giving
Brewdog a run for its money. You can
grab a medley of burgers, sharing
plates and comfort food from around
the globe. As one of our panellists
slurred: “I’ve somehow never been
there without hitting a happy hour.”
Previous Winners
2018: Skál
Best Late Night Bite
Mandi
Veltusund 3b
Mandi can’t possibly be a controver-
sial choice. A Syrian kebab spot that’s
universally loved in Reykjavík, check
out the crispy falafel, lamb wraps and
fries covered with a mystery white
sauce. Newly renovated with increased
seating, and reliably open into the early
hours, you won’t find a better place to
pass out face-first into a plate of lamb
shawarma at five in the morning, or
stumble home with that hangover-bat-
tling late night bite.
Runners Up
Nonnabiti
Hafnarstræti 9
“This is the guiltiest of guilty comfort
food,” declared one aging and expand-
ing panellist. Their sandwiches are piled
with shredded meat with onions and
dripping with sauce and meat juices.
This will make you forget about striking
out on the dancefloor faster than you
can say “HvarertuSiggi!?”
Devitos
Laugavegur 126
Anyway you slice it, Devitos will set your
late night belly rumbles right. If you
were born in the 80s, then chances
are you’ve binged on a late-night bite
at Devitos. Available by the slice or
as whole pies, if you’re in town on a
weekend, Devitos will be your last stop
before Neverland.
Previous Winners
2017-8: Mandi
2016: Ali Baba
Best Newcomer
Eiriksson Brasserie
Laugavegur 77
This fancy dining room occupies the
space of an old bank, and still has a
certain moneyed feel. However, the
prices aren't at all bad, especially if
you pop in for an after work cocktail on
happy hour. The menu runs the gamut
of firm favourites, from seafood pasta
to potato pizza, lamb dishes and fries
with bearnaise—but everything is done
to perfection, served quickly, and more
often than not comes with a truffle
flavour. We approve—so much so that
we're slowly returning to try the whole
menu.
Runners Up
Hipstur
Mathöll Höfða, Bíldshöfði
A new food hall opened recently—Reyk-
javík's third in as many years. There are
lots of things to try, but Hipstur takes
the cake by offering Swedish-style
brioche buns filled to bursting with
shrimps, delicious soups and fresh,
tasty sandwiches that feel very fancy.
Worth the trek.
Hi Noodle
Frakkastígur 9
Reykjavikingur are sadly starved of
many Asian cuisines (please, someone
open a Korean place!) compared to
more cosmopolitan European capitals.
So we welcomed Hi Noodle with open
mouths. Their ramen is lovingly pre-
pared, and their juicy dumplings are a
filling side portion. Go say "HI!" to Chen.
Previous Winners
2019: Skelfiskmarkaðurinn (RIP)
2018: Nostra
2017: Hlemmur Mathöll / Mat Bar