Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.07.2019, Qupperneq 26

BEST OF REYKJAVÍK
Best Indian
Winner:
Austur-Indíafjélagið
Hverfisgata 56
A tried and tested local favourite,
Austur-Indíafélagið has single-
handedly steered an entire gen-
eration to embrace spices and
curries. Their small curated
menu reflects regional Indian
cuisine and their no-nonsense
attitude toward “uncompro-
mising authenticity” brings a
freshness most on display with
dishes like the Adraki Chaamp—
bone-in lamb grilled to smoky
perfection, transporting one to
the streets of India. Instead of
ordering an entire curry, do like
the Indians do and dine-in fam-
ily style. The tandoori kulchas
are perfect to mop up both cur-
ries and kebabs. Finish the meal
off with some steamed rice and
garlic-laced dal that alone war-
rants repeat visits.
Runners up:
Shalimar
Austurstræti 4
Shalimar’s daily rotation of
weekday thalis still have our
hearts skipping a beat. A grilled-
to-perfection tandoori chicken,
alongside an assortment of vege-
tables and meat, naan and rice is
a meal fit for a queen, and all her
minions. Our panellist shares
that “what most don’t know, is
that their kheer—a slow cooked
rice-pudding-like dessert—is an
undiscovered gem.”
Hraðlestin
Lækjargata 8
This small local chain has a few
branches, but the mothership is
the Lækjargata location, where
you can sit in a calm environ-
ment and blast your face off with
a rich, decadent, tasty vindaloo
or a spot-on madras. Follow
them on Instagram for Tuesday
specials.
26The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 12— 2019Best of Reykjavík
Soak The
Blues Away
Seven countryside spas
Words: John Rogers
Photos: Art Bicnick, Timothée Lambrecq & John Rogers
You’ve probably heard about the
borderline-magical healing pow-
ers of Iceland’s swimming pools.
Unlike the heavily-chlorinated
urban puddles of many mainland
European countries and the US,
Icelandic pools run on a constant,
plentiful supply of geothermal wa-
ter, heated by the earth itself. And
while even the most humble mu-
nicipal pool in Iceland is worth a
relaxing half-hour visit, these are
some modern rural spas where you’ll
want to spend a whole afternoon.

Blue Lagoon
Grindavík
The original mothership of fancy
bathing spots, the Blue Lagoon
has handled the teeming crowds
who flock there all year round by
enlarging the swimming area
and limiting the amount of peo-
ple who can enter at any one time.
This has restored the health-spa
atmosphere that made it a firm
favourite in the first place. Sink
into the pearlescent white, sil-
ica-rich water—which has first
been used to produce clean en-
ergy by the neighbouring geo-
thermal power plant—and you’ll
feel like a new person, inside
and out. Be sure to book ahead.
Krauma
Borgarfjörður
A newcomer with a stark black
design, Krauma exploits the
most powerful hot spring in
all of Europe, Deildartunguh-
ver. There are several hot pots
of varying temperatures—all
offering great views over the
picturesque valley in which
the pool is situated—as well as
a searing steam room. Take a
robed-up selfie in the relaxation
lounge and watch your Insta-
comments explode with envy.
Sjávarsmiðjan
Reykhólar
One of the more humble setups
on the list, the Sjávarsmiðjan spa
is basically a handful of outdoor
hotpots in the lower-Westfjords
village of Reykhólar. What makes
it special, though, is the use of
seaweed. There’s a processing
plant just outside the village,
creating a nutritious seaweed
powder that’s used in all kinds
of cosmetics. At Sjávarsmið-
jan, they ladle it decadently
into the water to replenish your
skin and soul as you look out to-
wards Snæfellsnes to the south.
Mývatn Nature Baths
Lake Mývatn
The ‘Blue Lagoon of the North’
is a much quieter proposition
than its southerly counterpart.
Bask in the main pool, swim-
ming around to find the tem-
perature that suits you; pop into
the sauna to steam yourself, and
then cool off on the deck. It’s the
perfect end to a day spent explor-
ing the wonders of Lake Mývatn’s
shoreline, or as the final stop of
your Diamond Circle road trip.
GeoSea
Húsavík
On a grassy hilltop at the edge
of Húsavík you’ll find this state-
of-the-art bathing facility. A
relative newcomer to the scene,
GeoSea takes advantage of a
borehole that mixes salty seawa-
ter with a geothermal outpour,
enabling you bask in a natural-
ly-heated saline pool. The at-
tractively-designed pool has an
undulating edge and a stunning
view over the Skjálfandi Bay.
Bjórböðin
Árskógssandur
While the concept of bathing in
beer might sound like some kind
of Viking-themed fantasy, every-
one from the Grapevine who’s
visited Eyjafjörður’s Beer Spa has
come back singing its praises.
The young beer in the bath has
beneficial effects for the skin—
and there’s a pump to pour your-
self a fully-developed brew right
next to the tub, plus an outdoor
hot pot to relax in afterwards.
Vök Baths
Urriðavatn
This newcomer spa in East Ice-
land just opened, and we’ve been
drooling over the early photos of
the “floating pools”—that is, hot
pots that hover in waters of Lake
Urriðavatn. With a cold mist tun-
nel, a pool bar, and more, we’ll be
checking this one out as soon as
we can.
Myvatn, Nature Baths is a relatively peaceful spa in north Iceland