Reykjavík Grapevine - feb. 2020, Blaðsíða 20

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Reykjavik
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OPEN FROM
16:00 - 23:00
forrettabarinn.is
Downtown &
Harbour District
Dining
1. Fjallkonan
Hafnarstræti 1-3
N a m e d a f t e r t h e f e m a l e
personification of Iceland, Fjallkonan
is located smack-bang in the middle
of downtown, and caters to locals
and tourists alike. For the Icelandic-
cuisine-curious, there is a platter of
whale, lamb and puffin, all presented
beautifully. For those who are just
looking for a great selection of fresh
meat, fish and vegetarian options,
Fjallkonan does these to perfection
as well.
2. Block Burger
Skólavör!ustígur 8
Block Burger is an office favourite.
You can see their white paper to-
go bags stacked on writers’ desks.
Modelled heavily on the American
chain Shake Shack in presentation,
Block is reasonably priced (for
Reykjavík) and has quick service. It’s
a lunchtime spot worth checking out.
3. Matur og Drykkur
Grandagar!ur 2
In how many ways can we say, “eat
here”? Is it the whole cod head you
should get, or perhaps the double-
smoked dried lamb, or the creamy
halibut soup? Whatever you get, rest
assured it’ll have roots in Icelandic
culinary history, elevated to fine
dining standards. And do not leave
without trying the fried-to-order
kleinur.
4. Sandholt
Laugavegur 36
Well-known for its sourdough bread,
Sandholt has consistently delivered
great baked goods s ince its
inception. The laminated pastries are
hands down the best in Iceland; try
the buttery croissants or seasonal
Danish pastries, locally known as
“vinarbrau! ” with rhubarb and
raspberries, or the classic, vanilla
custard.
5. Le Kock 2.0
Tryggvagata 14
In the ground floor of a new hotel,
it ’s a large space with three
components: the Le Kock diner
serving burgers, fish and chips, and
comfort food favourites; a cocktail
bar called Tail; and a second branch
of Deig, Le Kock’s sister bakery. The
music policy can be shaky—unless
you like Status Quo—but the all-day
happy hour has 1,500 ISK cocktails
and 800 ISK beers.
6. Ramen Momo
Tryggvagata 16
Iceland’s first Ramen bar has upped
their broth game with a silky slick
Tonkotsu. They have a choice of
noodles and broths catering to food
intolerances and fads, and a popular
‘Ramen of the Month’. We suggest
getting the Ramen Tonkotsu with
their perfectly cooked soy cured
eggs.
7. Public House Gastropub
Laugavegur 28
What happens when Icelandic
ingredients are tended to with
Japanese f la ir ? Publ ic House
Gastropub only gives out-of-the-
ordinary, satisfying answers. The
duck thigh in a pancake served with
ginger sauce and the crispy shrimp
dumplings with sriracha mayo are to
die for. Come early and enjoy happy
hour while you can: you’ll never want
to leave.
8. Messinn
Lækjargata 6b
Messinn may be modelled on the
well-known Westfjords restaurant
Tjoruhusi!, but it’s now no doubt a
Reykjavík restaurant of choice. What
keeps us coming back is how the
food keeps getting better every time
we dine there. Our favourites include
their savoury plokkfiskur, velvety
graflax, and a perfectly seared trout
with honey and almonds.
9. Sea Baron
Geirsgata 4a
Some say the langoustine soup
recipe has changed a little since
the eponymous “Sea Baron” himself
passed away, but this harbourside
diner is as popular as ever anyway.
Get a warming cup of soup, and a
melt-in-the-mouth fresh fish kebab,
still smoky from the coals.
10. Pylsuhúsi!
Ingólfstorg
One of the many post-jam options
in town for those looking to put a
tasty end to a fun night out, the Hot
Dog House is a solid place for a quick
snack. If you feel too inebriated by
life to experiment, a classic one “with
everything” will do the trick.
Drinking
11. Curious
Hafnarstræti 4
Watch out, henny—there’s a new
queer bar on the scene, and it’s
decked out in tropical apparel.
Serving up cocktails, coffee and—
starting in August—a vegan café,
Curious is a one-stop-shop for
whatever scene you belong to. Werk.
12. Bravó
Laugavegur 22
Oh, bravo, Bravó, for having the best
happy hour in this fair city. With its
colourful fairy lights and a plethora
of comfortable pillows, Bravó feels
like a children’s bedroom tent for
adults. If you get lucky and grab a
table, or even just a single seat, then
it’s the happiest place on earth.
13. Loft Hostel
Bankastræti 7a
L of t stands many heads and
shoulders above most of the al
fresco drinking spots in Reykjavík,
not least because it’s on the roof of
the Loft Hostel and has a balcony
that looks over downtown. Before the
evening-time entertainment begins,
it’s the perfect place to catch some
late-afternoon sun.
14. Kaffibarinn
Bergsta!astræti 1
With a saloon-like atmosphere in
the daytime, when dogs and kids
run around amongst the diehard
local crowd and groups of confused
tourists, Kaffibarinn turns into an all-
out party during the small hours of
the weekend. Whether you’re holiday
day-drinking or getting messy, it
never fails to amuse.
15. Gaukurinn
Tryggvagata 22
If you prefer your music grungy, raw
and weird, then Gaukurinn is your
place. With dim lights, leather sofas
and a gender neutral bathroom, it’s
become the perfect hangout for
the unorthodox Reykjavíkingar, so if
you’re looking for like-minded peeps
to drink with, here you go.
16. Session Bar
Fógetagar!ur
Session Bar is a minimalist craft-
beer-focused drinking den housed
in a former hair salon in the heart of
downtown. There are sixteen beers on
tap, both Icelandic and international,
and they have a focus on keeping
the prices affordable, in contrast to
Reykjavík’s generally pricey craft bar.
17. Papaku Reykjavík
Klappastígur 38
Formerly Bar Ananas, Papaku Reykjavík
is Reykjavík’s only beach bar, and it
is truly a breath of fresh air for the
otherwise dreary downtown scene.
No sir, this is no dive bar, but a club,
with a pool table, piano, darts board,
a spacious bar, a tiny dance floor, and
a solid line of DJs that all aim to make
you bust a move.
18. American Bar
Austurstræti 8
Football fans will rejoice in seeing the
row of screens perennially tuned on
sports channel above the bar, while
troubadours aficionados will find in
American Bar a great spot to listen
to classic country music. Grab a rib
from the adjacent Dirty Burgers &
Ribs and be happy.
Shopping
19. Kvart"ra #49
Laugavegur 49
This minimalistic, Bauhaus-esque
spot took the Icelandic fashion
The Map
DISCOUNT SUPERMARKET
HALLVEIGARSTIGUR 1
OPEN EVERYDAY 10-22
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