Reykjavík Grapevine - júl. 2020, Blaðsíða 20

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2020
20
DINING
Bar Of The
Future
Ice+Fries brings the robotic restaurant revolu-
tion to Reykjavík
Words: Sam O’Donnell Photo: Art Bicnick
With robot bartenders, a menu of
Icelandic fusion street food using
french fries as a base, iPads and
sound domes that allow guests
to select their preferred curated
playlist, Ice+Fries is a place that
focuses on a personal experience.
CEO and founder of the com-
pany, Priyesh Patel fell in love
with Iceland when he visited on
holiday eight years ago. As an en-
trepreneur, he decided to start
a business as a reason to keep
coming back. Thus, Ice+Fries was
born.
Nobody said it
would be easy
Priyesh and his partners were al-
ready running on a tight schedule
when the COVID-19 pandemic be-
gan. Yet, despite everything, they
managed to launch on schedule.
“That should tell you everything
about us,” Priyesh says with a
smile. “We are not scared of any-
thing.”
A menu that
breaks barriers
The whole place could best be de-
scribed as a love song to Iceland.
The glacial patterns on the walls,
the ambient music flowing in
from each dome, the video pro-
jections featuring volcanoes, ice-
bergs, puffins in flight and Aurora
Borealis, and the affordable food
is all inspired by the land of ice
and fire. The base of their menu
is french fries, which are covered
in iconically Icelandic ingredients
like lamb, smoked puffin, rein-
deer and whale. They also have
fries covered in plant-based sau-
sage, arctic fish, and many more
delectable ingredients.
Ice+Fries is a company that is
not afraid of trying new things…
including eating bugs. “We have
an amazing dish [in development]
called the Brave Norse Potato, and
it’s made of insects,” Priyesh says,
smiling. “It’s creepy to look at, but
when you get past the fear, and
you taste it, it’s like fried onions.
It’s amazing.” At the time of this
writing, Iceland does not per-
mit insects to be served as food,
but Priyesh believes things will
change soon.
The bar’s aforementioned
robot bartenders—named Tipsy
Floki and Ragnar—are capable
of producing over 150 drinks per
hour, and when they aren’t mak-
ing drinks, they are entertaining
guests with their dancing.
Ice+Fries is the first bar in Ice-
land with robotic bartenders, and
Priyesh believes that has played
into their success. “We’re first to
market, and we’ve also been a bit
lucky in this situation,” he says.
“And that is a great cocktail, hope-
fully, for success.”
Laugarnesvegur 74a, 105 Reykjavik
+354 537 6556
Please follow us on
Facebook: kaffi.laekur
Instagram: kaffi.laekur
Tripadvisor & Google: Kaffi Lækur
Family-run speciality coffee house/bar
and a homey eatery
Healthy drinks and food
Vegan-friendly
Homemade with local ingredients
We run an art gallery and host cultural
events
Located next to Laugardalslaug pool
SOAR OVER ICELAND IN REYKJAVÍK
Experience Iceland’s natural wonders as you hang
suspended before a 20-metre spherical screen, feeling
the wind in your hair and the mist on your skin. Find
this spectacular all-ages, all-weather ride right in the
heart of Reykjavík.
Book your seat at
FlyOverIceland.com