Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Qupperneq 8

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
8
They say that adversity breeds creativity; that adage has certainly held
true for Reykjavík restaurants. When we first started to put together
the Best of Reykjavík issue it was slim pickings, but over the years, de-
cision making has increasingly become a less-straightforward affair.
This has really been one of our most challenging dining editions to put
together, as we were spoilt for choice both in terms of quality as well
as consistency. Restaurants old and new have a post-pandemic energy
about them, and we’re delighted to once again grace their tables. We’ve
chomped, chewed and gulped our way around this fine city, all in the
name of bringing the very best that Reykjavík has to offer you, dear
gourmands.
Best Burger
Le Kock
Tryggvagata 14
They are back, and how! The craft burger OG might have slipped off their throne
last year but looks like they took the feedback to heart ‘cause these burgers have
never been better. So much so that, one of the panel quipped, “I eat here so often,
my friends think I practically live here.” And with good reason—no one toasts potato
buns to crisp perfection like they do, or cooks patties to such medium rare good-
ness. Everything is made from scratch, including the condiments! This is gourmet
fast food, with all of the fine dining attention to detail and none of the sacrifice on
fun and flavour. Our current favourite? The Trump Tower.
Runners-Up
Yuzu
Multiple locations
Yuzu continues to enjoy popularity,
going by the fast and furious expansion
spree they’ve been on lately. Consis-
tency, the dreaded Achilles heel of
Icelandic restaurants, hasn’t spared
them however. But for the most part,
the burgers continue to be a tasty
alternative to the simple standard fare
with the coriander-sprig, hot sauce
and yuzu-mayo combo in the Chilli
Cheeseburger still going strong. “It is
an excellent grease-fix,” confessed one
of our panellists.
Newcomer
2Guys
Laugavegur 105
With their title being a riff on the 5 Guys
chain, 2Guys was a burger we were
ready to ignore, truth be told. But these
are textbook one-handed smashed
burgers perfect for a night out with
friends. The laid back, nostalgic burg-
ers are served with a touch of humour
and a load of charm. Don’t believe us?
Try the 2 Pac with its sneaky bits of can-
died jalapeno and crushed Doritos.
Previous Winners
2021: Yuzu
2020: Le Kock / Búllan
2019: Le Kock
Best Vegan Burger
Yuzu
Multiple locations
Yuzu’s vegan-vegetarian burgers are
miles above their meaty counterparts.
There, we said it! The vegan burger is
a portobello mushroom, whole, in lieu
of a patty, while the vegetarian Beyond
Meat burger basks in the warm glow
of sesame oil-muskiness and citrusy
coriander. Perfect for newly minted
vegetarians and meat lovers alike, it’s
a nice departure from the standard
burger, but still faithful to its roots.
Runner-Up
Le Kock
Tryggvagata 14
“I’m not even vegan, but this is the
one vegan burger I always get,” quips
our panellist. If that isn’t high praise,
we don’t know what is. Unlike the
ubiquitous supermarket shelf patty, Le
Kock leans into the smashed burger
trend with their crispy, lace-edged
smoked barley and bean number. That
smokiness lends a deeply satisfying
note, and the savoury pineapple-ginger
BBQ sauce compliments it perfectly.
Fond Farewell
Bio Borgari
Vesturgata 12
For years the brothers behind Bio Borgari
have walked the talk of earth-friendly
good food—so much so that they even
have their own farm supplying the cosy
restaurant with seasonal, fresh produce.
Their pulse and bean patties are a cut
above the rest, and their comittment to
excellence is visable in the care that they
put into every element of their burgers,
from handmade condiments to IG-worthy
construction. We were devestated to
hear they are closing their shop, but
rest easy in the knowledge that they’re
planning other ventures soon.
Previous Winners
2021: Veganæs
2020: BioBorgari
2019: Junkyard
Best Pizza
Flatey
Multiple locations
Educating a country beyond their diet
of pizza-chain pies is no small feat, but
that’s exactly what Flatey sought to do
when they burst onto the scene, and
for that we applaud them. Sure, there
might be niggling concerns about the
dip in quality and service, but overall,
they’re still the granddaddy of artisanal
pizza. The Margherita continues to be
a panel favourite; who can argue with
milky mozzarella and tomatoes?
Runner-Up
Plútó Pizza
Hagamelur 67
Plútó may not have been the most re-
liable horse in the pizza race, but after
the brief square pizza debacle (the less
said about that the better), they have
turned things around and are back to
slinging sought-after neighbourhood
pies. Take-away is best and these NY
style pies are all about familiar, com-
forting flavours. Make like a local and
order the pepperoni, dates and cream
cheese. Trust us.
Newcomer
BakaBaka
Bankastræti 2
We’ve been so blown away by the pizzas
at Bakabaka that a furious debate took
place about whether they should usurp
the top spot right away, instead of wait-
ing in line as a Newcomer. The pizzas
here are a feast for the eyes—rolled
to perfection with an excellent crust
to body ratio. The blistering reveals
careful tending to, the toppings are
a balanced symphony (get the ramps
when in season) and they’re, well, tasty
as heck. The pizza wars are on, and boy
are we are here for it!
Previous Winners
2021: Flatey
2020: Flatey
2019: Flatey
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2022
Dining
Burgers, bases, breads and bowls