Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Blaðsíða 16

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
16
Best Lunch Place
La Primavera
Grandagarður 20
There is hardly a restaurant as popular with the luncheon crowd as
Primavera, and with good reason. The service is impeccable, the am-
bience classy and the food, well, it’s just excellent. If it is salad you
seek, then a delicately dressed mound of bitter and fresh greens dance
about crusty bread. After something heartier? The pasta or fish of the
day is sure to satiate you. Primavera reads the pulse of its patrons and
seems to telepathically know whether you want the whole nine yards
with time to spare, or if this is just a valuable pause in your hectic day.
Runners-Up
Hipstur
Borg 29 & Höfði Mathöll
If you are looking for a light yet satiat-
ing meal that isn’t just an insipid salad
or clammy sushi rolls straight from the
cooler, look no further than Hipstur. The
entire menu is a bright, springy affair.
They know their customers well, and
are one of the few places where a lunch
order means swift service without
sacrificing flavour. Heck, they’ll even
customise your order if you ask nicely.
Von Mathús
Strandgata 75, Hafnarfjörður
“I bring my clients here,” quipped our
panellist. And why not? Von is one of a
handful of restaurants that understand
the ‘working lunch’ concept so well.
Whether you want to spend a few hours,
or are strapped for time, the restaurant
accommodates both with aplomb. The
catch of the day is always a good bet,
as are their menu specials.
Previous Winners
2021: Hipstur
2020: Mímir
2019: Hlemmur & Grandi Mathöll
Best Take-Away
Joint Winners
Ramen Momo
Tryggvagata 16
When the pandemic hit, take-away
averse Reykjavik had to do some quick
thinking to adapt to its new reality.
Ramen Momo upped their ‘bring your
own container’ gig for a Covid-friendly
format where all the elements of ramen
are individually packaged making for
premium at-home enjoyment. Reheat
the broth and just assemble the rest. Or,
do as our panel confessed—stir-fry the
noodles with the toppings, and savour
the broth as is for a two-in-one treat.
La Poblana
Laugavegur 2
Poblana's delicious tacos are based
on chef Carlo’s family recipes. While we
love all of their tacos, we have an espe-
cially soft spot for the campechano—a
spicy, meaty, cheesy affair. What we
like best however, is how well the tacos
travel and Poblana carefully packs
everything with instructions so you can
host your own taco party in the comfort
of your own home!
Runner-Up
Fine Take-Away
Helluhraun 22, Hafnarfjörður
This Hafnafjorður outpost of Fine ex-
tends its loyal clientele from downtown
to the suburbs. In a stripped down to
basics industrial area, they dish out a
small but well made menu of Chinese
classics. Yes there is a ‘buffet’ to
choose from but we are partial to their
dumplings and buns and when they do
have it, the hong shao rou pork.
Previous Winners
2021: Ramen Momo
Best Place To Go With A
Group Of Friends
Joint Winners
Sushi Social
Þingholtsstræti 5
If you'e looking for a fun night about
town, Sushi Social is the place to be. The
restaurant staff know this only too well
and never drop a beat in keeping those
drinks and smiles coming all night
long. The menu is ideal for sharing—al-
though, who’d want to share something
as delectable as the langoustine tem-
pura. Order one—or several—of those
colourful drinks with names that recall
a tropical holiday to make a fun night
even more festive.
Apotek
Austurstræti 16
Apotek is one of those rare places that
go effortlessly from business lunches,
to high tea, to pre-dinner drinks, to
languorous dinners without skipping a
beat. This perhaps explains its popular-
ity with locals and visitors alike—there
is something for everyone at Apotek, no
matter the time of day. We recommend
starting in the lounge with one of their
award-winning cocktails.
Newcomer
Selva Restaurant, Latin Food & Bar
Laugavegur 12
Decked out in rose gold and fashion-
able foliage, walking into Selva is an
instant indicator of the good times
in store. The latin beats are just right,
the pina coladas a reminder of a more
tropical island life and the food, a
curated selection of dishes from Chile,
Venezuela and Columbia, are ideal party
platters.
Previous Winners
2021: Apotek
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2022
Dining
Lunch out or dine in —take your pick