Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Side 20

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
20 Chickpea
Hallveigarstígur 1, Reykjavík
“A world-class falafel,” I’m told,
Chickpea never disappoints. The
family-run restaurant offers
falafel in four types of sand-
wiches, served either in a flat-
bread or pita, and in falafel salad
bowls, plus there’s a soup of the
day. While it might be consid-
ered a mono-restaurant, Chick-
pea’s falafel definitely wouldn’t
come across as traditional or
boring. The team constantly
tries to update the menu, inte-
grating seasonal ingredients or
an exotic touch, e.g. mango ai-
oli. Beware: not all falafel sand-
wiches at Chickpea are vegan—
double-check for added dairy. IZ
Mandi
Veltusund 3b, Reykjavík
Mandi is probably the most pop-
ular place in Reykjavík for falafel
right now. And there is a damn
good reason for that. The falafel is
solid, although there are two ver-
sions of it. The one for Icelanders
that don’t like strong food, and
the one that is really hot and can
keep you warm for the rest of the
day. Just ask for that hot sauce
and they will serve you right up.
VG
Zorbian
Hringbraut 119, Reykjavík
Zorbian is relatively new in the
market, but has already made
some serious impact on the
neighbourhood of Vesturbær.
They offer wonderful falafels as
well as more traditional dishes
from the Middle East and never
fail to deliver a tasty dish. The
restaurant is a little bit out of
the way of downtown—roughly
a 15-minute walk from the cen-
tre. The place is cosy and gives
you the opportunity to check out
the Vesturbær locals while you
eat. VG
Arabian Taste
Laugavegur 87, Reykjavík
Unremarkable from the outside,
Arabian Taste serves a selection
of Syrian and Arabic dishes, in-
cluding tasty falafel. You can
choose between a falafel roll,
Arabian falafel that comes with
rice, or a falafel plate with hum-
mus and salad on the side. Hot
sauce or not? The choice is yours.
Arabian Taste is located right on
Laugavegur and is open until 11
PM on weekdays and until 2 AM
on Fridays and Saturdays, which
makes it a perfect place to stop by
before or after going out. IZ
Lamb Street Food
Grandagarður 7, Reykjavík
Despite the name suggesting the
opposite, Lamb Street Food offers
three options of vegan falafels
wrapped in grilled flatbread. Lo-
cated right at the old harbour area
known as Grandi, LSF could be
a good option for a lunch break
after a long stroll along the sea-
front. “No place beats this one
for value per króna spent”—reads
one of the recent LSF reviews, and
we know Tripadvisor reviews
don’t lie. IZ
GUIDE
Falafel
Cheap, chearful, and chock-full of chickpeas
Words: Iryna Zubenko, Valur Grettisson Photo: Art Bicnick
A good falafel is like a hug: warm, hearty, and satisfying. Falafel is
the ultimate hangover food and a go-to meal on a night out. And while
Reykjavík might not be the falafel capital of the world, the Grapevine
team went out of their way to find some of the best examples of this
simple comfort food in town.
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Rammagerðin has been selected the best Icelandic design store
by the Reykjavík Grapevine 2021 & 2022.
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Jewellery — Hlín Reykdal
Scented candle– Rammagerðin
Fragrance — Fischersund
The Fuzzy stool — Sigurður Már Helgason
Wool blanket — Milla Snorrason
Headwear — Rammagerði
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Skólavörðustígur 7
Skólavörðustígur 12
Kringlan
Harpa
Flugstöð Leifs Eiríkssonar
Skólavörðustígur 7 — Skólavörðustígur 12 — Kringlan — Harpa — Flugstöð Leifs Eiríkssonar