Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Qupperneq 32

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
32 Best Homeware Shop
NORR11
Hverfisgata 18
This homeware store is so gorgeous
that it almost feels like a gallery or set
for an elite Nordic drama. With a me-
ticulously curated selection, NORR11
embodies the most delicate elements
of Nordic design, full of pieces with
such adeptness of form and composi-
tion that they almost elicit some ASMR
tingles. Yes, it is expensive, but the
shop is worth a trip for the inspira-
tion alone. This year, the panel were
particularly impressed by the store’s
collaborations with Listvál, which saw
a new exhibition by Icelandic artists
each month decorating the walls of
NORR11.
Runners-Up
Mikado Reykjavík & Pastel Flower Studio
Hverfisgata 50
If there was ever a store you just
wanted to live at, it’s the Hverfisgata
storefront of Pastel Flower Studio and
Mikado Reykjavík. In one compact and
beautiful location, you can get Pastel’s
stunning, primal dried flower designs
and Mikado’s earthy ceramics, refined
lighting apparatuses, and more. What
more could you want? Seriously, name
something.
Hrím
Kringlan
Hrím has a certain je ne sais quoi
about it that creates some seriously
devoted customers. The store has an
eclectic mix of neutral Nordic style
design along with some OTT interna-
tional brands—a combo you don’t find
in many places. We are fans of their
products by Italian designer Seletti,
who is as colourful and bright as they
come. “Seletti is just the most fun
housewares you could buy,” laughed
one panel member. “Hrím is really
good at finding funky stuff like that.
I’m always excited to see what they
bring in.”
Previous Winners
2021: Norr11
2020: Kokka
2019: Geysir Heima
Best Bookstore
Eymundsson
Austurstræti 18
Eymundsson is a classic bookstore,
offering up the newest in Icelandic
and international titles. It has the
rare characteristic of being perfectly
curated for both locals and tourists,
so if you’re a traveller looking for
an illustrated edition of the Sagas,
or a Reykjavík kid hoping to pick up
the definitely-going-to-be-released
upcoming Kingkiller sequel, this would
be the place to find it. Notably, they
stock all the English translations of
the latest Icelandic novels, so next
time you read about a cool book in the
Grapevine, head there to pick it up. The
café ain’t bad either!
Runners-Up
Mál og Menning
Laugavegur 18
If you’re not sipping a whisky with your
beat-up vintage copy of ‘Ulysses’, then
are you even reading ‘Ulysses’? Luckily,
Mál og Menning has you covered in
that department. There, you’re allowed
to read a second-hand book while
nursing a drink, which is probably the
only thing about our current lifestyle
that Joyce would approve of. Bonus:
The interior is seriously spectacular.
Forlagið
Fiskislóð 39
Forlagið is Iceland’s largest book
publisher and you can pick up all your
favourites at their in-house book-
store—and not only Forlagið titles, but
releases from other local publishers
as well. We stan a queen that works
for the greater good of their industry,
don’t we? Also, the bookstore is mas-
sive. Seriously. Don’t go in there during
a fire. But if you're reading a good
book while it burns, we understand.
Previous Winners
2021: Eymundsson
2020: Eymundsson
2019: Bóksala Stúdenta
Best Record Store
Lucky Records
Rauðarárstígur 10
Lucky Records is the one-stop-
shop for anything Icelandic
music. They’ve got it all: new
titles, CDs, rarities, vinyl, cas-
settes, second hand 12", 7" sec-
tions, you name it! Notably, the
store is very much in touch with
the local underground. Basical-
ly any Icelandic release—no
matter how big or small—will
be sold there and trust and be-
lieve, their shopkeepers will
know them inside and out. Yup,
their staff is knowledgeable
in that terrifying old-school
record shop way, but don’t be
afraid to stop in! You can always
just ask them for their favourite
new release and then just smile
and nod. It’s guaranteed to be
interesting—and potentially
the next múm.
Previous Winners
2021: Lucky Records
2020: Lucky Records
2019: Reykjavík Record Shop
Runners-Up
Reykjavík Record Shop
Klapparstígur 35
A place created by music nerds, for
music nerds. Reykjavík Record Shop
is a curated heaven—a collector’s
paradise—full of the crème de la crème
of music, be it contemporary or classic.
They’ve got a polished vibe to suit the
modern audiophile. In fact, it’s perhaps
a good place to meet a partner if you
are looking for a modern audiophile.
Space Odyssey
Skólavörðustígur 22b
This second-hand hole in the wall has a
well-curated selection of new experi-
mental, ambient, and field recordings.
It’s definitely a niche locale—but if
you’re into those genres, it’ll be the
little slice of heaven you tell all your
experimental/ambient/field record-
ing friends about. (Most of whom, of
course, you probably met inside the
store.)
Smekkleysa SM // Bad Taste
Hjartatorg, Hverfisgata 32
Smekkleysa, located off Laugavegur
in Hjartatorg square, brings a sense
of danger, coolness and, of course,
bad taste back to this city. Their goal
is “World Domination or Death”, so
if your idea of world domination is
soundtracked by the Sugarcubes or
Mínus, you’ll fit in great.
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2022
Shopping
Stuff is better than money anyway