Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Page 34

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2022
34
Best Grocery Store
Krónan Downtown
Hallveigarstígur 1
Not gonna lie, this is our favourite category because wow,
discussing grocery stores apparently sparks some really strong
opinions! That said, this year’s decision was a breeze, as Krónan’s
downtown location once again—for the second year in a row—was
the unanimous choice. “After all the bizarre things that were in
that space, it’s such a game changer to have Krónan there,” one
downtown panel member said. “I’m so happy with it. For all of us
who live and work downtown, Krónan has given us so much more
freedom with our food.” The panel also praised its fantastic selection
of vegan options—something that’s been sorely missed by the other
downtown grocery stores. So go cruelty free for dinner tonight.
Krónan’s got you covered.
Runners-Up
Hyalin
Hverfisgata 35
“Hyalin is a place that just elevates
the whole of Reykjavík. It makes this
city better,” one panellist emphasised.
This French gourmet shop is already a
Reykjavík fixture and a favourite of the
panel. Quaint, well-curated, and, above
all else, inspirational, it’s the type of
spot that you stop by just to browse
and then leave carting a bottle of the
most luxurious imported mustard. This
then naturally inspires you to finally
learn the intricacies of the condiment
and cook up a mustard themed feast
which impresses all your friends. And
thus—a foodie is born.
Melabúðin
Hagamel 39
For foodies looking for artisanal deli
meats, fresh figs, rare cheeses and
all sorts of unexpected, hard-to-find
treats, Vesturbær’s beloved Melabúðin
should satiate your desires. “You can
get everything you need, everything
you didn’t know you needed and if
you’re lucky, you might even see Björk,”
said one former panellist. They’ve since
left the panel, but the quote is so per-
fect, we’ve opted to re-use it. Hope you
don’t mind, Melabúðin. You’re an oldie
but a goodie.
Previous Winners
2021: Krónan Downtown
2020: Krónan, Grandi
2019: Krónan, Grandi
Hidden Gem
Apótek Atelier
Hagamel 39, 107
Apótek Atelier is quite new on the
scene, but this small boutique has
already made quite a splash, which
is why the panel deemed it appropri-
ate to award it the coveted Hidden
Gem award. Created by designers Ýr
Þrastardóttir, Halldóra Sif Guðlaugsds-
dóttir and Sævar Markús Óskarsson,
Apótek Atelier blurs the line between
studio and store, functioning as both
the designers’ workspace, as well as
the place where one can purchase
their wares.
Runner-Up
Þula
Hjartatorg
Commercial galleries—places where
one can directly support their favourite
local artists (and get some cool art)—
are so important to our dear old city.
And what’s better than Hjartartorg’s
Þula? In its short time on the planet,
the gallery has presented some of the
newest, edgiest, and most talented
artists in Iceland, from Anna Maggý to
Kristin Morthens, always with a focus
on elevating those left out of the more
famous local galleries. We can’t praise
this gallery enough, and hope that this
award helps to bring it more attention.
Listval
Hólmaslóð 6
“It’s just so well-curated,” one panellist
said of Grandi’s Listval, a multi-purpose
art space and store. “They’ve had a
nice mix of very stylish artists and
also up-and-comers, so for someone
visiting Iceland, it’d be a great place to
come and get really well acquainted
with the local scene.” While Listval is
anything but a hidden gem—just a gem
really—for those in-the-know of the
Icelandic art community, its location far
off in Grandi means it’s often a missed
destination.
Previous Winners
2021: Listval
2020: Núllið Gallerý
2019: Nexus
Best Jewellery Shop
Orrifinn
Skólavörðustígur 43
Known for their sensual, raw, detailed
and carefully crafted pieces, Orrifinn
is a brand that manages to be at
once timeless and distinctly modern.
“It’s such an experience to go to that
black house, look at their gorgeous
work and then watch them make it
right in front of your eyes,” enthused
one panellist. “They are an institution.”
another agreed. “Giving someone an
Orrifinn piece really means something
here. It’s a brand that’s full of love for
Icelandic design and style.”
Runners-Up
Aurum
Bankastræti 4
Aurum is just beautiful. In fact, it’s
rather hard to find a better word for
the brand, which takes its inspiration
from Icelandic nature and moulds that
into delicate—yet sometimes harsh—
pieces that are guaranteed to be that
piece of jewellery in your collection
that everyone comments on. Their
works also feel distinctly high end—like
a rich widow on her third husband that
spends her time wearing pearly claw
rings and delicate silver chains. Tell us,
what’s better than that?
Kría
Aftur, Laugavegur 45
Based out of the United States, Kría is
the brainchild of Icelandic jewellery
designer Jóhanna Methúsalemsdóttir
and her partner Paul Weil. While their
flagship store is in New York, you can
shop their sustainably-made and
almost witchy works at Aftur. “That’s a
go-to for me. They make hyper unique
pieces that also seem to go with
everything,” explained one panellist.
“They also have a good philosophy,
so you feel good about buying from
them.”
Previous Winners
2021: Orrifinn
2020: Orrifinn
2019: Orifinn
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