Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Qupperneq 41

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20
23
Best Goddamn Store
KIOSK
Grandagarður 35, 101 Reykjavík
Owned by a quintet of designers, Kiosk has been putting the work of Icelandic fash-
ion brands front and centre for years — even before establishing their storefront
in Grandi. It is the place to go, whether you’re shopping for some seriously stylish
everyday looks or that perfect outfit for a special event. “What’s best is that it’s an
all female designer run space focusing on small batch, sustainably made pieces,”
one panellist said. “It’s a store where one walks in and feels seen, realising that at
long last they found their designer.”
Runners-up
Fischersund
Fischersund 3, 101 Reykjavík
What can be said about Fischer that
the Grapevine hasn’t already raved
about. It’s more of an extrasensory
experience than a standard shop.
Walking in to the historic house on
the laneway from which the shop
borrows its name requires your eyes
to first adjust to the low light, then
your ears will pick up the soundscape
curated specifically for the space,
your olfactory senses will be brought
to life by the herbaceous and earthy
scents wafting through the air.
Luckily, Fischer is a shop, so you can
select perfumes, candles, beauty
products, art and even an album to
try and recreate that experience in
your own home.
Góði hirðirinn
Köllunarklettsvegur 1
“Inexpensive, sustainable,
humanitarian aid and a treasure
hunt all in one,” is how one panellist
summed up beloved second-hand
store Góði hirðirinn. It’s a place where
you can find anything you could
imagine and a whole bunch of other
things you didn’t even know you
needed. It’s an adrenaline rush in a
shopping trip and it’s all fuelled by
Sorpa. We’re standing by (and saving
up) while they relocate to their new
and bigger location.
Previous Winners
2022: Yeoman
2021: Kiosk
2020: Fischer
Best Design Store
Rammagerðin
Skólavörðustígur 12, Harpa,
Kringlan
Rammagerðin truly celebrates
Icelandic design. Whether you’re in
the market for a vibrantly-coloured
wool blanket, striking ceramics, one-
of-a-kind candle holders or artisanal
beauty products infused with plants
foraged in Icelandic nature, you’ll
find it at Rammagerðin. What’s more,
Rammagerðin doesn’t simply stock
Icelandic design, they support and
work with designers on collaborative
products and special releases.
Runners-up
Epal
Laugavegur 7, Skeifan 6, Kringlan
If you’re looking to capture that
Scandi aesthetic in your home, look
no further than Epal. This design
mecca, with locations on Laugavegur
and in Skeifan and Kringlan, has all
the timeless classics from Nordic
masters and the hottest pieces from
Icelandic designers. “The range of
what Epal carries is really what sets
it apart,” one panellist said. “I can
buy a kid's water bottle (a very nice
one) and a 200.000 kr. dining chair in
the same trip.” As for those prices,
another panellist recommends
keeping an eye out for Epal’s very
worthwhile sales events.
Mikado
Kolagata, Hafnartorg
Bear with us here, because Mikado
isn’t currently a brick and mortar
shop for you to visit. They’re between
digs, but their webshop is wide open
for local and international shoppers
to benefit from Mikado’s impeccable
curation. Whereas the other shops
on the list are Scandi, Mikado is
Japandi, stocking wares of Japanese
and Scandinavian aesthetics that
highlight just how beautifully the two
sensibilities complement each other.
Plus, they have some truly whimsical
items for sale. Do we need a knife
shaped like a whale? No. Are we
getting one? Yes.
Previous Winners
2022: Rammagerðin
2021: Rammagerðin
2020: Akkurat (RIP)
Best Fashion Boutique
KIOSK
Grandagarður 35, 101 Reykjavík
Our Best Goddamn Store also takes
the cake as Best Fashion Boutique.
We’d wear nothing but the designs
they stock if we had it our way,
but on our Grapevine salary we’ll
settle for working a few pieces into
our wardrobe here and there. The
Icelandic designs at KIOSK are all so
unique and special, you’ll be making
a statement in them no matter the
occasion. Plus, it’s not unlikely that
the person in the store looking after
you is the same person who designed
the silk pant set you’ve been ogling
for months and are finally buying.
Runners-up
Andrá
Laugavegur 16
Andrá was a breath of fresh air when
it landed on Laugavegur a few years
ago. “All the pieces are so beautifully
curated, it feels like having a
personal shopper,” said one panellist.
Whether you’re shopping for an every
day (though elevated) t-shirt and
jeans look or something to make a
splash on a night out, you’ll find that
special something at Andrá.
Yeoman
Laugavegur 7
The patron saint of Icelandic fashion,
Hildur Yeoman is known for her
dreamy patterns, lush textures,
spacey body-cons, and beautiful
tailoring. Walking into her Laugavegur
storefront feels like walking into an
art gallery, with every suspended
dress the masterpiece of a great
artist. Buying a Yeoman creation is an
investment in your closet's longevity
— it just never goes out of style.
Previous Winners
2022: Andrá
2021: Yeoman
2020: Kvartyra No49 (RIP)
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2023
Shopping
Money can be a burden — give it to us
Is there anything better than accumulating a whole bunch of stuff?
Yes, and it’s accumulating a few amazing items from the best of the
best shops that Reykjavík has to offer. Whether you’re on the hunt
for a new book to lose yourself in, a cosy wool sweater to wrap your-
self in, or some jewellery with which to adorn yourself, our shopping
picks won’t steer you wrong.
View locations and opening hours at kronan.is
Proud to
be crowned!
We are thrilled to receive Grapevine's 2023 Best of Reykjavík
Shopping awards for our discount grocery stores.
First place: Krónan, Skeifan
Second place: Krónan, Hallveigarstígur
Stop by our stores for low priced groceries! You'll find
them in various locations in Reykjavík and the capital
area, and also on your journey around Iceland.
Krónan offers a great selection of top-quality, fresh
products, including a wide selection of vegetarian
and vegan options.
26 stores across
Reykjavík and Iceland
with low prices!