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The Reykjavík Grapevine Person Of The Year Award
Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, Former Prime Minister The Grapevine has always been the sole media outlet in Iceland that stands against tyranny and oppression. We are a brave candle in this dark, dark land, illuminating and warming all who read our pages. Whether…
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Let Them Eat Lobster & Stuff
It’s technically langoustine, not lobster, but Langoustine & Stuff doesn’t sound right. It misses the fricative soft rhyme of “ster” and “stuff.” That’s the type of linguistic gymnastics marketing wordsmiths simply die for–and, if their product is a living creature, it’s what…
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Grapevine’s Best Of 2016: Reykjavík’s Best Spicy Meals
Reykjavík is a relatively small city, but even so, sometimes you need a bit of local advice to find what you’re looking for, whether it’s a good people-watching spot, somewhere to see some contemporary art, or the best place to catch an…
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The Short Friendship Of An Icelandic Artist With The Woman Stealing Her Art
[update: the last name of Caroline has been omitted] It could have been awkward, but instead, Inga Maria’s stay at a summer house in þingvellir became a weekend of bonding and sharing, like-minded women connecting as artists and, more deeply, as friends.…
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Essensia: A New Taste Of Italy In Iceland
One thing Iceland does really well is pizza. Hold on! Iceland? Yes, Iceland. Iceland might be the only place in the world where Domino’s Pizza is good. There are many theories as to why this is correct: the water, ancient sourdough starters…
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Humans Of Reykjavík: Kristín Morthens
Every issue, we will interview someone living in Reykjavík or just visiting the city, so as to share with you, dear reader, the trials and tribulations of daily life here in the capital. This issue’s human: Kristín Morthens, artist with Algera Studio,…
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Tagging Along With The Reykjavík Food Walk
The idea of “Icelandic Food” is changing. A few years ago, and still a bit even today, the phrase “Icelandic Food” conjured up ideas of fish, moss and hardship—possibly rotten shark and sheep face too. You came to Iceland for the landscape,…
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Lunchtime Opera Gives You A Chance To Test Take-Out In Reykjavík
Lunchtime is tricky in Iceland. It’s not really a country known for having breakfast or being on time. Lunchtime is when you finally consume something that isn’t coffee, but many locals spend their lunches at their desk or skipping it all together.…
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Last Words: Where Should You Go Tonight?
You’re here! Oh my! You’ve just arrived, just returned, just landed or just woke up. You’ve seen that church or stood by that pond. You’ve looked up at night, saw the solar flares, or looked down and watched that water bubble and…
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Humans Of Reykjavik: Haraldur Bogi
Every issue, we will interview someone living in Reykjavík or just visiting the city, so as to share with you, dear reader, the trials and tribulations of daily life here in the capital. This issue’s human: Haraldur Bogi, Barber at Barber Bar…
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TV Series “Trapped” Renewed For Another Season And Adds Two Great Writers
According to RÚV, Iceland’s crime TV series Trapped (Ófærð) has been renewed for a second season and added Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Margrét Örnólfsdóttir to the writing team. With the series being renewed, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Margrét Örnólfsdóttir join the scriptwriting team with unique backgrounds.…
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SOUP TUESDAY: Autumn Greens, Pea And Lovage Soup
Yes, it’s here. Autumn. The Fall. The best season, aesthetically. It’s when everyone looks their best. Fall clothing is flattering on everyone, and fall flavours are comforting on almost everyone’s palate. First, before I get torn apart by the everything-must-be-fresh purists, I…
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Golf In The Westman Islands: Being Angry and Frustrated In A Beautiful Place
“I’m going to tell you something, ok? What shot do you really think you can do? Do you think you’re going to make that long difficult shot? Probably not. You want to be a better golfer? Make better decisions,” said Howard Glassman,…
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Lunch Dish Of The Week: Ga-LAMB-orama At Apótek
In Iceland, “I’ll meet you tomorrow” means anything from five days to a month. It’s a confusing and hopeless act that leaves many people questioning if it’s really a statement any longer. Perhaps it has become the Icelandic version of the American,…
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Have A Picnic In Reykjavík
“All good things…” mutters my friend after many of the late nights this summer, “…must come to an end.” If Icelandic winter is long and dark, then Icelandic summer is short and bright—a flash. You can hear the frustration in someone’s voice…
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Let Them Eat Fish: Messinn, Matur og Drykkur and Icelandic Fish and Chips
Believe it or not, fish restaurants are relatively new in Iceland. Cod was sold from Iceland to the rest of the world, but wasn’t available to the average Icelander. It was, like everything here, too expensive. Of course cheaper fish was a…
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True Crime Iceland: The Hitchhiker Murder
I was only planning to scare them. I placed one shot into the rifle, which I carried in one hand, and held wire in the other hand, to be used to bind their hands so I could drive them both to the…
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Last Words: Why Can’t Icelanders Throw?
Making a generalization about an entire population is usually frowned upon. It’s the tactic of demagogues, racists and men over the age of 55. There is no such thing as “positive” racism or “helpful” sexism–even if it helps an individual attain something.…
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VIDEO: XXX Rottweiler Hundar Release Video Before Secret Solstice
XXX Rottweiler Hundar have released the new single and video “Negla.” The video was shot in one day as the group prepared for and then performed at Happy Festival, a small festival that takes place in the up-and-coming Grandi area. XXX Rottweiler…
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There’s No Place Like Dome: Iceland’s 5 Billion Star Hotel
I’ve always loved dome or bubble based movies: BioDome, Bubble Boy…or any movie involving a viral outbreak and subsequent quarantine. There is something alluring about life in a bubble. To be in a bubble is complete bliss—immersed in reality, but protected by a…
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*MUSIC VIDEO* Hey, Gísli Pálmi, What Does “RORO” Mean?
Gísli Pálmi, or GP, has released a new song/music video. Deciphering Icelandic rap is difficult enough, but GP manages to put native speakers to task with his use of slang only understood by himself and the rest of the Glacier Mafia. What…
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THE SKYR CHRONICLES: Icelandic Poutine
Many people describe Skyr as Icelandic “yogurt,” but it’s actually a cheese. Traditional Skyr is really high in protein, but most of the small cups you buy in grocery stores and gas stations are packed with sugar. I’m not Icelandic. I moved…
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Secret Solstice: He’s Bringing Radiohead To Iceland
This year Iceland will host Radiohead, Deftones and Die Antwoord during the Secret Solstice Festival from June 16 – 19. It’s a chance to enjoy the midnight sun in Reykjavík while seeing a great lineup of music. You could party in a…
