Words by

Sonny Greco

HAPPINESS IS A CHEF CALLED JOHANN!
When it comes to a restaurant for a quick lunch, good quality and moderate prices, one can say that SPORÐURINN (The Fishtail) is still the best kept secret in Reykjavik.
Hidden in the basement, behind the cheese display at the end of a small delicatessen shop (Ostabúðin), you´ll find a small hole in the wall with tables and chairs for perhaps 20 guests. Believe me it is worth looking for.
Sometimes you get a feeling that there is no fast food restaurant in Reykjavik with decently prepared meals other than the three P Icelandic essentials:
Pizzas, Pylsur (Frankfurters) and Popcorn ! Not true ! SPORÐURINN has just what you need for a quick meal at noon. And you don´t have to spend too much, neither time nor money.
In the few days since the opening of SPORÐURINN this mini restaurant has become a favorite among the young mid-towners whose orders of Warm Salad with Wild Goose Hearts and Balsamic are definitely in fashion – while the Salad with smoked salmon, olives and greek feta is perhaps more popular with the more grown-up suburbanites in town for a fitting at nearby Eggert the Furrier.
The Menu is short and to the point. In addition to very well composed salads, such as those mentioned before, there is a Creamy Fish soup available, a soup that more established restaurants would have as a special feature on their menu. The Fish of the Day is a fine portion for a mere 890 krónur (the most expensive dish on the Menu).
For an ultra quick bite you can order a regular Bruschetta with tomatoes, mozzarella and Parma Ham, a delicacy that makes my mouth water for the few minutes I had to wait to be served. I am not a Spaghetti man myself, but the lady dining at the next table was very (and loudly) pleased with her Spaghetti served with Anchovies, Chili and a big helping of Parmesan.
The two principals at Sporðurinn are both named Johann. Either one of them will be more than pleased to assist you, if you need any information about the dishes on the Menu. Like the lady at the next table said: “Over here “Happiness is a guy called Joe !” quoting an old song from the Rosemary Clooney Songbook.
SPORÐURINN (The fishtail) is located in Skóluvörðustígur 8.
Open from 11 AM until 14:30 PM. Closed on Sundays.