At the top of Laugavegur is the pizza fan’s favourite, Reykjavík Pizza Company. Established by the same owners as Eldsmiðjan Pizza, this chilled-out, reasonably-priced pizzeria has become a bit too popular for its own good, resulting in long lines and sometimes not-so-attentive service during the busiest hours. Luckily, the restaurant offers take-away from morning to late evening so no hungry pedestrian should have to leave empty handed.
Although the pizzas are the restaurant’s speciality, the owners were clever enough to stretch the menu a little and, instead of only serving the fire baked pizzas, the menu consists of various bagels and wraps served with all sorts of fillings. The cheap ready-to-grab pizza slices seem to appeal to the younger clientele, especially the ones in a hurry. While the pizzas are excellent – among the best you’ll get in the city in fact – it’s my view that the over-the-top bagels outdo all the other fast-food brunch/lunch joints around, making the place a perfect dining spot for a small and light meal.
The restaurant’s two floors offer plenty of seats and in the evening, when the place is almost always packed, both floors are bustling with food and fun. The upper floor is for smokers, at least until June, and the roomy ground floor for the rest. Its plain interiors and large windows overlooking Laugavegur make it both bright and airy and the usually rather tacky art exhibitions decorating the walls help pass the time while waiting for your meal.
There are more then ten different warm and tasty bagels on the menu. You can choose between stuffing the bread with smoked salmon, pepperoni, mozzarella and tomatoes, turkey, ham and eggs, walnuts and blue cheese or even mix your own with your favourite ingredients. Grapevine especially recommends the grilled-peppers-chicken-bagel. A bagel that is so addictive that you can easily eat one every morning without even thinking twice, if you have the budget for such a luxury that is. Topped with sesame seeds and covered with cream cheese on both halves, a generous amount of red peppers and chicken are put on top of the bagel and then under the grill for a few minutes. On top of this? A handful of fresh spinach and lots of parmesan cheese. Simple, yet delicious; just the way it should be.
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