The Reykjavík Grapevine


Food

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  • Grænn Kostur

    Grænn Kostur

    Grænn Kostur, or “The Green Choice,” is a small vegan/vegetarian restaurant in downtown Reykjavík. Seating around 30-40 people, Grænn Kostur is tucked away on Skólavörðustígur off Laugavegur. Grænn Kostur has been serving healthy organic vegan and vegetarian food for ten years. Their…

  • Maður lifandi

    Maður lifandi

    Being one of only a handful of strictly organic restaurants in town, Maður Lifandi (which translates to “Man Alive!”) has a practical philosophy: show sceptics that organic food is not intimidating. The store/cafeteria offers books on vegetarian eating, cooking classes, vitamins, organic…

  • First Vegetarian

    First Vegetarian

    The restaurant Á næstu grösum, located on the corner of Laugavegur and Klapparstígur, is popular with locals who want healthy and nutritious meals served fast and reasonably priced. This cosy eatery boasts an easygoing atmosphere and a nice selection of vegan and…

  • Café Cultura

    Café Cultura

    Situated on the ground floor of the Intercultural Centre opposite the National Theatre is the aptly named Café Cultura – a restaurant/bar with a relaxed feel. The cosmopolitan bistro-style menu focuses on simple fusion food and includes variations of popular international dishes.…

  • Asía

    Asía

    Opening its doors in 1989, Asía is among the oldest Asian restaurants in the city. Specializing in the Chinese cuisine with a western twist, the restaurant offers both take away and a roomy dining area adorned with Chinese-style decorations. The restaurant is…

  • Vegamót

    Dining at Vegamót is in my view never a disappointing experience. The exceptionally large, varied and reasonably priced menu – if you consider the quality and rich portions – puts this casual two-floored bistro, which turns into a vibrant nightclub during weekends,…

  • Ostabúðin

    Ostabúðin

    Ostabúðin (The Cheese Store) on Skólavörðustígur is among the most beloved gourmet stores in the city and its popularity is well earned. Specialising in serving those with a discerning palate, the shop has built up a loyal customer base that can always…

  • Kaffi Sólon

    Kaffi Sólon

    Kaffi Sólon is an ideal stop for downtown working bees during the 30-minute lunch break (obviously, hungry pedestrians fit right in as well), featuring a new and extensive bistro menu focusing on quick and healthy dishes, with space for groups available on…

  • Barinn

    Barinn

    The vibrant three-floor bar, somewhat confusingly named Barinn (The Bar), located on the corner of Laugavegur and Klapparstígur is one of the city’s ultimate weekend party destinations. With DJs playing five nights of the week, bartenders on every floor and boasting plenty…

  • Einar Ben

    Einar Ben

    Located in an old wooden house in the centre of town, Einar Ben is easily one of the most conveniently situated restaurants in Reykjavík. The house itself is a historical building from the turn of the 20th century where Einar Benediktsson, one…

  • Tapas barinn

    Tapas barinn

    Dining at a fine Tapas restaurant is always a flavourful fiesta for the mouth and the deservedly popular Tapas Barinn is no exception. Located in a roomy basement in the city centre, its warm and dark interior, extremely lively atmosphere and the…

  • HabiBi

    HabiBi

    When it comes to fast-food, the Grapevine staff has dined at almost every single joint located in the city centre so we’d like to think that we have gathered a certain expertise in the matter by now. We need our snacks to…

  • Reykjavík Pizza Company

    Reykjavík Pizza Company

    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…

  • Austur-Indía Félagið

    Austur-Indía Félagið

    Once again, a Grapevine food critic faces the almost insurmountable task of reviewing a meal that was damn near perfect, and doing it without sounding like a thinly veiled advertisement or a love letter. This doesn’t happen a lot, mind you. In…

  • Geysir

    Geysir

    Bistro-bar and restaurant Geysir is located in the old and dignified Geysir building by the corner of Aðalstræti and Vesturgata. A relatively new eating destination, open since last summer, its bright and stylishly decorated dining hall offers plenty of seating for couples…

  • Tivoli

    Tivoli

    Located on the shopping street Laugavegur, Tivoli is a cosy café during the day offering light snacks and lunch meals such as pizza, burgers, and tapas dishes. Downtown pedestrians have already caught on to this new dining opportunity, and the place, open…

  • Ban Thai

    Ban Thai

    Many regard family run Restaurant Ban Thai as one of Reykjavík’s hidden treasures in terms of authentic Thai cooking. I have been a regular there for many years, and their meticulously prepared food and relaxing atmosphere have always lived well up to…

  • Rauða húsið

    Rauða húsið

    Located in a roomy, red building at Eyrarbakki, a small historic fishing village on the south-coast of Iceland, the restaurant Rauða húsið (The Red House) is a friendly place definitely worth visiting. Due to its popularity, the restaurant moved to a larger…

  • Domo

    Domo

    Domo first opened its doors a little over a month ago. In the short time since its opening it has garnered a good reputation through word of mouth. I am pleased to inform you that the reputation is mostly well deserved. The…

  • BEZT Í HEIMI: Fylgifiskar

    BEZT Í HEIMI: Fylgifiskar

    The streetscape of Skólavörðustígur, stretching up from Laugavegur to the Hallgrímskirkja church, has changed rapidly in the past few years. Where there used to be less inviting clothing shops and old apartment buildings there are now numerous galleries, designer stores and gourmet…

  • Should You Be Eating This?

    Should You Be Eating This?

    Once again, it is time for the traditional weird-food article, to be published around the month of February, for our foreign readership to scoff at all the strange, foul-tasting stuff Icelanders will traditionally eat around this time of year, and for locals…

  • Icelandic Fish Chips

    Icelandic Fish Chips

    The newest addition to the Reykjavík restaurant scene is a cosy little place located right next to the old harbour. The name, Icelandic Fish Chips, gives a hint what kind of menu to expect, but actually, the food has nothing in common…

  • Deco

    Deco

    Deco, a newly opened café and wine bar has all the potential to become a popular lunch café, right in the city centre. Its modern and stylish interiors, varied menu and impressive selection of whiskey, not to mention the location, should be…