While high prices mean Reykjavík isn’t really thought of as a shopper’s paradise, there are still plenty of great local products you can only get here. Whether you’re hunting for a piece of Icelandic design, searching for hard-to-find vinyl by an Icelandic artist, stocking the fridge of your Airbnb, or hunting down the perfect hand-knitted lopapeysa, this guide will get you on the right track. Most of the winners are located in downtown Reykjavík, but a few are scattered throughout the Greater Reykjavík area, giving you a good excuse to get out of the city centre hubbub and do some exploring. Happy shopping!
Best Record Store
Reykjavík Record Shop
Klapparstígur 35
This tiny record store might offer a more streamlined selection than other places, but it has a good selection of old and new records from both Icelandic and international artists. The true pleasure of shopping here, however, lies in chatting to the personnel, usually comprised of DJs, musicians or simply music know-it-alls. As one panelist put it: “There are only music nerds working here, so they can help you with anything.”
Runner-Up:
Lucky Records
Rauðarárstígur 10
Famous far and wide for its endless selection of music, Lucky Records is a library of sound. Organised by genre and alphabetical order, one doesn’t exactly go to Lucky Records for the taxonomy: it has a punky, underground character that makes all the difference. Peruse away for an entire afternoon and go home with an unexpected gem.
Runner-Up:
Smekkleysa Plötubúð
Laugavegur 35
The bright green “bad taste” shop on Laugavegur is a long-running staple of Icelandic record stores. Also a record label, they stock the best new and classic records, alongside a carefully curated wall of new vinyls from indie labels around the world. A must-see store for indie nerds and audiophiles.
Previous Winners
2017: Lucky Records
2015-6: Reykjavík Record Shop
2013-14: Lucky Records
Other Shopping Categories
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