Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
perfectly located for Iceland's b
iggest a
nd best
swimm
ing
pool, Laugardalslaug. Camping
1200kr
; cabins
8500kr
Ì
Reykjavík Downtown Hostel
Vesturgata 17
T
553 8120,
W
hostel.is; map p.57.
Swish and stylish,
this great, central HI place is more hotel than hostel, with
six-berth dorms decorated in subtle pastel colours. A
terrific downtown location (just 10min from Lækjartorg)
and unbeatable prices.
6950kr
Reykjavík City Hostel
Sundlaugarvegur 34
T
553
8110,
W
hostel.is; map pp.54-55.
Next to the campsite
and Reykjavík's largest swimming pool, this is the city's
original youth hostel, well-appointed and with dorms
sleeping 2-6
people.
Bus #12 r
uns betwe
en here and the
centre. Dorms
3500kr
; doubles
11,800kr
EATING
Reykjavík has the best range of
places to eat
in the country, mostly packed into the downtown area around Laugavegur
and Austurvöllur square. Restaurant prices tend to be high, though, which may deter you from eating out on a regular basis
and draw you towards self-catering, at least during part of your stay. The best
supermarkets
in the city centre include:
10-11, close to the Austurvöllur square at Austurstræti 17, which, confusingly, is open round the clock; and the larger
Bónus, at Laugavegur 59 (Mon-Thurs 11am-6.30pm, Fri 11am-7.30pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm).
Ì
Sandholt
Laugavegur 36
T
551 3524; map p.57.
The best café-cum-bakery in town with good coffee and
excellent pastries (try the pecan and maple syrup twists),
flans, fresh sandwiches and handmade chocolates. Also
serves breakfast including fresh croissants, muesli and
skyr
.
Mon-Sat 6.30am-7pm, Sun 6.30am-6pm.
CAFÉS
Ì
Café Paris
Austurstræti 14
T
551 1020; map p.57.
Over the years this French-style café has become a
Reykjavík fixture, with outdoor seating overlooking the
Alþingi in summer. Daily brunch for 2290kr, as well as
excellent pancakes and salads, and coffee and cakes.
Mon-Thurs 9am-1am, Fri & Sat 9am-2am.
Ì
Ka
Sólon
Bankastræti 7a
T
562 3232; map p.57.
One of Reykjavík's most popular cafés, decked out in
contemporary Icelandic design and serving a good range of
bagels and paninis, as well as more substantial meat and
fish mains for around 3500kr.
Mon-Wed 11am-midnight,
Thurs-Sat 11am-1am, Sun noon-midnight.
Ka
tár
Bankastræti 8
T
420 2732; map p.57.
The
Icelandic version of
Starbucks
, but with far better coffee,
made from expertly blended varieties of beans (now
available as a brand in supermarkets). The usual run of
cakes and mu
ns, too, plus good croissants.
Mon-Sat
7.30am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm.
Mokka
Skólavörðustígur 3a
T
552 1174; map p.57.
Opened in 1958, this is Reykjavík's oldest café, and was the
first in the country to serve espresso and cappuccino to its
curious clientele. A changing display of black-and-white
photographs adorn the walls, and there's a no-music policy.
Daily 9am-6.30pm.
Kofi Tómasar Frænda
Laugavegur 2
T
551 1855; map
p.57.
Trendy young Reykjavíkers flock to this chilled place to
loll around on the comfortable couches, chat, drink coffee
and work on their poetry. Its prime position on Laugavegur
is also great for people-watching.
Mon-Thurs 10am-1am,
Fri & Sat 10am-5am, Sun 11am-midnight.
BUDGET MEALS
Bæjarins
Tryggvagata; map p.57.
Down by the harbour,
Bæjarins
stall is a local institution, serving up the Nordic
classic: a
pýlsa
(hot dog; 320kr), with lashings of fried onion
and artery-clogging remoulade sauce.
Daily 11am-late.
Búllan
Geirsgata 1
T
511 1888; map p.57.
Little 1950s
concrete bunker of a building at the harbour serving a wide
variety of burgers (from 890kr) and nothing else - and
doing them very well too, with excellent fries. Expect to
queue.
Daily 11.30am-9pm.
Ì
Eldsmiðjan
Laugavegur 81
T
562 3838,
W
eldsmidjan.is; map pp.54-55.
Now in a prime location
on the main drag,
Eldsmiðjan
serves the best pizzas in
Reykjavík, made in a pizza oven that burns Icelandic
birchwood. There's also a takeaway service available. A
12-incher starts at 2195kr.
Daily 11am-11pm.
Grillhúsið
Tryggvagata 20
T
562 3456,
W
grillhusid.is;
map p.57.
Popular and informal grill restaurant decked out
to resemble an American diner, complete with jukebox. The
menu runs to steaks, but it's best for its burgers
(from 1495kr) or fish and chips (1990kr).
Mon-Fri
11.30am-10pm, Sat & Sun 11am-11pm.
Ì
Icelandic Fish & Chips
Tryggvagata 8
T
511 1118,
W
fishandchips.is; map p.57.
Proper sit-down restaurant
serving exactly what you'd expect from the name. Cod and
chips costs around 1840kr, or go for something more
unusual like ling or redfish. Garnishes include salads and
home-made dips.
Mon-Fri 11.30am-9pm, Sat noon-
9pm, Sun 5-9pm.
Ì
Krua Thai
Tryggvagata 14
T
561 0039,
W
kruathai
.is; map p.57.
This cosy, no-nonsense Thai place offers
exceptional value with a huge choice of single-dish meals
TOP 5 PLACES TO EAT
Café Paris
p.76
Friðrik V
p.77
Icelandic Fish & Chips
p.76
Lækjarbrekka
p.76
Sandholt
p.76
