Guidebook for Reykjavík
Food Scene
Probably one of the best places to visit for an excellent steak. It's on the pricier side, 70$ for tenderloin, but well worth it. I recommend booking a few days in advance because it is very popular.
Phone: 00 354 571 7777
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Grillmarkaðurinn
Probably one of the best places to visit for an excellent steak. It's on the pricier side, 70$ for tenderloin, but well worth it. I recommend booking a few days in advance because it is very popular.
Phone: 00 354 571 7777
Vitabar is one of the hidden gems close to the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church. It's small, run down and feels like it's been hungover for decades, but delivers excellent local burgers. If you like blue cheese, I recommend the Gleymmérey - the Forget-me-not - because you'll smell of blue cheese for a while. It's cheap by Icelandic standards. A beer and a burger should set you back by just 25$. There should be no need to book in advance. I'm not even sure they accept reservations.
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Vitabar
21 BergþórugataVitabar is one of the hidden gems close to the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church. It's small, run down and feels like it's been hungover for decades, but delivers excellent local burgers. If you like blue cheese, I recommend the Gleymmérey - the Forget-me-not - because you'll smell of blue cheese for a while. It's cheap by Icelandic standards. A beer and a burger should set you back by just 25$. There should be no need to book in advance. I'm not even sure they accept reservations.
This is actually a two in one - a nice café run and owned by locals and and awesome bakery right next door called Brauð & Co. They just opened there a few weeks ago so the map does not know yet. The café is pretty hip and very popular among locals and it's a nice place to take in the neighborhood.
Brauð & Co make some of the finest sourdough bread this side of the equator. Ask for their regular bread and cinnamon buns, especially if they are warm. We go there every Saturday for bread and the bread stays good for a few days if you cut of the dry centimeter at the end and put it in the toaster.
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Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
20 MelhagiThis is actually a two in one - a nice café run and owned by locals and and awesome bakery right next door called Brauð & Co. They just opened there a few weeks ago so the map does not know yet. The café is pretty hip and very popular among locals and it's a nice place to take in the neighborhood.
Brauð & Co make some of the finest sourdough bread this side of the equator. Ask for their regular bread and cinnamon buns, especially if they are warm. We go there every Saturday for bread and the bread stays good for a few days if you cut of the dry centimeter at the end and put it in the toaster.
Probably the best brunch in town. I recommend their Eggs Florentine. Amazing. It's often busy and they accept walk-ins only and only serve brunch on the weekends. They also serve some of the best drip-coffee I've ever tasted. Walking there takes you through the heart of the Old West Side and to the harbor.
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The Coocoo's Nest
23 GrandagarðurProbably the best brunch in town. I recommend their Eggs Florentine. Amazing. It's often busy and they accept walk-ins only and only serve brunch on the weekends. They also serve some of the best drip-coffee I've ever tasted. Walking there takes you through the heart of the Old West Side and to the harbor.
One of the best fish restaurants in the city. A bit expensive but well worth it for seafood lovers.
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Fiskmarkaðurinn
One of the best fish restaurants in the city. A bit expensive but well worth it for seafood lovers.
Tommi's Burger Joint is a hole in the wall that serves surprisingly good burgers. The offer of the century gets you a standard burger, fries and a coke for less than 20$.
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Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar
Geirsgötu 1 GeirsgataTommi's Burger Joint is a hole in the wall that serves surprisingly good burgers. The offer of the century gets you a standard burger, fries and a coke for less than 20$.
A nice restaurant but also a very fashionable bar. Walk-ins are the only way to get a table after 18:30 (6:30PM). Their brunch, lunch and dinner menus are all something we can recommend.
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Snaps Bistro
1 ÞórsgataA nice restaurant but also a very fashionable bar. Walk-ins are the only way to get a table after 18:30 (6:30PM). Their brunch, lunch and dinner menus are all something we can recommend.
An old local ice cream parlor. Popular among locals but only of moderate quality, but great after a short swim in Vesturbæjarlaug public pool (see this guide book).
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Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
HagamelurAn old local ice cream parlor. Popular among locals but only of moderate quality, but great after a short swim in Vesturbæjarlaug public pool (see this guide book).
Danish style open sandwiches with all kinds of everything. It's on the expensive scale but makes for an interesting experience.
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Jómfrúin - Scandinavian Kitchen
4 LækjargataDanish style open sandwiches with all kinds of everything. It's on the expensive scale but makes for an interesting experience.
A collection of restaurants located in the old main bus terminal. A great place to have lunch and very accessible. Buses number 13 and 14 take you directly from the apartment to Hlemmur.
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Hlemmur Mathöll
107 LaugavegurA collection of restaurants located in the old main bus terminal. A great place to have lunch and very accessible. Buses number 13 and 14 take you directly from the apartment to Hlemmur.
The famous hot-dog stand. Usually very crowded but I find the hot dogs pretty good and not that expensive by Icelandic standards. Definitely worth visiting if you are passing by - which you probably will because it is close to the heart of Downtown.
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Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
1 TryggvagataThe famous hot-dog stand. Usually very crowded but I find the hot dogs pretty good and not that expensive by Icelandic standards. Definitely worth visiting if you are passing by - which you probably will because it is close to the heart of Downtown.
Great Syrian-themed fast food. Ask for their shawarma or falafel rolls with hummus on the side. Quick and quite cheap by Icelandic standards.
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Mandi
3b VeltusundGreat Syrian-themed fast food. Ask for their shawarma or falafel rolls with hummus on the side. Quick and quite cheap by Icelandic standards.
Brauð & Co make some of the finest sourdough bread this side of the equator. Ask for their regular bread (Öland) and cinnamon buns, especially if they are warm.
We go there every Saturday for bread and the bread stays good for a few days if you cut of the dry centimeter at the end and put it in the toaster. If your flight arrives early I recommend visiting them in the very early hours of the morning to get warm sourdough-bread fresh from the oven. Open from 06:30 (6:30AM) on weekdays and 07:00 (7AM) on weekends till 18:00 (6PM) every day.
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Brauð & Co.
16 FrakkastígurBrauð & Co make some of the finest sourdough bread this side of the equator. Ask for their regular bread (Öland) and cinnamon buns, especially if they are warm.
We go there every Saturday for bread and the bread stays good for a few days if you cut of the dry centimeter at the end and put it in the toaster. If your flight arrives early I recommend visiting them in the very early hours of the morning to get warm sourdough-bread fresh from the oven. Open from 06:30 (6:30AM) on weekdays and 07:00 (7AM) on weekends till 18:00 (6PM) every day.
Hygge Coffee & Micro Bakery
Arts & Culture
National Museum of Iceland
41 SuðurgataA beautiful museum dedicated to the Icelandic painter Jóhannes Kjarval. The building is quite interesting if you are into that kind of stuff. It also has a nice little café.
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Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir
24 FlókagataA beautiful museum dedicated to the Icelandic painter Jóhannes Kjarval. The building is quite interesting if you are into that kind of stuff. It also has a nice little café.
A beautiful museum with an equally beautiful park behind it, Listasafn Einars Jónssonar, or Hnitbjörg, is dedicated to, you guessed it, Einar Jónsson, the Icelandic sculptor and painter. The building is beautiful, if a little bit ominous, and Einar used to live there with his wife. Legend has it the he hated children and wanted to keep them out of his beautiful park.
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Einar Jónsson Museum
51 NjarðargataA beautiful museum with an equally beautiful park behind it, Listasafn Einars Jónssonar, or Hnitbjörg, is dedicated to, you guessed it, Einar Jónsson, the Icelandic sculptor and painter. The building is beautiful, if a little bit ominous, and Einar used to live there with his wife. Legend has it the he hated children and wanted to keep them out of his beautiful park.
Harpa is the iconic glass structure next to the harbor. The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra plays in the main hall, but the hall is also the venue for various concerts. It's also a nice spot to get a view of a good part of the old city.
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Harpa station
KalkofnsvegurHarpa is the iconic glass structure next to the harbor. The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra plays in the main hall, but the hall is also the venue for various concerts. It's also a nice spot to get a view of a good part of the old city.
Parks & Nature
A nice park next to the Tjörnin pond. Great for walks and getting a nice view of the old part of the city.
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Hljómskálagarður
A nice park next to the Tjörnin pond. Great for walks and getting a nice view of the old part of the city.
A large park with lots of activities and a nice art museum, Kjarvalsstaðir right next to it.
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Klambratún
4 AusturstrætiA large park with lots of activities and a nice art museum, Kjarvalsstaðir right next to it.
A nice and relatively easy hike just outside of Reykjavík. Gives you a great view of the area surrounding the city and the city itself. You need a car to get there and decent shoes for the hike.
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Helgafell
A nice and relatively easy hike just outside of Reykjavík. Gives you a great view of the area surrounding the city and the city itself. You need a car to get there and decent shoes for the hike.
A somewhat challenging hike up the mountain you see from the Harpan seaside of Reykjavík. The hike takes a few hours so packing a small lunch and some water would be a good idea. You can get there by bus or by car. Hiking boots are highly recommended for the hike.
Þverfellshorn
A somewhat challenging hike up the mountain you see from the Harpan seaside of Reykjavík. The hike takes a few hours so packing a small lunch and some water would be a good idea. You can get there by bus or by car. Hiking boots are highly recommended for the hike.
Essentials
One of the few remaining neighborhood grocery stores in Reykjavík. The store is on average maybe 10%-20% more expensive than Krónan and Bónus, but it's cozy, has everything you need and is a cornerstone in the West Side neighborhood. Closes at 20:00 (8PM) every day.
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Melabúðin
One of the few remaining neighborhood grocery stores in Reykjavík. The store is on average maybe 10%-20% more expensive than Krónan and Bónus, but it's cozy, has everything you need and is a cornerstone in the West Side neighborhood. Closes at 20:00 (8PM) every day.
A tiny grocery store with an impressive selection. It's long opening hours are very convenient when in a pickle. Pétursbúð closes at 23:30 every day.
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Pétursbúð
15 RánargataA tiny grocery store with an impressive selection. It's long opening hours are very convenient when in a pickle. Pétursbúð closes at 23:30 every day.
A large convenience store. Krónan has a great selection of pretty much anything and is one of the cheapest grocery stores in Iceland, but unless you intend to do your weekly groceries, we recommend Melabúðin. It's closer and nicer.
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Krónan
50 ReykjavikurvegurA large convenience store. Krónan has a great selection of pretty much anything and is one of the cheapest grocery stores in Iceland, but unless you intend to do your weekly groceries, we recommend Melabúðin. It's closer and nicer.
A small store with a rather limited selection and a funny vibe. Very close and great if you run out of milk. Open 10:30 (10:30AM) till 20:00 (8PM) every day except Sunday, then it's 13:00 (1PM) till 18:00 (6PM)
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Kjötborg
19 ÁsvallagataA small store with a rather limited selection and a funny vibe. Very close and great if you run out of milk. Open 10:30 (10:30AM) till 20:00 (8PM) every day except Sunday, then it's 13:00 (1PM) till 18:00 (6PM)
In Iceland, alcohol is not sold in grocery stores but in special state-run liquor stores. Do not be fooled by cans and bottles that look like beer in grocery stores. They are basically trying to rip you off with watered-down beer. The closest liquor store to the apartment is this one, right in the middle of Downtown.
They have a very good selection but close at 18:00 (6PM) Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays but stays open till 19:00 (7PM) on Fridays. All liquor stores are closed on Sundays.
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Vínbúðin
10a AusturstrætiIn Iceland, alcohol is not sold in grocery stores but in special state-run liquor stores. Do not be fooled by cans and bottles that look like beer in grocery stores. They are basically trying to rip you off with watered-down beer. The closest liquor store to the apartment is this one, right in the middle of Downtown.
They have a very good selection but close at 18:00 (6PM) Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays but stays open till 19:00 (7PM) on Fridays. All liquor stores are closed on Sundays.
24/7 convenience store in the city centre. Expensive but good for getting bare necessities if all else fails.
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10-11
11 Austurstræti24/7 convenience store in the city centre. Expensive but good for getting bare necessities if all else fails.
Drinks & Nightlife
A hidden spot in a back alley of Reykjavík. Great for having a glass of wine or two. Or more.
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Port 9
A hidden spot in a back alley of Reykjavík. Great for having a glass of wine or two. Or more.
A nice bar with a hostel attached to it. The view from their balcony is amazing.
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Reykjavik Loft HI Hostel
7 BankastrætiA nice bar with a hostel attached to it. The view from their balcony is amazing.
A bar dedicated to all kinds of craft beer. Located in a small cellar in the old central point of the city. The bar is decorated with drawings by shock artist Hugleikur Dagsson. Don't worry, it's mostly the words that accompany his stick-figure comics that offend. But they are often very good. Legend has it Hugleikur would visit the bar and pay for his beer by drawing on the wall.
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Micro Bar
86 LaugavegurA bar dedicated to all kinds of craft beer. Located in a small cellar in the old central point of the city. The bar is decorated with drawings by shock artist Hugleikur Dagsson. Don't worry, it's mostly the words that accompany his stick-figure comics that offend. But they are often very good. Legend has it Hugleikur would visit the bar and pay for his beer by drawing on the wall.
One of Reykjavík's best know night clubs, it's target audience is young people of all ages looking to dance.
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Húrra
One of Reykjavík's best know night clubs, it's target audience is young people of all ages looking to dance.
A great spot for cocktails and a medium priced but very good meal.
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Slippbarinn
2 MýrargataA great spot for cocktails and a medium priced but very good meal.
A nice spot for cocktails and drinks that slowly transforms into a club on late weekend nights.
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Pablo Discobar
A nice spot for cocktails and drinks that slowly transforms into a club on late weekend nights.
Entertainment & Activities
Bíó Paradís
54 HverfisgataA nice cinema that usually screens independent films.
Vesturbæjarlaug is a public pool very close to the apartment. Swimming pools in Iceland are a great way to get a feel of the neighborhood, especially Vesturbæjarlaug. It's open from 06:30 (6:30AM) on weekdays and 09:00 (9AM) till 22:00 (10PM) every day.
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Vesturbæjarlaug
HofsvallagataVesturbæjarlaug is a public pool very close to the apartment. Swimming pools in Iceland are a great way to get a feel of the neighborhood, especially Vesturbæjarlaug. It's open from 06:30 (6:30AM) on weekdays and 09:00 (9AM) till 22:00 (10PM) every day.
University of Iceland
2 SæmundargataThe local cinema.
Shopping
If you want real Icelandic everyday culture, visit Kringlan. It's basically a shopping mall but there you will find a cross-section of Icelandic society. We don't go there often but if you are in need of a shirt or a pair of jeans, it's probably your best bet. Bus number 13, the one that stops right next to the apartment, takes you directly to Kringlan.
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Kringlan
If you want real Icelandic everyday culture, visit Kringlan. It's basically a shopping mall but there you will find a cross-section of Icelandic society. We don't go there often but if you are in need of a shirt or a pair of jeans, it's probably your best bet. Bus number 13, the one that stops right next to the apartment, takes you directly to Kringlan.
A great place to stock up on books or grab a cup of coffee.
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Penninn Eymundsson Austurstræti
18 AusturstrætiA great place to stock up on books or grab a cup of coffee.