Guidebook for Reykjavik
Food Scene
Downtown. if you like burgers this is the place to go to for lunch. This restaurant has pretty sleek interior design and is very popular.
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Grillmarkaðurinn
Downtown. if you like burgers this is the place to go to for lunch. This restaurant has pretty sleek interior design and is very popular.
The oldest cafe in Reykjavík founded in 1957. The hot chocolate with whipped cream and toast with cheese is incredible. (So simple and so great!) They also have superb waffles.
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Mokka Kaffi
3A SkólavörðustígurThe oldest cafe in Reykjavík founded in 1957. The hot chocolate with whipped cream and toast with cheese is incredible. (So simple and so great!) They also have superb waffles.
Harbor. Love this little seafood place, go here for a very authentic experience www.saegreifinn.is
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Sægreifinn
Harbor. Love this little seafood place, go here for a very authentic experience www.saegreifinn.is
Have you heard about the Icelandic hot dogs? This is the original hot dog stand, there is always a line, but not to worry it goes fast. Go here to see what all the fuss is about:).
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Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
1 TryggvagataHave you heard about the Icelandic hot dogs? This is the original hot dog stand, there is always a line, but not to worry it goes fast. Go here to see what all the fuss is about:).
Mat Bar, my personal favorite! this tiny little place is located on the corner of Hverfisgata and Bergstaðastræti and is perfect for a quick bite at lunch, or afternoon drinks followed by dinner. At Mat Bar the focus is on small plates, order somewhere between two to five, depending on how hungry you are. These are also fantastic to share. The vegan options here are incredible.
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MAT BAR
26 HverfisgataMat Bar, my personal favorite! this tiny little place is located on the corner of Hverfisgata and Bergstaðastræti and is perfect for a quick bite at lunch, or afternoon drinks followed by dinner. At Mat Bar the focus is on small plates, order somewhere between two to five, depending on how hungry you are. These are also fantastic to share. The vegan options here are incredible.
Located on Skólavörðustígur, just a couple of houses down from Hallgrímskirkja (the big church) you’ll find Kol Restaurant. This is my all time favorite place for lunch, if you are a foodie go here early on in your trip, you may want to come back. My go to plates for this gem: fish of the day, a shared seafood starter and their famous burger for lunch. These guys are also great at mixing drinks.
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Kol Restaurant
40 SkólavörðustígurLocated on Skólavörðustígur, just a couple of houses down from Hallgrímskirkja (the big church) you’ll find Kol Restaurant. This is my all time favorite place for lunch, if you are a foodie go here early on in your trip, you may want to come back. My go to plates for this gem: fish of the day, a shared seafood starter and their famous burger for lunch. These guys are also great at mixing drinks.
Down at the old harbor overlooking the ocean, and slightly hidden from sight we have Kopar Restaurant. This one has become a Reykjavik stable, and it never disappoints. Be sure to ask if they can accommodate you with a table upstairs, you’ll have spectacular views. Current go-to dishes: cod tongues as a starter (don’t be scared this taste like the best fish and chips you’ll ever have) and muscles, as a main dish all the seafood options and especially the lobster and crab risotto. If you think you have no room for dessert, think again, go for the adventurous shared dessert, believe me, you won’t be disappointed and you will find room.
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Kopar
3 GeirsgataDown at the old harbor overlooking the ocean, and slightly hidden from sight we have Kopar Restaurant. This one has become a Reykjavik stable, and it never disappoints. Be sure to ask if they can accommodate you with a table upstairs, you’ll have spectacular views. Current go-to dishes: cod tongues as a starter (don’t be scared this taste like the best fish and chips you’ll ever have) and muscles, as a main dish all the seafood options and especially the lobster and crab risotto. If you think you have no room for dessert, think again, go for the adventurous shared dessert, believe me, you won’t be disappointed and you will find room.
Rok, also located close to Hallgrímskirkja. This wonderful little place is easy to spot, it’s in a black house with a green turf roof. Seen from the entrance of the church, slightly down on your right. Here the focus is also on small plates, it’s hard to choose wrong from this menu go for two to four plates and save some room for dessert. The brunch here is incredible, and they have the best little patio shielding you from all wind should you be so lucky to visit on one of the warmer days of summer. Go to plates: all of them.
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ROK
26a FrakkastígurRok, also located close to Hallgrímskirkja. This wonderful little place is easy to spot, it’s in a black house with a green turf roof. Seen from the entrance of the church, slightly down on your right. Here the focus is also on small plates, it’s hard to choose wrong from this menu go for two to four plates and save some room for dessert. The brunch here is incredible, and they have the best little patio shielding you from all wind should you be so lucky to visit on one of the warmer days of summer. Go to plates: all of them.
Indian food is always a good idea. Hraðlestin is located in a couple of places in Reykjavik and is the fast food brother to Austur Indíafélagið (a fancier white tablecloth variation of the place) the later has been around for ages, but the newly opened Hraðlestin, gives no discounts on the amazing quality of food. Come here for lunch or dinner, and stop by on Wednesdays for an expanded selection of vegan options. Go to dish: Thali, Chicken 65 and Chicken Madras along with all the vegan options.
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Hraðlestin
Indian food is always a good idea. Hraðlestin is located in a couple of places in Reykjavik and is the fast food brother to Austur Indíafélagið (a fancier white tablecloth variation of the place) the later has been around for ages, but the newly opened Hraðlestin, gives no discounts on the amazing quality of food. Come here for lunch or dinner, and stop by on Wednesdays for an expanded selection of vegan options. Go to dish: Thali, Chicken 65 and Chicken Madras along with all the vegan options.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream
There is never too much ice cream. Efstidalur is no ordinary farm, inside the barn you’ll find an ice cream shop and a restaurant where everything is made from local ingredients. Enjoy a scoop or two while enjoying icelandic nature and farm life at it’s best.
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Efstidalur II
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream
There is never too much ice cream. Efstidalur is no ordinary farm, inside the barn you’ll find an ice cream shop and a restaurant where everything is made from local ingredients. Enjoy a scoop or two while enjoying icelandic nature and farm life at it’s best.
Tomato, tomatoe. There is plenty for all to go around. A tomato farm located in Bláskógabyggð, here you have an entire tomato inspired menu. You’ll have a selection of everything from their classic tomato soup to tomato icecream (I know that sounds strange, but it’s delicious). If you are lucky you may catch the horse show on you way in or out, where the icelandic horse shows of it unique gates. Don’t miss the gift store, personally I make sure to never run out of their jams. This is a perfect stop after Gullfoss, and close to the Secret Lagoon.
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Friðheimar
FriðheimarTomato, tomatoe. There is plenty for all to go around. A tomato farm located in Bláskógabyggð, here you have an entire tomato inspired menu. You’ll have a selection of everything from their classic tomato soup to tomato icecream (I know that sounds strange, but it’s delicious). If you are lucky you may catch the horse show on you way in or out, where the icelandic horse shows of it unique gates. Don’t miss the gift store, personally I make sure to never run out of their jams. This is a perfect stop after Gullfoss, and close to the Secret Lagoon.
Located in Selfoss, this place has no shortage of good TripAdvisor reviews, the portions are big and the cakes are delicious.
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Kaffi Krús
7 AusturvegurLocated in Selfoss, this place has no shortage of good TripAdvisor reviews, the portions are big and the cakes are delicious.
This one is close by and has some of the best sushi in Reykjavik, take it home or eat in the restaurant. This place never fails. (I always grab a couple of servings of miso soup to go along with the sushi).
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Tokyo sushi
ÁlfheimarThis one is close by and has some of the best sushi in Reykjavik, take it home or eat in the restaurant. This place never fails. (I always grab a couple of servings of miso soup to go along with the sushi).
Domino's Pizza
45 HjarðarhagiCraving some pizza, every Tuesday they run discounts.
This is a fishmarket type store, come here for lunch and get the best fish in Reykjavik and it's cheap!. Or buy some to cook at home. :)
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Hafberg fresh fish store
SkeiðarvogurThis is a fishmarket type store, come here for lunch and get the best fish in Reykjavik and it's cheap!. Or buy some to cook at home. :)
The Thai Noodle Station was opened in 2009 and has since become a true staple for locals and travelers alike. The menu here is simple, there is soup. You can choose a vegetarian option, beef or chicken and that is that. But don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the menu, the quality of ingredients is outstanding, and there certainly is a dash of secret magic in there, making this simple option, oh so good.
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Noodle Station
The Thai Noodle Station was opened in 2009 and has since become a true staple for locals and travelers alike. The menu here is simple, there is soup. You can choose a vegetarian option, beef or chicken and that is that. But don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the menu, the quality of ingredients is outstanding, and there certainly is a dash of secret magic in there, making this simple option, oh so good.
Ice cream all year around! Thats how we roll in Iceland. This little spot is always busy, ask for their famous "old style" ice cream.
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Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
HagamelurIce cream all year around! Thats how we roll in Iceland. This little spot is always busy, ask for their famous "old style" ice cream.
Everything Else
The fishmarket. These guys have freshly caught fish 6 days a week. I go here often. Get some pre seasoned salmon or icelandic cod (or lobster:). Its hard to get it wrong in this neighborhood market.
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Fiskikóngurinn
SogavegurThe fishmarket. These guys have freshly caught fish 6 days a week. I go here often. Get some pre seasoned salmon or icelandic cod (or lobster:). Its hard to get it wrong in this neighborhood market.
Just steps away, a little out door "park" walk through the woods explore the waterfall. This place is perfect for a morning (noon or night) run or a leisurely stroll.
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Elliðaárdalur
Just steps away, a little out door "park" walk through the woods explore the waterfall. This place is perfect for a morning (noon or night) run or a leisurely stroll.
Icelanders are known for their love of water. This pool offers a variety of different hot tubs, a salted sea water tub as well as a fun slide and an olympic size pool.
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Laugardalslaug
105 SundlaugavegurIcelanders are known for their love of water. This pool offers a variety of different hot tubs, a salted sea water tub as well as a fun slide and an olympic size pool.
Close to the swimming pool, a very nice outdoor area. There isn´t much action to the Botanical Gardens during the winter but the park itself is still nice to walk around in.
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Grasagardur Botanical Garden
105 HverfisgataClose to the swimming pool, a very nice outdoor area. There isn´t much action to the Botanical Gardens during the winter but the park itself is still nice to walk around in.
Downtown. Go dig for hidden treasures. This flea market is open on weekends, and sells everything from food to clothes.
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Kolaportið
Downtown. Go dig for hidden treasures. This flea market is open on weekends, and sells everything from food to clothes.
The drop off point for the FlyBus both buses 14 and 18 stop close by and will take you to the apartment.
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BSÍ
The drop off point for the FlyBus both buses 14 and 18 stop close by and will take you to the apartment.
Entertainment & Activities
The Icelandic Zoo, a bit different to most other countries, consisting mostly of farm animals.
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Húsdýragarðurinn Park & Zoo
The Icelandic Zoo, a bit different to most other countries, consisting mostly of farm animals.
Essentials
If you are going in for more than just a couple of things, it might be worth finding one of these supermarkets. You'll recognize them by their logo a pink pig on a yellow background.
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Bónus
11-13 SkipholtIf you are going in for more than just a couple of things, it might be worth finding one of these supermarkets. You'll recognize them by their logo a pink pig on a yellow background.
Right next door. Go here to get the essentials, if you are getting a lot of things Bónus will be more affordable.
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10-11
11 AusturstrætiRight next door. Go here to get the essentials, if you are getting a lot of things Bónus will be more affordable.
Located very close to the apartment, a little bakery and a grocery store, pharmacy and a couple of little shops.
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Austurver
HáaleitisbrautLocated very close to the apartment, a little bakery and a grocery store, pharmacy and a couple of little shops.
Great selection of food and a good bakery, a bit pricy but open 24/7. If you are craving some donuts there is a Chrispy Cream by the entrance.
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Hagkaup
15 FaxafenGreat selection of food and a good bakery, a bit pricy but open 24/7. If you are craving some donuts there is a Chrispy Cream by the entrance.
Great grocery shopping, more expensive than Bónus across the street, I usually start at Bónus, then go here for what I didn't get there.
Krónan
Great grocery shopping, more expensive than Bónus across the street, I usually start at Bónus, then go here for what I didn't get there.
Sightseeing
When you go Downtown its going to be hard to miss this cathedral standing on to of Arnarhóll. The top floor has an observatory that has some of the best views of Reykjavík.
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Hallgrímskirkja
When you go Downtown its going to be hard to miss this cathedral standing on to of Arnarhóll. The top floor has an observatory that has some of the best views of Reykjavík.
Shopping
If you feel like doing some shopping while you are here this is the place to go, everything from Zara to Hugo Boss, good food options as well.
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Kringlan
If you feel like doing some shopping while you are here this is the place to go, everything from Zara to Hugo Boss, good food options as well.