Reykjavík Restaurant Tips by SWFC_Fan

Geysir Bistro & Bar: Upmarket bistro in the heart of Reykjavik

My friend and I ate at Geysir Bistro & Bar one evening during a visit to Reykjavik in December 2007.

This relatively upmarket bistro is located adjacent to the Tourist Information building on Aðalstræti, in the centre of town. It is located directly opposite the prominent yellow fronted buildings that house the Fish Buffet and the Ice Bar.

At the time of our visit, Christmas lights decorated the windows and roof, and a couple of Christmas trees adorned the front of the building.

The interior was rather chic, with stylish black dining tables, cushioned chairs and colourful lamps. The friendly waitresses were very attentive and service was quick and efficient.

A menu board is displayed outside the bistro – so you won’t be shocked by the prices when you get inside! We learnt early on in our stay in Reykjavik that it would be unwise to enter a restaurant without first seeing a pricelist. Some of the prices that we saw were absolutely staggering! Prices at Geysir are slightly above average, but with lots of affordable meals.

The menu includes:

Soups - from 575 Kr (approx. 5 GBP) for tomato soup to 1395 Kr (approx. 11.50 GBP) for fish soup;

Snacks, starters and salads - a wide choice of dishes ranging from nachos with guacamole (595 Kr) to tiger prawns with vegetable quiche and sourcream (995 Kr). A chicken salad with olives, paprika and onions will set you back 1345 Kr (11 GBP) and a seafood salad 1475 Kr (over 12 GBP).

Burgers, sandwiches and pasta - a barbecue burger with cheese, bacon and salad costs 1295 Kr (just under 11 GBP), a beef sandwich with onions, mushrooms and Béarnaise sauce costs 1595 Kr (over 13 GBP) and Spaghetti Bolognese also costs 1595 Kr.

Favorite Dish: .

Fish - fish ‘n’ chips with cocktail sauce costs 1695 Kr (14 GBP), while 2495 Kr (21 GBP) will buy you grilled salmon with boiled potatoes and vegetables.

Meat - beefsteak with Rosmarine sauce, potatoes and vegetables costs 3495 Kr (29 GBP), lamb with Béarnaise sauce costs 2995 Kr (25 GBP), while chicken and pork dishes are available for 2595 Kr (22 GBP).

Desserts - a wide selection of sweet dishes ranging from vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce (795 Kr; 6.60 GBP) to fresh fruit and berry salad (945 Kr; 8 GBP).

A full menu can be found HERE

I opted for:

Hvalborgari með humarmajonesi, salati, lauk og tómat. - Cost: 1395 Kr / 11.50 GBP

Having never tried whale before, and being determined to try at least one local speciality during our stay in Iceland, both my friend and I ordered this dish: "whaleburger with lobster mayonnaise and salad”.

It consisted of a decent sized whale steak in a burger bun with lettuce, onions, tomato and mayonnaise. A small dish of lobster mayonnaise was also provided separately, as well as a plate of fries. The whale burger was well cooked, looked similar to a beef steak (but a darker red inside), tasted (and smelled) like fish, but also tasted a bit like beef at times, and was tougher than beef. I’d certainly recommend trying a whaleburger while in Reykjavik.

Sprite Zero - Cost: 195 Kr / 1.60 GBP

A small bottle of Sprite lemonade with a glass of ice.

A nice bistro with an extensive menu in the heart of Reykjavik. Recommended!

Address: Aðalstræti 2, 101 Rekjav

Comparison: about average

Phone: +354 517 4300

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.geysirbistrobar.is/

Babalu Coffeehouse: Very laid back coffeehouse in Reykjavik

My friend and I stopped off at Babalu Café for hot drinks one cold afternoon during our visit to Reykjavik in December 2007.

This small café, which looks like a small cube from the outside, but which actually extends into the neighbouring building, making it larger inside than it appears externally, is located on Skolavordustigur (the road that leads down from Hallgrimskirkja to the town centre).

Babalu Café is about as laid back a café as it is possible to imagine. Everything from the furniture, to the staff, to the background music puts you in a relaxed frame of mind.

We ordered our drinks at the counter and then settled down on a comfy sofa in a room that was reminiscent of a study room in someone’s home. The décor included a shelf of plasterscene figures, clip on koala bears attached to the light fittings, photos of Reykjavik, music posters and a selection of board games (including Scrabble and Cluedo) to keep customers amused. Mellow, easy listening music streamed (not too loudly) from the speakers.

The drinks menu (colourfully scribbled on a chalkboard behind the counter) includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, fruit juices and soft drinks. There are a variety of light snacks available too, such as sandwiches, cakes and biscuits. I opted for a hot chocolate (330 Kr / 2.75 GBP) and a carrot muffin (220 Kr / 1.80 GBP). The sweet hot chocolate came in a tall glass and was topped with whipped cream, while the muffin was tasty, but so tiny that it was consumed in a couple of bites!

The café has an outdoor roof-top balcony, which is apparently very popular in the summer months but which, on a cold December afternoon, was frequented only by customers popping outside to smoke.

A very laid back café! Recommended!

Address: Skolavordustigur 22a

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located on Skolavordustigur, the street that runs downhill from Hallgrimskirkja to the town centre.

Phone: +354 552 2278

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

Shalimar: Indian/Pakistani food in the heart of Reykjavik

My friend and I ate at Shalimar Indian/Pakistani restaurant one evening during a visit to Reykjavik in December 2007.

This small restaurant is located on Austurstraeti, in the heart of Reykjavik town centre, directly opposite a branch of Subway. You’ll recognise the restaurant from its distinctive red and yellow canopy.

The restaurant is situated on two floors, with a small dining area downstairs next to the bar area and kitchen and a greater number of tables upstairs. The downstairs dining area is simply furnished, with bare wooden tables and wooden chairs. The walls and window sills are adorned with Indian decorations and artifacts.

Eating out is generally expensive in Reykjavik, and Shalimar is no exception to this rule. However, it does offer a special value menu which includes lunch from 950 Kr (8 GBP) and dinner from 1150 Kr (9.50 GBP).

These special menus include a choice of dishes which can be ordered individually or can be combined in a variety of special offers. The choice consists of vegetable kebabs, cheese filled potato pockets, chicken schnitzel, a different meat dish each day and a different vegetarian dish each day.

Each of the above dishes costs 950 Kr at lunch (11:30 – 16:00) or 1150 Kr at dinner (16:00 – 22:00). You can choose any 2 of the dishes for 1150 Kr (lunch) or 1350 Kr (dinner), any 3 for 1350 Kr/1550 Kr, any 4 for 1450 Kr/1650 Kr or a mixture of all 5 for 1550 Kr/1750 Kr. If you choose more than one dish, you receive a mixture of the dishes, but not full portions of each.

A full menu can be found on the restaurant’s website: MENU

If you don’t take advantage of the special lunch and dinner menus, dishes tend to be quite costly. A few examples of dishes and their prices:

Favorite Dish: .

Onion bhaji (680 Kr / 5.70 GBP)

Chicken Tikka Masala (1950 Kr / 16.25 GBP)

Chicken Madras (2150 Kr / 18.00 GBP)

Lamb Curry (2330 Kr / 19.50 GBP)

Beef Chilli (2600 Kr / 21.70 GBP)

Prawn Kashmiri (2990 Kr / 25.00 GBP)

Alcoholic drinks are also expensive at Shalimar, as in most of Reykjavik’s restaurants. The cheapest beers (Viking, Sapporo, Cobra, Carlsberg, Corona) cost 590 Kr (5 GBP) for small 330ml bottles. Larger, 640 ml bottles of Cobra and Indian Pale Ale cost 990 Kr (8.25 GBP). There is a decent selection of red and white wines – ranging from 700 Kr (5.80 GBP) for a tiny 187ml bottle, to 3000 Kr + (25 GBP +) for 750 ml bottles.

I opted for:

Special Dinner Menu: Chilli Chicken - Cost: 1150 Kr (9.50 GBP)

On the day that we visited, the “Meat Dish of the Day” on the special dinner menu was chilli chicken. This was a very hot dish, with succulent chicken, peppers, kidney beans and a tasty chilli sauce. It was sufficiently hot to leave my lips tingling…and that’s always a good sign in my book! Served with a small portion of basmati rice and a handful of salad leaves.

At the time that we ordered, we hadn’t figured out how the special dinner menu worked (it was explained on a chalk board behind the bar, but we hadn’t seen it until after we’d ordered). If I had known, I’d have spent a few hundred extra kronurs and tried a mixture of 2 or 3 of the special dishes.

Butter Nan - Cost: 250 Kr (2.00 GBP)

A small but tasty butter nan bread – an ideal accompaniment to the hot chicken chilli. The restaurant offers a variety of different nan breads (sesame, garlic, chilli, cumin, cheese, Peshawari…) for 250 – 400 Kr.

Bottle of Sprite lemonade - Cost: 200 Kr (1.70 GBP)

A reasonable sized bottle of Sprite, served with a glass and lots of ice. An essential accompaniment to the hot chilli!

Good Indian/Pakistani food in the heart of Reykjavik. Good value lunch and dinner specials. Recommended!

Address: Austurstraeti 4

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located on Austurstraeti, at the end of the pedestrainised main street. Opposite Subway.

Other Contact: shalimar@shalimar.is

Phone: +354 551 0292

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Indian

Website: http://www.shalimar.is

Bæjarins beztu pylsur: The best hot dogs in Europe?

In a city where eating out is generally expensive, the wonderful (and very affordable) hot dogs at Reykjavik’s Bæjarins beztu pylsur are an absolute godsend!

Bæjarins beztu is a small kiosk, located on Tryggvagata (close to the harbour), and its name translates roughly into English as “the best hot dogs in town!”. Not only are the hot dogs there considered the best in Reykjavik, but the best in the whole of Europe by some people! (Bæjarins beztu was voted the best hot dog stand in Europe by the Guardian newspaper in the summer of 2006!).

The guidebook stated that we would find this place by looking for the long queues of locals, but in fact there were no such crowds on the cold evening that we visited in December 2007. The two small tables outside the kiosk were empty, although a couple of other customers bought hot dogs soon after us and took them away with them.

We ordered “hot dogs with everything” – a nice sausage with ketchup, mustard and a mixture of fried and raw onions – at a price of 210 Kr (1.75 GBP) each. Despite all the accolades, it wasn’t the best hot dog I’d ever tasted (that honour probably goes to the ones that I enjoyed at Bergen airport!), but it was tasty and good value for money.

We enjoyed our hotdogs while “reading” the timeline board that stands besides the kiosk. This long timeline (written completely in Icelandic) describes a number of historic events (only a few of which are hot dog related) and displays a number of historic photos of Bæjarins beztu. Pride of place goes to the photo of Bill Clinton tucking into his hot dog at the very spot where we were standing. He is apparently just one of the many celebrities to have dined at this modest hot dog stand while visiting Reykjavik.

The best hot dog stand in Europe? Apparently so!! Highly recommended for a good value snack in Reykjavik!

Address: Tryggvagata

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Located on Tryggvagata, between the harbour and the pedestrianised town centre.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Street Vendor

Icelandic Fish & Chips: Fish and chips near the harbour

As an Englishman, I’m always tempted by fish and chips when I’m travelling. During a trip to Reykjavik in December 2007, that temptation proved too much, so my friend and I decided to dine at Icelandic Fish and Chips one lunch time.

This fish and chip restaurant is appropriately located right by the harbour on Tryggvagötu, and came recommended by our guidebook.

Eating out is generally expensive in Reykjavik and this place was no exception. In fact, it was the most expensive fish and chips that I can ever recall ordering!

Icelandic Fish and Chips is a partly self-service restaurant. You place your order for your choice of fish and accompanying side dishes at the counter and then you make your way over to the canteen area to pick up cutlery, napkins, complimentary water and drinks from the fridge before finding a table to sit at. There are dozens of wooden tables in the spacious dining area. The waitress delivers the fish and side dishes to your table.

Different fish are served each day. The choice includes cod (790 Kr), haddock (860 Kr), plaice (950 Kr), monkfish (980 Kr), halibut (980 Kr) and calamari (980 Kr).

The most popular side dish is “crispy potatoes” (the closest item on the menu to “chips”), costing 390 Kr. Other side dishes include potato salad (430 Kr), mango salad (450 Kr) and onion rings (390 Kr).

A range of sauces are available (150 Kr each), including tartar, basil & garlic, ginger & wasabi, honey & mustard and mango chutney. Vinegar and ketchup cost 100 Kr each.

A full online menu can be found HERE

The restaurant is open Monday to Friday 11:30 - 21:00 and weekends 12:00 - 21:00.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

Haddock - Cost: 790 Kr (6.50 GBP)

Three small pieces of battered haddock. The fish was very good and the light, crispy homemade batter (apparently a healthy, organic recipe produced from barley) was tasty and didn’t overpower the fish that it contained. My only complaint would be that it wasn’t a particularly large portion.

Crispy Potatoes - Cost: 390 Kr (3.25 GBP)

Described on the menu as “oven roasted in olive oil, parsley and Maldon salt”, this portion of roast potatoes was salty, flavoursome and not too greasy. Nothing like the chips that we get in chippies back in the UK – but that isn’t always a bad thing!

A carton of Apple Juice - Cost: 200 Kr (1.70 GBP)

With unlimited complimentary drinking water available, I decided to opt for the cheapest possible drink – a tiny carton of apple juice from the fridge.

Tasty, healthy fish and chips by the harbour!

Address: Tryggvagötu 8

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located on Tryggvagötu, across the road from the harbour.

Other Contact: olafur@fishandchips.is

Phone: +354 511-1118

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Seafood

Website: http://www.fishandchips.is/

The Great Wall of China: Excellent Chinese cuisine in Reykjavik

My friend and I dined at Reykjavik’s Great Wall of China Chinese restaurant on New Year’s Day 2008.

Reykjavik town centre was deserted on the opening day of 2008 and, after wandering the streets for some time, we finally found a restaurant that was open – the Great Wall of China! This large restaurant is located on Vesturgata, in the town centre close to the Tourist Information centre, and the conspicuous yellow building that houses the Fish Buffet and the Ice bar.

It was quite a find too, serving excellent quality Canton, Szechuan and Peking cuisine in a warm and comfortable setting. After spending much of the morning out in the cold, this place proved to be the perfect retreat. The staff were welcoming and friendly and, as we were the only diners at the time, the service was speedy and attentive.

The menu is extensive and can be found in it entirety HERE.

A brief sample of the available dishes and their prices:

Soups (1000 – 1600 Kr): sharkfin, seafood, hot and sour, mushroom…

Pork Dishes (2200 Kr +): curry, sweet & sour, blackbean sauce…

Beef Dishes (2600 Kr +): fried beef with onions, spicy Kung Po…

Lamb Dishes (2400 Kr +): with oyster sauce, with spicy Sacha sauce…

Poultry Dishes (2200 Kr +): chicken curry, with pineapple, with cashew nuts…

Seafood Dishes (2600 Kr +): black pepper lobster, king prawn with salt and pepper…

Rice and Noodles (1200 Kr +): egg fried noodles, fried rice with chicken, mixed noodle soup…

There are also a selection of special menus (minimum 2 people) including a variety of starters, main courses and desserts. The cheapest of these (Menu A) includes hot and sour soup, spring rolls, chicken with mixed veg, fried beef with onion, and ice cream and costs 3300 Kr (27.50 GBP) per person. Details of menus B, C and D can be found on their website.

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

Singapore Rice Noodles - Cost: 1700 Kr (14 GBP)

A large plate of tasty rice noodles with tender strips of beef, succulent pieces of chicken and half a dozen or so medium sized prawns, as well as onions and other assorted stir fried vegetables. Very tasty and contained excellent quality meat.

My friend also opted for one of the noodle dishes (fried noodles with chicken if memory serves correct) and we both polished off every last noodle and left the restaurant feeling very satisfied with our meals.

Coca Cola (250ml) - Cost: 350 Kr (3 GBP)

Expensive soft drinks, even by Reykjavik’s standards! Beer is available, with large (500ml) Viking or Carlsberg beers costing 700 Kr (approx. 6 GBP), and there is a reasonable wine list although, as with most restaurants in Reykjavik, a bottle costs upwards of 3000 Kr.

Excellent Chinese food in the heart of Reykjavik. Highly recommended!!

Address: Vesturgata 6-8

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located on Vesturgata, just inland from the harbour and a few minutes walk from the pedestrianised town centre.

Phone: +354 552 1900

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum

Pizza Pronto: Standard pizza slices in Reykjavik

Under normal circumstances, I probably wouldn’t have eaten at Pizza Pronto during my visit to Reykjavik in December 2007. It didn’t have any unique features to set it apart from the usual cheap, fast food pizza joint.

However, it was the early hours of New Year’s Day and my friend and I were in desperate need of some sustenance before heading back into town to continue the New Year celebrations. We were not alone as this restaurant (seemingly the only food outlet open at the time!) attracted dozens of customers who were also making the same journey from Hallgrimskirkja (where we’d just seen the clock strike midnight) into the town centre. Pizza Pronto was ideally located on Vallarstræti, at the bottom of Skolavordustigur next to Ingolfstorg square. Practically the whole of Reykjavik had to pass by on their way into town that morning!

The usual choice of pizzas found worldwide was available, either by the slice or as full pizzas. Choose from the ubiquitous combinations of tomato, pepperoni, ham, pineapple, olives, chilli peppers, beef, onions, sweetcorn, shrimps, anchovies…

A single pizza slice costs 450 Kr (3.75 GBP), while full pizzas (9, 12 or 16 inch) work out cheaper per slice.

I ordered a 12 inch “Pronto Mojo” (topped with ham, pineapple, pepperoni and onions) and waited an eternity for it to arrive. Under the exceptional circumstances, and with only one member of staff serving, I could hardly complain about the delay. The pizza cost 1600 Kr (over 13 GBP) and was average at best, although my expectations weren’t very high anyway. It filled a hole, and that was the priority at the time!

A standard pizza joint in Reykjavik town centre. Best suited for an emergency bite to eat during a night out!

Address: Vallarstræti 4

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Located on Vallarstræti, at the bottom of Skolavordustigur heading into the town centre.

Other Contact: pizza@pizzapronto.is

Phone: +354 517 5445

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 3

Theme: Pizza

Website: http://www.pizzapronto.is/