Guidebook for Reykjavík

Heimaleiga
Guidebook for Reykjavík

Food Scene

Food Cellar is a Grill & Cocktail bar, situated in a 160 year old building in the centre of Reykjavík. They like to think that Food is for your body and Music is for your soul. The food is in the Icelandic brasserie style of food, elegantly prepared by their skilled and enthusiastic chefs, using the Icelandic finest ingredients. On weekends when the evening fades out, the Food Cellar turns into cocktail club with an easy lounge feeling and live music.
75 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Matarkjallarinn
2 Aðalstræti
75 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Food Cellar is a Grill & Cocktail bar, situated in a 160 year old building in the centre of Reykjavík. They like to think that Food is for your body and Music is for your soul. The food is in the Icelandic brasserie style of food, elegantly prepared by their skilled and enthusiastic chefs, using the Icelandic finest ingredients. On weekends when the evening fades out, the Food Cellar turns into cocktail club with an easy lounge feeling and live music.
Offering a new spin on traditional Icelandic cuisine and boasting an extensive selection of local beer, Forréttabarinn – or “the starters bar” - is more than worth seeking out when you’re in need of a bite to eat or a place to start your night out in Reykjavík. Whatever dish you choose from the refreshingly creative menu, your taste buds are in for a treat. On any given evening at Forréttabarinn, you’re likely to find people lining the bar sipping on cocktails and locally brewed beer, old friends catching up over dinner and tourists refuelling after enjoying an exhibition at one of the nearby galleries. or a hike in the wilderness of Iceland.
142 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Forettabarinn
14 Nýlendugata
142 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Offering a new spin on traditional Icelandic cuisine and boasting an extensive selection of local beer, Forréttabarinn – or “the starters bar” - is more than worth seeking out when you’re in need of a bite to eat or a place to start your night out in Reykjavík. Whatever dish you choose from the refreshingly creative menu, your taste buds are in for a treat. On any given evening at Forréttabarinn, you’re likely to find people lining the bar sipping on cocktails and locally brewed beer, old friends catching up over dinner and tourists refuelling after enjoying an exhibition at one of the nearby galleries. or a hike in the wilderness of Iceland.
At the heart of the culinary experience that is the Grillmarket is Iceland's pristine nature. A close working collaboration with dedicated local farmers guarantees the very best in local produce and allows them to create a menu thats a magical fusion of tradition and modern cuisine. Just some of the local products that feature on the menu are lamb, beef, trout, quail, Skyr and honey.
336 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Grillmarkaðurinn
336 (рекомендации местных жителей)
At the heart of the culinary experience that is the Grillmarket is Iceland's pristine nature. A close working collaboration with dedicated local farmers guarantees the very best in local produce and allows them to create a menu thats a magical fusion of tradition and modern cuisine. Just some of the local products that feature on the menu are lamb, beef, trout, quail, Skyr and honey.
Grandi Mathöll is a pioneering street food hall in Reykjavik, there is only one of its kind in Iceland. The food hall is located in a refurbished fish factory in the Grandi Harbor District downtown Reykjavik. Guests can enjoy watching Icelandic fishing vessels landing fresh fish; some which may actually end on their dish. Grandi Mathöll features 9 artisanal food stands offering Icelandic fish and meat, Vietnamese and Korean street food, fresh Icelandic vegetables, freshly brewed coffee and other drinks. Enjoy a variety of delicious dishes while sipping on great wine, champagne or craft beer on tap.
135 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Grandi Mathöll
16 Grandagarður
135 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Grandi Mathöll is a pioneering street food hall in Reykjavik, there is only one of its kind in Iceland. The food hall is located in a refurbished fish factory in the Grandi Harbor District downtown Reykjavik. Guests can enjoy watching Icelandic fishing vessels landing fresh fish; some which may actually end on their dish. Grandi Mathöll features 9 artisanal food stands offering Icelandic fish and meat, Vietnamese and Korean street food, fresh Icelandic vegetables, freshly brewed coffee and other drinks. Enjoy a variety of delicious dishes while sipping on great wine, champagne or craft beer on tap.
DILL embraces the New Nordic Cuisine, focusing on fresh ingredients from Iceland. Taste is of the essence in their courses and simplicity plays a key role in bringing the ingredients to their full potential. They honor Icelandic traditions in their own way and try above all to find joy in their work and share this joy with their guests. DILL offers a selection of organic and provocative wines to match their unorthodox cuisine.
103 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Dill Restaurant
103 (рекомендации местных жителей)
DILL embraces the New Nordic Cuisine, focusing on fresh ingredients from Iceland. Taste is of the essence in their courses and simplicity plays a key role in bringing the ingredients to their full potential. They honor Icelandic traditions in their own way and try above all to find joy in their work and share this joy with their guests. DILL offers a selection of organic and provocative wines to match their unorthodox cuisine.

Drinks & Nightlife

On the top story of the three-story building is the newly opened Pablo Discobar: a themed bar with tropical decor that makes you feel like you’re lucky caller number nine that just won an all-expenses-paid trip to Columbia. Pablo Discobar opened in the fall of 2016 and was recently voted the best cocktail bar in Iceland at the Reykjavík Cocktail Weekend. Pablo Discobar is so corny that it’s cool! You’ll have unforgettable moments and have a nice drink of cocktails. Below it, on the middle floor, sits its restaurant compadre Burro. Nice tapas and steaks for you to feast on !
93 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Pablo Discobar
93 (рекомендации местных жителей)
On the top story of the three-story building is the newly opened Pablo Discobar: a themed bar with tropical decor that makes you feel like you’re lucky caller number nine that just won an all-expenses-paid trip to Columbia. Pablo Discobar opened in the fall of 2016 and was recently voted the best cocktail bar in Iceland at the Reykjavík Cocktail Weekend. Pablo Discobar is so corny that it’s cool! You’ll have unforgettable moments and have a nice drink of cocktails. Below it, on the middle floor, sits its restaurant compadre Burro. Nice tapas and steaks for you to feast on !
If you’re looking for a good cocktail without a hoity-toity atmosphere, Bar Ananas is your best bet, the crowd is pretty stylish, but it’s fine to wear whatever you wore to the Golden Circle that day. Visiting the extraordinaire local bohème-haunt Bar Ananas is a journey by itself. The inside is all tiki themed with bamboo reeds, flamingo wall art, and umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. You’ll probably start craving a piña colada as you sit inside, but the best deals are on certain beers and glasses of wine.
69 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bar Ananas
38 Klapparstígur
69 (рекомендации местных жителей)
If you’re looking for a good cocktail without a hoity-toity atmosphere, Bar Ananas is your best bet, the crowd is pretty stylish, but it’s fine to wear whatever you wore to the Golden Circle that day. Visiting the extraordinaire local bohème-haunt Bar Ananas is a journey by itself. The inside is all tiki themed with bamboo reeds, flamingo wall art, and umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. You’ll probably start craving a piña colada as you sit inside, but the best deals are on certain beers and glasses of wine.
At Bastard they brew beer. At the bar they offer a few of their own beers as well as dozen of beer from other breweries on draft and a good selection of bottled beer. They make ambitious craft cocktails where they do their own refreshing twists on classics like the Moscow Mule and Aperol Spritz. They carry a good selection of rums, whiskeys and gins as well as a variety of tonics and adventurous matches of gins and tonics.
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bastard Brew & Food
4 Vegamótastígur
57 (рекомендации местных жителей)
At Bastard they brew beer. At the bar they offer a few of their own beers as well as dozen of beer from other breweries on draft and a good selection of bottled beer. They make ambitious craft cocktails where they do their own refreshing twists on classics like the Moscow Mule and Aperol Spritz. They carry a good selection of rums, whiskeys and gins as well as a variety of tonics and adventurous matches of gins and tonics.
Kaffibarinn is one of the oldest bars in town. The tourist to local hipster ratio has understandably shifted in favour of the tourists in the last decade or so. But that does not seem to make Kaffibarinn any less hip. In fact it sort of adds a new level of coolness. Kaffibarinn at the weekends is an experience you will either love or hate. But if you don´t fancy the partying crowds at night, but you like the sound of Kaffibarinn´s warm, dingly charm, then check it out in the daytime for a cosy coffee or draught beers on offer.
240 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kaffibarinn
240 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kaffibarinn is one of the oldest bars in town. The tourist to local hipster ratio has understandably shifted in favour of the tourists in the last decade or so. But that does not seem to make Kaffibarinn any less hip. In fact it sort of adds a new level of coolness. Kaffibarinn at the weekends is an experience you will either love or hate. But if you don´t fancy the partying crowds at night, but you like the sound of Kaffibarinn´s warm, dingly charm, then check it out in the daytime for a cosy coffee or draught beers on offer.

Sightseeing

Their whale watching tours are focused mainly on the southern part of Faxaflói bay, just off Reykjavík. Each day we scan the area for signs of whales as they never know for sure where we might find them. Sometimes we have to go far while at other times the whales are quite close to the shore. On some occasions (mainly in winter), when weather conditions or chances of spotting whales are greater elsewhere than our regular area in Faxaflói, we depart from nearby harbours like Hafnarfjörður, Keflavík, Sandgerði or Grindavík making the tours last anywhere from 3-5 hrs.
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Reykjavik Whale Watching / WW Centre
68 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Their whale watching tours are focused mainly on the southern part of Faxaflói bay, just off Reykjavík. Each day we scan the area for signs of whales as they never know for sure where we might find them. Sometimes we have to go far while at other times the whales are quite close to the shore. On some occasions (mainly in winter), when weather conditions or chances of spotting whales are greater elsewhere than our regular area in Faxaflói, we depart from nearby harbours like Hafnarfjörður, Keflavík, Sandgerði or Grindavík making the tours last anywhere from 3-5 hrs.

Parks & Nature

A little bit of paradise is to be found in the form of a golden-sanded geothermal beach at Nauthólsvík in Reykjavík. Nauthólsvík is a man-made beach. What this means is that a part of the cold North Atlantic Ocean has been closed off in a lagoon and warmed up to a degree people are able to play and lounge in, and it’s so, so nice. The facilities include a huge hot tub as well as grills where you can BBQ yourself a nice meal amongst friends (you can even buy hot dogs there and grill them!).
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Геотермальный пляж Наутхольсвик
434 (рекомендации местных жителей)
A little bit of paradise is to be found in the form of a golden-sanded geothermal beach at Nauthólsvík in Reykjavík. Nauthólsvík is a man-made beach. What this means is that a part of the cold North Atlantic Ocean has been closed off in a lagoon and warmed up to a degree people are able to play and lounge in, and it’s so, so nice. The facilities include a huge hot tub as well as grills where you can BBQ yourself a nice meal amongst friends (you can even buy hot dogs there and grill them!).

Arts & Culture

Perhaps one of the more popular museums around. A museum dedicated to penises is certain to raise an eyebrow or two. The museum contains a collection of more than two hundred and fifteen penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland. Including a human penis !
143 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Фаллологический музей
2 Kalkofnsvegur
143 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Perhaps one of the more popular museums around. A museum dedicated to penises is certain to raise an eyebrow or two. The museum contains a collection of more than two hundred and fifteen penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland. Including a human penis !
The National Museum of Iceland was established on 24 February 1863, with Jón Árnason the first curator of the Icelandic collection The museum offers a variety of fascinating exhibitions and one permanent display illustrating lavishly the story of Iceland’s past, from the medieval days of Viking settlements to current contemporary culture.
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Национальный музей Исландии
41 Suðurgata
393 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The National Museum of Iceland was established on 24 February 1863, with Jón Árnason the first curator of the Icelandic collection The museum offers a variety of fascinating exhibitions and one permanent display illustrating lavishly the story of Iceland’s past, from the medieval days of Viking settlements to current contemporary culture.
Harpa is one of Reykjavik‘s greatest and distinguished landmarks. It is a cultural and social centre in the heart of the city and features stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the North Atlantic Ocean. Various events are taking place all year round and anyone should be able to find something of interest.
120 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Harpa station
Kalkofnsvegur
120 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Harpa is one of Reykjavik‘s greatest and distinguished landmarks. It is a cultural and social centre in the heart of the city and features stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the North Atlantic Ocean. Various events are taking place all year round and anyone should be able to find something of interest.
This former public toilet, once known as “ground zero” to locals, was reopened in downtown Reykjavik to do what it was maybe always meant to do: tell the story of Icelandic punk. Keen guests can spend some time by the record players — where the infamous Rokk í Reykjavík album is featured — and play the instruments on display, regardless of musical talent of course.
56 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Панк-музей Исландии
56 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This former public toilet, once known as “ground zero” to locals, was reopened in downtown Reykjavik to do what it was maybe always meant to do: tell the story of Icelandic punk. Keen guests can spend some time by the record players — where the infamous Rokk í Reykjavík album is featured — and play the instruments on display, regardless of musical talent of course.
One of the capital’s most ambitious venues, the i8 Gallery has earned an excellent international reputation, in addition to its loyal following at home. Past exhibitions have included multimedia installations created by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, and participatory environments designed by Brazilian pioneer Ernesto Neto.
72 (рекомендации местных жителей)
i8 Gallery
16 Tryggvagata
72 (рекомендации местных жителей)
One of the capital’s most ambitious venues, the i8 Gallery has earned an excellent international reputation, in addition to its loyal following at home. Past exhibitions have included multimedia installations created by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, and participatory environments designed by Brazilian pioneer Ernesto Neto.
Perlan Museum - Wonders of Iceland is one of the largest and most ambitious exhibition project in Reykjavík in recent years. The museum is situated in one of Reykjavík’s most impressive buildings, Perlan, and will be a must-visit for any tourist - not only for the world-class museum, but also for its amazing panoramic views of Reykjavík, great architecture and excellent restaurant, café and gift shop.
455 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Перлан
455 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Perlan Museum - Wonders of Iceland is one of the largest and most ambitious exhibition project in Reykjavík in recent years. The museum is situated in one of Reykjavík’s most impressive buildings, Perlan, and will be a must-visit for any tourist - not only for the world-class museum, but also for its amazing panoramic views of Reykjavík, great architecture and excellent restaurant, café and gift shop.
Reykjavík Art Museum is a dynamic and progressive scene which gives guests an opportunity to get to know diverse art and gain a deeper understanding of the historic, social, cultural and artistic context of different artworks. The museum exhibits work from Icelandic and international leading artists in Modern and Contemporary Art.
350 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Художественный музей Рейкьявика
17 Tryggvagata
350 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Reykjavík Art Museum is a dynamic and progressive scene which gives guests an opportunity to get to know diverse art and gain a deeper understanding of the historic, social, cultural and artistic context of different artworks. The museum exhibits work from Icelandic and international leading artists in Modern and Contemporary Art.
Whales of Iceland museum features one of the largest whale exhibition in Europe. The whales are presented in a unique and illustrative way. 23 different life-size models that have been seen in Icelandic territorial waters have a permanent home at the museum. The museum is in only 10 minutes walking distance from the city centre but can also be reached by one of the city buses.
169 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Киты Исландии
169 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Whales of Iceland museum features one of the largest whale exhibition in Europe. The whales are presented in a unique and illustrative way. 23 different life-size models that have been seen in Icelandic territorial waters have a permanent home at the museum. The museum is in only 10 minutes walking distance from the city centre but can also be reached by one of the city buses.

Shopping

Kringlan is the largest shopping mall in Reykjavík. Kringlan offers a wide variety of over 180 shops, a selection of places to eat and a range of services. At Kringlan you will find everything from a public library and a cinema to some of the finest fashion shops and restaurants in town. We are situated in the heart of Reykjavík, but don’t worry - there’s plenty of parking space Kringlan offers free rides from Reykjavik center to Kringlan on every hour from 10am - 5pm - Kringlan´s shuttle bus departures from Tourist information at City Hall.
528 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kringlan
528 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kringlan is the largest shopping mall in Reykjavík. Kringlan offers a wide variety of over 180 shops, a selection of places to eat and a range of services. At Kringlan you will find everything from a public library and a cinema to some of the finest fashion shops and restaurants in town. We are situated in the heart of Reykjavík, but don’t worry - there’s plenty of parking space Kringlan offers free rides from Reykjavik center to Kringlan on every hour from 10am - 5pm - Kringlan´s shuttle bus departures from Tourist information at City Hall.
Smáralind is a shopping mall located in the middle of the Capital Region, Iceland (strictly speaking in Kópavogur, not Reykjavík that's next to it). It is one of the biggest shopping malls in Iceland, with over ninety shops, restaurants and services.
314 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Smáralind
1 Hagasmári
314 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Smáralind is a shopping mall located in the middle of the Capital Region, Iceland (strictly speaking in Kópavogur, not Reykjavík that's next to it). It is one of the biggest shopping malls in Iceland, with over ninety shops, restaurants and services.
If you are ever on the hunt for eccentric Reykjavík oddballs, Kolaportið Flea Market on a Saturday afternoon is probably your best bet. You will also find families looking to pass some time, old ladies in fur coats, hipsters looking for second hand clothing and tourists looking at all the others goting about their business. It’s a great place and well worth the visit. Kolaportið is an indoor Flea Market that is open during the weekend between 11:00 and 17:00
183 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kolaportid
183 (рекомендации местных жителей)
If you are ever on the hunt for eccentric Reykjavík oddballs, Kolaportið Flea Market on a Saturday afternoon is probably your best bet. You will also find families looking to pass some time, old ladies in fur coats, hipsters looking for second hand clothing and tourists looking at all the others goting about their business. It’s a great place and well worth the visit. Kolaportið is an indoor Flea Market that is open during the weekend between 11:00 and 17:00

Essentials

Kronan is another budget grocery store in Iceland and another one of our favorites because there are lots of locations around the country, especially in the south and around Reykjavik. Kronan stores offer a larger meat and dairy section as well as fresh foods as opposed to Bonus. If you are looking to buy lots of fresh foods Kronan is a good option. Kronan also offers a variety of healthy food options as well.
328 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Krónan
50 Reykjavikurvegur
328 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Kronan is another budget grocery store in Iceland and another one of our favorites because there are lots of locations around the country, especially in the south and around Reykjavik. Kronan stores offer a larger meat and dairy section as well as fresh foods as opposed to Bonus. If you are looking to buy lots of fresh foods Kronan is a good option. Kronan also offers a variety of healthy food options as well.
Due to minimal customer service, a raw industrial interior, and the size of the conglomerates market share, Bónus can underbid all of their competitors and surveys almost always find it to be Iceland's cheapest grocery store. Bónus stores are open on weekdays and weekends and operate under a yellow banner showing an obese cheeky piggy bank that is probably meant to symbolise the overgrown monopoly happily taking all your hard earned money away. Good price, a large variety of basic food items, accessibility.
512 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bónus
512 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Due to minimal customer service, a raw industrial interior, and the size of the conglomerates market share, Bónus can underbid all of their competitors and surveys almost always find it to be Iceland's cheapest grocery store. Bónus stores are open on weekdays and weekends and operate under a yellow banner showing an obese cheeky piggy bank that is probably meant to symbolise the overgrown monopoly happily taking all your hard earned money away. Good price, a large variety of basic food items, accessibility.