Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [62]
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EATING
Reykjavík’s eateries vary from hot-dog stands to world-class restaurants. Two things are consistent: high quality and high prices. For the types of eateries and opening hours, Click here. Reykjavík’s dining places are found mainly along Laugavegur, Hverfisgata and also Austurstræti.
Restaurants
ASIAN
Krua Thai (Map; 561 0039; www.kruathai.is; Tryggvagata 14; mains Ikr1100-1900; noon-9.30pm Mon-Sat, 6-9.30pm Sun) Look beyond the simple interior to the tasty food: here you’ll find genuine recipes, popular with Thai residents of Reykjavík. The glossy photo-menu shows soups, spicy salads, curries and stir-fries; you order at the counter, and generous, freshly-cooked dishes appear looking just like they do in the snaps.
Ning’s (Map; 588 9899; Suðurlandsbraut 6; mains Ikr1200-1900; 11.30am-10pm) The mouthwatering smell of frying pork greets you at this Chinese fast-food restaurant, handy for the City Hostel. There’s a good, cheap menu of noodles and stir-fries, and the cooking is MSG-free. The set lunch is very popular at lunchtime, or there’s a takeaway counter.
INDIAN
Indian Mango (Map; 551 7722; www.indianmango.is; cnr Frakkastígur & Grettisgata; mains Ikr2200-3400; from 5pm Mon-Sat) Indian Mango specialises in Goan food, serving beef, duck, fish and some vegie mains. Its chef – poached from a five-star restaurant – makes up light, spicy, delicious dishes. Its bestselling (seasonal) creation is an Icelandic-Indian hybrid completely unique to this restaurant – svartfugl (guillemot) marinaded in Indian spices.
Austur Indía Félagið (Map; 552 1630; Hverfisgata 56; mains Ikr2600-4000; from 6pm) The northernmost Indian restaurant in the world is an upmarket experience, with a minimalist interior and a select choice of sublime dishes (a favourite is the tandoori salmon). One of its finest features, though, is its lack of pretension – the atmosphere is relaxed and the service warm. Apparently Harrison Ford likes it – and who dares argue with Indy?
ITALIAN
Hornið (Map; 551 3340; Hafnarstræti 15; 9in pizza Ikr1360-2440, mains Ikr2300-4000; 11.30am-11pm) There’s an easy-going air at this bright art deco cafe-restaurant, with its warm terracotta tiles, weeping-fig plants and decently spaced tables. Pizzas are freshly made before your eyes, the prettily presented pasta meals will set you up for the day, and you can sample traditional Icelandic fish dishes.
Basil & Lime (Map; 555 3696; Klapparstígur 38; mains Ikr1850-3650; 11.30am-10pm Mon-Sat, 5-10pm Sun) Specialising in honest-to-blazes Italian food, this new restaurant makes its pasta from scratch daily – try the langoustine tagliatelle in a garlicky creamy sauce. The interior is rather nondescript and strangely dark, even in the daytime: pick good weather and devour the lunch special (a bargain) at one of the outdoor tables.
Ristorante Ítalía (Map; 552 4630; www.italia.is; Laugavegur 11; pizzas Ikr2300, mains Ikr2200-4600; 11.30am-11.30pm) One of the better Italian options, this family-run place has a proper wood-fired pizza oven, and good pasta and secondi piatti (mains). It’s a romantic option for a candle-lit dinner.
La Primavera (Map; 561 8555; www.laprimavera.is; Austurstræti 9; mains Ikr3200-4500; noon-2pm & 6-10.30pm Tue-Fri, 6-10.30pm Sat) Pizza Hut it ain’t. This is a cultivated eatery serving contemporary Italian dishes – the pastas, gnocchi and polenta are all homemade. The menu is select, with some imaginative combinations – for example, pan-fried scallops with pomegranate and lime.
STEAKHOUSES
Hereford Steakhouse (Map; 511 3350; www.hereford.is; Laugavegur 53b; mains Ikr3300-5600; 5-10pm) This modern 1st-floor steakhouse grills up top-class steaks (of beef, lamb, turkey, veal and whale), priced by weight and cut. You can