Coocoo’s Nest (Grandagarður 23). A small family-run business that opened last year and offers a lovely selection of dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has become known for their sourdough pizzas and friendly atmosphere. They also serve organic coffee and “aperativo,” which is the Italian equivalent to happy hour.
Kaffivagninn (Grandagarður 10). This small and unpretentious café probably has one of the best views in all of Reykjavík. The café was founded in 1983 and catered to fishermen who’d drop by for coffee before, during, and after work hours. Recently, husband and wife Guðmundur Viðarsson and Mjöll Daníelsdóttir bought the coffee shop and offer a simple breakfast and lunch menu.
Valdís (Grandagarður 21). This wildly popular ice cream parlour is located in one of the old baiting sheds by the harbour. Gylfi Valdimarsson, a chef who lived in Denmark for a decade, serves homemade Italian-inspired gelato and sorbet in freshly baked ice cream cones. The parlour was an instant hit – and understandably so! The ice cream is ridiculously tasty! However, be prepared to queue for your treat because Gylfi’s ice cream truly does bring the boys, and everybody else, to the yard.
Café Retró (Grandagarður 14). This is a typical Icelandic café. Its interior is very straightforward, and the menu consists of homemade cakes, sandwiches, and soups. Café Retro also serves excellent coffee, and out front is a marvelous veranda with a fantastic view of the harbour.
Búrið Delicatessen (Grandagarður 35). This quirky cheese shop offers the best in cheese from around the world, along with a great selection of jams, cured meats, olives, chutneys, and other tasty nibbles.
Matarbúrið (Grandagarður 29). This a small speciality meat store opened on Grandi in August. The gourmet store is run by the family on Háls, a farm located in the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord, and sells locally grown, premium packaged beef as well as home-made jams, chutneys, and jellies.
17 Sortir (Grandagarður 19). 17 Sortir , or 17 Sorts, is a brand new cupcake shop that offers a rotating selection of 17 decadent cakes each day. The delicious cakes look and taste home-made and include such novelties as salted liquirish and Turkish pepper cupcakes. The shop also offers vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free cupcakes.
Bergsson RE (Grandagarður 16). Bergsson RE is run by the same people that own the always popular Bergsson Mathús (located at Templarasund 3) and offers the same relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere as Bergsson Mathús has become known for. The restaurant offers a small but very tasty lunch menu as well as breakfast and brunch.
Matur & Drykkur (Grandagarður 2). Matur & drykkur has quickly become a favourite among local and international gourmets. The dining spot’s menu consists of traditional, Icelandic dishes such as hashed fish, head of cod, and the humble “pylsa” (hot dog) with all the trimmings, but served in new and innovative ways.
Bryggjan Brugghús (Grandagarður 8) Bryggjan is a brand new addition to Reykjavík's food and drink scene (opened in October 2015). The sheer size sets the brewpub and bistro apart from local restaurants. However, dark wood floors and soft grey, blue-green and brown colours manage to create an intimate atmosphere despite its size. The bistro can host 280 people for lunch and dinner and has its own on-site brewery, offering fresh lager, Pale Ale, IPA and seasonal beers. Seafood is prominent on the menu.
OTHER RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA
Fish & Chips food truck (Behind Víkin Maritime Museum). The food truck began to serve proper fish’n chips by the old Reykjavík harbour in May. The fish is bought directly from the trawler Arnar from Skagaströnd, North Iceland, while the fat for frying, the chips, mushy peas and vinegar are imported directly from England.
Texasborgarar (Grandagarður 11). This burger joint is not for the gourmands of the world. But if a greasy burger is what you want, this is where you’ll find it.
Slippbarinn (Mýrargata 2). Slippbarinn restaurant and bar is situated inside Hotel Marina and overlooks the harbour. It´s a popular place for aperitifs and easily accommodates large groups. Its menu includes mouth-watering pizzas, catch of the day, and other tasty specialities.
In the span of a year, Grandi harbour area has transformed into the ultimate food paradise offering a variety of new and exciting eating-out options and delicatessen shops.
Eat your way through what has become Reykjavík‘s most delicious food district with the help of this little list.
Coocoo’s Nest (Grandagarður 23). A small family-run business that opened last year and offers a lovely selection of dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has become known for their sourdough pizzas and friendly atmosphere. They also serve organic coffee and “aperativo,” which is the Italian equivalent to happy hour.
Kaffivagninn (Grandagarður 10). This small and unpretentious café probably has one of the best views in all of Reykjavík. The café was founded in 1983 and catered to fishermen who’d drop by for coffee before, during, and after work hours. Recently, husband and wife Guðmundur Viðarsson and Mjöll Daníelsdóttir bought the coffee shop and offer a simple breakfast and lunch menu.
Valdís (Grandagarður 21). This wildly popular ice cream parlour is located in one of the old baiting sheds by the harbour. Gylfi Valdimarsson, a chef who lived in Denmark for a decade, serves homemade Italian-inspired gelato and sorbet in freshly baked ice cream cones. The parlour was an instant hit – and understandably so! The ice cream is ridiculously tasty! However, be prepared to queue for your treat because Gylfi’s ice cream truly does bring the boys, and everybody else, to the yard.
Café Retró (Grandagarður 14). This is a typical Icelandic café. Its interior is very straightforward, and the menu consists of homemade cakes, sandwiches, and soups. Café Retro also serves excellent coffee, and out front is a marvelous veranda with a fantastic view of the harbour.
Búrið Delicatessen (Grandagarður 35). This quirky cheese shop offers the best in cheese from around the world, along with a great selection of jams, cured meats, olives, chutneys, and other tasty nibbles.
Matarbúrið (Grandagarður 29). This a small speciality meat store opened on Grandi in August. The gourmet store is run by the family on Háls, a farm located in the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord, and sells locally grown, premium packaged beef as well as home-made jams, chutneys, and jellies.
17 Sortir (Grandagarður 19). 17 Sortir , or 17 Sorts, is a brand new cupcake shop that offers a rotating selection of 17 decadent cakes each day. The delicious cakes look and taste home-made and include such novelties as salted liquirish and Turkish pepper cupcakes. The shop also offers vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free cupcakes.
Bergsson RE (Grandagarður 16). Bergsson RE is run by the same people that own the always popular Bergsson Mathús (located at Templarasund 3) and offers the same relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere as Bergsson Mathús has become known for. The restaurant offers a small but very tasty lunch menu as well as breakfast and brunch.
Matur & Drykkur (Grandagarður 2). Matur & drykkur has quickly become a favourite among local and international gourmets. The dining spot’s menu consists of traditional, Icelandic dishes such as hashed fish, head of cod, and the humble “pylsa” (hot dog) with all the trimmings, but served in new and innovative ways.
Bryggjan Brugghús (Grandagarður 8) Bryggjan is a brand new addition to Reykjavík's food and drink scene (opened in October 2015). The sheer size sets the brewpub and bistro apart from local restaurants. However, dark wood floors and soft grey, blue-green and brown colours manage to create an intimate atmosphere despite its size. The bistro can host 280 people for lunch and dinner and has its own on-site brewery, offering fresh lager, Pale Ale, IPA and seasonal beers. Seafood is prominent on the menu.
OTHER RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA
Fish & Chips food truck (Behind Víkin Maritime Museum). The food truck began to serve proper fish’n chips by the old Reykjavík harbour in May. The fish is bought directly from the trawler Arnar from Skagaströnd, North Iceland, while the fat for frying, the chips, mushy peas and vinegar are imported directly from England.
Texasborgarar (Grandagarður 11). This burger joint is not for the gourmands of the world. But if a greasy burger is what you want, this is where you’ll find it.
Slippbarinn (Mýrargata 2). Slippbarinn restaurant and bar is situated inside Hotel Marina and overlooks the harbour. It´s a popular place for aperitifs and easily accommodates large groups. Its menu includes mouth-watering pizzas, catch of the day, and other tasty specialities.
