Things we love and recommend (in our closest environment)

Rakel Sif
Things we love and recommend (in our closest environment)

Food scene

Lovely pastries (and gorgeous), both sweet and savoury. Very good fresh baked bread and some other stuff.
7 locals recommend
Hygge Coffee & Micro Bakery
7 locals recommend
Lovely pastries (and gorgeous), both sweet and savoury. Very good fresh baked bread and some other stuff.
All their bagels, donuts and pastries are so so good. We visit them very frequently.
21 locals recommend
DEIG workshop
14 Tryggvagata
21 locals recommend
All their bagels, donuts and pastries are so so good. We visit them very frequently.
Pizza napoletana! We love pizza and we love this place.
78 locals recommend
Flatey Pizza
11 Grandagarður
78 locals recommend
Pizza napoletana! We love pizza and we love this place.
Authentic Italian gelato in Reykjavík. We visit very often, highly recommended (in only 5 min walking distance).
6 locals recommend
Gaeta Gelato
6 Aðalstræti
6 locals recommend
Authentic Italian gelato in Reykjavík. We visit very often, highly recommended (in only 5 min walking distance).
Great restaurant and bar in our street. They have happy hour between 16:00 and 18:00. Local beers from Kaldi and Borg brewery. The food is excellent as well. We visit this place a lot.
142 locals recommend
Forettabarinn
14 Nýlendugata
142 locals recommend
Great restaurant and bar in our street. They have happy hour between 16:00 and 18:00. Local beers from Kaldi and Borg brewery. The food is excellent as well. We visit this place a lot.
Lovely local place! They do everything; breakfast, lunch, dinner, great coffee and so good wines from Bourgogne. A must stop after a dip in Vesturbæjar swimmingpool. Fun fact: I (Rakel) used to manage this place from 2018 -2020.
218 locals recommend
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
20 Melhagi
218 locals recommend
Lovely local place! They do everything; breakfast, lunch, dinner, great coffee and so good wines from Bourgogne. A must stop after a dip in Vesturbæjar swimmingpool. Fun fact: I (Rakel) used to manage this place from 2018 -2020.
Great icecream shop! Local people are crazy about something called "bragðarefur" - it's ice cream mixed with 3 types of candy type or fruits.
118 locals recommend
Ísbúð Vesturbæjar
Hagamelur
118 locals recommend
Great icecream shop! Local people are crazy about something called "bragðarefur" - it's ice cream mixed with 3 types of candy type or fruits.
A tiny ramen restaurant, always good and great service! The best ramen in Reykjavík and probably all Iceland as well.
20 locals recommend
Ramen Momo
16 Tryggvagata
20 locals recommend
A tiny ramen restaurant, always good and great service! The best ramen in Reykjavík and probably all Iceland as well.
This burger joint was first opened in 2004. Now they've expanded their business; with 8 other places in Iceland and burger joints located in Germany, England and Denmark. This is the original spot. We reccommend "tilboð aldarinnar" offer of the century, including burger, fries and soda for 2.690 ISK.
169 locals recommend
Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar
Geirsgötu 1 Geirsgata
169 locals recommend
This burger joint was first opened in 2004. Now they've expanded their business; with 8 other places in Iceland and burger joints located in Germany, England and Denmark. This is the original spot. We reccommend "tilboð aldarinnar" offer of the century, including burger, fries and soda for 2.690 ISK.
If you like sushi and if you like sushi trains!
Osushi Reykjavík
If you like sushi and if you like sushi trains!
Legendary hot dog stand. Highly recommended. First opened in 1937. Most likely almost every Icelander has eaten a hotdog at this neon-signed kiosk, and even Bill Clinton and the Kardashians.
190 locals recommend
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
1 Tryggvagata
190 locals recommend
Legendary hot dog stand. Highly recommended. First opened in 1937. Most likely almost every Icelander has eaten a hotdog at this neon-signed kiosk, and even Bill Clinton and the Kardashians.
Hafnartorg gallery is a space where you'll find many small restaurants. You can both find street food and gourmet food from master chefs. Also a cosy place to grab a drink!
Hafnartorg Gallery food hall
Hafnartorg gallery is a space where you'll find many small restaurants. You can both find street food and gourmet food from master chefs. Also a cosy place to grab a drink!
Colourful and exciting ice cream, that are somewhere between a dessert and a sundae. All toppings, creams, and sauces are made in-house by their pastry chefs. We recommend trying the one with burnt merengue. You will also find all their delicious in house made chocolate in the shop.
8 locals recommend
Omnom Chocolate Factory
4 Hólmaslóð
8 locals recommend
Colourful and exciting ice cream, that are somewhere between a dessert and a sundae. All toppings, creams, and sauces are made in-house by their pastry chefs. We recommend trying the one with burnt merengue. You will also find all their delicious in house made chocolate in the shop.
New place that recently opened, only a street from ours. "Litli Barinn isn’t just a bar; it’s a cultural hub where guests can immerse themselves in the local scene, savoring a selection of fine wines, Icelandic beers, and non-alcoholic options. The bar prides itself on exclusively playing music by Icelandic artists and showcasing Icelandic photography and art books, offering patrons a deep dive into the country’s vibrant arts scene. The ambiance is enriched by the curated menu featuring dips, olives, and comfort dishes that promise a wholesome and nourishing experience".
Litli Barinn
New place that recently opened, only a street from ours. "Litli Barinn isn’t just a bar; it’s a cultural hub where guests can immerse themselves in the local scene, savoring a selection of fine wines, Icelandic beers, and non-alcoholic options. The bar prides itself on exclusively playing music by Icelandic artists and showcasing Icelandic photography and art books, offering patrons a deep dive into the country’s vibrant arts scene. The ambiance is enriched by the curated menu featuring dips, olives, and comfort dishes that promise a wholesome and nourishing experience".
Serving paellas!!
La Barceloneta
Serving paellas!!

Sightseeing

The oldest cemetery in Reykjavík, some might find this recommendation odd, but it actually is beautiful and quite nice for a walk.
Hólavallagarður
The oldest cemetery in Reykjavík, some might find this recommendation odd, but it actually is beautiful and quite nice for a walk.
It's nice to take a walk around the pond and Hljómskálagarður park.
140 locals recommend
Tjörnin
140 locals recommend
It's nice to take a walk around the pond and Hljómskálagarður park.
A very cute park (by Tjörnin pond), recommended for walks especially in the summer time.
116 locals recommend
Hljómskálagarður
116 locals recommend
A very cute park (by Tjörnin pond), recommended for walks especially in the summer time.
Harpa is Rekjavík’s premier concert hall and conference centre. Opened in 2011, its design was a collaboration between Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, and the Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects. Today, it is a cultural centre of Reykjavík and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. You can access the building and take a look inside - if there are no major events happening. They as well have guided tours, daily - we think.
535 locals recommend
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
2 Austurbakki
535 locals recommend
Harpa is Rekjavík’s premier concert hall and conference centre. Opened in 2011, its design was a collaboration between Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, and the Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects. Today, it is a cultural centre of Reykjavík and one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. You can access the building and take a look inside - if there are no major events happening. They as well have guided tours, daily - we think.

Activity

If you're interested in playing dart games. Or even karaoke.
SKOR
If you're interested in playing dart games. Or even karaoke.
Very local experience in 15 min walking distance from our home. Icelanders are crazy about their swimming pools. Visiting a swimmingppol is a must when in Iceland.
458 locals recommend
Vesturbæjarlaug
Hofsvallagata
458 locals recommend
Very local experience in 15 min walking distance from our home. Icelanders are crazy about their swimming pools. Visiting a swimmingppol is a must when in Iceland.
They have "flight departures" every 30 min. Great experience were you can experience Iceland's breathtaking nature in an unusual way. We guarantee butterflies in your stomach. Only 12 min. walk from our home.
59 locals recommend
FlyOver Iceland
43 Fiskislóð
59 locals recommend
They have "flight departures" every 30 min. Great experience were you can experience Iceland's breathtaking nature in an unusual way. We guarantee butterflies in your stomach. Only 12 min. walk from our home.
Whales of Iceland is the largest museum dedicated to whales in Europe and possibly the world. To scale and based on specific individuals found in the wild, a team of expert craftsmen have sculpted 23 life-like and detailed cetaceans found in Icelandic waters. Great activity for families, free admission for kids 7 years and younger.
169 locals recommend
Whales of Iceland
169 locals recommend
Whales of Iceland is the largest museum dedicated to whales in Europe and possibly the world. To scale and based on specific individuals found in the wild, a team of expert craftsmen have sculpted 23 life-like and detailed cetaceans found in Icelandic waters. Great activity for families, free admission for kids 7 years and younger.
From their website: "The museum exhibits work from leading Icelandic and international leading artists in Modern and Contemporary Art. It is also a platform for emerging talents. The exhibitions at Reykjavík Art Museum span history to our present day, from the conventional to the outermost limits of art".
350 locals recommend
Reykjavik Art Museum Hafnarhus
17 Tryggvagata
350 locals recommend
From their website: "The museum exhibits work from leading Icelandic and international leading artists in Modern and Contemporary Art. It is also a platform for emerging talents. The exhibitions at Reykjavík Art Museum span history to our present day, from the conventional to the outermost limits of art".
A museum that provides insight into the history of the Icelandic nation from Viking era to modern times. The exhibition is conceived as a journey through time: it begins with the ship in which medieval settlers crossed the ocean to their new home, it ends in a modern airport, the Icelanders' gateway to the world.
393 locals recommend
National Museum of Iceland
41 Suðurgata
393 locals recommend
A museum that provides insight into the history of the Icelandic nation from Viking era to modern times. The exhibition is conceived as a journey through time: it begins with the ship in which medieval settlers crossed the ocean to their new home, it ends in a modern airport, the Icelanders' gateway to the world.
The national art gallery of Iceland.
166 locals recommend
National Gallery of Iceland (Listasafn Islands)
7 Fríkirkjuvegur
166 locals recommend
The national art gallery of Iceland.

Grocery shopping

Where we do most of our shopping. We prefer going to Krónan (rather than Bónus) because their selection in general is better.
Krónan Granda
Where we do most of our shopping. We prefer going to Krónan (rather than Bónus) because their selection in general is better.
Supermarket, that we think is the cheapest. The selection in Krónan is better though.
Bónus
Supermarket, that we think is the cheapest. The selection in Krónan is better though.

Other practical places

The closest pharmacy.
Reykjavíkur Apótek
2 Seljavegur
The closest pharmacy.
Our local corner shop.
46 locals recommend
Pétursbúð
15 Ránargata
46 locals recommend
Our local corner shop.
In general only the state is allowed to sell liquor. This is the one in our area.
189 locals recommend
Vínbúðin
10a Austurstræti
189 locals recommend
In general only the state is allowed to sell liquor. This is the one in our area.