Ponder over the mysteries of life or just some good old fashioned fun with a pal at this cozy cafe. If you are between the ages of 18 and 25, you will never be out of place here. Between the hip crowd, the delicious snacks and the affordable coffee, this place pretty much takes care of your needs. By night, the cafe morphs into a lively bar and club with great music and plenty of beer. You can also order sushi from the Sushibarinn upstairs and enjoy these delectable bites as you sit-back, relax and enjoy an evening in the company of friends.
After more than 60 years in the business, Prikið is still going strong, attracting a clientele that is as eclectic as its entertainment offer. Diner by day, bar by night, this local coffee shop is ideally situated at the very beginning of Laugavegur, known as the heart of the city's shopping, dining and entertainment district. During the day, enjoy a cup of coffee and typical diner-style food at Prikið, or stop by after work and indulge in a drink or two with friends. Happy hours are from 5p to 7p on weekdays, so bring your friends along and unwind at Prikið after a long day. The night brings with it new forms of entertainment, with every thing from film screenings and markets, to live band performances and DJs featured at Prikið throughout the year. The party goes on into the wee hours of the morning, with plenty of dancing, drinks and good old fashioned revelry. If you're still out when night once more turns to day, stop by Prikið for a serving of their famous "hangover killer" breakfast special before heading home.
Enjoy a night on the town, Danish-style at Den Danske Kro. This lively and laid-back bar is the perfect addition to the city's downtown scene, with a warm and cozy ambiance that is redolent of the kind of pubs you might encounter in Denmark. Danish flags and other memorabilia adorn the walls, while the menu offers a good selection of brews, including the hard-to-find Danish white beers. Live music is featured every night after 10p, alongside a weekly roster of quiz nights, beer bingo and darts tournaments. Happy hours are from 4p to 7p daily, attracting a large and lively after work crowd. Stop by Den Danske Kro for a fun-filled night with friends.
Cafe Solo enjoys an ambiguous identity that comes from being a lot many things at once. From a decent cafe-bar and bistro during the weekdays to a throbbing discotheque at weekends, the place lets you have an insight into 'the good life' of Reykjavik. To add to it, its off-the-street location makes it a great stop for a cup of coffee or a mug of chilled beer with some light fare. Do not hesitate to drop in even if you're in a large group: the special group menu offered at Solon will take care of that!
This sparkly, hip restaurant called Iðnó is located in an old theatre, and still functions as such, offering some of the best shows on offer in Reykjavík. Overlooking the pond, complete with birds and baby birds, this is the place for an idyllic view of the old city center. To be particularly recommended for late dinners. The menu is interesting, with a variety of Icelandic seafood and lamb dishes and some international main courses. The ground floor has a coffee house/bar and a little veranda, where guests can enjoy the quacking birdlife and feed hungry ducks and elegant swans with breadcrumbs.
Based in a very prestigious house, in its time (1916) the largest building in Iceland, and a former pharmacy (apótek = pharmacy) the Apótek is a hip and ambitious restaurant, as is clearly reflected in the smart interior design and a stiff upper lip service. Apótek functions both as a bar and a restaurant, as is the current trend in Reykjavík, and its central location makes it an ideal place for a drop in on a Saturday night, but watch out though, as they maintain a strict door policy. The menu is an international one, offering everything from tapas and sushi to Icelandic specialties.