The Insider's Guide to Reykjavik
Filmmaker Vera Sölvadóttir on her favourite places as featured in our downloadable Wallpaper* City Guide
"When Reykjavík is at its best, it feels like anything is possible," says Vera Sölvadóttir, who moonlights as a vocalist for local electro duo BB&Blake. "The city’s small size works in its favour. As an artist, I have access to so many talented people, and the vibe is very much 'anything goes'. You bump into someone on the street and a new project is born."
A native of Reykjavík, Sölvadóttir lives Downtown, next to café Stofan (Aðalstræti 7, T 567 1881). "I’ll usually have my first coffee there. The atmosphere is relaxed and the baked goods are enticing." She schedules meetings at Downtown cafés, preferring Reykjavik Roasters.
"They serve Iceland’s best coffee, and do it with a smile." A lunchtime option is Kex Hostel. "The lively vibe will wake me up if I’m suffering midday drowsiness." On Laugavegur, she browses the fashions in design stores and second-hand shops, such as KronKron and Mundi’s Boutique (Laugavegur 37, T 562 9300).
A perfect evening entails a seafood dinner at Fish Market, where "the service is friendly and professional and the decor is sophisticated". This might be followed by a visit to arthouse cinema Bíó Paradís or drinks Downtown; Boston is where she tends to start out. "As the night goes on, I might wind up at Bakkus or Kaffibarinn for debauchery and dancing."
If you're planning a city break check out our Reykjavik Wallpaper* City Guide print version and app.