Take a walk through the up and coming Grandi area by the Old Harbour in Reykjavík. It has many new restaurants, museums and activities popping up in this area after getting squeezed out of downtown Reykjavík.
The harbour area has slowly but steadily transformed over the last couple of years, from an industrial fishing area to a melting pot of food, arts and culture. Make a day of it and find the best of what Grandi Harbour area has to offer. Here you can also find the Hidden Iceland office, come by for a chat and coffee!
DINING ALERT
LA PRIMAVERA | Grandagarður 20
The restaurant La Primavera returned to the Icelandic restaurant scene on it’s 25th anniversary after being closed for a few years, and greatly missed! It is located on the first floor of the Marshall House with views over the harbour. La Primavera combines food traditions from north Italy with the freshest available Icelandic ingredients, making the restaurant one for date nights and special occasions.
KAFFIVAGNINN | Grandagarður 10
Kaffivagninn has served sailors before a hard day at sea and locals since opening 1935 making it one of the cities oldest restaurants. Their meals are still packed with all the best ingredients to satisfy a healthy appetite. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.
FLATEY PIZZA | Grandagaerður 11
Flatey Pizza are famous for their delicious true Napoli pizzas! The menu offers ten well-known and loved pizzas as well as the weekly speciality pizza which is well worth a try, it certainly brings the locals in.
GRANDI FOOD HALL | Grandagarður 16
Here people are encouraged to try different dishes from a selection food stands. Next to food, Grandi Food Hall focuses on events, reflecting big festivals and holidays that are celebrated in Reykjavík, whether it’s Iceland Airwaves or the Icelandic National Day.
ACTIVITIES & MUSEUMS
MARSHALL HOUSE | Grandagarður 20
The Marshall House was built in 1948 as a fish meal factory. After serving it’s purpose as such it was re-designed and renovated in 2017 and turned into a hub of museums and housing La Primavera restaurant. The house is home to three independent institutions; The Living Art Museum, Gallery Kling & Bang and Studio Ólafur Elíasson who has a permanent exhibition in the building.
OMNOM CHOCOLATE FACTORY TOUR | Hólmaslóð 4
Come and visit our neighbours at the Omnom Chocolate Factory. Omnom is a small batch, artisan chocolate maker based in Reykjavík. In addition to being able to taste their amazing chocolate, you can have one of their artisan ice creams!
FLYOVER ICELAND | Fiskislóð 43
See Iceland from a bird’s-eye view and experience the sensation of flying with the help of state-of-the-art technology and amazing special effects. With FlyOver Iceland you will be whisked away on a breathtaking journey over Iceland.
REYKJAVÍK MARITIME MUSEUM | Grandagarður 8
Another museum in that area is the Maritime Museum by the harbour that covers Iceland’s rich fishing history. Messinn Restaurant is located in the building and offers delicious fish dishes, a perfect way to close the circle after learning about the country’s fishing history.
ICELANDIC LAVA SHOW | Fiskislóð 73
One of the newer and more unique experiences to open in the Grandi area. This interactive experience literally re-melts old volcanic rocks and pours the hot lava over ice just metres from your face. The spectacle alone is worth the visit, but the storytelling of past eruptions adds a whole side of historical aspect that takes you back in time too.
Icelandic Lava Show in the South Coast of Iceland at Vík
SHOPPING
KIOSK | Grandagarður 35
Kiosk is a co-op shop owned by a few Icelandic fashion designers. Some of whom sell their work exclusively here in the shop, but all of them take turns manning the floor. The labels that are sold in their new store in Grandi are Magnea, Anita Hirlekar, Bahns, Eyglo and Hlín Reykdal.
FARMERS MARKET AND FRIENDS | Hólmaslóð 2
Founded back in 2005 by a young artist couple, designer Bergþóra Guðnadóttir and musician Jóel Pálsson. The shop has strong ties to the vibrant Icelandic music and design scene, the Farmers Market design concept and inspiration draws from Icelandic roots, combining classic Nordic design elements with chic modernity.
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