Iceland
“I’m so happy I finally made it to this magical island. It’s been one new experience after another since I stepped off the plane.”
PHIL'S Iceland LOCATIONS
Vikinga Pylsur
Phil takes his wife Monica and daughter Lily to Vikinga Pylsur for the Icelandic version of one of his favorite foods, hot dogs. Hot dogs are very popular in Iceland, and this stand is one of the best places to get one! They share an original with everything, a pulled pork, and pulled lamb.
Address: Frakkastígur 25, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Brauð & Co
Phil starts his morning at one of the best bakeries in Reykjavik, Brauð & Co (bread and company). Manager Viðar Ottó gives Phil an assortment of pastries, starting with their most popular item, their freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Phil says it’s the best cinnamon roll he’s ever had! He also tries a classic Icelandic pastry, happy marriage cake, a pastry with rhubarb jam and a crumble topping.
Address: Frakkastígur 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Sægreifinn (The Seabaron)
Phil stops by the casual waterfront restaurant Seabaron for some delicious lobster soup. A perfect pick-me-up on a cold day, this soup is actually packed with langoustine instead of lobster. He then tries some grilled wolffish kabobs.
Address: Geirsgata 4a, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Sumac Grill + Drinks
Phil has dinner with architect and food writer Shruthi Basappa at chef Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson’s Sumac Grill + Drinks. This Middle Eastern restaurant incorporates Icelandic ingredients into MIddle Eastern dishes. They start off with fried Icelandic oyster mushrooms, halloumi, and hummus with pita. For the main course, they share a delicious Icelandic lamb prepared in a mediterranean style.
Address: Laugavegur 28, 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Silfra Snorkeling
Phil and his wife Monica go snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure. When inside this body of water, you are actually swimming between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates! Additionally, the glacial water is crystal clear, creating an incredible underwater experience.
La Primavera Ristorante
For dinner, Phil meets up with chef Gunnar Karl Gíslasson at chef Leifur Kolbeinsson’s Italian restaurant: La Primavera Ristorante. Chef Kolbeinsson is known for being the first person to bring fresh pasta to Iceland! They start with baked burrata and tomato jam, followed by pasta with brown butter, walnuts and hazelnuts, topped with freshly grated parmesan. They finish their meal with an affogato.
Address: Grandagarður 20, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Skál!
Phil meets up with photographer Chris Burkard at one of his favorite places, Skál! Located in the first food hall ever built in Iceland, Skál! specializes in classic Icelandic fare prepared in a modern style. They start off with scallops and braised beets, along with a couple of cocktails. Next they try a couple of their signature dishes, a flæskesteg (pork belly) sandwich, and a baked arctic char.
Address: Njálsgata 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Le Kock
Phil takes his wife Monica and daughter Lily to Le Kock (the rooster) for some mouthwatering sandwiches. First they enjoy an assortment of breakfast sandwiches and “The Costanza”, a pastrami bagel sandwich. Next they try a few burgers and a grilled cheese with tomato soup. To round out their meal, they finish off with some donuts and cookies!
Address: Tryggvagata 14, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Matur og Drykkur
For his final meal in Iceland, Phil meets up with his family and all his new friends at chef Helga Sigurðardóttir’s Matur og Drykkur. Featuring a menu that highlights Iceland’s agriculture, this restaurant makes classic Icelandic cuisine both fun and delicious. This is a great place to get a taste of what Iceland has to offer!
Address: Grandagarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
