2_1_ScanMag_80_Sep-Oct_2015_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 15/09/2015 16:54 Page 32
Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Kopar Restaurant
Head chef Ylfa Helgadóttir.
Exquisite seafood at the water’s edge Reykjavik’s Old Harbour is fast becoming one of the most vibrant quarters in the city, with restaurants, cafés and shops taking over abandoned warehouses and fisherman’s huts. Fully embracing its rustic dockside setting, Kopar Restaurant is the place to go to savour innovative takes on classic Icelandic cuisine. By Stephanie Lovell | Photos: Kopar Restaurant
“We wanted to give the restaurant a name that didn’t immediately tell you what kind of restaurant it is. We thought that Kopar, which means copper, was appropriate, because it keeps with the style of the rustic and charming old harbour,” explains Ásta Gudrún Óskarsdóttir, owner and general manager. “The restaurant is housed in a blue fisherman’s shed and we’ve kept some of the original elements, such as the old wooden beams, so you really get a sense of being in the harbour. There are large windows both upstairs and down so, wherever you sit, you’ll be able to see the sea.” With fresh fish caught practically on the doorstep daily, the menu focuses on
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showcasing Icelandic seafood. Mouthwatering rock crab fished in nearby Hvalfjördur fjord is cooked in a rich soup, spicy crab cakes and a creamy risotto. You can also sample succulent Icelandic lamb, as well as some more unusual traditional foods such as ‘gellur’, or cod tongues. “We deep-fry our gellur, making them deliciously crispy, which is not how they’re traditionally served,” says Óskarsdóttir. “Our award-winning head chef, Ylfa Helgadóttir, is always looking for innovative ways to cook with classic ingredients.” The drinks are just as impressive as the food, with a carefully designed wine selection and an inventive cocktail list. “Not only do we serve great cocktails, but we
also have fun with the way we present them,” says Óskarsdóttir. “Nothing beats bringing a delicious drink to the table and seeing the amazement on people’s faces when they see how much effort has gone into preparing their drink.” The real showstopper, however, is an entire wall housing an incredible selection of whiskey and cognac. “It’s like a fisherman’s treasure trove,” laughs Óskarsdóttir. “When the old fishermen come in, they can’t believe their eyes!” Kopar has partnered with a tour operator to offer a trip like no other, the Reykjavik Dinner Cruise. On board the luxury ship Andrea, you will be treated to a fourcourse meal prepared by Kopar and enjoy local live music as you sail along Reykjavik’s coastline and around the beautiful Faxaflói bay. For more information, please visit: www.koparrestaurant.is