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Ippudo

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

The restaurant was bustling and it was easy to feel comfortable eating there.

The service was good, and the food arrived at a good speed – no one was left waiting.

Service

1.0

Price

1.0

The prices were generally pretty good: katsu for under 10€ and ramen for around 14€.

The space were laid out nicely and there was a little upstairs area, however we found we kept hitting our head on the low ceiling beams.

Space

0.5

The food was great, especially the tonkatsu sauce which just hit perfectly.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

There was a bit of a range but almost all of the options seem to be pork, which doesn’t offer much range.

There were very few vegetarian options, and the ones that did exist were just shiitake and fennel versions of the meat options.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

0.0

There were no potato dishes.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6/10

Miznon

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

The atmosphere was bustly and enjoyable, the air seemed alive.

The service good and friendly, however you couldn’t hear the calls from the other end of restaurant.

Service

0.5

Price

1.0

The prices are good for Paris with the meat pitas being around 10€ and vegetarian ones even less. Plus they’re incredibly filling.

The space was quite full so it wasn’t easy to move around, however this did give it an intimate atmosphere.

Space

0.5

The flavours in the food were incredible, with the brilliant spices and fresh vegetables working together perfectly.

Taste

1.0

Range

1.0

There was a range of fillings in pitas, as well as non-pita items such as their roasted head of cauliflower.

There were a large number of vegetarian options, including the cauliflower and potato pitas. In my opinion, the veggie ones are arguably better than the meat ones.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

1.0

The potato pita was absolutely perfect. I have been debating in my head as to whether it is my favourite potato dish (beating Gallagher’s Boxty) and I think it’s certainly not far from it. They were buttery, salty, flavoursome, and impossible to put down.

This restaurant receives 2 thumbs

Overall score: 9/10

Jaja

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

Relatively nice atmosphere, it felt very upmarket.

The service was good, fast, and they clearly knew what they were doing.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The prices were quite high, especially for a student, however their lunch deals made it relatively affordable.

The restaurant was a bit small and the tables were quite packed in, however it wasn’t ever too crowded.

Space

0.5

The food was very good. Classy and full of some really nice flavour combinations. The food properly appreciated the natural flavour of the ingredients

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

They change the menu every season, and have a daily menu, however the lunch menus were quite limited.

There were not many vegetarian options and, on the daily menu, there were no veggie mains.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

0.5

There were no special potato dishes, but where they were incorporated it was done well.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6/10

Blend

Paris France

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

0.5

The atmosphere was nice, however there was a really odd horrible smell at some points.

The service was generally pretty good. They were clearly training someone new, but that didn’t affect our experience at all, because they were making sure it was done right, which was nice to see!

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The prices were fine for Paris, especially the combo deal, however they were a bit expensive for a student budget.

The restaurant was well laid out: it had a mix of bar seats and also benches and it was very comfortable.

Space

1.0

I really enjoyed the Came burger, it had a great punch of flavour and the cider jelly went well with the Camembert. I found the FOB, however, was a bit boring, especially as it seemed to be their speciality.

Taste

0.5

Range

0.5

As a burger restaurant, they mainly do burgers, but there is a variety of them.

There were no veggie burger options per se, however it said that every burger can be made veggie.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

1.0

The fries were really good, especially with their home-made ketchup and mayo. The right level of crispy and soft.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6.5/10

Hot Chocolate Special

To mark the end of the Reykjavík trip, here is a list of the top 3 lovely warming drinks.

3

Reykjavík Roasters
A lovely hot chocolate, on the brink between dark and milk chocolate, the perfect mix of sweetness and bitterness. Complemented perfectly by a spoonful of whipped cream keeping it just right and airy.

2

Ida Zimsen
The hot chocolate at Ida Zimsen, which is right in the centre of the city, is just the right level of creaminess. With a smooth chocolateyness and not being too sweet, it was perfect for a cold day.

1

Penninn Eymundsson Austurstraeti
My personal favourite from the trip. Nestled on the third floor of a book shop is a hidden gem of a coffee shop. Their special edition Rudolf hot chocolate, with chilli and orange is incredible. The subtle spice perfectly complements the sweetness of the chocolate and orange – an already famous combo. The addition of whipped cream and small chocolate flakes makes it irressistible.

Hamborgarabúlla Tómasar

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

A really quirky place that is really enjoyable to spend time in.

The people serving and cooking are lovely, one of the highlights of visiting.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

The prices are good for Iceland, especially the meal deal, but a tad expensive for a student budget.

The restaurant is well laid out, with lots of space and a little area for condiments, but there did not seem to be a bathroom which you need with bottomless sodas!

Space

0.5

The burgers were good, but they struck me as just a good burger, it didn’t have anything extra exciting.

Taste

0.5

Range

0.5

As a burger restaurant, they mainly do burgers, but there is a variety of them.

There is only one veggie burger, however it can be made vegan, and it is very tasty – better than the meat burger in my opinion.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

1.0

The fries were the highlight of the meal, especially with the spicy mayo and the recommended unidentified seasoning (which I shook on greedily) – a definition recommendation

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6.5/10

Culiacan

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

0.5

A bit funky as you walk in, but otherwise what you’d expect from a Mexican restaurant.

The service was friendly and very fast.

Service

1.0

Price

1.0

Cheap for Iceland, and the tapas menu means you can get a really large meal, making it good value.

Relatively good layout: you can see the food being made, however some of the tables are hard to navigate.

Space

0.5

Really good Mexican food, with a lovely punch of chilli. However, it was a bit disappointing that the nachos had cheese sauce instead of cheese.

Taste

0.5

Range

1.0

There were a large number of different Mexican dishes, as well as each being done with different meats.

All of the dishes can be made vegetarian and vegan, and the bean-option in place of the meat is very flavoursome.

Vege-Friendly

1.0

Potatoes

0.0

There were no potato dishes

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 6.5/10

Lamb Street Food

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

A chill, trendy vibe, with the scent of spices hitting you as you walk in.

Good service. They were helpful and attentive, as well as explaining things to the table next door who were clearly confused.

Service

1.0

Price

0.5

Cheap for Iceland, however a bit expensive for a student budget

Good layout, with an open kitchen and salad bar so you can see everything that is going on. The tables were connected, which was quirky, and the decorations really suited the vibe.

Space

1.0

Really flavoursome. The lamb was incredible with the mix of middle eastern flavours.

Taste

1.0

Range

1.0

They have a lot of flavour combination options as well as an option to make your own.

All of the dishes can be made vegetarian, and some can be made vegan, however the falafel was a bit underwhelming.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

0.0

They had run out of their potato balls.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 7/10

Icelandic Street Food

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

Really homely and comfy, the smell of home cooking welcomes you as soon as you enter.

Generally fine, though sometimes they went out back and so it was difficult to get their attention.

Service

0.5

Price

1.0

The soup was cheap for Iceland AND it comes with unlimited refills so it is worth it and filling.

Relatively small and cozy, but that meant there wasn’t always space enough to sit.

Space

0.5

The lamb soup was really nice, hearty, warm, and filling, a lovely taste of Iceland – perfect for winter.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.0

There were not many options and they had run out of shellfish soup and their iconic bread bowls.

There were no vegetarian options.

Vege-Friendly

0.0

Potatoes

0.0

There were no potato options

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 5/10

Le Kock

Reykjavík Iceland

I first visited this restaurant in 2020.

Ambience

1.0

A really funky, cool vibe with good music in the background.

The service was good and polite, although you have to go up to order and there is no ticket system so they have to yell for you when it is ready.

Service

0.5

Price

0.5

The price was fine for Iceland, but it is a bit expensive for someone on a student budget.

A lovely big open kitchen so you can see (and smell) the food being cooked and the seating was well laid out.

Space

1.0

The burger was incredible, so flavoursome and juicy, and paired with some brilliant sauces.

Taste

1.0

Range

0.5

As a burger restaurant, it mainly serves burgers, but there are a range of different kinds (as well as some non-burger options).

There is only one veggie option, although I have found from subsequent reviews that it is better than the meat ones, so I regret not trying it.

Vege-Friendly

0.5

Potatoes

1.0

In my opinion, the potatoes were the highlight of the experience. They were perfectly cooked: crunchy outsides and fluffy insides, and with incredible toppings.

This restaurant receives 1 thumb

Overall score: 7/10