The Gray Cat coffee house in Reykjavik

​A seriously charming little place on Hverfisgata opposite the National Theater near Arnarhóll, where the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson looks over the harbour and the Concert Hall, Harpa. It is a small place, no wifi to distract from the experience of coffee and the close space environment.

Bought my standard Americano, and the barman offered me a single or a double. Double of course.  I sit in the corner and I see red benches, old looking tables and books. There are bookshelves and nice art on the walls. A perfect place to sit and enjoy a book or a quiet converstion. No music, just breakfast eating couple, a lone latin looking girl reading a book, and me. Large size cup and a decent but well roasted coffee with a taste that lingers slowly in the calm atmosphere. Cars hiss silently by the window and people in raincoats walk by, slowly and silently. Feels good in here.

The only upset was the menu prices, a bagle for almost 2000 isk. The breakfast and pastries are on the expensive side for me at least. I have been here before, a long time ago, and the interiour reminds me of Kaffa Mokka, the grand old coffee establishment on Skólavörðustígur, just a few minutes away.  I dont come here often but I like this place. Despite the price, but then again, I know I live in a tourist city and it is just how things are.

I use coffee houses as meeting places, as an office and a place to clear my head. This is a good place to take it easy and plan the journey ahead, reflect over a cup of dark roast.
Great for a morning cup.  The mood there reminds me of an old Tom Waits song or a slow Nick Cave.
That‘s not bad at all.