Reykjavik Recommended: An Instagram blog for food lovers

For those looking for new culinary experiences in Reykjavik, Instagram blog Reykjavik Recommended is the perfect insipration. The woman behind the account is Reykjavik local Ragnheiður Axel, known as Raxel, a self confessed passionate foodie on the constant lookout for new adventures and experiences. For Raxel, who is a director of three after-school programmes for children in Reykjavik and a designer, photographing food has become a recent passion on the side. Reykjavik Recommended offers both photographs of food, home cooking, fleeting inspirations as well as glimpses of Reykjavik and Icelandic nature. 

It's the small things that matter

"I didn't  have a complete or concrete idea of how I wanted my Instagram to be. It started out as just photos of people, places and things I love. But because of work and projects I do I´m lucky to get to dine and travel," she says. "Then I started to see a pattern and liked doing foodographs which meant that it became more food than adventures and very rarely people."Asked whether she spots new things on a daily basis she explains that every single day contains small adventures. "It's the little things that matter. It's also about being grateful and learning to appreciate life and life's qualities."

#veganburger #reykjavik #west #recommendedreykjavik #reykjavikrecommended #vegan #bio #clean #foodie

A photo posted by Reykjavik Recommended (@raxelraxel) on Jun 2, 2015 at 12:56pm PDT

#salom #toast #dill #foodporn

A photo posted by Reykjavik Recommended (@raxelraxel) on Jul 1, 2015 at 2:58pm PDT

Reykjavik is blooming as a foodie city

But does she eat everything she posts on Instagram? " I´m not exactly Gýpa the Icelandic troll, the one that devoured ships, people and animals but I do have to confes to having eaten all that food and drinking all those drinks. When I scroll back I think, wow that's just wonderful."

Raxel believes that with the increase of tourism to the city, Reykjavik has blossomed in recent years. "It's now a good place for gourmets, foodies and those who appreciate the finer things in life.  I find this to be a really positive change. Also the standards are becoming a lot higher and there's a much greater selection than before. Reykjavík is also being influenced by the waves of New Nordic cuisine, slow food, wholefood, with animal welfare concerns and ethical standards in food making."

Would love to open Reykjavik's smallest restaurant

Asked whether she can give the readers of Iceland Monitor a few recent recommendations, she answers,  "Personally, Dill is without doubt the best restaurant in Reykjavik, and even in the whole of Europe. The food is an incredible culinary adventure and I love the stories that go with all the ingredients, ingredients that come from great sources:  good ideology and pure, clean soil. My new favourite place in town is Bjórgarðurinn located in the new Fosshótel in Borgartún. It's a beer paradise, I love the food which is great to share and the acoustics are excellent. It's not too noisy, not too quiet, perfect for a chat with friends. The best coffee in my opinion is the new branch of Reykjavik Roasters in Brautarholt, they use organic milk which is heavenly and they also serve a wonderful breakfast. Nice cocktails in Reykjavik can be tricky to find or they can be overpriced. My favourites are at Slippbarinn and at Hverfisgata 12, the bartenders in both places are excellent." 

#dill #foodandfun

A photo posted by Reykjavik Recommended (@raxelraxel) on Mar 1, 2015 at 1:35pm PST

#ptarmigan #rjupa #preprep 🌿🐦

A photo posted by Reykjavik Recommended (@raxelraxel) on Dec 24, 2014 at 7:12am PST