First weekend opening of the Helliskaffi – Life in Hellisgerði

Helliskaffi in Hellisgerðii

„She was never going to start with a chef because her dad is a cook, but then she got me,“ says Knútur Hreiðarsson of his wife, Theódóra Ingibergsdóttir, as they stand together in the kitchen of Helliskaffi, putting the finishing touches to preparations for the café's first weekend opening in Hellisgerði.

Yes, the couple are in full swing. „She got me,“ says Knútur. „Yes,“ she replies. „Get it in writing. But do you also know why that was? You made the best Subway sandwich I've ever tasted in my life,“ she says, laughing. She'll have one foot in Hellisgerði, but will be working in Klettabæ. Staff have already been hired. A dream come true.

A café by day, a restaurant by night. „Yes, Icelandic – Scandinavian tapas, you could say,“ says Knútur, adding that this is what he's aiming for. Helliskaffi opens at 11 am on weekdays and 10 am at weekends so families can come and enjoy being there and everything the garden has to offer. They have renovated the old farmhouse and settled in well in the garden.

„We're envisioning a cosy atmosphere,“ says Knútur. „We want people to lose track of time here. To be here together and not notice the time passing. That's the idea. We want this to become Central Perk from Friends. This will be a focal point where people can unwind and release energy after the hustle and bustle of everyday life.“

Knútur is ambitious and was a co-founder of Le Kock and Deig.  „I would never have lasted eight years at Le Kock if it had just been ordinary burgers. It's the same here. I became a chef to enjoy what I do. I'm therefore only going to complicate things by offering food that I enjoy making and am proud of.“

Knútur has big dreams for Hellisgerði. „I want to see more events on the stage and pop-up events from other chefs. I'm going to keep developing the place, keep changing it. Never stop,“ he says.

„I want us to find our rhythm over the coming months and make sure not to swallow the whole world at once – as I have a tendency to do,“ he says jokingly. „I'm looking forward to seeing how the people of Hafnarfjörður will make use of their park, and I encourage everyone to come and see us here.“

A heartfelt congratulations to Theódóra and Knútur on Helliskaffi – and to the people of Hafnarfjörður.