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The dining scene in Reykjavík has diversified a great deal in the past few years: traditional Icelandic restaurants now face competition from restaurants serving Asian, Italian, Mexican, Indian, and vegetarian fare. A recent trend has seen the emergence of several upscale establishments emphasizing locally grown ingredients and new Nordic cuisine.
Reykjavík’s artisanal bakery haven, Braud & Co. is famed for its legendary cinnamon rolls and flaky croissants. Using Icelandic butter and imported flours, they craft stunning sourdough loaves, pretzel croissants, vegan snúður, and much more.
This tiny yet famous fast-food stand is known for serving the original Icelandic hot dog—and a single person serves about a thousand of them a day from the window. Ask for eina með öllu (pronounced ayn-ah med utl-lou), or "one with everything," which gets you mustard, tomato sauce, rémoulade (mayonnaise with finely chopped pickles), and chopped raw and fried onions. Expect fairly long lines at almost all hours of day and night.
Two friends came together to open this café, which specializes in Italian coffee and baked goods. The interior is airy and lively, the perfect spot to plan your day of adventures.
If you’re serious about the quality of your cup of joe, then you should feel right at home at Reykjavík Roasters. Owned and operated by some of Iceland’s most esteemed, award-winning baristas, Reykjavík Roasters delivers incredibly consistent cups of coffee. Its dedicated patrons seem to occupy the shabby-chic seating all day long, occasionally getting up for a refill or to play the other side of a vintage vinyl. The staff at this respected establishment prepare every coffee variety perfectly, every time.
There are only two options on the menu at Svarta Kaffið: a vegetarian soup and a meat soup. Known locally as the soup spot, this restaurant really has more of a café atmosphere, with a small list of beers and wine on tap, too. You can get your soup in a regular bowl or you can opt for the carb-heavy bread bowl, which is never a mistake.
"Fire and Ice" does two things really well: ice cream and crepes. You can choose from the menu they've put together, or you can make up your own crepe creation.
Inspired by its name (which is Danish for "cozy"), Hygge offers a, yes, cozy atmosphere with Scandinavian-inspired design. They serve high-quality coffee and freshly baked pastries that are all sweet, shiny, and scrumptious.
You'll find a line full of locals winding out the door of this ice-cream shop during the summer months, and things don't slow down much when the temperatures drop either. They offer two kinds of ice cream: "old" and "new," both of which describe the recipes used to make the soft serve (the older recipe is creamier). Choosing which toppings to get will be your hardest decision of the day.
In business since 1958, Iceland's oldest café is a wonderful place to mingle with locals of all kinds. Many consider the waffles at this Reykjavík institution to be the best in town.
This tiny coffee shop has built itself a solid reputation for excellent Italian espresso. Its delightful brand has been dubbed the "best cup of joe to go," and customers gather on the sidewalk, where they sip from paper cups and talk about politics and the weather.
Reykjavík's cozy, all-vegan café is celebrated for its inventive plant-based dishes and warm ambience. It serves up a rotating menu of house-made pastries, hearty soups, and inventive sandwiches. Signature items include the vegan cheese and jalapeño roll and indulgent cakes. With reclaimed furniture, local art, and a zero-waste ethos, it's a favorite spot for a peaceful coffee break.
Iceland’s biggest coffee chain is run by the couple largely responsible for starting the modern Icelandic coffee revolution. Far from its humble beginnings in 1984, the company today boasts its own roastery and operates 12 shops. Six are in downtown Reykjavík—three inside Eymundsson bookstores, so you can enjoy a good book while sipping on a smooth, barista-brewed double latte or macchiato. They also sell great tea, as well as their own brand of light refreshments like cookies, cakes, and delicious frosted muffins. They simply don’t make enough of the citron muffin (everyone’s favorite) so get there early!
This beloved ice cream shop was among the first purveyors of heaping mounds of homemade frozen desserts. The colorful shop is known for its lively vibe and wide selection of flavors, ranging from classic fruit varieties to Turkish pepper or rye bread.
