Guidebook for Reykjavik
Food Scene
My fav restaurant / bar. Icelandic + French fusion food. A nice vibe and very popular with locals. They take reservations till 18:30 and after that you have to show up and wait.
Also have a good breakfast buffet between 07-10 am and a great brunch on weekends after 11:30.
A nice place for a drink later in the night.
288 íbúar mæla með
Snaps Bistro
1 ÞórsgataMy fav restaurant / bar. Icelandic + French fusion food. A nice vibe and very popular with locals. They take reservations till 18:30 and after that you have to show up and wait.
Also have a good breakfast buffet between 07-10 am and a great brunch on weekends after 11:30.
A nice place for a drink later in the night.
A great veggie restaurant. Best for lunch or dinner. They let you have a taste of the soup to see if you like it before ordering. ;)
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Gló
A great veggie restaurant. Best for lunch or dinner. They let you have a taste of the soup to see if you like it before ordering. ;)
Best veggie restaurant ever. The place is tiny, family owned and the atmosphere is so calming. I recommend the chocolate cake for dessert. Amazing.
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Garðurinn
37 KlapparstígurBest veggie restaurant ever. The place is tiny, family owned and the atmosphere is so calming. I recommend the chocolate cake for dessert. Amazing.
Best for noodles! No msg and amazingly fresh incredients. Love this place.
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Núðluskálin
8 SkólavörðustígurBest for noodles! No msg and amazingly fresh incredients. Love this place.
Oldest coffeeshop in Iceland which opened in 1958. The interior has been kept the same which makes it unique and a must see. Lovely waffles and they make real hot chocolate from scratch.
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Mokka Kaffi
3A SkólavörðustígurOldest coffeeshop in Iceland which opened in 1958. The interior has been kept the same which makes it unique and a must see. Lovely waffles and they make real hot chocolate from scratch.
Ramen Momo
16 TryggvagataTiny place with great ramen.
Best pizza slices in town. I recommend the veggie option with peanuts. Also good for take away pizza's and they do great pasta salads. Tiny place.
PizzaPastaDeli (the Deli)
14 BankastrætiBest pizza slices in town. I recommend the veggie option with peanuts. Also good for take away pizza's and they do great pasta salads. Tiny place.
Nice and comfy café which is open late and also good for beer hangouts. They do really good veggie soups.
47 íbúar mæla með
Stofan Café
Nice and comfy café which is open late and also good for beer hangouts. They do really good veggie soups.
Sægreifinn
A quirky and unique place by the sea. Their seafood soup is amazing!
The closest one to the flat. Nice for coffee and they also do great traditional Icelandic dishes like fish stew and you can have a taste of dried fish (a must in Iceland). Opens at 9 am except 11 am on Sundays.
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Café Loki
28 LokastígurThe closest one to the flat. Nice for coffee and they also do great traditional Icelandic dishes like fish stew and you can have a taste of dried fish (a must in Iceland). Opens at 9 am except 11 am on Sundays.
Great for weekend brunch. The Egg's Florentine is amazing. Also really good for lunch or dinner. Lovely sour dough bread. It's a tiny place so it's a good idea to reserve a table beforehand.
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The Coocoo's Nest
23 GrandagarðurGreat for weekend brunch. The Egg's Florentine is amazing. Also really good for lunch or dinner. Lovely sour dough bread. It's a tiny place so it's a good idea to reserve a table beforehand.
Amazing café owned by an artist couple and the place is decorated with their pieces. Best for breakfast or lunch since it opens at 07:30 and closes at 15 (the pan closes at 14). Great pancakes.
31 íbúar mæla með
The Grey Cat
16a HverfisgataAmazing café owned by an artist couple and the place is decorated with their pieces. Best for breakfast or lunch since it opens at 07:30 and closes at 15 (the pan closes at 14). Great pancakes.
Bergsson Mathús
3 TemplarasundReally nice and cozy place. Great for veggie options.
Bergsson RE
16 GrandagarðurSame as Bergsson mathús but located at the harbour area.
hverfisgata 12
12 HverfisgataAmazing artisanal pizza's and a lovely place.
Eldsmiðjan
81 LaugavegurGreat pizzas.
Ban Thai Restaurant
130 LaugavegurBest thai food in town. Love it.
Yummi Yummi
123 HverfisgataA take away thai food place - same owners as Ban Thai. Really good.
Austur-Indíafélagið
56 HverfisgataAmazing high end Indian restaurant.
Grillmarkaðurinn
Fine dining. Amazing food!
High end seafood. Same owners as Grillmarkaðurinn but with emphasis on fish. Also amazing!
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Fiskmarkaðurinn
High end seafood. Same owners as Grillmarkaðurinn but with emphasis on fish. Also amazing!
Sakebarinn
2 LaugavegurBest sushi in town. A good selection of sake.
Only open from 1 may - 1 october. This is a hidden gem. It's a bit out of the center but located in the Botanical Garden and close to Laugardalslaug pool. A nice day would be to go to the pool, have a stroll in the garden afterwards and then dinner at this restaurant.
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Flóran Garden Bistro
GrasagarðinumOnly open from 1 may - 1 october. This is a hidden gem. It's a bit out of the center but located in the Botanical Garden and close to Laugardalslaug pool. A nice day would be to go to the pool, have a stroll in the garden afterwards and then dinner at this restaurant.
Kaffi Vest. A really nice coffeeshop frequented by locals. It's a bit out of the center but totally worth it if you want to escape the tourist traps. Right across the street is also a local favorite swimming pool - Vesturbæjarlaug.
Melhagi 20
20 MelhagiKaffi Vest. A really nice coffeeshop frequented by locals. It's a bit out of the center but totally worth it if you want to escape the tourist traps. Right across the street is also a local favorite swimming pool - Vesturbæjarlaug.
Great falafels, shawarmas and kebabs. Owned by Syrian immigrants. You can also pop by to have a quick snack on their amazing hummus with some chips. Love this place!
50 íbúar mæla með
Mandi
3b VeltusundGreat falafels, shawarmas and kebabs. Owned by Syrian immigrants. You can also pop by to have a quick snack on their amazing hummus with some chips. Love this place!
Real quality fine artisanal dining. First restaurant in Iceland to receive a Michelin star. It's quirky and different in a good way.
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Dill Restaurant
Real quality fine artisanal dining. First restaurant in Iceland to receive a Michelin star. It's quirky and different in a good way.
Apotek Restaurant
16 AusturstrætiQuality fine dining.
Best coffee in town! They also have oat milk and their green tea is to die for.
245 íbúar mæla með
Reykjavik Roasters
1 KárastígurBest coffee in town! They also have oat milk and their green tea is to die for.
Best coffee in town! They also have oat milk and their green tea is to die for.
245 íbúar mæla með
Reykjavik Roasters
1 KárastígurBest coffee in town! They also have oat milk and their green tea is to die for.
The only 'all vegan' restaurant in Reykjavik. Great food and nice vibes. They also do great coffee and cakes.
29 íbúar mæla með
Vínyl bistro
76 HverfisgataThe only 'all vegan' restaurant in Reykjavik. Great food and nice vibes. They also do great coffee and cakes.
A nice old coffeeshop that does good burgers and pancakes fx and turns into a fun bar with hiphop music in the night time.
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Prikið
12 BankastrætiA nice old coffeeshop that does good burgers and pancakes fx and turns into a fun bar with hiphop music in the night time.
Best bakery.....in the world? Their sour dough breads are good but their sweet pastries are even better. A must try.
316 íbúar mæla með
Brauð & Co.
16 FrakkastígurBest bakery.....in the world? Their sour dough breads are good but their sweet pastries are even better. A must try.
An old bakery which dates back to 1920. Their sour dough breads are amazing and it's also a nice café to sit down at and enjoy a nice danish and coffee.
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Sandholt
36 LaugavegurAn old bakery which dates back to 1920. Their sour dough breads are amazing and it's also a nice café to sit down at and enjoy a nice danish and coffee.
Júlía & Júlía café at Safnahúsið is a really cozy and quiet café with amazing cakes baked by the two girls Júlía and Júlía who own the place. They also serve quality swedish craft beer and they always have a nice vinyl record on playing the oldies.
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hverfisgata 12
12 HverfisgataJúlía & Júlía café at Safnahúsið is a really cozy and quiet café with amazing cakes baked by the two girls Júlía and Júlía who own the place. They also serve quality swedish craft beer and they always have a nice vinyl record on playing the oldies.
Drinks & Nightlife
Nice for a beer. They also have good food though. Quite often you can find good live music there. Swamped with tourists as it is a hostel. Really nice in the summer to sit outside.
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Kex Hostel Reykjavik
28 SkúlagataNice for a beer. They also have good food though. Quite often you can find good live music there. Swamped with tourists as it is a hostel. Really nice in the summer to sit outside.
A tropical themed bar. It's quite cozy and almost always has good music going. Good vibes. Open till 1 am.
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Bar Ananas
38 KlapparstígurA tropical themed bar. It's quite cozy and almost always has good music going. Good vibes. Open till 1 am.
A notorious Reykvikian bar once partially owned by Damon Albarn. Turns into a nightclub on weekends and can get quite crazy with house music and dancing visitors.
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Kaffibarinn
A notorious Reykvikian bar once partially owned by Damon Albarn. Turns into a nightclub on weekends and can get quite crazy with house music and dancing visitors.
Kaldi Bar
20a LaugavegurA small but nice bar which mainly serves Icelandic Kaldi beer.
Húrra
Can be real good for dancing and going to see concerts.
Kjarvalsstofa at Hótel Holt is a legendary bar decorated with drawings from our biggest artist Jóhannes Kjarval. Great for happy hour and drinks earlier in the evening.
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Hotel Holt
37 BergstaðastrætiKjarvalsstofa at Hótel Holt is a legendary bar decorated with drawings from our biggest artist Jóhannes Kjarval. Great for happy hour and drinks earlier in the evening.
Best music venue in town with regular gigs by quality musicians. Check out their website for the schedule while you're staying at www.mengi.net
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Mengi
2 ÓðinsgataBest music venue in town with regular gigs by quality musicians. Check out their website for the schedule while you're staying at www.mengi.net
Shopping
Mai Thai Market and Bistro
116 LaugavegurAsian market which also hosts a good small restaurant.
A wonderful hidden gem. Sigurrós's Jónsi and his family's store. They stock unique perfumes, hair soap bars, jewellry and blankets designed by them. Beautiful store and wonderful atmosphere.
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Fischer
FischersundA wonderful hidden gem. Sigurrós's Jónsi and his family's store. They stock unique perfumes, hair soap bars, jewellry and blankets designed by them. Beautiful store and wonderful atmosphere.
Best for local fashion! A co up shop run by Icelandic fashion designers. It's been chosen the best shop for Icelandic Fashion 7 years in a row by The Reykjavík Grapevine.
KIOSK
Best for local fashion! A co up shop run by Icelandic fashion designers. It's been chosen the best shop for Icelandic Fashion 7 years in a row by The Reykjavík Grapevine.
Icelandic clothing brand using our heritage as inspiration. Beautiful store.
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Farmers & Friends / Farmers Market - flagship store & design studio
2 HólmaslóðIcelandic clothing brand using our heritage as inspiration. Beautiful store.
Spúútnik
28 LaugavegurGreat for second hand clothes.
Best store to pick up a real Icelandic traditional sweater. They're all handknitted in Iceland. Don't go to the big tourist shops that have theirs made in China!
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The Handknitting Association of Iceland
19 SkólavörðustígurBest store to pick up a real Icelandic traditional sweater. They're all handknitted in Iceland. Don't go to the big tourist shops that have theirs made in China!
Aftur clothing
45 LaugavegurA cool Icelandic fashion designer's shop. Vibe is dark and moody.
Essentials
Cheapest supermarket in town.
Mon - Thursday
11:00 - 18:30
Fridays
10:00 - 19:30
Saturdays
10:00 - 18:00
Sundays
12:00 - 18:00
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Bónus
Cheapest supermarket in town.
Mon - Thursday
11:00 - 18:30
Fridays
10:00 - 19:30
Saturdays
10:00 - 18:00
Sundays
12:00 - 18:00
Krambúð
42 SkólavörðustígurClosest grocery store - open 24/7. Not cheap but convenient!
Parks & Nature
Grasagardur Botanical Garden
105 HverfisgataReykjavik's botanical garden. Best in the summer!
Reykvikian's favorite hiking trail. Usually we only hike up to the big rock but not to the top as it involves a bit of climbing. You'll meet a lot of locals here.
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Esjan
Reykvikian's favorite hiking trail. Usually we only hike up to the big rock but not to the top as it involves a bit of climbing. You'll meet a lot of locals here.
An area of mountains around a lake. It's great for hiking and enjoying some beautiful views. If you drive along lake Kleifarvatn you'll find a small area with some beautiful geothermal activity.
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Krýsuvík
42An area of mountains around a lake. It's great for hiking and enjoying some beautiful views. If you drive along lake Kleifarvatn you'll find a small area with some beautiful geothermal activity.
Arts & Culture
Reykjavik's biggest settlement museum. A bit out of the center but definitely worth the trip. A real nice day trip would be to go there, explore the tiny town of old houses and they also have a nice restaurant.
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Árbær Open Air Museum
KistuhylurReykjavik's biggest settlement museum. A bit out of the center but definitely worth the trip. A real nice day trip would be to go there, explore the tiny town of old houses and they also have a nice restaurant.
My favourite art museum. They do big overviews of Icelandic artists frequently and the building is so beautiful. It's not so crowded so it's a bit more quiet than the other ones.
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National Gallery of Iceland (Listasafn Islands)
My favourite art museum. They do big overviews of Icelandic artists frequently and the building is so beautiful. It's not so crowded so it's a bit more quiet than the other ones.
Hverfisgallerí
4-6 HverfisgataA good contemporary art gallery.
i8 Gallery
16 TryggvagataA great contemporary art gallery.
It's really fun to visit the maritime museum in my opinion and please try to visit their coastal guard ship (it's beautiful!) - they do guided tours at 13, 14 and 15 every day. Also at 11:00 in the summer.
There's a great restaurant on the ground floor with view over the harbor. Amazing seafood soup.
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Reykjavik Maritime Museum
8 GrandagarðurIt's really fun to visit the maritime museum in my opinion and please try to visit their coastal guard ship (it's beautiful!) - they do guided tours at 13, 14 and 15 every day. Also at 11:00 in the summer.
There's a great restaurant on the ground floor with view over the harbor. Amazing seafood soup.
A great day in Reykjavík is to walk to the National museum to learn about our history. On the way you can walk through Grjótaþorpið and the old cemetery. After the museum you could walk to Vesturbæjarlaug swimming pool and have a café at Kaffi Vest across the road after your swim.
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National Museum of Iceland
41 SuðurgataA great day in Reykjavík is to walk to the National museum to learn about our history. On the way you can walk through Grjótaþorpið and the old cemetery. After the museum you could walk to Vesturbæjarlaug swimming pool and have a café at Kaffi Vest across the road after your swim.