Best Reykjavík Cafés and Coffee Shops

This city has a serious coffee culture, and the best cafés in Reykjavík prove it. Whether you are a coffee lover looking for a strong espresso or a slow breakfast with fresh pastries, the city delivers. This guide covers the top coffee shops in Reykjavík, so you know exactly where to go.

Why Reykjavík Takes Coffee Seriously

Iceland consistently ranks among the top five coffee-consuming countries per capita in the world. Locals treat their cups of coffee as a social ritual, not just a caffeine stop. This culture shows in the high quality of every cup across the city.

Downtown Reykjavík is compact enough that you can walk between most of these spots in under 20 minutes. That makes café-hopping a natural part of walking around Reykjavík. If you are planning 3 days in Reykjavík, building a café stop into your itinerary is one of the best decisions you can make.

The Best Cafés in Reykjavík: Our Top Picks

These six spots cover the full range of what downtown Reykjavík's café scene has to offer. You will find everything from century-old bakeries to specialty roasters and Italian-style espresso bars.

1. Reykjavík Roasters: Best for Specialty Coffee

Reykjavík Roasters is the go-to name for coffee lovers seeking specialty coffee in the city. The café started in 2008 as Kaffismiðja Íslands and was rebranded in 2013. They roast their beans on-site and work as close to the source as possible.

Their main downtown location sits at Kárastígur 1, near Hallgrímskirkja church. A second location at Brautarholt 2 has a brew bar for pour-overs and teas brewed fresh per order, and there’s also a third café at Freyjugata 41. The Kárastígur location opens at 7 am, earlier than the others, while the Brautarholt and Freyjugata cafés are open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. The menu stays focused: espresso drinks, a daily batch brew, and single-origin pour-overs using the AeroPress and the Kalita Wave.

• Best for: Specialty coffee, pour-overs, single-origin beans

• Address: Kárastígur 1, 101 Reykjavík

2. Mokka Kaffi: Reykjavík's Oldest Café

Mokka Kaffi opened in 1958, making it Reykjavík's oldest operating café and the first in Iceland to serve espresso. The decor has barely changed since then. Red carpet, leatherette booths, and rotating art exhibitions on the walls give the place a distinct personality.

The café sits on Skólavörðustígur, the Rainbow Street that leads up to Hallgrímskirkja. It opens daily at 9 am and closes at 6 pm. Order the Swiss mocha and a plate of their waffles with strawberry jam and whipped cream. The coffee is solid, the food is simple, and the atmosphere is irreplaceable. Art exhibitions change every four to six weeks, so the walls always look different on each visit.

• Best for: Classic espresso drinks, Icelandic waffles, and local history

• Address: Skólavörðustígur 3a, 101 Reykjavík

3. DEIG Workshop: Handmade Donuts and Bagels Daily

DEIG is not a traditional Icelandic bakery. Chef Markús Guðnason opened it with a focus on bagels, donuts, and sandwiches, all made in-house every single day. It shares space with burger joint Le Kock inside the Exeter Hotel at Tryggvagata 14.

The interior leans into 1990s nostalgia, with Garbage Pail Kids cards and Michael Jordan-era NBA trading cards under glass tables, plus shelves stacked with used books, board games, and VHS tapes. Order the crème brûlée donut, torched to order at the counter, or the pretzel bagel with chive cream cheese. DEIG opens daily from 7 am to 4 pm.

• Best for: Handmade donuts, bagels, a quick breakfast to go

• Address: Tryggvagata 14, 101 Reykjavík (inside Exeter Hotel)

4. Sandholt Bakery: A Family Recipe Since 1920

Sandholt has been baking in Reykjavík since 1920, with four generations of the same family still running it today. It sits on Laugavegur, the city's main shopping street, a five-minute walk west of the Hlemmur bus terminal.

The menu covers bread, pastries, cakes, sandwiches, and coffee. The almond croissant and sourdough are the first to sell out, so arriving early pays off. It is a reliable breakfast stop for anyone on romantic getaways in Reykjavík who wants something calmer than a hotel buffet.

Best for: Pastries, sourdough, bakery-style breakfast

Address: Laugavegur 36, 101 Reykjavík

5. Kaktus Espressobar: Italian Coffee Culture in Reykjavík

Kaktus Espressobar is run by two Icelandic friends who built their concept around Italian coffee culture. One of them previously ran a café in Italy, which led them to source all their beans from Caffè Italia since opening in 2019.

The main bar sits at Vitastígur 12, open Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm and on weekends from 9 am to 5 pm. A second location operates inside the National Gallery of Iceland at Fríkirkjuvegur 7, open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

• Best for: Italian-style espresso, light bites, local atmosphere.

• Address: Vitastígur 12, 101 Reykjavík. A second location operates inside the National Gallery of Iceland.

6. Café Babalú: The Coziest Corner on Skólavörðustígur

Café Babalú sits on Skólavörðustígur, just below Hallgrímskirkja, and spreads across two floors and a balcony. Every inch is filled with mismatched furniture, layered art, and small surprises, including a Star Wars-themed bathroom with life-size character stencils and color-changing lights.

The menu keeps things simple: soups, sandwiches, cakes, and coffee at reasonable prices for Reykjavík. Weekday mornings are calm, but expect a full house on weekend afternoons and during peak tourist season.

• Best for: Casual coffee, cozy interiors, quiet breaks

• Address: Skólavörðustígur 22, 101 Reykjavík

Where to Stay Near Downtown Reykjavík's Best Cafés

All six of the best cafés in Reykjavík featured in this guide are within walking distance of the city center. If you want to be close to all of them without needing transport, staying at a boutique hotel in downtown Reykjavík puts you at the center of it all.

Kvosin Hotel sits on Austurvöllur Square, making it the perfect spot for exploring every café on this list. It is a good base, whether you are here for a weekend or planning romantic getaways.

Practical Tips for Café Visits in Reykjavík

Planning your café visits in Reykjavík is straightforward once you know a few local basics. Here is what to keep in mind before you head out.

• Tipping: Iceland has no tipping culture. Workers earn a living wage, so tips are not expected. Rounding up the bill is a welcome gesture, but never required.

• Wi-Fi: Most downtown cafés offer free Wi-Fi. If you plan to work, Kaktus Espressobar is specifically noted as laptop-friendly with good connectivity.

• Timing: Weekday mornings before 9 am are the quietest time at most spots. Weekend mornings after 10 am are the busiest.

• Vegan options: Oat milk is widely available across Reykjavík cafés and is close to the default alternative milk. DEIG offers vegan-labeled bagels with fillings like hummus and cream cheese.

• Cash vs. card: Iceland is almost entirely cashless. Every café on this list accepts card payments.

FAQs

What is the best café in Reykjavík for specialty coffee?

Reykjavík Roasters is the most consistently recommended specialty coffee shop in the city. They roast their own beans and serve pour-overs brewed per order.

Where can I find the oldest café in Reykjavík?

Mokka Kaffi at Skólavörðustígur 3a is one of the oldest cafés still operating in Reykjavík, open since 1958. It was the first in Iceland to serve espresso.

Are cafés in Reykjavík expensive?

Reykjavík is a high-cost city overall. A basic espresso costs 690 to 890 ISK ($5.60 to $7.20 USD), and specialty drinks can reach up to 1,200 ISK ($9.70 USD) at current rates.

What time do cafés open in Reykjavík?

Most downtown cafés open between 7 am and 9 am. Sandholt and DEIG are among the earliest, both opening at 7 am daily, making them good options before a day trip or early tour.

Is it easy to find a café near the main attractions in Reykjavík?

Yes. Most of the best cafés sit along or just off Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, both within walking distance of Hallgrímskirkja, the Old Harbor, and Harpa Concert Hall.