Embark on a caffeine-fuelled journey to the best coffee shops we’ve personally savoured in and around Reykjavík. With Iceland ranking as the 3rd largest coffee consumer per-capita globally, our shortlist of favourite spots within Reykjavík and beyond offers a taste of our coffee adventures.
At Hidden Iceland, our love for good coffee run deep. As such, we have pulled together a short list to share with you the highlights of our most coveted cafés within Reykjavík, and a few outside the city lines too. Some of Iceland’s main attractions are within a day’s reach from Reykjavík, and in fact, within a 3-hour drive from the city you’ll make it to Golden Circle, hike on a glacier and walk deep into a lava cave. While out on the road to explore and partake in otherworldly activities, it’s equally important to enure we visit a café or two along the way to keep us going.
Why we make sure that coffee is part of our tours
Hidden Iceland’s tours are personalised, adventurous and operated as if we are taking our friends and family on an outing in Iceland, as we like to say. In doing so, this means ensuring we visit the best locations, find a few hidden gems, and sprinkle in a bit of adventure. Further to this, we are acutely aware it is not a race.
Not everyone wants to cram as much as possible into each day, rather, they to allow themselves to slow down, reflect and unwind as they explore new locations. It’s safe to say that we all agree that there should be at least one good coffee stop throughout the day! Not to mention, most of our guides appreciate a good brew as well.
BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN REYKJAVÍK
Hygge Coffee & Micro Bakery
Hygge Coffee & Micro Bakery is one of the latest additions to the coffee scene in downtown Reykjavík, with one location in the heart of West Town, and the other right in the city centre. Here you can grab a cup of your coffee drink of choice alongside pastries baked on site, most notably a selection of vegan pastries which are a rare find, as well as toasted sandwiches and soups for a light lunch. On a sunny day, their outside seating area is bursting with sunlight, so a great spot to sit down for a cuppa!
Reykjavík Roasters
For pure taste, this coffee shop is one of Iceland’s best. If you have half a day to spare in Reykjavík, then make sure to pop in and sample the goods. From the meticulous measurement of the coffee grains, to the temperature of the milk, it is no surprise that I can virtually guarantee a perfect coffee here. The best word to describe the staff at Reykjavík Roasters is professional. It’s clear they care about their craft very much.
You can really taste the difference when this level of passion is added to each brew. The café itself has a minimalist, almost hipster vibe with great music, often played on a rustic record player. The three cafés dotted around the central area of Reykjavík are a welcome relief after climbing to the top of the Hallgrímskirkja church or walking the length of the Laugavegur shopping strip looking for the best souvenir.
Kaktus Espressobar
You will find Kaktus Espressobar in two locations in downtown Reykjavík. The original one is on Vitastígur, with the latest addition inside the National Gallery of Iceland. Here, you will find premium coffee, served to you by passionate coffee baristas in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. Both locations have outside seating, which coupled with delicious simple food, and good pastries, this place is the perfect location to sit down with a good brew.
Plantan Café & Plantan Bistro
Plantan also is found in two locations in Reykjavík, each with a slightly different focus. The first, Plantan Café, is found just off the main shopping street downtown and offers breakfast, sandwiches, light lunches and baked goods to have alongside your coffee.
The latter, Plantan Bistró, is found inside the Nordic House, a well established venue for Nordic art, culture, language, and public discussions with a high focus on sustainability in all aspects of their operations.
It is a little walk away from the city centre, but well worth the visit. Here, Plantan offers a small seasonal menu, with an emphasis on healthy, substantial and delicious food, as well as baked pastries and excellent coffee.
Klambrar Bistro
This Bistro is a Norwegian style café hidden inside the uniquely designed Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum. This isolated café is right at the edge of a tranquil, open park where the locals are found walking their dogs and playing Frisbee golf. Sitting outside with a fantastic coffee watching kids play in the park is relaxing.
The large windows inside give you just as great a view on the chillier days. All their meals are inspired by Scandinavian cuisine and all ingredients are sourced with this in mind. Think delicious cakes, smorrebrod, and heartwarming soups. Once you are done with your lunch, then be sure to take in the impressive Art Museum honouring one of Iceland’s most revered artists and then wander around the park.
Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
This café is where you are most likely to be finding more locals, rather than travellers. It’s away from the main streets of downtown Reykjavík, and is perfectly located after a visit to our favourite local geothermal pool Vesturbæjarlaug or on your way to the solitary Grótta Lighthouse (an excellent Northern Lights viewing location) on the western tip of the peninsula.
The café also has a great brunch, lunch, and dinner menu that rotates regularly for the hungry visitors, coupled with a curated selection of natural wines. A personal favourite is their Eggs Benedict, their homemade carrot cake, along with their perfectly made latte.
BEST COFFEE SHOPS OUTSIDE OF REYKJAVÍK
Skool Beans
Vík, South Coast
This unique little café is a converted American school bus that was previously repurposed as a glacier guiding vehicle. Just as it lost its thirst for adventure, Holly, the owner, rescued it from the scrap heap and turned it into south Iceland’s first micro-roaster and tea lab. All coffee beans are roasted by her in the village.
The owner, Holly, has also become something of a magician when it comes to coming up with new recipes for hot chocolate too, so don’t only fixate on the admittedly brilliantly roasted coffee. This little café is bursting with charm, except for part owner, Jeffarious Edward the first (resident cat), who will do his best to ignore you while you yearn for some of his attention in front of the fireplace.
Hidden Iceland stops in here on many of our private tours along the south coast or on our 2-day tour if daylight allows. We always recommend it if you are self-driving. Holly’s coffee shop has only been open since summer 2020 and yet, her menu has expanded to include various coffee beans, hot chocolates, exotic teas and delicious bagels with many toppings to boot.
Many people order to-go on their south coast journey, but I prefer to relax a little in front of the open fire while I warm my toes on the colder days. Plus, Holly is always up for a chat when it isn’t too busy.
Friðheimar Tomato Farm & Horse Stables
Reykholt, Golden Circle
Have you ever had a coffee surrounded by 21 ft high tomato plants and buzzing bees, in the middle of winter, in Iceland, powered by the heat of a volcano? I didn’t think so. Friðheimar is an absolute must when you are visiting the Golden Circle in Iceland.
It has predominantly tomato-based lunches (tomato soup, mozzarella pizza, ravioli pasta etc.) are worth the visit alone. But add in the prospect of a tomato-based coffee (yes, you read that right) and it’ll become the highlight of your day. They do, of course, have normal coffee for those reading this, who don’t like the idea of their coffee taking on a slightly different aroma.
For the brave ones, I actually do recommend trying it. As they say, when in Rome, or in this case, when in a geothermal greenhouse. After lunch, make sure to walk around the greenhouse and pop over to the horse stables to say hello to the friendly Icelandic horse (just don’t call them ponies).
Hidden Iceland includes this restaurant on our Golden Circle: Platinum tour and on our Golden Circle with Northern Lights private tour.
Sjávarpakkhúsið Restaurant
Stykkishólmur, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
This restaurant is located north of Reykjavík within the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Make sure to dedicate a full day, or more, to this excursion, as Snæfellsnes has far more than just this sleepy little fishing village to visit. At Sjávarpakkhúsið, they highlight the local ingredients, driven by sustainability practices, and continuously strive to prepare food of the highest quality with minimal environmental impact.
Many of the locals will grab a sociable coffee here before the lunch and dinner rush begins. I, personally, recommend grabbing lunch along with your coffee here, in a warm and comfortable setting. You’ll find yourself wanting to hang around long after you get to the bottom of your cup. The staff are also knowledgeable and friendly.
If you intend to have lunch (recommended), then take your time to study then menu. You’ll likely notice that most of the meals are sourced right around the corner in neighbouring farms and harbours. Hidden Iceland visit Sjávarpakkhúsið on our Snaefellsnes Peninsula day tour, and if staying overnight in Stykkihsólmur, this is the perfect place for dinner before going northern lights hunting during winter.
Kaffistofan
Akureyri, North Iceland
Akureyri has in recent years become a hub for excellent restaurants, cafés, arts, and activities. Honourable mentions are Lyst nestled in the midst of the botanical gardens, Ketilkaffi Café inside Akureyri Art Museum, Eyjan Wine Bar and our favourite must-visit restaurant in the area North by Dill. It’s easy to fill a few days dining your way through the capital of the north.
The latest addition to the ever-growing flora and fauna in the town is Kaffistofan, a speciality coffee shop and roasters. They are known for their traceable, ethically sourced beans that they roast locally in small batches, offering you a taste of the north with every sip. To find out more about the culinary delights of Reykjavík book Hidden Iceland’s Reykjavík City Food Walking Tour.
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Hi, I am Ryan Connolly; Co-Founder and Marketing Manager of Hidden Iceland. I’ve guided in multiple countries around the world and stepped foot on all 7 continents. My passion for the outdoors, science, nature, glaciers, and volcanoes has led me to study and write about Iceland. I have been interviewed in Forbes, Condé Nast Traveller and Travel Pulse on various subjects.
Nice blog thannks for posting