Café Babalú

Cafés

Reykjavík boasts a great café culture, with residents regularly meeting up with friends and family for coffee, cake, and little talks. An Icelandic hot chocolate is a great way to warm those cold bones after a day spent exploring the city. Many cafés also host live music and entertainment. Interesting fact: if you see several prams stationed outside a café in the dead of winter with the little ones still inside — worry not. Wrapping babies up and letting them rest outside is common practice in Iceland.

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Kaffitár

One of Reykjavik’s most popular coffee companies, serving some of the best coffee in the country. The company owns different locations. Find their first coffee shop in downtown …

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Mokka Kaffi

For a retro coffee-house atmosphere, head to Mokka — Reykjavík's oldest coffee bar. It has not changed since its opening in 1957. Warm leather benches, lots of wood and soft fabric paneling make it one of the coziest places in …

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Café Babalú

This cafe is an institution in Reykjavík: in addition to offering great hot chocolate, sweets and vegetarian food, it boasts an outstanding alternative decor, teeming with wall art, pop culture quotes and vintage-style …

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Reykjavík Roasters

Carefully crafted espresso drinks worthy of the snobbiest hipster. Minimalist design, great playlists often played on a rustic record player. There are three venues of this chain dotted around the central area of Reykjavík, the one next to Hallgrímskirkja being the most …

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Mikki Refur

Mikki Refur bravely opened its doors in November 2020. The place wraps you up in the cozy interior with warm lights and lots of wood, marble bistro tables and deep green tiles. They will brew your an excellent cup of coffee from freshly roasted beans, serve satisfying bistro food with a glass of wine …

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Klambrar Bistrø

Inside the Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum hides a cozy Norwegian style cafe with huge windows overlooking an open park where locals walk their dogs, play frisbee and stroll around. Their coffee is hot and strong, cakes delicious and soups leave you with a warm feeling inside. Naturally, best combined with a visit to the art …

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12 Tonar

This independent record shop stocks a wide selection of Icelandic music. The helpful staff can help you find the perfect audio souvenir of your visit. The venue also houses the Smekkleysa ('bad taste') indie music label. Plus, you here you can get coffee and beer, live gigs and specialist …

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