Your Iceland trip will probably start or end with a visit to Reykjavik. Or maybe you are visiting Iceland for a city trip to this characteristic town! After a visit to the museums and the beautiful Hallgrímskirkja church and perhaps a day trip to waterfalls, geysers or the Blue Lagoon, it’s time for some food, drink and shopping. These are the best hotspots to have some food and drinks, go shopping and fall asleep after a long day.
Food & drinks
- Reykjavik Roasters
Kárastígur 1, Brautarholt 2 en Freyjugata 41 - Apotek Restaurant
Austurstræti 16 - Lebowski Bar
Laugavegur 20a - Heart Garden (or: Garðurinn)
Klapparstígur 37
In terms of decor, Heart Garden may look more like an ice cream shop, but this vegetarian restaurant just off Reykjavik’s main street is a great lunch spot! The concept is simple: there are two options on the menu every day and there are all kinds of delicious cakes at the bar. The menu options are always vegetarian and at least one is vegan. We had lunch here with spinach carrot soup and then shared the most delicious carrot cake and a vegan brownie. Don’t let the blue ice cream shop vibe stop you; the restaurant was quite busy even in low season. - Dill Restaurant
Hverfisgata 12 - Fish Company
Vesturgata 2a - Kol Restaurant
Skólavörðustígur 40 - Kaffi Vínyl
Hverfisgata 76
Kaffi Vínyl is the first vegan restaurant in Iceland. The menu options are not very extensive, but that is usually a good sign. The lasagna with salad and red pesto on the side is particularly good, but the various sandwiches sounded great as well. They also serve organic juices and drinks. The guests were very diverse: from the cooler youngsters of Reykjavik to young families. - Fish Market (or: Fiskmarkaðurinn)
Aðalstræti 12 - Mokka Kaffi
Skólavörðustígur 3A - Kaldi Bar & Café
Laugavegur 20b - Bergsson Mathús
Templarasund 3 - Café Babalu
Skólavördustígur 22a
At this cafe in one of the main streets of Reykjavik we had some hot chocolate and chai tea to warm us up. The interior is like that of a beachcomber: full, colourful, diverse and cozy. Although we were only having a drink, the plates that we saw passing by looked very good. Just the colourful setting makes it worth your while to visit Reykjavik. - Grill Market (of: Grillmarkaðurinn)
Lækjargata 2a - Hotdogstand Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Tryggvagata 1
A hot dog stand on a hot spot list? Hell yes. In fact: you can expect a queue here at lunchtime! - Restaurant Gló
Laugavegur 20b - Smakbarinn
Klapparstígur 38 - Ostabúðin
Skólavörðustígur 8
Shopping
- Fakó
Ármúli 7
The concept store Fakó is slightly outside the city center, but is certainly worth a detour. At Fakó’s you’ll find pretty interior items, crockery, gadgets and other nice items. - Myconceptstore
Laugavegur 45 - Aftur Clothing
Laugavegur 39 - Hrím Hönnunarhús
Laugavegur 25 - KronKron
Laugavegur 63b - Orrifin
Skólavörðustígur 17b - Aurum by Guðbjörg Jewellery
Bankastræti 4
Sleeping
- Apotek Hotel
Austurstræti 16 | Booking - Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre
Smiðjustígur 4 | Booking - Kex Hostel Reykjavik
Skúlagata 28 | Booking - Hotel Marina
Mýrargata 2 | Booking - Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel
Brautarholt 10 | Booking - 101 hotel
Hverfisgata 10 | Booking - Oddsson Hostel
Hringbraut 121 | Booking - 105 – A Townhouse Hotel
Háteigsvegur 1 | Booking