Often the heart of a destination, the local flair, can be found in independent coffee shops. You can sip an espresso or hot tea while listening to the hum of conversation as it billows around you. And, if you’re traveling solo, cafes provide a welcoming environment to travel at your own pace, read a book, or scroll through your phone.
The following coffee shops in Reykjavik were picked for their comfy hygge-forward ambiance, quality coffee, and proximity to other popular attractions and sites around the city for exploring on foot. Whether you want to belly up to a bean bar to interact with others and make new friends, or you’d like to seek an intimate corner to sip a steaming brew with a loved one, here are some of the best coffee shops in Reykjavik to enjoy Icelandic coffee culture.
Café Babalú
Located along Skólavörðustígur, the popular boutique-studded street in downtown Reykjavik, Café Babalú is as cozy as cozy gets. Order a Swiss Mokka, hot chocolate, or chai latte from this LGBTQ-friendly business, and save room for their signature vegan chili, grilled cheese, or cheesecake. This celebrated coffee shop is eclectic and full of joyful tchotchkes—you’ll whittle hours of time away, relaxing at an inviting table. Afterward, you can stretch your legs and burn some calories by visiting the Hallgrimskirkja church, situated nearby, as well as the shops along the row.
Reykjavik Roasters
Popular with tourists and locals alike, Reykjavik Roasters places an emphasis on high quality beans, roasted locally with the utmost care. Transparency around where their beans derive from is also important to the company ethos. And, with multiple locations and a full calendar of events, workshops, and art shows, Reykjavik Roasters has created a stalwart connection to the community.
Kaffi Grandi
Just west of the city center, in the trendy and new Grandi Harbour District, sits the most exciting and state-of-the-art attraction in Reykjavik: Pursuit’s Flyover Iceland. One of the best ways to start your vacation is to get a lay of the land and this attraction is your ticket to see the entire country from above. You’ll feel like you’re soaring over the Golden Circle, glaciers, lagoons, and fields of horses as you’re fully immersed into the land of fire and ice. After you experience the adventure, pop into Kaffi Grandi, the newest café in the Grandi neighborhood, and order a cappuccino, brewed coffee, or hot chocolate to go along with your soup and sandwich or kleina (Icelandic doughnut).
Mokka Kaffi
According to the tour company, Wake Up Reykjavik, Mokka Kaffi, the first café in the city to make and serve espresso, is one of the top coffee shops in town. Since 1958, this coffee shop has been a gathering place for Icelanders for not only java, but also, for hot chocolate and waffles. Mokka Kaffi doubles as an art gallery—visit to admire or purchase local paintings, drawings, and the like.
Kaktus Esspressobar
A large window stretches from one side to the other at Kaktus Espressobar making this charming little neighborhood café ideal for bellying up to the bar to watch the local happenings and goings-on happening outside. Baked goods, like croissants, cakes, and breads, pair well with the coffee and tea on hand. This coffee shops is perfect for an early morning visit or for a mid-day touring break.
Sky Café
Not too far from downtown Reykjavik, Sky Lagoon is worth an entire day of your itinerary. Not only is there a seven-step Icelandic bathing ritual that will help you relax and melt into the gorgeous local landscape, but also, there’s a beautifully-designed eatery, called the Sky Café, that serves rustic and wholesome noshes and reviving caffeinated drinks. A mixture of locals and visitors inside creates a warm and welcoming environment, ensuring that this destination will be a highlight of your trip.
Kaffibrennslan
Nestled in the downtown district of Reykjavik, Kaffibrennslan is one of the best cafes in the city, especially if you plan on walking around to explore the local boutiques, restaurants, bookshops, and galleries. Each table is adorned with a candle stick and the ambient lighting is conducive to starry-eyed conversations and amorous handholding. Traveling solo? No worries. You will feel right at home during Happy Hour at the bar or while sipping a hot drink snuggled next to the window.
