Guidebook for Reykjavík
Food Scene
Gló
Wholesome food with healthy, vegaterian and vegan options
A small coffee bar and roastery and run by an award-winning baristas. The place feels more like someone’s living room and it’s not unusual to see groups of locals knitting pairs of gloves while sipping on a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
245 Einheimische empfehlen
Reykjavik Roasters
1 KárastígurA small coffee bar and roastery and run by an award-winning baristas. The place feels more like someone’s living room and it’s not unusual to see groups of locals knitting pairs of gloves while sipping on a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
Íslenski barinn
1a IngólfsstrætiIcelandic food with a twist
South american tapas. There is a wide ranges of different small courses that you can choose from, both meat, fish and vegetable with vegan options. You can of course also just get one main dish if you don't feel like sharing. Then you can order a funky and delicious cocktail from Pablo Discobar (in the same building) for your table or just start or end the night up there with a glass of something delicious
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Burro
1 VeltusundSouth american tapas. There is a wide ranges of different small courses that you can choose from, both meat, fish and vegetable with vegan options. You can of course also just get one main dish if you don't feel like sharing. Then you can order a funky and delicious cocktail from Pablo Discobar (in the same building) for your table or just start or end the night up there with a glass of something delicious
Apotek Kitchen + bar is an exciting restaurant located in one of the most beautiful corners of Reykjavík. The restaurant is casual-smart, offering delicious food in vibrant atmosphere and stylish surroundings.
138 Einheimische empfehlen
Apotek Restaurant
16 AusturstrætiApotek Kitchen + bar is an exciting restaurant located in one of the most beautiful corners of Reykjavík. The restaurant is casual-smart, offering delicious food in vibrant atmosphere and stylish surroundings.
Tasty and fun food made with fresh and local Icelandic ingredients. Great desserts
65 Einheimische empfehlen
Sæta Svínið Gastropub
1-3 HafnarstrætiTasty and fun food made with fresh and local Icelandic ingredients. Great desserts
Amazing traditional bakery. The sourdough bread is so good and the best cinnamon rolls you will ever taste fresh from the oven
315 Einheimische empfehlen
Brauð & Co.
16 FrakkastígurAmazing traditional bakery. The sourdough bread is so good and the best cinnamon rolls you will ever taste fresh from the oven
Austur-Indíafjelagið has been serving genuine Indian food with the same high standard for over twenty years
117 Einheimische empfehlen
Austur-Indíafélagið
56 HverfisgataAustur-Indíafjelagið has been serving genuine Indian food with the same high standard for over twenty years
Excellent Icelandic cuisine, pleasantly comfortable decor and friendly staff. Their "fish of the day" is the best fish lunch offer you can get
119 Einheimische empfehlen
Sjávargrillið
14 SkólavörðustígurExcellent Icelandic cuisine, pleasantly comfortable decor and friendly staff. Their "fish of the day" is the best fish lunch offer you can get
Drinks & Nightlife
Dark and raw, this large bar/club opens up its back room to make a concert venue, with live music or DJs most nights. . One of the coolest and hipster friendly places in town
60 Einheimische empfehlen
Húrra
Dark and raw, this large bar/club opens up its back room to make a concert venue, with live music or DJs most nights. . One of the coolest and hipster friendly places in town
Laid back atmosphere . Hangout for artists and bohemians. The crowd is older, there’s no dance floor and most people just go there to drink beer and catch up with old friends and new
82 Einheimische empfehlen
Ölstofa
VegamótastígurLaid back atmosphere . Hangout for artists and bohemians. The crowd is older, there’s no dance floor and most people just go there to drink beer and catch up with old friends and new
If you want to dance the night away. B5 is the closest thing to a Miami nightclub you’ll find in Reykjavík (okay, it’s not that close). This place is made for grinding. You’ll find all the hits here, from today’s top 40 to occasional tracks from the last millennium.
101 Einheimische empfehlen
B5
If you want to dance the night away. B5 is the closest thing to a Miami nightclub you’ll find in Reykjavík (okay, it’s not that close). This place is made for grinding. You’ll find all the hits here, from today’s top 40 to occasional tracks from the last millennium.
Gaukurinn
Bar and live venue. Drag show every other Friday night
Prikið
12 BankastrætiBar and bistro for the young and hip crowd. DJ at weekends
At Skúli Craft Bar you can find an excellent variety of up to 14 different beers on tap. Loads of bottled beers as well, served with a smile by very knowledgeable and friendly staff
99 Einheimische empfehlen
Skúli Craft bar
9, 101 AðalstrætiAt Skúli Craft Bar you can find an excellent variety of up to 14 different beers on tap. Loads of bottled beers as well, served with a smile by very knowledgeable and friendly staff
Whiskey bar with Over 150 whiskeys, live music thu to sat and the legendary rock Dj Andrea on weekends! Happy hour every day from 16:00 to 20:00. Big backyard
48 Einheimische empfehlen
Dillon Whiskey Bar
30 LaugavegurWhiskey bar with Over 150 whiskeys, live music thu to sat and the legendary rock Dj Andrea on weekends! Happy hour every day from 16:00 to 20:00. Big backyard
Entertainment & Activities
Ylströndin at Nauthólsvík is the only golden beach in Reykjavík and a very popular place for sea swimming and sunbathing in summer. Here you can find a manmade lagoon where the cold sea and hot geothermal water merge into one, plus an outdoor 38°C hot tub and steam bath. There’s a service centre with a changing room and showers and a nice restaurant few meters away
434 Einheimische empfehlen
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Ylströndin at Nauthólsvík is the only golden beach in Reykjavík and a very popular place for sea swimming and sunbathing in summer. Here you can find a manmade lagoon where the cold sea and hot geothermal water merge into one, plus an outdoor 38°C hot tub and steam bath. There’s a service centre with a changing room and showers and a nice restaurant few meters away
Bíó Paradís (lit. “Cinema Paradise“) is independent cinema in the centre of Reykjavík, screening the latest art-house releases, special genre films, repertory cinema, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental films.
122 Einheimische empfehlen
Bíó Paradís
54 HverfisgataBíó Paradís (lit. “Cinema Paradise“) is independent cinema in the centre of Reykjavík, screening the latest art-house releases, special genre films, repertory cinema, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental films.
Sightseeing
Enjoy a short trip with the Elding ferry service to the lovely island of Videy, situated just off the coast of Reykjavík. With an extensive network of trails the island can be explored both on foot and by bike. In a beautiful 18th century building you will find a cafe
64 Einheimische empfehlen
Videy
Enjoy a short trip with the Elding ferry service to the lovely island of Videy, situated just off the coast of Reykjavík. With an extensive network of trails the island can be explored both on foot and by bike. In a beautiful 18th century building you will find a cafe
Reykjavik´s most famous landmark. Great view over the city from the bell tower
743 Einheimische empfehlen
Hallgrímskirkja
Reykjavik´s most famous landmark. Great view over the city from the bell tower
Arts & Culture
Oh, the jokes are endless here, but though this unique museum houses a huge collection of penises, it's actually very well done. From pickled pickles to petrified wood, there are almost 300 different members on display, representing all Icelandic mammals and beyond
143 Einheimische empfehlen
Isländisches Phallusmuseum
2 KalkofnsvegurOh, the jokes are endless here, but though this unique museum houses a huge collection of penises, it's actually very well done. From pickled pickles to petrified wood, there are almost 300 different members on display, representing all Icelandic mammals and beyond
Called Árbæjarsafn, an open-air museum to preserve and show selected old houses. The museum’s aim is to give the public an idea of the architecture and the lifestyle of the past. During the summer the museum holds various exhibitions, visitor's programs and different kinds of activities
168 Einheimische empfehlen
Árbær Open Air Museum
110 KistuhylurCalled Árbæjarsafn, an open-air museum to preserve and show selected old houses. The museum’s aim is to give the public an idea of the architecture and the lifestyle of the past. During the summer the museum holds various exhibitions, visitor's programs and different kinds of activities
Isländisches Nationalmuseum
41 SuðurgataNational Museum of Iceland
It is the largest art museum in Iceland. The Museum holds various exhibitions by Icelandic and international artists. The Museum is also a venue for young and promising talents
350 Einheimische empfehlen
Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús
17 TryggvagataIt is the largest art museum in Iceland. The Museum holds various exhibitions by Icelandic and international artists. The Museum is also a venue for young and promising talents
Harpa is a concert hall and conference centre with restaurant and a bistro. The building features a distinctive colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. In 2013, the building won the European Union’s Mies van der Rohe award for contemporary architecture
535 Einheimische empfehlen
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
2 AusturbakkiHarpa is a concert hall and conference centre with restaurant and a bistro. The building features a distinctive colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. In 2013, the building won the European Union’s Mies van der Rohe award for contemporary architecture
Shopping
A unique menswear store that offers a great variety of clothing and accessories. The emphasis has been on traditional clothing, meticulous and classy but over the years there has been an increase in casual wear
53 Einheimische empfehlen
Herrafataverzlun Kormáks og Skjaldar
A unique menswear store that offers a great variety of clothing and accessories. The emphasis has been on traditional clothing, meticulous and classy but over the years there has been an increase in casual wear
Gylltti kötturinn -the golden cat- is a vintage shop that also sells a selection of new clothes. All have one thing in common: it’s never boring! And glamorous. And edgy. As a golden cat should be. Look out for the famous store cat, Baktus the Cat. He even has his own Instagram account
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Gyllti kötturinn
8-10 AusturstrætiGylltti kötturinn -the golden cat- is a vintage shop that also sells a selection of new clothes. All have one thing in common: it’s never boring! And glamorous. And edgy. As a golden cat should be. Look out for the famous store cat, Baktus the Cat. He even has his own Instagram account
Smekkleysa is a independent record label that has put out a lot of classic Icelandic music—the Sugarcubes are still on the board—and their old-school, bright green record shop also stocks a carefully curated selection of new international releases. You’ll always find some rarities and surprises there as well as good vinyl section
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Smekkleysa
35 LaugavegurSmekkleysa is a independent record label that has put out a lot of classic Icelandic music—the Sugarcubes are still on the board—and their old-school, bright green record shop also stocks a carefully curated selection of new international releases. You’ll always find some rarities and surprises there as well as good vinyl section
Rustic, vintage interior, intertwined with the latest fashion in outdoor and woolen clothing
71 Einheimische empfehlen
Geysir
16 SkólavörðustígurRustic, vintage interior, intertwined with the latest fashion in outdoor and woolen clothing
The Kolaportid flea market is located in the old harbor area. It is indoors and open every weekend. Stalls sell vintage clothing, used books, dvds, knick knacks and antiques, as well as toys, woolen goods and more. One part is a food market
183 Einheimische empfehlen
Kolaportid
The Kolaportid flea market is located in the old harbor area. It is indoors and open every weekend. Stalls sell vintage clothing, used books, dvds, knick knacks and antiques, as well as toys, woolen goods and more. One part is a food market
Kringlan
4-12 KringlanYour typical shopping mall
Aftur was established in 1999 and has from the beginning made fashion clothing from recycled clothing.
50 Einheimische empfehlen
Aftur clothing
45 LaugavegurAftur was established in 1999 and has from the beginning made fashion clothing from recycled clothing.
After more than 30 years of operation, the Handknitting Association is renowned for its excellent products and quality. Offering the widest selection of traditional hand knitted Icelandic sweaters, the range of products also includes special designs and a variety of woolen products from leading Icelandic manufactures.
55 Einheimische empfehlen
The Handknitting Association of Iceland
19 SkólavörðustígurAfter more than 30 years of operation, the Handknitting Association is renowned for its excellent products and quality. Offering the widest selection of traditional hand knitted Icelandic sweaters, the range of products also includes special designs and a variety of woolen products from leading Icelandic manufactures.
Rammagerðin is one of the oldest gift shops in Iceland, established in 1940. From the very beginning Rammagerðin has focused on selling Icelandic crafts
17 Einheimische empfehlen
Rammagerdin
12 SkólavörðustígurRammagerðin is one of the oldest gift shops in Iceland, established in 1940. From the very beginning Rammagerðin has focused on selling Icelandic crafts
Essentials
The state run Vínbúðin is Iceland's sole legal vendor of alcohol for off-premises consumption. Alcohol which is stronger than 2.25% is NOT sold in the grocery shops in Iceland. Closed on Sundays
189 Einheimische empfehlen
Vínbúðin
10a AusturstrætiThe state run Vínbúðin is Iceland's sole legal vendor of alcohol for off-premises consumption. Alcohol which is stronger than 2.25% is NOT sold in the grocery shops in Iceland. Closed on Sundays
A small fish and meat shop. They also sell a range of vegetables, bread, and other products such as rice and spaghetti as well as ready made meals and soups all done by themselves. Excellent quality and good prize
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Kjöt Og Fiskur
14 BergstaðastrætiA small fish and meat shop. They also sell a range of vegetables, bread, and other products such as rice and spaghetti as well as ready made meals and soups all done by themselves. Excellent quality and good prize
VÍÐIR EXPRESS supermarket
5 IngólfsstrætiMinimarket. Open until 23:00 every day