Reykjavík is one of the most eclectic and artful cities I have ever visited, and its food scene is no exception to these qualities. From bustling food halls to cozy cafés, there are so many delectable discoveries to find walking through the streets of Reykjavík. I got to experience a few cafés and restaurants during my short stay in this city, these are the three I would happily revisit the next time I cross paths with the lovely Reykjavík.
Kaktus Espressobar
This welcoming little café is located right in the city center on Vitastígur. It was the first place I went to upon arriving in Iceland and the last place I visited before leaving. As much as I aim to try as many different places as possible when I go to a new city, sometimes I find a spot that I just can’t resist revisiting. This was one of those spots for me and when it came time to leave beautiful Iceland, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving on a sour note if I decided to try a new café that disappointed. What I loved so much about Kaktus Espressobar was its simplicity. It seemed like the kind of spot I would be a regular at I lived in the area. It has a delicious food and beverage menu made with quality ingredients. The taper candles lit on each table and plants sitting on every bare surface created the most charming atmosphere. The service was excellent, and the staff were charming. Overall, Kaktus Espressobar is a great, reliable coffee shop that is sure to leave you satisfied, and I would highly recommend stopping by if you’re ever in Reykjavík.
Pósthús Mathöll
Many old buildings in Reykjavík have been repurposed into lively food halls which are a major part of the food scene in the city. Since outdoor dining is uncommon due to Iceland’s climate, food halls have taken the place of street food in the city. There are so many great food halls to try, but the only one I got the chance to visit was called “Pósthús Mathöll”, and it did not disappoint. I tried a few delicacies from the stalls “Funky Bhangra” and “Fuku Mama”, not one crumb was left on any of the plates. Pósthús Mathöll truly has something for everyone from cocktail bars to burritos. If you want to experience the food scene in Reykjavík, visiting a food hall is a must, and Pósthús Mathöll is a great one to start with.
Baka Baka
I visited BakaBaka on a whim for an afternoon pick-me-up and ended up having the best cardamom bun of my life. I had read about the café at one point while looking for somewhere to get breakfast so when I strolled by it, I decided to stop by for a treat. BakaBaka has quite the exceptional reputation as the owner is the man who opened another well-known bakery in Reykjavík, Brauð and Co. Because of their status, it is a very busy establishment, but the staff remain calm and collected whilst breezing through their ever-growing stack of tickets. At night, they turn into a pizza restaurant and wine bar which I personally haven’t experienced but I have no doubt that it’s incredible. BakaBaka is a café worth traveling a little out of your way to visit if you have the time, it’s really that good.
If you’re ever in Reykjavík, I highly encourage you to explore the vibrant food scene and consider giving one of these lovely places a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
