Eat Like a Local: Reykjavík’s Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots

Snaps Bistro offers French-Icelandic cuisine for your breakfast or brunching pleasure
Snaps Bistro offers French-Icelandic cuisine for your breakfast or brunching pleasure | Courtesy of Snaps Bistro
Amy Schulman

Food Editor

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Reykjavík definitely takes that notion seriously. The city is brimming with restaurants and bakeries touting house-made bread, flaky pastries and eggs whisked with everything from greenhouse-grown veggies to Icelandic smoked salmon.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Grái Kötturinn

Situated partially underground, Grái Kötturinn (The Grey Cat) is easy to miss. But once you’re ushered through the sunken red door, you’ll be welcomed into a cosy atmosphere complete with bookcases, red booths and stools, and heaping platters of eggs and toast. The small kitchen pushes out house-made bread and pancakes, which can be found on most tables in the form of The Truck, a fluffy stack of pancakes paired with eggs, bacon, potatoes, tomatoes, toast, syrup and butter. On those cold winter days, you’d be remiss not curl up in one of the booths and nurse a mug of coffee or hot chocolate.

Prikið

Prikið is notably the oldest coffee shop in Reykjavík. The exterior is still the same as when it opened in the 1950s, but prepared to be surprised on the weekends as it regularly hosts hip-hop DJs who play until the early hours. This establishment has an Anglo-American-inspired menu with names for dishes such as The Station Wagon (bacon, eggs, sausage, toast and baked beans). Breakfast is served all day.

Kaffihús Vesturbær

Located on a sleepy west-side corner, this Kaffihús Vesturbær shuttles out a seemingly unending supply of coffee and pastries from behind the tiny counter. This café is run by five friends, who opened it after finding that their neighbourhood was missing a place for residents to come together over a hot drink. During breakfast and brunch, the tables fill up quickly, brimming with patrons slicing into open-faced sandwiches, burgers and omelettes.

Slippbarinn

Located inside the Hotel Reykjavík Marina, Slippbarinn offers a brunch buffet on weekends from 12pm to 3pm with all the classics, including waffles, bloody marys and green smoothies. Slippbarinn also does a breakfast buffet on weekdays from 6.30am to 10am. Enjoy this antique-decorated café right next to the Old Harbour.

Snaps Bistro

Snaps Bistro serves French-inflected cuisine

At Snaps Bistro, Icelandic ingredients are employed in quintessential French dishes. Sheaths of smoked salmon are piled atop English muffins and poached eggs. Stacks of pancakes are dotted with blueberries and caramelised apples, or try the moules-frites (a bowl of mussels offset with crispy chips). Cool off with a glass of home-made lemonade or a berry smoothie.

Kaffivagninn

Breakfast is served on weekdays from 7am to 11am, with the chia porridge especially good. Brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.30am to 3pm. Enjoy the brunch platter with a little bit of everything, the pancake platter or the french toast platter. Considered the oldest restaurant in Reykjavík, Kaffivagninn is seemingly known only by fishermen, as it sits right on the Old Harbour.

Brauð and Co.

It’s all about bread and pastries at Brauð & Co., a bakery housed in a squat building covered in a colourful mural. The bakers here make a variety of bread – stone-ground sourdough, blueberry and liquorice bread, and rye bread – as well as beautiful croissants, salt-crusted pretzels and swirled buns flecked with cinnamon and poppy seeds. The dining area is a bit small, with room for only one to two people to sit comfortably, but you can head across the street to Reykjavík Roasters to munch on your bounty along with a cup of coffee.

Sandholt

Laugavegur street road in downtown wide angle view and Sandholt bakery store shop with display of bread loaves in window

A family-run bakery, Sandholt has become renowned for its bread: batons of sourdough, barley and spelt bread are ushered out of the ovens in the morning, along with pastries, cakes and tarts. You can grab something to go or snag a seat and order from the breakfast menu, which includes shakshuka ready to be mopped up with chunks of sourdough bread and pancakes topped with Icelandic strawberries and crème fraiche. On your way out, make sure to pick up some house-made jam and chocolates for later.

This article is an updated version of a story created by Camille Buckley.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article