Iceland Coffee Diary

One of my favorite parts of traveling is finding a cozy place to slow down and enjoy a cup of coffee. I hunted down every coffee shop in Reykjavik and made a list of my absolute favorites.

REYKJAVIK ROASTERS

Located right in the middle of Old Town Reykjavik, Reykjavik Roasters is known for its high quality coffee and light wood, Scandinavian aesthetic. You can also be sure to spot locals here sporting their lopapeysas (traditional woolen sweaters). Their beans come from Nicaragua and Colombia, but they roast them right there. This is my absolute favorite place in Reykjavik to relax, warm up, and people watch!

KAFFIBRENNSLAN

This vegetarian-friendly café is also located in Old Town and has covered outdoor seating for summer time. In the middle of winter though, I recommend their upstairs section for a more relaxed seating area away from the hustle and bustle of downstairs. Also, heat rises!

MOKKA KAFFI

I read about this place before I visited and it boasted having the best waffles in town. This little coffee shop is actually one of Reykjavik’s oldest coffee shops - opened back in 1958 and still run by the same family. We got the waffles, a mokka, and a cappuccino. The waffle was perfection - crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. Top that waffle with some strawberry jam and buttery whipped cream, then do your best to muffle any inappropriate noises following. It’s that good.

EMILIE’S

A trendy little coffee shop near the water with great coffee and a tropical plant-themed interior. Ironic, right?

KATTAKAFFIHUSID

This cat-lover’s calling sits right on the edge of Old Town Reykjavik. With chic chandeliers, plush pillows, hanging plants, and a stunning mural painted on the wall, you can hang out with some of their lovey-dovey cats and enjoy a decadent coffee treat and vegan dessert.

Note: I really commend their signs stating to let the cats rest if they’re resting. Animal cafés can be problematic sometimes. No animal should be pestered or disturbed chronically for the sake of human enjoyment, but they do a good job of making sure customers know to leave them be when they’re needing rest and space. There’s a plethora of good cat reading material here, too!

CAFE STOFAN

Located in the newer half of Reykjavik, this place is peak cozy with its rustic tables and antique chairs. While they serve all sorts of food, we went for a simple coffee and some kleinur (Icelandic donuts). I’ve tried kleinur a few times and I’ve noticed freshly made makes all the difference. This one wasn’t overly dry, but was perfectly sweet with a delicate crisp on the outside. Also, it supposedly turns into a bar at night!

TE OG KAFFI

This feels a bit more like a chain, but they do serve interesting coffee beverages like their lakkris (licorice) cappuccino. Personally, I believe licorice and coffee are a flavor match made in heaven. But I’m also 0.2% of the population that enjoys black licorice. Drink at your own risk.