Where are the best bakeries in Reykjavík?
Wondering where the locals go the get the best pastries and bread in Reykjavík, and what "local" pastries you can't miss?
Life’s too short for boring bread and tasteless cakes. In Reykjavík, there are many bakeries, but we believe that some of them are better than others. So, if you’re hungry in Reykjavík and want delicious baked goods, just stop at any of these bakeries and you won’t be disappointed.
Stopping by a bakery in the city for a cup o' joe and sweet pastries is just one of the things to do in Reykjavík.
Brauð & Co.
TripAdvisor Rating: 5.0/5 (2,781 reviews)
Google Rating: 4.8/5 (4,356 reviews)
Best: Cinnamon Buns (non-traditional, just really good!).
If you’re a fan of sourdough, Brauð & Co. organic sourdough bakery is a mandatory stop for you. Their bread is of very high quality and they have fun and innovative buns, Danishes, croissants and lots more. Brauð & Co. hasn’t been around for very long but they’re expanding rapidly since the people of Reykjavík love their products. If you’re heading to the newly opened Hlemmur Food Hall (highly recommended) make sure to stop by Brauð & Co.’s stall for a nice liquorish bun. They also have bakeries in Klapparstígur and Fákafen.
Address: Austurstræti 17, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (and multiple locations)
Bernhöftsbakarí Iceland's oldest bakery
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (246 reviews)
Google Rating: 4.7 (160 reviews)
Best: Hjónabandssæla, Vínarbrauð, Skúffukaka (tray cake), and Snúður.
When you hear that a bakery has been open since 1834, you know it’s good. Bernhöftsbakarí has been around for almost 200 years and it’s a great place if you want to taste traditionally baked breads, cakes, pastries and more. Tönnies Daniel Bernhöft, a German baker moved to Iceland and opened the bakery in 1834. In those days, they mostly baked traditional breads but later added sweet pastries and cakes. Bernhöftsbakarí recently moved to Klapparstígur 3, not far from Harpa conference hall.
Address: Klapparstígur 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Sandholt since 1920
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (2,446 reviews)
Google Rating: 4.6/5 (3,549 reviews)
Best: Kleina and Snúður.
If you walk down Laugarvegur, you´ll probably see Sandholt bakery. It’s another old bakery, opened in 1920, but don’t be fooled by its age. The bakers there like to develop new products and aren’t afraid to step out of the box. They always use real butter and fresh eggs, and try to make as much as they can from scratch, like sour cream etc. They have a great variety of products like sourdough bread, pastries and even ice cream and chocolates.
Address: Laugavegur 36, 101 Reykjavík
Hygge Micro Bakery
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Google Rating: 4.8/5 (291 reviews)
Best: Flaky and danish style pastries.
Although not a traditional Icelandic style bakery this place was voted the best coffeehouse in Reykjavík in 2025 by the local paper Reykjavík Grapevine (so I couldn't skip it). Although it celebrates danish style pastries it seems to have become a local favorite. Hygge has a cozy atmosphere (very danish of them) paired with flaky pastries and really good coffee.
Address: Seljavegur 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Bakarameistarinn Bakery Chain
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0/5 (51 reviews)
Google Rating: 4.1/5 (355 reviews)
Best: Hjónabandssæla, Vínarbrauð, Kleinur, Ástarpungar, Sjónvarpskaka and Snúður.
You´ll find Bakarameistarinn bakeries and cafés filled with customers all over Reykjavík. The reason is simple: they have good products, and it doesn't hurt that they're all over the place with plenty of seating. Stop by for a nice cup of coffee and Icelandic style pastries or grab one of their famous cheesy asparagus rolls for lunch. You´ll be glad you did - it's a local favorite.
Address: Álfheimar, 104 Reykjavík, Iceland (and multiple locations)
Icelandic Pastries You Must Try
Iceland has a rich baking tradition, and no visit to Reykjavík’s bakeries is complete without trying some of the country’s most beloved pastries. These treats have been part of Icelandic food culture for generations, with each one offering a unique taste and history.
Kleina
Kleina is a twisted deep-fried dough pastry, slightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s often flavored with cardamom and twisted into a distinctive knot shape before being fried to golden perfection. Icelanders love having kleina with a cup of coffee, and it’s a staple in most bakeries across the country. Funnily enough, a lot of Icelanders say that the best kleinur in Iceland are at IKEA. The recipe there is from the chef's grandma in north of Iceland.
Ástarpungar ("Love Balls")
Ástarpungar, or “Love Balls,” are another deep-fried favorite, made from a sweet dough that includes raisins. Unlike kleina, these are round and slightly denser, with a rich flavor that makes them hard to resist.
Snúður traditional cinnamon bun
Snúður is one of the most popular Icelandic pastries, a soft cinnamon roll topped with a thick layer of hard chocolate, or icing either chocolate, caramel or bleikt (pink). The best way to eat a snúður is to peel it apart layer by layer, enjoying the sweet cinnamon filling as you go. The traditional Icelandic bakery cinnamon buns are larger than normal and more bready rather than the more modern ones that are soft and moist.
Vínarbrauð ("Vienna Bread")
Vínarbrauð, or "Vienna Bread," is Iceland’s take on the classic Danish pastry. It’s a flaky, buttery treat often filled with custard, almond paste, or jam and topped with a drizzle of icing. Most bakeries in Reykjavík make individual portions and large versions of it meant for takeaway to share with guests at home. The most traditional style is the most basic rectangular shape.
Sjónvarpskaka (“TV-Cake")
Sjónvarpskaka, or “TV Cake,” is a simple but delicious sponge cake topped with a layer of sugary coconutty goodness. It became a household favorite in Iceland in the 1960s, a time when television first became common in Icelandic homes — hence the name. More specifically the first known recipe was published in 1966, as a snack perfect to munch on while watching tv.
Hjónabandssæla ("Marital Bliss")
Hjónabandssæla, which translates to “Marital Bliss,” is a classic Icelandic dessert made with a hearty oat and butter crust, filled with rhubarb jam. It’s baked until golden and slightly crisp on top, with a chewy and sweet center. It’s a common homemade treat, but Reykjavík bakeries often serve their own versions.
Rúgbraud (Rye bread)
Rúgbraud, or Icelandic rye bread, is unlike any other. Traditionally baked using geothermal heat by burying dough in the ground near hot springs, this dark, dense bread is slightly sweet and incredibly moist. Obviously with technology the baking of this bread has changed for convenience but if you are interested in tasting the real thing, Laugarvatn Fontana baths make rye bread in this old traditional way. It’s best served with butter and a slice of cheese or smoked fish.
Make sure to try a few of these Icelandic pastries. They’re a delicious part of the country’s food culture, best enjoyed with a fresh cup of coffee or everyone's favorite Kókómjólk chocolate milk!
You may also want to know where to find the best foodhalls and the best ice cream in Reykjavík, or public geothermal pools and churches worth a visit.