Best Bakeries in Reykjavík: What to Order and Where

For many travelers, Reykjavik’s bakery scene becomes one of the most memorable parts of visiting Iceland. Maybe it starts with a quick cinnamon roll before a tour. Or a coffee stop to warm up from the cold.

Then suddenly, you are planning mornings around fresh sourdough bread, laminated pastries, and whichever bakery still has warm croissants left by noon. That is part of what makes bakery culture feel so special in Reykjavik.

The city has a way of turning small moments into part of the experience. A slow breakfast near Laugavegur. Coffee and rye bread while snow falls outside. Walking into a bakery that smells like cardamom, butter, and fresh bread after spending the morning exploring the city.

And the bakeries themselves are just as varied as the people visiting them. Somehow, even the simplest bakery stop ends up feeling like part of the trip. This guide breaks down the best bakeries in Reykjavik, what each one does best, and exactly what to order depending on the kind of bakery experience you want.

Quick Picks: The Best Bakeries in Reykjavik

What To Try At A Bakery In Iceland

Before bakery hopping through Reykjavik, it helps to know a few Icelandic classics. Traditional pastries and baked goods to look for:

Kleina: A twisted fried pastry flavored with cardamom. Light, crisp, and found across Iceland.
Vínarbrauð: Iceland’s version of a Danish pastry. Usually topped with icing, custard, or jam.
Rúgbrauð (rye bread): Dense, dark rye bread with slight sweetness. Traditionally baked using geothermal heat.
Snúður: Iceland’s oversized cinnamon roll. Sticky, soft, and often topped with chocolate or caramel glaze.
Fresh sourdough bread: Reykjavik’s bakery scene takes sourdough seriously. Many spots bake multiple times daily.

Where To Find The Best Bakeries In Reykjavik

From traditional Icelandic bakeries to modern artisan cafés, Reykjavik has no shortage of great bakery stops. Some are best for quick pastries and takeaway coffee, while others are worth slowing down for breakfast or lunch. Here are some of the best bakeries in Reykjavik, along with what each does best.

Brauð & Co

Best bakery in Reykjavik for cinnamon rolls

If you ask locals where to get cinnamon rolls in Reykjavik, Brauð & Co usually comes up first. The colorful graffiti-covered exterior is hard to miss. Inside, the smell of fresh cardamom buns hits immediately. This bakery built its reputation on organic sourdough bread and perfectly soft cinnamon rolls that somehow disappear within minutes of being served.

What to expect: Limited seating, a fast-moving line and fresh pastries throughout the morning.

‍What to order: Cinnamon roll (kanilsnúður), cardamom bun, stone-ground sourdough loaf and a croissant.

Sandholt

Best for a relaxed breakfast in Reykjavik near Reykjavík Residence

Sandholt feels more like a full bakery café than a quick pastry stop. It has been family-run for over 100 years and remains one of Reykjavik’s most respected bakery institutions.

Unlike smaller bakeries downtown, Sandholt gives you space to slow down. The large café setup works well for breakfast, brunch, or escaping Reykjavik's weather for an hour.

Known for: Croissants, Danish pastries, cakes and desserts, Icelandic pastries and fresh sourdough bread.

‍What to order: Breakfast croissant, lemon meringue tart, Danish pastries and a fresh sourdough loaf.

BRIKK

Best bakery near Oddsson Downtown Hotel

If you are staying at ODDSSON Downtown Hotel, Brikk is one of the easiest and best bakery stops in the city. The bakery sits on the ground floor, making it ideal for slow mornings before heading out to explore Reykjavik.

Brikk feels calmer than many downtown bakeries. Locals come here for lunch, coffee meetings, or fresh bread to take home. The sourdough is the standout.

The jalapeño cheddar loaf has developed something close to cult status among regulars. The soup-and-bread lunch combo is also one of the better casual meals nearby.

Known for: Excellent sourdough, a strong lunch menu, good coffee and relaxed seating.

What to order: Jalapeño cheddar sourdough with spreads, the soup and bread combo, a cruffin, a cinnamon roll and sjónvarpskaka (traditional Icelandic TV cake).

Deig

For donuts & bagels

Not every bakery stop in Reykjavik needs to turn into a full brunch situation. Sometimes you just want coffee, something sweet, and enough money left for Icelandic hot dogs later. That is where Deig works perfectly.

The space is casual and modern, with faster service and lower prices than many bakery cafés around downtown Reykjavik. Most people come for one thing: the crème brûlée donut.

The top gets torched fresh, giving it that crackly sugar layer that makes everyone pause before the first bite like they’re filming a food vlog against their will. Beyond the donuts, the bagels, and sandwiches are solid if you want something more filling before sightseeing.

Good to know: Quick service, best for takeaway, and the popular pastries sell out early.

‍What to order: Crème brûlée donut, the seasonal donut specials and a bagel sandwich.

Baka Baka

Best bakery in Reykjavik for atmosphere

Baka Baka feels different from the moment you walk in. The bakery operates inside a historic wooden building dating back to 1834, which already gives it more character than most modern café spaces.

During the morning, it works as a bakery and coffee shop.

Later in the day, the space shifts into a sourdough pizza and wine bar. It somehow works without feeling gimmicky. The traditional Icelandic baked goods are especially worth trying here. You will usually find kleina, rúgbrauð, and seasonal pastries made with local ingredients.

If you want a bakery that feels distinctly Reykjavik, this is one of the strongest choices.

Known for: Croissants, fresh sourdough bread, Icelandic pastries, cakes and desserts, and coffee.

‍What to order: Kleina, rye bread (rúgbrauð), seasonal pastries, a croissant and sourdough pizza in the afternoon.

Hygge Coffee & Micro Bakery

Best for coffee and Danish pastries

Hygge leans more toward Scandinavian modern than traditional Icelandic. The bakery focuses heavily on laminated pastries, meaning lighter, flakier textures instead of oversized sugary buns. The result feels more refined without becoming overly fancy.

The pistachio roll is the standout. It uses croissant-style dough layered with real pistachio marzipan, giving it a rich but balanced flavor. Coffee is also a serious strength here.

Hygge was voted one of Reykjavik’s top coffee spots, and the flat whites live up to the reputation. If you want a slower café morning, this is one of the best options in the city.

Known for: Excellent coffee, laminated pastries, a strong breakfast menu, spacious seating and a calm atmosphere.

‍What to order: Pistachio roll, ham and cheese croissant, cheese twist, flat white and avocado toast.

How To Choose The Right Bakery In Reykjavik

With so many excellent bakeries across the city, the best choice usually comes down to the kind of experience you want. Some bakeries work best for quick takeaway pastries before a tour or day trip.

Others are better suited for slow breakfasts, long coffee breaks, or relaxed brunches during colder mornings in Reykjavik. Here are a few easy ways to choose:

If you want quick pastries and takeaway: Brauð & Co, Deig, and Bakarameistarinn are great for fast coffee stops, fresh bread, and pastries on the go.
If you want a long breakfast or brunch: Sandholt, Hygge, and Brikk offer more seating, full breakfast options, and a slower café atmosphere.
If you want traditional Icelandic pastries: Bakarameistarinn, Baka Baka, and Bernhöftsbakarí are some of the best places to try classics like kleina, vínarbrauð, and rúgbrauð.
If you love sourdough bread: Brikk, Brauð & Co, and Sandholt are especially known for their fresh sourdough loaves and artisan baking techniques.

The good news is that Reykjavik is compact and easy to explore, so trying multiple bakeries during your trip is very doable. Many visitors quickly realize bakery hopping becomes part of the experience itself.

Where To Stay For Easy Access To Reykjavik’s Bakery Scene

If bakery hopping is part of your plans, it helps to stay close by. At ODDSSON Downtown, Brikk is on the ground floor, so fresh sourdough, coffee and pastries are just downstairs each morning. Reykjavík Residence Hotel is a short walk from Sandholt, and breakfast there includes freshly baked Sandholt bread delivered to your door. Most of the other bakeries on this list are within easy walking distance of both.

Bakery Culture Is Part of the Reykjavik Experience

Part of what makes the city feel so inviting is how naturally bakery culture fits into everyday life here. People slow down. They sit longer. They grab pastries before work, meet friends over coffee, or step inside simply to warm up from the Icelandic weather for a while.

And that feeling becomes part of the trip. What makes Reykjavik special is the mix of old and new. Some bakeries still focus on traditional Icelandic pastries like kleina, vínarbrauð, and rúgbrauð. Others lean into modern Scandinavian baking, laminated pastries, and artisan coffee culture.

No matter where you go, Reykjavik’s bakeries offer more than pastries alone. They give you a chance to slow down, warm up, and experience a quieter side of the city that many visitors end up appreciating most.

FAQs

What is the most famous bakery in Reykjavik?

Brauð & Co is one of the most famous bakeries in Reykjavik, especially for its cinnamon rolls and sourdough bread. The colorful storefront and fresh pastries have made it popular with both locals and visitors.

What pastries should I try in Reykjavik?

Some of the most popular Icelandic pastries include kleina, vínarbrauð, snúður, and rúgbrauð. Many bakeries in Reykjavik also serve croissants, Danish pastries, cinnamon rolls, and fresh sourdough bread.

Which bakery in Reykjavik is best for breakfast?

Sandholt, Brikk, and Hygge are great choices for a sit-down breakfast in Reykjavik. These bakeries offer coffee, pastries, sourdough bread, and full breakfast options in a relaxed café setting.

Are bakeries in Reykjavik expensive?

Bakery prices in Reykjavik are generally higher than in many other European cities, which reflects Iceland’s overall cost of living. Still, bakeries are often more affordable than full-service restaurants, especially for breakfast or lunch.

Where can I find traditional Icelandic baked goods in Reykjavík?

Bakarameistarinn, Baka Baka, and Bernhöftsbakarí are strong choices for traditional Icelandic pastries and breads. These bakeries serve local favorites like rúgbrauð, kleina, and vínarbrauð alongside modern baked goods.

What bakery foods is Iceland known for?

Iceland is known for baked goods like kleina, vínarbrauð, snúður, and rúgbrauð. Many bakeries in Reykjavik also specialize in sourdough bread, cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries, and seasonal cakes made with local ingredients.

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