If there is one thing Icelanders take seriously (besides swimming pools and hot dogs), it's their bakeries! Reykjavík has an AMAZING bakery scene, and some of my favorite mornings here start with a coffee and a warm cinnamon roll before the sun even comes up.
Hey I'm Kyana, an American who moved to Iceland, and I've eaten my way through a LOT of pastries in this city so you don't have to guess. Here are the 5 bakeries I always send friends and family to 👇🏼
1. 280 Bakarí
Where: Klapparstígur 37, 101 Reykjavík
The newest bakery on this list and already a favorite! 280 opened in downtown Reykjavík in October 2025 and it has an open bakery, so you can watch the bakers work while you wait in line. Their baking mixes Icelandic, Scandinavian, French and Italian traditions, which means you can get a Danish rye bread and a cornetto con crema in the same order.
What to order: the gifflar (a Swedish-style cinnamon bun), the vanilla bun and the BMO, a Danish sourdough bun with butter and cheese. Grab a specialty coffee while you're there.
2. Brauð & Co
Where: Frakkastígur 16, 101 Reykjavík (plus other locations around town, including one by Hlemmur Mathöll on Laugavegur)
You can't miss the original Brauð & Co, it's the bakery in the colorful graffiti-covered house on Frakkastígur, just down the hill from Hallgrímskirkja. It opened in 2016 and there has been a line out the door pretty much ever since. Everything is baked right in front of you and the smell alone is worth the walk.
What to order: a cinnamon roll pulled warm from the oven, and a loaf of their sourdough to take back to your Airbnb. Go early, the best things sell out!
3. Hygge Coffee & Micro Bakery
Where: Barónsstígur 6, 101 Reykjavík
Hygge is exactly what the name says, cozy! It's a calm little café that opens early for breakfast and bakes Danish-style pastries with a twist. This is my pick if you want to actually sit down, warm up and take your time with a good coffee.
What to order: a filled croissant or the cinnamon knots. If you're hungry, they also do bagels, focaccia sandwiches and breakfast bowls.
4. Sandholt
Where: Laugavegur 36, 101 Reykjavík
Sandholt is a true Reykjavík classic. The bakery opened in 1920 and has been run by the same family for four generations of master bakers! It sits right on Laugavegur, the main shopping street, so it's the perfect stop while you're exploring downtown.
What to order: their sourdough is the star, but the pastries are beautiful too. They also have a café menu for breakfast and brunch, so it's a great place to sit down with the whole family. If you visit around the holidays, look out for Icelandic Christmas treats like lakkrístoppar (chocolate and licorice meringue cookies).
5. Deig
Where: Tryggvagata 14, 101 Reykjavík
Deig is THE place for bagels and doughnuts in Reykjavík! It's a small, fun spot near the old harbor and it opens early every day, so it's perfect before a tour pick-up. They have lots of vegan options too, which makes it a great stop if you're traveling with a mixed group.
What to order: a bagel with cream cheese (the pretzel bagel is a favorite) and a doughnut for later. The crème brûlée doughnut is a must if you have a sweet tooth.
My Tips for Bakery Hopping in Reykjavík
Go early. Most bakeries open around 7:00 and the best pastries can sell out by lunch.
Walk it. All five are in or near downtown 101 Reykjavík, so you can easily hit two or three in one morning on foot.
Do a cinnamon roll taste test. Every bakery on this list does its own version, from Brauð & Co's classic roll to Hygge's cinnamon knots and 280's gifflar. Pick a winner!
Check opening hours before you go, especially on holidays.
Iceland truly is a bucket list destination for adventure travelers and food lovers. Iceland has something for everyone, solo travelers, honeymooners, and families with kids!
Looking for more places to eat? Check out my Top 10 Best Restaurants in Reykjavík and my list of the 10 Best Things to Do in Reykjavík.
Still need some help planning? Submit for a personalized itinerary and I'll tailor it to fit all your needs! I'm so excited for your trip to Iceland :)
