What is the best bakery in Reykjavik? Where can you get the best kleina in Iceland? Is Braud & Co. better than Sandholt? Learn everything you need to know about Icelandic baking culture and the best bakeries in Reykjavik in our guide.
Walking around Reykjavik, you won't go for more than a couple of minutes without passing by a bakery. Icelanders love their delicious baked goods paired with coffee or a tall glass of milk.
If you enjoy pastry and beverages, this guide is for you. We will highlight some of the best bakeries in town that you can't miss while staying in Reykjavik.
Most bakeries on this list are in the city center, so they’re easy to visit. There are also a few hidden gems that are worth the drive if you have a rental car. Read on for our delicious recommendations no matter where you're headed.
The Best Bakery in Reykjavik: Key Things To Know
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Must-visit spots like Sandholt, Brauf & Co, and Bernhoftsbakari are known for their delicious classic pastries and fresh-baked bread.
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Look for Icelandic classics like kleina (twisted donuts) and vinarbraud (custard-filled pastries), plus modern artisan treats.
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From cozy, family-run bakeries to trendy, colorful spots, each bakery in our guide has a unique atmosphere and offers a special experience.
Classic Icelandic Pastries and Bread
In 1834, a Danish merchant named Peter Knudtson noticed the lack of bakeries in Reykjavik. He decided to fill the void by purchasing a baking oven and hiring an experienced German baker, Tönnies Daniel Bernhöft, to run the new establishment.
Icelanders baked simple bread like pan-fried dough and ground-baked bread long before the first bakery opened. After that, bakeries became an essential part of Icelandic culture. Today, nearly 200 years later, the baking tradition in Iceland has flourished. Bakeries on every corner and unique Icelandic desserts developed over time are a testament to that.
Besides the common baked goods available in European bakeries, like croissants, donuts, and cupcakes, Icelandic bakeries carry many original pastries you won't find anywhere else. Let's review the classics—these are the staples of Icelandic baking tradition. Any bakeries put their own spin on these classics, but they’re all equally delicious.
Kleina
Kleina is a deep-fried flour dough pastry that's crispy on the outside and decadently soft on the inside. Its signature twisted shape allows it to cook evenly, preventing it from becoming doughy in the center.
Kleina dough is cut into a diamond shape and slit in the center with a special tool called a "kleinujarn." One end of the diamond is then pulled through the slit, creating the iconic shape.
Almost every Icelandic bakery sells kleina, though it originally came from Germany. The legend goes that a boy accidentally dropped a piece of dough into a pot of grease, creating the very first kleina.
Kleinas being deep fried. Photo by Nillerdk, Wikimedia Creative Commons.
Iceland's first kleina recipe appeared in print in 1800, but archeologists uncovered "kleinujarn" tools made out of whalebone, hinting that kleina-making dates even further back in time.
In Scandinavian countries, kleina is a Christmas treat consumed exclusively in December, while in Iceland, it's available year-round. There are desserts inspired by kleina that you can sample in many restaurants in Reykjavik.
Book a table at Saeta Svinid and try their hot kleinur with caramel dip.
Snudur
The classic version of the Icelandic snudur.
Snudur is the Icelandic take on a cinnamon roll, but the bun is less about the cinnamon and more about the roll. Its truly impressive size may intimidate people, and for a good reason.
Not many can eat a whole snudur in one sitting, so don't hesitate to cut yours in half and leave some for later. Thick, fluffy dough makes snudur the perfect base for its true star—the glaze.
The snudur glaze usually comes in three varieties: classic pink, chocolate, and caramel. Whichever you choose, pick a snudur with plenty of it, as the amount of glaze varies from snudur to snudur. The ones left behind at the end of the day are usually the snudur with the least glazed tops.
A new-style version of the Icelandic snudur by Braud & Co.
Many Icelandic bakeries create their version of this filling treat, such as the scrumptious example from Braud & Co. Snudur is usually eaten with a cold glass of milk and is consumed with coffee or tea only rarely.
Vinarbraud
Vinarbraud, or "Vienna bread," is a misnomer since it's an Icelandic version of a Danish pastry. The classic Danish pastry is round with a custard-filled center, while the Icelandic vinarbraud is rectangular, with the custard covering the entire middle of the pastry lengthwise. Topped with pink or chocolate glaze and crushed hazelnuts, vinarbraud has a satisfying crunch.
The size of vinarbraud makes it ideal to enjoy thinly sliced. A whole vinarbraud is often served at afternoon gatherings, allowing each guest to cut their own slice of an acceptable size. Most bakeries also have the option of buying just half a vinarbraud, which is more than enough for two people.
If you're traveling solo and would still like to try Icelandic vinarbraud, you can simply get what's called a "serbakad vinarbraud" ("specially-baked vinarbraud"). This is just a classic circular Danish pastry, or spandauer, as it's called in its home country.
Hjonabandssaela (Happy Marriage Cake)
Hjonabandssaela is an oatmeal jam cake often called "Marital Bliss" or “Happy Marriage Cake.” It's usually made with rhubarb jam since rhubarb grows well in Iceland without the need for greenhouses. Tasty homemade rhubarb jam is the key ingredient of this delicious cake, in addition to the crumbly texture of its buttery crust. The oatmeal either covers the cake evenly or decorates it in a lattice pattern.
The Icelandic hjonabandssaela may have originated from the Austrian Linzer torte, but because of the lack of key ingredients, Icelanders have created something totally new. Hjonabandssaela pairs perfectly with milk or black tea.
Rugbraud (Rye Bread)
Rye bread has been a staple in many European countries and has been part of everyday cuisine since the Middle Ages. While the ingredients used to make traditional Icelandic rye bread are similar to those used in other variations across Europe, the way it's baked makes it stand out.
Icelanders use geothermal heat to bake rugbraud, burying dough-filled wooden casks near geysers or volcanoes. The soil's heat slowly bakes the bread overnight, just in time for breakfast.
Because overnight baking isn’t practical, modern rugbraud is mostly made in ovens and is widely available in local bakeries. The bread is crustless, dark, and dense, making it an ideal pairing for butter, cheese, smoked lamb, or salmon.
You can try the classically ground-baked rye bread on a geothermal culinary tour at Lake Laugarvatn and take a dip in Fontana Spa afterward.
- Try more delicious food in Reykjavik: The Best Restaurants in Reykjavik
The Best Traditional Bakeries in Reykjavik
A trip to Iceland is incomplete without sampling the classic pastries and baked goods that are culturally significant for Icelanders. While the history of baking in Iceland is not as extensive as many other European countries, unique traditions have been established throughout the decades, and the local bakeries uphold them proudly.
When Dunkin' Donuts opened its first outlet in Iceland in 2015, it closed just four years later because Icelanders truly love their local bakeries.
The following list should get you started on your journey to sampling traditional Icelandic baked goods such as kleina, vinarbraud, or hjonabandssaela.
6. Bakarameistarinn
Since Bakarameistarinn opened in 1977, it has been known for its high quality and great variety of baked goods. The bakery's popularity has risen steadily over the years—it now has nine locations in the Greater Reykjavik Area. However, you won't find this bakery in the city center, as most of its outlets are in malls and shopping centers, such as Smaralind.
Visit their original location at Sudurver, close to Kringlan Shopping Mall, which opens early at 6:30 AM. It's a great way to start your day in Reykjavik. If you want to try out Icelandic classics, you can find them all there, in addition to a wide range of delicious sandwiches.
Many of the Bakarameistarinn locations have a cafe-style setting where you can sit down and take your time enjoying delicious treats.
5. Bjornsbakari
Established in 1905, Bjornsbakari is still a steady supplier of tasty baked goods and fresh bread. They have two locations in Reykjavik, one near the city center and another near the town of Seltjarnarnes. The bakery offers a great selection of Icelandic baked goods, including the massive snudur, available with a chocolate or caramel glaze.
There's also a selection of vinarbraud, some big enough to feed a whole family. For something different, try chocolate-dipped kleina, cheesy bread twists (ostaslaufa), or a crumbly "French waffle." Bjornsbakari also makes filling ciabatta sandwiches and bakes a selection of sourdough and whole bread.
4. Mosfellsbakari
This bakery was first opened in 1982 in the town of Mosfellsbaer. Founded by two ambitious young men in their early twenties, it was the first bakery to open in a town that only had about 2,000 inhabitants at the time. The business initially struggled, but high-quality baked goods and friendly service won over the residents.
If you're staying in the capital, Mosfellsbakari has a location in the shopping district of Skeifan, just outside the city center. There, you can find a great selection of bread and a wide range of delicious Icelandic pastries and sweets, including hjonabandssaela, almond cake with pink glaze, and astarpungar, which are fried balls of kleina dough with raisins.
The bakery also specializes in cakes, offering limited-edition cakes every season, be it summer cakes, Christmas cakes, or cakes for special occasions such as Halloween or Iceland's Independence Day.
The bakery in Reykjavik has a stylish interior and a welcoming ambiance that invites you to sit down with your Icelandic pastry and a cup of coffee.
3. Bernhoftsbakari
Bernhoftsbakari is the king of the Icelandic bakery scene. Established in 1834 (in the same location where BakaBaka is now), it is the first bakery that opened in Iceland. The street it was on was named Baker's Hill (Bakarabrekkan), but later renamed Bank Street (Bankastraeti), and it has retained the name to this day.
Bernhoftsbakari is no longer located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, as it has moved a little bit down the street towards the shoreline, not far from the famous Sun Voyager sculpture. With a great selection of snudur, vinarbraud, kleinur, and cinnamon buns, it has everything you would expect from a traditional Icelandic bakery.
Its quaint and modest setting is part of the charm. The walls are decorated with scenes from its long history, with old black-and-white photos, official certificates, and awards throughout the decades.
Bernhoftsbakari isn’t chasing trends or Instagram fame—it’s been serving delicious, traditional baked goods for nearly 200 years.
2. BakaBaka
Located in the historic house of Iceland's very first bakery dating back to 1834, BakaBaka is not just a bakery but also a trendy cafe, pizzeria, and wine bar all in one. Its versatility is unconventional, but the passion for the classic freshly baked Icelandic pastries and bread is unparalleled.
The BakaBaka kleinur are a must-try, especially fresh out of the fryer. It's also a great place to get proper Icelandic rye bread. There's plenty of seating for you to sit down, and the charming setting of this historic house is perfect for a short rest while exploring downtown Reykjavik.
In the evening, BakaBaka turns into one of the best Italian restaurants in Reykjavik, so if you'd like to visit it for a nice sit-down dinner with wine and pizza, book a table at BakaBaka in advance as it is quite popular.
1. Sandholt
Sandholt has been around for over 100 years and has remained a family-owned bakery, now on its fourth generation of artisan bakers. At this bakery, you will find traditional Icelandic pastries made with age-old recipes and some original takes on the classics. There's also a good selection of mouth-watering confectioneries and freshly baked sourdough bread.
The popularity of Sandholt is at an all-time high after a century of it being a staple on Laugavegur Main Street. The family that runs it has focused on expanding its historic location rather than franchising and opening more bakeries.
It has grown from a simple bakery into a large establishment serving yogurts, soups, and sandwiches. It has a spacious seating area, including an outdoor veranda where you can enjoy your meal on a nice day.
Sandholt is located in the same building as the excellent Sand Hotel, and the guests staying there are lucky to enjoy breakfast right next door at Sandholt Bakery.
It's a very popular place to eat during the day in Reykjavik, so we recommend booking a table at Sandholt to make sure you have a spot when you want it.
- Read more: Top 14 Things To Do in Reykjavik
The Best Specialty Bakeries in Reykjavik
The bakery business has been booming in Reykjavik since the 2010s. With an increasing number of visitors coming to Iceland, specialty bakeries have managed to carve out a niche for themselves, serving up new twists on the old classics.
6. Braudhusid
Braudhusid is a true back-to-basics specialty bakery, focusing on the most basic of all baked goods: bread. If you're on the lookout for high-quality organic sourdough bread made with Icelandic whole wheat, this is the perfect place for you.
This hidden basement bakery skips advertising and social media, thriving purely on word of mouth.
Braudhusid, or "The Bread House," serves over 20 different types of sourdough bread made with 100% organic, pesticide-free wheat, making it the healthiest option for bread in Iceland. Owned by two brothers who grew up in their father's bakery, this bakery gives you an intimate family-owned feel and a careful emphasis on healthy eating.
The bakery features a boutique grocery section stocked with organic food and a cozy, wood-accented seating area. And who knows? They might just have some hjonabandssaela cake or cinnamon buns for sale if they're feeling extra sweet.
5. Hygge
Hygge is a Danish-style bakery whose name is derived from the cozy Danish concept of "hygge"—a nice feeling of a warm atmosphere where you feel well and relaxed. True to its name, the bakery offers great cinnamon rolls, savory sandwiches, and Danish pastries.
They also serve a variety of coffee beverages, with hot coffee drinks, iced coffee, and cold brews available—a rare find in an Icelandic bakery.
The place has a slick, spacious Scandinavian design and outdoor seating for a sunny day. Hygge is in the same building as the fantastic Grandi by Center Hotels and within walking distance to some of the best restaurants in Reykjavik.
4. Sweet Aurora Reykjavik
A hidden gem off the beaten path from Skolavordustigur Street in downtown Reykjavik, Sweet Aurora is a proper French-style patisserie. The name of this bakery, while a nod to the aurora borealis Iceland is known for, refers to the French pastry chef Aurore, who owns and runs this charming patisserie.
Highly inventive pastries with a great combination of flavors are on the menu. Some are French classics, such as macarons and eclairs, while others take inspiration from Iceland, such as the Arctic blue cookie, which incorporates arctic thyme mousse from the common Icelandic wild herb.
If you'd like something more filling, go for the quiche, a savory French egg pie. The bakery also has some tasty gluten-free options, making it an inclusive space for different dietary needs. Sweet Aurora is a passion project come true, which just makes the pastries taste even better.
3. Deig
Directly translated to "Dough," this donut and bagel shop truly excels at the two baked goods they specialize in. The key to the Deig donuts is the kleina-style dough that gives them a firmer, chewier texture. Go for a lemon twist or a caramel donut, or indulge in the dark and delicious Oreo donut with white glaze.
Deig also offers a wide selection of savory bagels for those looking for a proper meal. Order a simple bagel with a spread or go for juicy meat-filled New York-style bagels with corned beef or beer-soaked ham.
Deig shares space with the excellent burger joint Le Kock within the entrance of a downtown hotel, so if you want to go to Deig every morning, book a room at Exeter Hotel.
Deig's seating area is another highlight of the place. It's like stepping into the ‘90s: Garbage Pail Kids and Michael Jordan-era NBA cards under the glass tables, and an eclectic collection of used books, board games, toys, and VHS tapes adorn the interior. Watch replays of the classic ‘90s NBA games and cartoons on the mounted TV while enjoying your meal.
2. Brikk
Brikk opened in the town of Hafnarfjordur in 2017, offering sourdough sandwiches and sweet pastries. Since then, it has expanded to three other locations, including one on Hateigsvegur Street close to Hlemmur Square in downtown Reykjavik.
Brikk walks a fine line between a bakery and a bistro. Their sandwiches are well worth the price, overflowing with delicious toppings, paired with a good selection of salads, and often accompanied by a rotating soup of the day that will fill you right up. There are also plenty of decadent sweet pastries to choose from.
Brikk has elevated the concept of the Icelandic snudur, creating a sugary concoction that pushes boundaries. The cinnamon snudur is a classic choice, followed by the incredible salt caramel snudur, and the Nutella "sjomla," a treat for chocolate lovers.
Whether you're having lunch or enjoying a treat, each Brikk location has a seating area where you can linger and rest while indulging.
1. Braud & Co.
Braud & Co. led the way for the bakery scene renaissance in Reykjavik. When the first Braud & Co. bakery opened in 2016, its freshly baked goods would fly off the shelves as customers lined up in droves to purchase a treat, forcing the bakery to close early on more than one occasion.
Since it was first established, it has opened seven other locations and shows no signs of slowing down. The original Braud & Co. in downtown Reykjavik remains the flagship store of the franchise and is instantly recognizable by its colorful exterior, the scorching heat from the ovens, and the delightful aroma of freshly baked cinnamon buns.
Pastries are stacked in warm aluminum trays to stay fresh throughout the day. With hungry customers lining up, you’ll want to choose quickly.
The star of the show is their signature cinnamon bun, which comes in multiple flavors. You can get a vanilla bun, a pistachio bun, or a blueberry and licorice bun for a truly Icelandic experience.
Hungry for More?
Delve deeper into the intricacies of Icelandic cuisine on the many food tours available. Check out some of our favorites:
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Family-Friendly Sweet-Tooth Walking Tour Through Downtown Reykjavik — Visit the leading sweet stores in downtown Reykjavik and discover the country's most beloved treats.
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Reykjavik Beer & Schnapps Guided Walking Tour — Explore Reykjavik nightlife on this walking tour with stops at 3 bars where you sample local brews and schnapps.
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3-Hour Small-Group Traditional Icelandic Food Tour in Reykjavik — Discover how delicious traditional Icelandic food can be on this interactive, food-focused walking tour through Iceland's beautiful capital city.
Bakeries in Reykjavik FAQs
A few more tips below will help you plan your visit and enjoy the delicious treats Reykjavik bakeries offer.
1. Are Reykjavik’s bakeries open early in the morning?
Many bakeries in Reykjavik open as early as 7 AM, making them perfect for grabbing a fresh pastry and coffee before exploring the city.
2. Do Reykjavik bakeries offer gluten-free or vegan options?
While traditional Icelandic pastries contain dairy and gluten, bakeries like Sandholt and Braud & Co. offer gluten-free and vegan-friendly treats.
3. Can I find traditional Icelandic rye bread (rugbraud) in these bakeries?
Definitely! Most bakeries, especially those focused on traditional baking, sell rugbraud, a dark, dense bread often served with butter or fish.
4. Are Reykjavik bakeries expensive?
Prices are generally higher than in other countries due to Iceland’s cost of living, but you can still find affordable options. A pastry usually costs around 4 USD to 7 USD (500–900 ISK).
5. Do bakeries in Reykjavik accept cash, or is card payment preferred?
All bakeries accept card payments, so you shouldn't have any problems.
6. Can I bring Icelandic pastries home as souvenirs?
Some baked goods, like kleina (twisted donuts) and rugbraud (rye bread), travel well and can be packed for a tasty souvenir. Just be sure to check airline restrictions if bringing food across borders.
Take a Bite of Icelandic Sweets
The city is brimming with hidden gems and delightful surprises waiting to be discovered. So grab a warm, aromatic cinnamon bun or perhaps a delicate pastry, and set off to explore the charming streets and hidden corners of Reykjavik.
Our top picks for mouthwatering bakeries in Reykjavik are only the beginning. So take your time, indulge in the sweet treats, and immerse yourself in Reykjavik's warm and inviting bakery culture. Your taste buds will thank you!
Which one would you most like to try? Is there anything that we missed? What is your favorite bakery in Reykjavik? Tell us in the comments below!
