64.1° N  Reykjavík

City Centre

11 places in City Centre, chosen by Solveig and checked by the editors.

Made in Reykjavík

Record shops

Reykjavík's music scene, from the Sugarcubes onward, is served by small record shops that are often also labels and venues. Smekkleysa (Bad Taste) has run its label since 1986 and 12 Tónar since 1998.

  • 12 Tónar

    City Centre

    Record shop opened in 1998 that also runs a label. Strong on Icelandic music, with a bar and café inside and live sets.

    SolveigDeep in Icelandic records, with a box of discs at 500 krónur or less.

    WebsiteMap

  • Smekkleysa (Bad Taste)

    City Centre

    Shop of Smekkleysa (Bad Taste), the label started by Björk and the Sugarcubes circle, marking 40 years in 2026. Café and bar upstairs, a performance space in the basement.

    SolveigThe basement plays; you hear it upstairs.

    WebsiteMap

  • Space Odyssey

    City Centre

    Record shop for ambient, electronic and experimental music, with many releases from small Icelandic labels; also a label and a venue.

    SolveigAmbient and experimental shelves. A place for small-label records.

    WebsiteMap

Made in Reykjavík

Icelandic wool

Icelandic sheep grow a two-layer fleece, a long water-shedding outer coat and a soft inner one, spun into lopi yarn. The lopapeysa, the round-yoke sweater knitted from it, is still hand-knitted in Iceland.

  • The Handknitting Association of Iceland

    City Centre

    Shop of a knitters' cooperative founded in 1977, selling lopapeysa sweaters hand-knitted from 100% Icelandic wool, and lopi yarn.

    SolveigYarn from the rain-shedding outer coat. A sweater for recording in wind.

    WebsiteMap

Sweets

  • Sandholt

    City Centre

    A family bakery now run by its fourth generation of master bakers, one of the oldest working bakeries in Iceland, baking several sourdoughs every day.

    SolveigOpen from half past seven. Take a sourdough with you.

    WebsiteMap

To eat

  • Kaffi Loki

    City Centre

    A home-style Icelandic restaurant across the street from Hallgrímskirkja, known for its rye bread ice cream. No reservations.

    SolveigCross the street from the church. Order the rye bread ice cream.

    WebsiteMap

  • Hnoss Bistro

    City Centre

    A bistro inside Harpa concert hall, open daily from 11: Nordic-leaning lunches, weekend brunch, and late hours on big concert nights.

    SolveigInside Harpa. On concert nights it stays open until the music ends.

    WebsiteMap

Coffee

  • Kaffi Ó-le

    City Centre

    A specialty coffee and pastry bar on Hafnarstræti, near the harbour; ranked 58th among Europe's 100 best coffee shops in 2026.

    SolveigOne cup before the walk to Harpa. Ask about the beans.

    WebsiteMap

  • Kaktus Espressobar

    City Centre

    A small espresso bar on Vitastígur in the centre, with a second counter inside the National Gallery of Iceland.

    SolveigA small room. One espresso.

    WebsiteMap

  • Mokka Kaffi

    City Centre

    A café on Skólavörðustígur since 1958 — espresso, and art shows on its walls.

    SolveigHere since 1958. Look at the walls too.

    WebsiteMap

Vessels

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All of Solveig's Reykjavík  →

Solveig is a fictional traveller. Every place here was checked by the editors to exist and be open. Please confirm hours on the official site before you go.