Cafe Babalu is a brunch spot in 101, Reykjavik.
Cafe Babalu on Skolavordustigur is a quirky two-floor Reykjavik brunch cafe of crepes, grilled sandwiches and soups, with vegan options and a sunny balcony.
Must order: A crepe with a coffee, or a grilled sandwich and soup.
Tip: A cosy, low-key brunch on the climb to Hallgrimskirkja. The upstairs balcony is the seat in summer.
Address: Skolavordustigur 22a, 101 Reykjavik
Apotek on Austurstraeti offers a smarter Reykjavik brunch in the old first-pharmacy building, Icelandic-European plates and grill dishes with cocktails.
Order: Brunch plates off the Argentine grill with a cocktail.
Tip: A more grown-up brunch than the cafes, with cocktails. Open from 11:30 in the heart of the centre.
Kastrup on Hverfisgata won the Grapevine's best Reykjavik brunch for 2025, a Danish-Nordic bistro of open sandwiches, well-poached eggs and weekend mimosas.
Order: The poached eggs, the dish the Grapevine panel singled out.
Tip: Brunch runs only on weekends from 11:45. Book ahead; the win made the small room busier than ever.
Sandholt on Laugavegur serves an all-day bakery brunch in Reykjavik, with shakshuka, sourdough toasts and savoury waffles by the pastry counter.
Order: The shakshuka, or sourdough toast piled with eggs and cheese.
Tip: The pastries come straight from the bakery in the same room. Arrive early at weekends to beat the queue.
Hradlestin on Hverfisgata serves South Indian dosas, appams and bhatura for brunch, the Grapevine runner-up bringing Chennai tiffin to central Reykjavik.
Order: A masala dosa, the dish that won the brunch nod.
Tip: A genuine break from the egg-and-toast brunch template. The crisp masala dosa is the order.
Grai Kotturinn on Hverfisgata is the classic Reykjavik breakfast den, a tiny basement famous for the Truck, a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs.
Order: The Truck, a loaded plate of pancakes, bacon, eggs and potatoes.
Tip: Only a handful of tables, so a queue is likely. Mornings only, closing mid-afternoon.
Cafe Paris on Austurstraeti faces Austurvollur square in central Reykjavik, an all-day French-American brunch room of eggs Benedict, omelettes and crepes since 1993.
Order: Eggs Benedict or Brioche French toast off the all-day brunch card.
Tip: Brunch from 08:30 daily, on the main square. Good for a late breakfast after the early-morning sights.
Apotek on Austurstraeti offers a smarter Reykjavik brunch in the old first-pharmacy building, Icelandic-European plates and grill dishes with cocktails.
Order: Brunch plates off the Argentine grill with a cocktail.
Tip: A more grown-up brunch than the cafes, with cocktails. Open from 11:30 in the heart of the centre.
Kastrup on Hverfisgata won the Grapevine's best Reykjavik brunch for 2025, a Danish-Nordic bistro of open sandwiches, well-poached eggs and weekend mimosas.
Order: The poached eggs, the dish the Grapevine panel singled out.
Tip: Brunch runs only on weekends from 11:45. Book ahead; the win made the small room busier than ever.
Sandholt on Laugavegur serves an all-day bakery brunch in Reykjavik, with shakshuka, sourdough toasts and savoury waffles by the pastry counter.
Order: The shakshuka, or sourdough toast piled with eggs and cheese.
Tip: The pastries come straight from the bakery in the same room. Arrive early at weekends to beat the queue.
Hradlestin on Hverfisgata serves South Indian dosas, appams and bhatura for brunch, the Grapevine runner-up bringing Chennai tiffin to central Reykjavik.
Order: A masala dosa, the dish that won the brunch nod.
Tip: A genuine break from the egg-and-toast brunch template. The crisp masala dosa is the order.
Grai Kotturinn on Hverfisgata is the classic Reykjavik breakfast den, a tiny basement famous for the Truck, a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs.
Order: The Truck, a loaded plate of pancakes, bacon, eggs and potatoes.
Tip: Only a handful of tables, so a queue is likely. Mornings only, closing mid-afternoon.
Cafe Paris on Austurstraeti faces Austurvollur square in central Reykjavik, an all-day French-American brunch room of eggs Benedict, omelettes and crepes since 1993.
Order: Eggs Benedict or Brioche French toast off the all-day brunch card.
Tip: Brunch from 08:30 daily, on the main square. Good for a late breakfast after the early-morning sights.
