Kaffi Vest is a cafe in 107, Reykjavik.
Kaffi Vest is a neighbourhood cafe in the western Vesturbaer district of Reykjavik on Melhagi, a local spot for brunch and coffee away from the centre.
Tip: Out in residential Vesturbaer near the swimming pool, so it draws locals more than tourists.
Address: Melhagi 20, 107 Reykjavik
Solon Bistro at the corner of Bankastraeti and Laugavegur is a downtown Reykjavik cafe-bistro of coffee, sandwiches and brunch, an all-day room at the heart of the centre.
Signature drink: Coffee and brunch
Tip: Brunch runs 11:00 to 16:00 daily. Cafe by day, bar later, a quick-stop central anchor.
Reykjavik Roasters on Karastigur is the city's specialty-coffee anchor, a snug 1929 house roasting its own beans and pulling careful espresso.
Signature drink: Single-origin filter
Tip: The original branch behind Skolavordustigur. There are sibling cafes on Brautarholt and Freyjugata too.
Mokka Kaffi on Skolavordustigur has been Reykjavik's oldest cafe since 1958, run by one family and famous for waffles with rhubarb jam and hot chocolate.
Signature drink: Hot chocolate and waffles
Tip: Little has changed since the 1950s, down to the espresso machine. Cash-friendly, no laptops culture.
Cafe Babalu on Skolavordustigur is a quirky two-floor Reykjavik living room of board games and books, pouring coffee with sandwiches, crepes and soups.
Signature drink: Coffee and crepes
Tip: Vegan-friendly plates and a sunny upstairs balcony. A cosy stop on the climb to Hallgrimskirkja.
Grai Kotturinn, the Grey Cat, on Hverfisgata is a tiny basement Reykjavik brunch room famous for the Truck, a plate of pancakes, bacon, eggs and potatoes.
Signature drink: Coffee and pancakes
Order: The Truck, the cafe's signature pile of pancakes, bacon, eggs and potatoes.
Tip: Just a handful of tables, so expect a queue at weekends. Breakfast and lunch only.
Cafe Loki faces Hallgrimskirkja from Lokastigur, a Reykjavik cafe built on traditional Icelandic plates of dark rye bread, mashed fish and rye ice cream.
Signature drink: Coffee and rye bread plates
Order: The Icelandic plate of rye bread with mashed fish, then rye-bread ice cream.
Tip: One of the easiest places to try traditional Icelandic food without a sit-down dinner. Walk-in only.
