Skyr is Iceland's ancient cultured dairy, thick and tangy like strained yogurt but technically a fresh cheese. It is eaten with milk and berries, blended into smoothies or folded into desserts.
Skyr dates back to the Norse settlers and is mentioned in the medieval sagas, making it one of the oldest continuously eaten foods in Iceland. It is made by culturing skimmed milk and straining off the whey, leaving a high-protein, low-fat curd. For centuries it was a daily staple that kept through the winter. Today it is a global export, but in Reykjavik it still turns up plain with cream and sugar, on breakfast tables and in the desserts at New Nordic kitchens.
3 editor picks for Skyr in Reykjavik, ranked by editorial score. All Reykjavik signature dishes · Skyr across every city.
Sandholt ★ 4.4
101 · Laugavegur 36, 101 Reykjavik
Sandholt on Laugavegur is a 1920 family bakery and cafe in Reykjavik, where the all-day sourdough breakfast and pastry counter draw a main-street crowd.
Grai Kotturinn ★ 4.3
101 · Hverfisgata 16a, 101 Reykjavik
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.
Salka Valka Kitchen ★ 4.1
101 · Skolavordustigur 23, 101 Reykjavik
Salka Valka on Skolavordustigur runs a relaxed, meat-free Reykjavik kitchen with a daily-changing half-vegan menu of soups, bagels and comfort plates below Hallgrimskirkja.