Discover Reykjavik's Best Vegan Restaurants: A Plant-Based Food Guide to Iceland's Capital
Looking to explore the land of fire and ice while staying true to your plant-based lifestyle? Reykjavik, Iceland's vibrant capital, has grown to a more vegan friendly destination over the years. From cozy cafés serving warming soups to innovative restaurants crafting Nordic-inspired plant-based delicacies, there are plenty of great spots to choose from!
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Must-Visit Vegan Restaurants in Reykjavik
Mama Reykjavik
The creation of Chef María Ingibjörg, Mama brings global plant-based cuisine to Reykjavik with a distinctly Icelandic twist. The restaurant's cozy interior feels like dining in someone's home, complete with family photos and vintage Icelandic cookbook collections. María sources ingredients from her own greenhouse during summer months.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Daily curry special, homemade kombucha, weekend "family-style" sharing platters
Bankastræti 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Vegan World Peace
Founded by Buddhist practitioner and chef Nara Lee, this restaurant embodies the principle that peace begins on your plate. The space features calm, minimalist décor with touches of Icelandic design, creating a serene dining atmosphere. Their kitchen team works closely with local organic farmers to source seasonal ingredients, and they offer cooking workshops during the slower winter months.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: The Peace Bowl (a nourishing combination of local grains, roasted vegetables, and house-made fermented foods) and their famous chocolate cake made with Icelandic sea salt
Aðalstræti 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Plantan Kaffihus
Opened in 2021 by sisters María and Anna Jónsdóttir, Plantan has quickly become a community hub for Reykjavik's vegan scene. The café's interior features reclaimed furniture and local art, with all dishes served on vintage plates collected from Icelandic homes. They work with a local mushroom farm to create their popular mushroom-based dishes and collaborate with other vegan businesses to host monthly market events.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: House-made pastries, specialty coffee drinks, and their innovative mushroom "seafood" dishes
Njálsgata 64, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Chickpea
Located in the heart of downtown Reykjavik, Chickpea was started by Middle Eastern chef Mahmoud Saad, who brings authentic family recipes passed down through generations and veganized them for modern diners. The restaurant's warm, spice-scented atmosphere transports you from Iceland to a vibrant Middle Eastern market.
Location: Laugavegur 59
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Classic falafel plate, hummus bowl, and their secret-recipe spicy sauce
Entrance from Ingólfsstræti, Hallveigarstigur 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Vegan-Friendly Restaurants with Excellent Options
Kaffihúsið Garðurinn - Ecstasy's Heart-Garden
One of Reykjavik's longest-running vegetarian restaurants, Garðurinn has been serving the community since 1999. Founded by meditation teacher Jónína Ósk, the restaurant reflects her philosophy that food should nourish both body and soul. The peaceful garden setting features plants grown in their own greenhouse.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Daily soup, their famous carrot cake (vegan version available), and seasonal greenhouse salads
Klapparstígur 37, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Svarta Kaffið
A cozy spot that revolutionized Reykjavik's soup scene with their iconic bread bowls. The owners, siblings Björn and Bryndís, every day they offer a meat option and a veggie option. The restaurant's rustic interior features wooden tables made from reclaimed fishing boats.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Soup in homemade bread bowl. Every day there is 1 meat option and 1 veggie option
Laugavegur 54, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Kopar
Under the direction of head chef Ylfa Helgadóttir, this harbor location in a historic building offers stunning views of the Northern Lights during winter months. They have a seven-course vegan tasting menu (4900 ISK) option and it is a journey through Icelandic cuisine with seasonal ingredients, featuring dishes like:
Grilled local mushrooms with pine needle oil
Barley risotto with foraged herbs
Caramelized rutabaga with vanilla and thyme
Birch ice cream with crowberry sauce Each course can be paired with organic wines or local craft beverages.
Price Range: $$$
Must-Try: Vegan tasting menu option (reserve 24 hours minimum in advance), harbor view seating
Geirsgata 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Vladis
Valdis, an iconic ice cream parlor in Reykjavík's vibrant Grandi harbor area, delights visitors with its ever-changing array of creative flavors and generous portions. The cheerful, retro-style shop is known for its daily-made artisanal ice cream and extensive selection of dairy-free options. Their playful approach to flavors, combined with exceptional quality and welcoming service, has earned them a devoted following among locals and tourists alike. The shop's commitment to inclusivity shines through their dedicated vegan menu featuring creamy plant-based scoops that rival their dairy counterparts.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Any of their vegan ice cream options!
5332+CC7, Grandagarður, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Sandholt
Sandholt, a historic family-run bakery and café in downtown Reykjavík, has been perfecting their craft since 1920. This elegant establishment combines traditional Icelandic baking with French pastry techniques, offering an impressive selection of breads, pastries, and café fare. While known for their artisanal baked goods, they've thoughtfully expanded their menu to include several vegan options, from plant-based croissants to dairy-free cakes. The charming space, with its aromatic displays and cozy seating area, provides a perfect setting for enjoying their fresh-baked creations alongside specialty coffee.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Their vegan Shakshouka
Laugavegur 36, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Kemuri
Kemuri, a charming Polish dumpling haven in the heart of Reykjavík, brings a unique twist to traditional pierogi with its extensive vegan menu. The cozy space offers an inviting atmosphere that reflects the sharing culture of Polish dining. Their handcrafted dumplings showcase both traditional and innovative plant-based fillings, ranging from classic sauerkraut and mushroom to creative vegan adaptations. The kitchen's commitment to sustainability shines through their use of local Icelandic produce whenever possible.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Vegan "cheese" and potato pierogi, mushroom and truffle dumplings, weekend special rotating menu of experimental vegan fillings
Hverfisgata 82, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Elder Og Ís - Ice cream and crêpes
Elder Og, a charming ice cream and crêpe shop in Reykjavík, offers a delightful array desserts and is lactose-free, vegan, and gluten-free friendly. The cozy space uses highly-quality organic ingredients in their ice cream flavors and creative crêpe combinations both sweet and savory.
Price Range: $$
Must-Try: Any of their vegan ice cream and crêpe options!
Reykjavik Chips
Started by Belgian-Icelandic couple Marc and Sigríður, Reykjavik Chips brings Belgian fry-making techniques to Iceland by double-frying their potatoes in high-quality vegetable oil. The casual, street-food style spot features fun potato-themed artwork by local artists.
Price Range: $
Must-Try: Large cone of chips as well as their vegan burger.
Vitastígur 10, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Brauð & Co
This artisanal bakery, started by master baker Ágúst Einþórsson, brings traditional Icelandic baking methods to pastries. Vegan friendly, the building's iconic street art exterior makes it impossible to miss. Inside, bakers work in an open kitchen, hand-crafting each item using organic ingredients and sourdough cultures that have been maintained for decades.
Price Range: $
Must-Try: Vegan cinnamon rolls (available daily before noon), sourdough bread, weekend-only special pastries
Multiple locations Google Maps
Te & Kaffi
Iceland's leading coffee chain has a fascinating history dating back to 1984 when coffee connoisseurs Berglind and Harald started roasting their own beans. Each location features unique Icelandic design elements and works with local artists for their cup designs.
Multiple Locations
Price Range: $
Must-Try: House-roasted coffee beans, seasonal drinks
