Vegan in Iceland: Complete Guide
Iceland’s traditional cuisine is heavily animal-based (lamb, fish, dairy), but Reykjavík has a functioning vegan dining scene that has grown significantly in recent years. Outside the capital, the situation is more mixed — being prepared to self-cater makes rural Iceland significantly easier for vegan travellers.
Reykjavík Vegan Restaurants
Garðurinn — Klapparstígur 37 Reykjavík’s most established vegan restaurant. Buffet-style hot food at lunchtime, café food at other times. Local, seasonal focus. Lunch buffet approximately ISK 2,200–2,800 as of 2026. Open Monday–Saturday.
Kaffi Vinyl — Hverfisgata 76 A vegan café and record shop. Good coffee, vegan cakes and sandwiches, relaxed atmosphere. Items from approximately ISK 500–2,000. Popular with Reykjavík’s creative community.
Plantan — Laugavegur (location varies) Plant-based street food and casual dining. Check current location and hours.
Jömfru Café — Offers vegan-friendly dishes alongside standard menu.
Restaurants with Good Vegan Options
Most mid-range Reykjavík restaurants have added vegan options in recent years. Worth checking menus at:
- Hlemmur Food Hall — several stalls have vegan options, including the grain bowls and some noodle dishes
- Bæjarins Beztu — a vegan hot dog option is available (ask for the plant-based version)
- Most pizza restaurants — vegan cheese now available at most chains
Rural Iceland
Vegan eating outside Reykjavík is more challenging. In small towns, the standard restaurant menu may have only one or two options (typically a pasta or a veggie burger). The strategy:
- Self-cater: Buy groceries at the nearest Bonus or Krónan before leaving larger towns.
- Check menus online: Most restaurants now have menus on their websites or social media.
- Call ahead: Small guesthouses often prepare food to order and will accommodate dietary requirements with notice.
Síðan (fast food) and petrol station food counters in rural Iceland are limited for vegans — sandwiches and hot food typically contain dairy or meat.
Icelandic Supermarket Guide for Vegans
Bonus: Best value. Stocks oat milk, soy milk, canned legumes, tofu, fresh vegetables, pasta, rice, bread. Vegan cheese options are limited. Check the clearance aisle for reduced-price produce.
Krónan: Better range than Bonus for specialty items — more plant-based alternatives, better produce section.
10-11 / Melabúðin: More expensive convenience stores; useful for emergencies.
Allergens and Communication
Most Icelandic restaurant staff speak good English and can explain ingredients. The word for vegan in Icelandic is vegan (same word). “Ég er vegan” (I am vegan) is understood. For kitchen communication, “enginn kjöt, enginn fiskur, engar mjólkurvörur, engin egg” (no meat, no fish, no dairy, no eggs) covers the main points.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Iceland good for vegans?
- Better than its reputation suggests, particularly in Reykjavík. The capital has several dedicated vegan restaurants and most mid-range restaurants now have at least some plant-based options. Outside Reykjavík, vegan options are more limited — rural guesthouses and small-town restaurants may have only one or two menu items suitable. Self-catering from supermarkets is easier and more reliable in rural Iceland.
- What vegan food can I buy in Icelandic supermarkets?
- Bonus and Krónan stock plant-based milks (oat milk, soy milk), tofu, hummus, a range of legumes and canned beans, bread (most Icelandic bread is accidentally vegan), pasta, rice, frozen vegetables, and some vegan meat alternatives. Skyr comes in plant-based versions (Oat skyr) in some stores.
- Is Icelandic bread vegan?
- Most traditional Icelandic rye bread (rúgbrauð) is vegan — made from rye flour, salt, baking powder, and occasionally sweetened with dark syrup. Check ingredients labels; some commercial versions add milk. Flatbread (flatkaka) is typically also vegan.