Vegan Reykjavík: Plant-Based Eating in Iceland's Capital

Reykjavík’s vegan scene has developed considerably over the past decade. A city that had almost nothing for vegan diners now has dedicated restaurants, cafés that lead with plant-based food, and most mainstream restaurants offering genuine vegan options rather than reluctant side dishes. This guide covers the best options across the central 101 area.

Dedicated Vegan Restaurants

Garðurinn — Klapparstígur 37

The original and most established vegan restaurant in Reykjavík, in operation since 1990. Lunch buffet-style service with hot food prepared daily: legume stews, roasted vegetables, grain salads, soups, and baked items. The menu changes daily based on what’s available seasonally.

Price: Lunch buffet approximately ISK 2,200–2,800 per person as of 2026. Fill your plate once; drinks extra.

Hours: Open Monday–Saturday for lunch, approximately 11:30–14:00. Closed Sunday. Check ahead as hours can vary seasonally.

One of the most affordable sit-down meals in Reykjavík regardless of diet preference.

Kaffi Vinyl — Hverfisgata 76

Vegan café and vinyl record shop. Good coffee using plant-based milk as standard, house-baked cakes and pastries, sandwiches, and a rotating menu of plant-based hot dishes. One of Reykjavík’s most enjoyable casual spaces regardless of diet — the vinyl browsing is half the visit.

Price: Coffee from approximately ISK 650–900, food items from approximately ISK 500–2,200 as of 2026.

Hours: Open daily, approximately 11:00–23:00 (later on weekends). Doubles as an evening bar.

Bonus: WiFi and relaxed atmosphere make it a good working café for digital nomads.

Plantan — Njörvasund 14

A newer addition to the Reykjavík vegan scene, located in the 107 district near Laugardalur. Plant-based café with a focus on whole foods and minimal processing. Grain bowls, smoothies, and light hot dishes. Items from approximately ISK 1,500–2,800.

Gló — Engjateigur 19 (and Old Harbour location)

Gló is technically a “health food” restaurant rather than strictly vegan, but the menu is overwhelmingly plant-based. The main offering is a warm salad bar — choose a grain base, then pile on roasted vegetables, pickles, seeds, and sauces. Also offers hot bowls and a daily soup. Widely regarded as one of the best lunch options in Reykjavík for all dietary preferences.

Price: Warm salad bowls from approximately ISK 1,900–2,800. The Old Harbour location (Grandagarður) is convenient before or after a whale watching tour.

Hours: Open Monday–Saturday approximately 11:00–21:00, Sunday 12:00–21:00.

Vegan-Friendly Mainstream Restaurants

Most mid-range and upmarket Reykjavík restaurants now offer at least two genuine vegan options, not just a green salad.

Matur og Drykkur (Grandi harbour, Grandagarður 2): Modern Icelandic cuisine with genuinely creative vegetable dishes alongside the fish and meat. Not primarily vegan but usually has two good plant-based mains. Ask the staff — they’re knowledgeable and the kitchen is flexible. Mains approximately ISK 4,500–7,000.

Hlemmur Food Hall (Hlemmur): Multiple stalls with vegan options. The grain bowl stall serves rice or grain bases with roasted vegetables and sauces from approximately ISK 1,700–2,400. Several Asian stalls have tofu and vegetable options. The most reliable quick vegan lunch in central Reykjavík.

Coocoo’s Nest (Grandagarður, Old Harbour): The brunch menu has good avocado toast and vegetable options from approximately ISK 2,200–3,200. Ask which items are vegan; staff can confirm which eggs and dairy are absent.

Ramen Momo (Laugavegur 4): The menu includes a vegan miso broth ramen option. Bowls from approximately ISK 2,400–3,200.

Skál (Grandagarður 2, Old Harbour): Natural wine bar with small plates. Some vegan options, particularly among the vegetable-forward small plates. Good evening option. Plates approximately ISK 1,800–3,500.

Noodle Station (Skólavörðustígur 21 and other locations): The standard beef broth soup is not vegan, but ask about the vegetable broth option — some branches offer it. From approximately ISK 1,800–2,400.

What to Order at Non-Vegan Restaurants

When eating at a standard Reykjavík restaurant with limited vegan labelling:

• Ask about the soup: Reykjavík restaurants often serve a daily vegetable soup (not made with meat stock) as a starter or lunch option. Ask specifically — the famous kjötsúpa (lamb soup) is not vegan, but vegetable soups are common.
• Pasta dishes: Can often be adapted by removing cream or cheese. Ask the kitchen.
• Starter plates: Many restaurants serve roasted vegetables, hummus, bread, or salad as starters that happen to be vegan — ask to confirm.
• Traditional Icelandic options that are accidentally vegan: Hafragrautur (oatmeal porridge) is served at breakfast in many guesthouses; rye bread (rúgbrauð — traditional Icelandic dark bread, often steamed in geothermal ground) is vegan; harðfiskur (dried fish) is obviously not, but the flatbreads served with it can be.

Coffee and Cafés

Oat milk and soy milk are standard at Reykjavík coffee shops. Most charge approximately ISK 100–200 extra per drink for plant-based milk, though some larger cafés now include it at no extra charge.

Reykjavík Roasters (Brautarholt 2 and Kárastígur) — Specialty coffee with oat milk available. Some café food items are vegan; ask at the counter.

Kaffitár (multiple central locations) — Large chain, good coffee, plant-based milk available. Limited food options for vegans beyond pastries.

Kaffihús Vesturbæjar (Melhagi 20, Vesturbær district) — Neighbourhood café popular with locals. Oat milk available; occasional vegan baked goods.

Brauð & Co (Frakkastígur 16) — Many of the pastries and sourdough breads are vegan (no eggs or dairy in the standard sourdough). Check the counter card or ask — items are clearly labelled in some locations.

Supermarket Shopping for Self-Catering

Self-catering is the most cost-effective and reliable strategy for vegan travellers in Iceland, particularly outside Reykjavík.

Bonus (multiple locations including Laugavegur)

Cheapest mainstream supermarket. Reliable vegan staples available: oat milk (haframjólk), soy milk, almond milk, canned legumes (chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans), dried pasta and rice, fresh vegetables, vegan bread, hummus, peanut butter, and nuts. The deli counter sells marinated tofu in some branches.

Hafragrautur (oatmeal): Sold cheaply at all Icelandic supermarkets — a bag of Icelandic oats costs approximately ISK 300–500 and provides many breakfasts. Accidentally vegan and one of Iceland’s most traditional foods.

Krónan

Slightly better range than Bonus for specialty items. Look for: wider plant-based cheese selection (Violife and local alternatives are stocked), more varieties of tofu and tempeh, better fresh produce range, and specialty grain products (quinoa, bulgur). The Hlemmur branch is convenient for the 101 area.

Heilsuhúsið (health food stores — multiple Reykjavík locations)

Dedicated health food shops stocking a wider range of vegan specialty products than mainstream supermarkets: nutritional yeast, plant-based protein, specialty nut butters, vegan supplements, organic produce, and imported specialty items. More expensive than Bonus but useful for specific items. Located on Laugavegur and other central streets.

Vegan Eating Beyond Reykjavík

Iceland’s rural and small-town food scene is heavily meat and fish-focused. The further you travel from Reykjavík, the fewer dedicated vegan options exist:

• Vík: Sudur-Vík restaurant has limited vegan options; the supermarket (Krónan or Samkaup) is more reliable for stocking up.
• Höfn: Pakkhús restaurant (known for langoustine) can sometimes accommodate dietary requirements — call ahead. The local supermarket is your backup.
• Akureyri: More options than other North Iceland towns. Strikið restaurant (Skipagata 14) has some plant-based options; the Akureyri Bónus and Krónan are well-stocked.
• East Fjords and remote areas: Plan to self-cater using supermarkets in Egilsstaðir (Samkaup/Strax), stocking up for 2–3 days at a time.

General Ring Road strategy: Buy a small cool bag. Stock it with portable vegan food at each major town supermarket (Egilsstaðir, Akureyri, Reykjavík, and Selfoss are the best-stocked). Hummus, rye bread, vegetables, oat milk, and tinned legumes carry well and cover the gap when restaurants are limited.