Food Scene
Passion is a laid back and cosy bakery located close to our flat. Their breads and sandwiches are very good, and they open quiet early on weekdays.
68 locals recommend
Passion Reykjavík
Passion is a laid back and cosy bakery located close to our flat. Their breads and sandwiches are very good, and they open quiet early on weekdays.
Pad Thai serves ONLY Pad Thai, but it is some of the best Pad Thai around.
20 locals recommend
Pad Thai Noodles
ÁlfheimarPad Thai serves ONLY Pad Thai, but it is some of the best Pad Thai around.
It is what it is. Cheap fast food that is just as bad as you remember KFC being.
52 locals recommend
KFC
2 FaxafenIt is what it is. Cheap fast food that is just as bad as you remember KFC being.
Subway
SuðurlandsbrautSubway.
The one McDonald's in Iceland once stood in this spot. However, contrary to what some may think, McDonald's fall in Iceland was not due to lack of interest in cheap fast food, rather the opposite. The cost of operating a franchise was simply too high and drove up prices. Instead, Metro Burger was created in it's stead. Serving nearly identical food, but locally sourced rather than purchased through McDonald's.
13 locals recommend
Metro
The one McDonald's in Iceland once stood in this spot. However, contrary to what some may think, McDonald's fall in Iceland was not due to lack of interest in cheap fast food, rather the opposite. The cost of operating a franchise was simply too high and drove up prices. Instead, Metro Burger was created in it's stead. Serving nearly identical food, but locally sourced rather than purchased through McDonald's.
Bakery and Coffee shop near the Grayline Bus Terminal and shopping center.
Jói Fel Bakarí - Holtagarðar
10 HoltavegurBakery and Coffee shop near the Grayline Bus Terminal and shopping center.
Domino's Pizza
Garðatorg24 hour Dominos. Because sometimes you want food at 3am.
Flóran Garden Bistro
GrasagarðinumSmall cafe by Laugardalur park
Hot dog convenient market stand. This type of little stand is very typical of Icelandic shops.
Sunnutorg station
LangholtsvegurHot dog convenient market stand. This type of little stand is very typical of Icelandic shops.
Sushi and fastfood don't usually go together, but this chain is quite decent.
64 locals recommend
Tokyo sushi
ÁlfheimarSushi and fastfood don't usually go together, but this chain is quite decent.
This place has really good pizza when you're feeling like something a little better than Dominos or Frozen food; the prices aren't too bad either.
La Luna Pizzeria Steakhouse
10 GrensásvegurThis place has really good pizza when you're feeling like something a little better than Dominos or Frozen food; the prices aren't too bad either.
Quizno's
49 ÁlfheimarQuiznos. There's nothing terribly special about this place, but sometimes it hits the spot.
Their burgers are better than Metro, but they're not the best burger you'll ever eat. It's good when you're specifically craving grilled food, rather than pseudo-grilled but actually just cooked in a generic pan food.
GRILL 66
49 ÁlfheimarTheir burgers are better than Metro, but they're not the best burger you'll ever eat. It's good when you're specifically craving grilled food, rather than pseudo-grilled but actually just cooked in a generic pan food.
This restaurant has some of the best burgers in Iceland, in our opinion. Which is saying something, since Icelanders love their burgers.
Hamborgarasmiðjan
5-7 GrensásvegurThis restaurant has some of the best burgers in Iceland, in our opinion. Which is saying something, since Icelanders love their burgers.
Essentials
There are a number of nearby Bonus shops, but this is the one where we get most of our groceries. They have a wide selection of items available at a reasonable price. Please note that they charge for bags.
512 locals recommend
Bónus
There are a number of nearby Bonus shops, but this is the one where we get most of our groceries. They have a wide selection of items available at a reasonable price. Please note that they charge for bags.
Hagkaup is a very popular and common shop in Iceland. Open 24 hours you can buy almost anything you need here, from shoes to cereal to lightbulbs. Their prices are higher than Bonus, but not as bad as a convenience store, and their selection tends to be much better than other shops if you're looking for specialty items.
107 locals recommend
Hagkaup
15 FaxafenHagkaup is a very popular and common shop in Iceland. Open 24 hours you can buy almost anything you need here, from shoes to cereal to lightbulbs. Their prices are higher than Bonus, but not as bad as a convenience store, and their selection tends to be much better than other shops if you're looking for specialty items.
This is a small corner convenience store. They are open later than Bonus, and closer than everything else. However, their prices are higher, and their selection limited.
28 locals recommend
Rangá
SkipasundThis is a small corner convenience store. They are open later than Bonus, and closer than everything else. However, their prices are higher, and their selection limited.
Getting Around
Bus 14 stops here and takes you directly downtown. The bus across the street in the opposite direction will take you to the Kringlan shopping center, which is one of the biggest malls in Iceland. The bus only accepts cash, or the straeto app. All busses here have Wi-fi.
Langholtskirkja station
LangholtsvegurBus 14 stops here and takes you directly downtown. The bus across the street in the opposite direction will take you to the Kringlan shopping center, which is one of the biggest malls in Iceland. The bus only accepts cash, or the straeto app. All busses here have Wi-fi.
Bus stop for bus 12, which goes to IKEA, Mjódd shopping center and bus station, and Hafnarfjörður viking village.
Vogar
Bus stop for bus 12, which goes to IKEA, Mjódd shopping center and bus station, and Hafnarfjörður viking village.
The Gray Line Bus Terminal is where you can go to catch any Gray Line tour, as well as catch the shuttle to-and-from the airport.
42 locals recommend
Gray Line Bus Terminal - Skarfabakki
4 KlettagarðarThe Gray Line Bus Terminal is where you can go to catch any Gray Line tour, as well as catch the shuttle to-and-from the airport.
Budget Car Rental. Along with this, there is also an Avis rental across the parking lot.
Budget bílaleiga
10 HoltavegurBudget Car Rental. Along with this, there is also an Avis rental across the parking lot.
Shopping
Rúmfatalagerinn
13 SkeifanNordic home goods store?
A4
KöllunarklettsvegurA4 carries books, art supplies, and random Icelandic trinkets.
Vínbúðin
5 SkeifanAlcohol store. Not open Sundays, closes around 18 on Saturday I think.
Shopping mall which has a bakery, sushi bar, tex-mex restaurant, as well as a bulk food health store, sports bar, and health clinic.
19 locals recommend
Glæsibær
SuðurlandsbrautShopping mall which has a bakery, sushi bar, tex-mex restaurant, as well as a bulk food health store, sports bar, and health clinic.
Bændur Í Bænum
6 LaugalækurFarmer's market type of shop where you can buy local goods. Closed on Weekends
Electronic store. If you forgot a battery for your camera, lost your charger, or need to purchase any other random electronic goods, this is the place to do it.
14 locals recommend
ELKO
2 SkógarlindElectronic store. If you forgot a battery for your camera, lost your charger, or need to purchase any other random electronic goods, this is the place to do it.
The outlet store for Icewear clothing. If you're looking to bring home some Icelandic knitwear or clothing, this is a shop you should definitely check out, as the prices here are drastically reduced from the stores downtown.
Icewear Outlet
9 FákafenThe outlet store for Icewear clothing. If you're looking to bring home some Icelandic knitwear or clothing, this is a shop you should definitely check out, as the prices here are drastically reduced from the stores downtown.
66 North is an iconic Icelandic brand of outdoor clothing. However, their prices are often quite steep. In Skeifan, they have an outlet store with greatly reduced prices that is worth checking out if you're looking to take home a souvenir.
9 locals recommend
66° North Outlet
66 North is an iconic Icelandic brand of outdoor clothing. However, their prices are often quite steep. In Skeifan, they have an outlet store with greatly reduced prices that is worth checking out if you're looking to take home a souvenir.
Hardware and outdoor store that carries stuff you will never need to buy on vacation. Also is connected to a large flower shop that carries seeds and other plants.
Húsasmiðjan
Hardware and outdoor store that carries stuff you will never need to buy on vacation. Also is connected to a large flower shop that carries seeds and other plants.
10-11
11 AusturstrætiThe most expensive store to buy random food at. Open 24 hours a day.
Camera store, in case you forgot or broke anything and need a quick replacement
Beco - Professional Camera Store
84 LangholtsvegurCamera store, in case you forgot or broke anything and need a quick replacement
Parks & Nature
Reykjavik Botanical Gardens, with a wide selection of plants and flowers.
165 locals recommend
Grasagardur Botanical Garden
105 HverfisgataReykjavik Botanical Gardens, with a wide selection of plants and flowers.
The only zoo in Iceland, which includes primarily native animals to Iceland, as well as a selection of reptiles, and amusement rides for children.
181 locals recommend
Húsdýragarðurinn Park & Zoo
The only zoo in Iceland, which includes primarily native animals to Iceland, as well as a selection of reptiles, and amusement rides for children.
Entertainment & Activities
The largest swimming pool in Reykjavik, which is a definite must-see. Numerous hot tubs for soaking in, pools for swimming in, a water obstacle course, and slides, make this pool one that is worth stopping by.
511 locals recommend
Laugardalslaug
105 SundlaugavegurThe largest swimming pool in Reykjavik, which is a definite must-see. Numerous hot tubs for soaking in, pools for swimming in, a water obstacle course, and slides, make this pool one that is worth stopping by.
Sightseeing
The washing pools of Reykjavik, in the large Laugardalur park. Laugardalur roughly translates to "Hot Spring/Pool Valley", named after the numerous hot springs that run through the area. For many generations, the washing pools here were used by locals to come clean their laundry. A remnant of these times are the large metal racks over small streams-- many of which have dried or cooled due to shifting of the hot springs.
20 locals recommend
Laugardalur washing pools
The washing pools of Reykjavik, in the large Laugardalur park. Laugardalur roughly translates to "Hot Spring/Pool Valley", named after the numerous hot springs that run through the area. For many generations, the washing pools here were used by locals to come clean their laundry. A remnant of these times are the large metal racks over small streams-- many of which have dried or cooled due to shifting of the hot springs.